A seminar recently held in Dubai  focused on the need to design buildings  with the environment in mind.

The event, titled Green Building Design, was organised by the Dubai office  of Jain & Associates. 
''A total of 25 speakers highlighted the need to create more environmental-friendly buildings against the backdrop  of the Kyoto Protocol,'' said Anish Jain, executive vice president of the Canada-based Jain & Associates.
Jain spoke on the definition of green building design, its impact on design and construction, the criteria for proper site selection and site design, including land use and zoning, storm water management, architectural features such as natural ventilation and light, building envelope optimisation, green roofs and sustainable materials.
Delegates were also informed about  Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, which is granted by the US Green Building Council to sustainable buildings, along with the various levels of certification (silver, gold, platinum).
Three projects of Jain & Associatesÿ-ÿa University Building in Canada, a library in China, and a 2,000 acre sustainable resort in India -ÿwhich incorporate many of green features were highlighted.
Also, a case study of a residential building illustrated that an integrated design approach and knowledge of systems available in the market can reduce energy demand by up to 30 per cent while staying within budget.