Second Phase of Masdar City’s Etihad Eco-Residence Awarded LEED Platinum Certification

Masdar has announced that the second phase of its Etihad Eco-Residence project has been awarded Platinum certification, the highest ranking under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.  

The mixed-use development comprises 878 residential units, located across nine low-rise high-performance buildings. Phase one of the development, which was launched in 2018, was the first purpose-built cabin crew accommodation in Abu Dhabi to be awarded LEED Platinum certification. 

“Masdar City is Abu Dhabi’s sustainable urban community and home to one of the largest clusters of LEED Platinum-certified buildings in the world, and this project enhances its reputation as a leader in sustainable urban development. The addition of 100,000m2 gross floor area (GFA) of residential and commercial space highlights the city’s viability as a mixed-use development that provides a high quality of life with a low environmental footprint,” said Yousef Baselaib, Executive Director of Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar.  

“We are delighted to host more Etihad Airways staff in Masdar City and we hope they enjoy the new amenities and recreational space delivered through this project.” 
The second phase also includes over 5,500m2 of retail space, an amenity pool deck and a plaza; combining to create a sustainable, compact and walkable neighbourhood, and a convenient and attractive place to live, work, play and visit.  

“Investment in the Etihad Eco-Residence is an important element of our broader commitment to sustainable growth, and we are proud that the project has helped us to achieve our sustainability goals,” said Adam Boukadida, Etihad’s Senior Vice President, Treasury, Tax and Finance.

“This will enable us to fund long-term leases of the new Eco-Residence complex in Masdar City, and will serve as the foundation for us to fund other sustainable initiatives. It also highlights the growing specialisation of Abu Dhabi as a centre of excellence for financing sustainable projects, at a time of increasing global demand for ethics-based development.”  

The Masdar City team used a holistic and integrated design process, incorporating passive design strategies that achieve minimum performance targets, and exceed these targets where financially feasible. The project demonstrates excellence in environmental design and construction, and is an example of how sustainable development can successfully incorporate the three pillars of sustainability – social, economic and environment.  

The development was built using low environmental-impact construction materials, designed to minimize the impact of strong sunlight, while maximising the availability of natural daylight. Approximately 80 per cent of construction waste was diverted from landfill. 

An enhanced microclimate has been created around each building using sustainable landscaping methods and massing the shape and size of the buildings, capturing the breeze for natural ventilation while offering protection from wind and dust. These features complement the urban environment and contribute to overall energy saving.

The development also features specially designed courtyards – inspired by the region’s culture – to create shading and reduce temperatures during the day by using prevailing winds to prevent heat build-up and improve natural ventilation. 

Solar hot water systems provide 76 per cent of the community’s water demand and the buildings’ design encourages greater water efficiency and the reduction of potable water usage by over 40 per cent through high performance flow and low flush fixtures, as well as greywater reuse for landscape irrigation. The complex is 50 per cent more energy efficient compared with those built to the ASHRAE 90.1.2007 baseline.