Abu Dhabi: The keys to the first eco-villa in the country were handed over to an Emirati after he won a promotion organised by a building firm.
German-Emirati company Bena handed over the key to the eco-villa to Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, a 32-year-old national from Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.
Al Mansouri, who is married and has two children, took part in Bena's promotional scheme during CityBuild Abu Dhabi 2010. Organised with the objective of involving land owners, the competition promised the first eco-villa to be built in the UAE to the winner.
Bena, a manufacturer of pre-cast aerated concrete (PAC), last week announced its plan to build eco-villas made out of the environmentally sustainable material that boasts 10 times the insulative qualities of conventional concrete. PAC is also a fire-proof, sound-proof and earthquake-proof construction material.
The prize-giving ceremony was held on board a yacht with prominent UAE-based developers, contractors, consultants and VIPs in attendance. The occasion also saw a seminar organised by the Middle East's premier emissions-reduction firm, EcoVentures, comparing carbon emissions of standard concrete and PAC. Newly released data showed that PAC helps bring about a marked reduction in carbon footprints.
Measuring the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere or released during the procurement of its raw materials, its manufacture and transportation is one of the most accurate ways of determining its impact on the environment.
Eco-Ventures assessed Bena's new Eco-PAC material as having a carbon footprint of 138kg CO2e/m3 compared with 417.5kg CO2e/m3 associated with conventional concrete, a 67 per cent reduction.
Complying with the Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban structure Framework Plan, Bena has also aroused interest in Abu Dhabi Government circles with its environmentally sustainable building system that can help conserve power usage and cut related expenses.
