Toward A Sustainable Build: A Case Study Of The College Of Engineering, Al-Qasim Green University

Abstract

This paper projects a practical vision for developing and converting the College of Engineering building at the Al-Qasim Green University into a sustainable green building in response to environmental and climate challenges, and to promote sustainable and long-term progress and improvement. The vision focuses on increasing energy and water efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing the quality of the educational environment. The plan is based on design principles that involve trimming down of energy consumption, steadily migrating toward solar energy, installing photovoltaic cells, LED lighting units, and motion sensors. A smart, sensible, and practical building management system (BMS) is also proposed for monitoring energy and water consumption efficiently. In the water management sector, measures include rainwater harvesting, the use of treated graywater, and water-saving valves, along with smart irrigation systems that can reduce consumption by up to 40%. In waste management, the plan focuses on waste sorting, recycling, composting, and promoting a recycling culture among students and staff. The feasibility study shows that this transformation will achieve energy and water savings, improve air quality, and reduce toxic emissions, drawing on the past and continuing experiences of Arab and international universities to endorse and confirm local applicability.