Oman Eco House Design Competition
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Introduction The Oman Eco House targets building eco-efficient houses and was launched by The Research Council (TRC ) for the first time in the national level. The competition is one of the programs that aim at enhancing the spirit of creativity, competitiveness and challenging besides using the Omani architectural heritage in constructing these houses. Oman EcoHouse 1
About the competition The contest idea is based on launching a national competition to design and build sustainable and eco-efficient houses for the best use of energy, sponsored by TRC. The competition aims at enhancing the culture of social and economic sustainability and linking it with the research and innovation culture regarding the design of green buildings, water recycling, using renewable resources of energy and the national policies in this field. One of the contest goals is to revitalize the civilizational heritage represented by the traditional architecture featured with eco friendly specification in its designs, building materials, water management and cooling system. They were also featured with specific heights, directions and the direction of the shadow along the four seasons of the year. The competition was inaugurated in June 2011 by inviting the research and academic institutions and constructions companies to take part in the competition and to share their views and ideas about the design of the eco-house. Higher education institutions which provide engineering programs and architecture program can participate in the competition in respect following the conditions of the competition to achieve its goals. 2 Oman EcoHouse
Eco friendly houses Defined as the buildings that are designed in a way which decreases the consumption of power to reduce its negative effects on the people s health and environment by using the optimum designs, building materials, operations, maintenance, water and waste management. green buildings are considered as a sample of sustainability in design and social development. Steering Committee Members Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs Muscat Municipality Ministry of Housing Ministry of Heritage and Culture The Research Council )Oman Environmental Services Holding Co. (S.A.O.C Oman EcoHouse 3
2 4 Goals of the competition Supporting pioneered ideas in higher education institutions in this field as part of the research and innovation system and help to transform the ideasto products that serve the social, economic and scientific life and other fields. Encouraging the establishment of a tri-partnership between the academic, industrial, and governmental sectors to reach the compatibility between the various sectors within the national frame of research and innovation. Promoting the culture of research and innovation in the field of the green buildings that provide low coat buildings 1 with very high efficiency specifications. Building national 3 capacities both individual and organizational (small and medium enterprisesin the areas of sustainable development such as using of the alternative energy using the eco-friendly materials and developing materials policies in these fields. Utilizing the Omani 5 architectural heritage and its eco-friendly features in designing and building eco-friendly houses. 4 Oman EcoHouse
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Conditions of the competition 1. The participating teams must include instructors from the participating institutions, academic students, design consultancy office, Construction Company and a representative from the regional municipality. 2. The team must ensure the availability of a plot within the university campus to be used to build up the eco-house project. 3. Acquiring all the legal approvals from the relevant departments after the planning and designing process. 4. The capability to construct the EcoHouse as per the approved design and drawings as a permanent building. 5. Confirming the partnership with an institution in the industrial sector (SEM-if possible). Stages of the competition The competition includes three stages as follow: B A Team Formation and Structure Design and Planning Construction Stage C 6 Oman EcoHouse
Evaluation Criterion as per the stages First Stage Submitting hard and soft copy for the proposal and filling the competition form, attached with required documents. Providing the element of building up the national capabilities (the involvement of students in the team). Providing the element of building up the national organizational capabilities (the involvement of SME within the team) Providing the three elements of partnership (academic, industrial,government). Second Stage Planning and designing according to the standards and regulations followed in the sultanate and according to the rules of security and safety supported with innovative ideas. All designs should obtain agreement from the concerned authorities to start building. Using sustainable and renewable energy supported by smart technology. Using effective systems for the water and waste management. Using eco-friendly building materials and resistant to the climate change. Benefiting from the Omani traditional designs and architectural heritage. Submitting the designs and blue prints with all details and a proto type of the design to be built. Third Stage Architectural design innovated from the Omani architectural design and the modern lifestyle with the basic facilities and a garden. House powered by alternative energy to save electricity. Eco-friendly building tools and materials. Smart systems for water and waste management. Oman EcoHouse 7
The qualified teams for construction stage 1 3 GUtech team SQU team Higher College of Technology team 2 Nizwa University team 4 5 Dhofar University 8 Oman EcoHouse