Curtain rings down on second round of Doha Green Discussions

Architect Jaidah addressing the QGBC event

The Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) has hosted the second series of Doha Green Discussions under the banner ‘Green Buildings from Islamic and Architectural Identity Perspective’.

The event at the QGBC headquarters was attended by as many as 120 participants, mostly QGBC members from the construction, contracting, property development, companies and building materials sectors.

The turnout is indicative of the increasing demand of understanding the sustainable built practices from Qatari and architectural perspective due to growing necessity of environmental-friendly and energy efficient buildings.

The session was led by QGBC founding member and Arab Engineering Bureau managing director Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, the pioneer of the new Qatari architectural movement.

A dedicated advocate of sustainability, Jaidah began by showing the Ka’aba as a symbolic architectural form in its simplest form of a cube and elaborated on the concept of architectural and urban development being based on the core spiritual values of Islam by using the development of Madinah as an example.

He emphasised that the architectural works in the past reflected the cultural, historical and most importantly, the environmental context in which they existed.

The audience were given an insight into the ‘Musheireb – Heart of Doha’ project, which Jaidah stated will be a fine example of modern architecture in sync with nature and community. 

Qatar University’s Civil Engineering Department head Dr Saleh Mubarak pointed out that in Islam, humans are entrusted only with temporary custodianship and therefore, it is the obligation of Muslims to use the natural resources in the environment only as much as they need.

Elaborating the green-built concept from the Islamic perspective, he highlighted construction development that does not waste resources and implements environment-friendly methods is the most favoured in Islam.

"Islam advocates balance in every aspect of life, even in preserving the natural environment. The results of wasting and abusing resources will be borne by humans as the current unpredictable climatic effects and energy shortage events are valid proofs.”

The application of sustainable practices was further addressed by the Middle East Architect Award winner of project ‘Xeritown’, Farid Esmaeil.

"Sustainable designs should use the natural elements rather than overcoming them,” he urged while stating that urban design should take into consideration the different characteristics specific to the climate and environment of the country.

A successful sustainable architectural design is one that not only addresses environmental responsibility, but also, social responsibility.

"Such seminars are important in promoting the dialogues between Muslims and Non-Muslims, especially in the Green building movement, which is critical in maintaining local ecology and securing a unique cultural and architectural identity of the country,” observed QGBC chairman Issa al-Mohannadi.

"The collective action will bring together the minds allowing the best solutions towards sustainable architecture,” he maintained.

QGBC technical committee’s deputy head and master of ceremony, Sandra Dold, stressed that such events help in imparting Islamic and traditional architectural knowledge and involve members of all communities paving the way for the green cause.