Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has announced that the Doha Metro’s Administration and ICC Building (B14) at Al Wakra has achieved a Platinum rating for GSAS Operations, Premium Scheme, adding to its list of awards and recognitions in the field of environmental excellence.

This recognition from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord), the developer of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), follows a thorough evaluation and audit of the project, reflecting its outstanding performance in terms of sustainability and operational efficiency.

The award ceremony, held at B14, saw Dr Yousef al-Horr, founding chairman of Gord, present the plaque and certificate to engineer Abdulla Saif al-Sulaiti, chief of Service Delivery at Qatar Rail.

The Administration and ICC Building serves as the operational hub of the depot and houses the Integrated Control Centre (ICC), responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of Doha Metro services.

Al-Sulaiti said: "Commitment to sustainability is at the core of our mission to provide integrated railway services that are sustainable, reliable, attractive, and safe. By incorporating the rigorous standards of GSAS, we are ensuring that our infrastructure not only meets the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability but also contributes to a greener, more resilient future.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, al-Horr said: “By achieving GSAS green building certification not only for its state-of-the-art metro stations but also for critical support facilities like the Administration & ICC Building, Qatar Rail has set a remarkable precedent for environmentally conscious infrastructure development. This proactive approach showcases a long-term vision that promotes a sustainable urban future in line with Qatar’s national sustainability goals.”

The B14 has been able to achieve the highest GSAS Operations rating because of several key green features. The building is optimised for energy efficiency, with a central chilled water plant used to supply cooling throughout the structure.

Energy-saving equipment and lighting fixtures reduce overall energy consumption. The water management strategy includes the recycling of wastewater for irrigation purposes and helps conserve potable water resources.

Waste management at the site also adheres to high environmental standards, with the majority of the waste recycled, reducing the environmental impact of the operation. The project has incorporated a solar hot water system too.

The latest GSAS Operations certification of the Administration and ICC Building complements the building’s existing green building credentials, having previously earned a 4-star rating under the GSAS Design and Build Scheme as part of the overall Doha Metro Depot in Al-Wakra, and class A* under the GSAS Construction Management Scheme.