Net-Zero Buildings
Net-Zero Buildings Workshop
The Center of Excellence for Energy hosted a Net-Zero Buildings Workshop in Cairo from May 12 to 14, 2024. Arizona State University Professor Emeritus Dr. Harvey Bryan led the workshop, focusing on the global challenges governments and industries face in achieving net-zero energy and carbon goals. The workshop highlighted the critical role buildings play in emission reduction efforts aligned with the Paris Agreement. It brought together faculty and students from ASU’s Egyptian partner universities—Ain Shams, Mansoura, and Aswan—along with various energy sector stakeholders, attracting around 90 participants for discussions on overcoming net-zero building challenges.
“Addressing Egypt’s energy challenges requires innovative solutions and modern energy education, spanning across various sectors, including the built environment,” expressed Dr. Sayfe Kiaei, project director and professor at Arizona State University. “By sharing advanced knowledge and technologies in energy efficiency and renewable energy, we are helping to build a skilled workforce that can drive the country’s energy transition and secure its energy future.”
In this workshop, Dr. Bryan emphasized the essential role of net-zero buildings in combating climate change. Stressing the importance of a holistic approach that tackles operational, embodied, and value-chain carbon to achieve significant emission reductions, he shared strategies such as full electrification, efficient equipment, and grid-interactive buildings powered by renewable energy. Participants gained insights into using computer simulation tools to compare design options and learned about integrative and climate-responsive design approaches. Dr. Bryan also showcased Arizona State University’s first net-zero energy building as a practical example.
“Some things can’t be transferred but a lot of things can be transferred. It’s really about giving students and others the tools and showing them how we’ve done it. So, learn from our mistakes and from the process we’ve been through.” – Dr. Harvey Bryan
Day two of the workshop focused on building materials, tools for measuring embodied carbon, and life cycle assessment in building design and construction. In addition, Dr. Bryan shared net-zero strategies for existing buildings, proposing building energy disclosure requirements as a method for existing buildings to reach net-zero targets.
“While discussions often revolve around implementing net-zero practices in upcoming constructions, this workshop demonstrated the significance of enhancing existing buildings to lower energy consumption and carbon emissions,” stated Dr. Mona El Wazir, Sustainable Architecture Programme director at Mansoura University. “Of course, this viewpoint expanded my research possibilities and prospects for future work.”
Six Egyptian experts from sectors spanning industry, government, and education provided insights into Egypt’s net-zero building practices, advancements, and future strategies. The panel included ASHRAE Cairo Chapter Member Dr. Hesham Safwat, LEED Fellow and Edge Certification Expert Eng. Karim Farah, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Energy and Environment Consultant Eng. Ahmed Abdrabo, Housing and Building Research Center Professor Dr. Ashraf Kamal, Ain Shams University Head of Urban Design and Planning Department Dr. Mohamed Salheen, and Hassan Allam Holding Sustainability Manager and Center of Excellence for Energy Exchange Program alumna Eng. Mennatullah Mahmoud.
A group of faculty and students were invited to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the final day of the workshop as an example of a Net-Zero building in Egypt. A case-study presentation by members of the museum’s design team covered the GEM’s background and the sections still under development. Design team member Eng. Fady El Sadek led participants on a tour of the GEM, pointing to the sustainable design features and energy-efficient building strategies, including a reflective roof, external shading for thermal comfort, resource-efficient lighting, and water fixtures, in addition to the use of smart meters for energy consumption. The GEM was recently awarded the international EDGE Advanced green-building certification — making it the first museum in Africa and the Middle East, and among a few worldwide, to receive this award.
Dr. Harvey Bryan, PhD, FAIA, LEED-AP
Professor Emeritus
The Design School, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State University
Dr. Harvey Bryan is a specialist in building technology who focuses on the interface between technology and the design of ecologically responsible environments. With over 40 years of experience, he has written more than 100 papers and articles. Dr. Bryan has previously taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University and is the recipient of three Progressive Architecture Awards, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, served on the ASHRAE committee responsible for developing the 90.1-1989 National Energy Standard, and is a member of the Task Group concerned with Buildings Impact on the Environment. (More)
Dr. Hesham Safwat, PhD
Senior Lecturer, British University in Egypt
Consultant Committee Member, HVAC and Energy Efficiency
Dr. Hesham Safwat is a Senior Lecturer at the British University in Egypt with a two-and-a-half decades-long career focused on mechanical power engineering, particularly in HVAC systems, energy efficiency, and sustainable building design. He previously served as a Technical Manager at Miraco-Carrier, leading initiatives to advance HVAC system designs and energy efficiency. His consultancy work, recognized and authorized by the Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers, emphasizes energy modeling, LEED certifications, and the design of commercial systems. He actively participates in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Egyptian Code committee and serves as an International Instructor for ASHRAE. Dr. Safwat is a prolific researcher and author, with a focus on energy-efficient cooling systems, sustainable building practices, and innovative HVAC technologies, earning significant grants and awards. His influence is demonstrated in numerous consultancy projects providing strategic energy audits, design reviews, and sustainability consultations for high-profile establishments, showcasing his commitment to improving building performance and energy efficiency.
Eng. Karim Farah
General Manager, Reeds Consult
LEED Fellow and Edge Auditor
Eng. Karim Farah is a senior architect, sustainability consultant, and LEED and EDGE expert with 30 years of experience in the design and execution of diverse building projects – including airport terminals, academic campuses, hospitals, research facilities, and more. Eng. Farah has managed over 60 LEED projects across major cities, resulting in 24 certifications: 1 Platinum, 13 Gold, 8 Silver, and 2 Certified. He has also led projects in Doha, Qatar, achieving up to 4-star GSAS Certification. Additionally, he has contributed to an ESTIDAMA Pearl Certified project in Abu Dhabi. For over a decade, Eng. Farah served as Sustainability Manager at Dar AlHandasah. Recognized by GBCI as a LEED Fellow in 2020, he’s also a USGBC LEED® Faculty™, conducting over 25 workshops internationally. He has acted as an Edge Auditor for 11 Edge-certified projects, marking the first in Egypt, and led the technical committee behind the development of TARSHEED, Egypt’s green building rating tool. A frequent speaker at international green building conferences, his influence extends across the MENA region and beyond.
Dr. Ashraf Kamal, PhD
Professor of Architecture, Urban Planning and Economics
Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC)
Dr. Ashraf Kamal is a distinguished professor at the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC) in Egypt, where he holds a position in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and economics. With a career spanning over 35 years, Dr. Kamal is an authority in various domains. His expertise in architectural design and realization covers a diverse array of projects with green and sustainable building design and construction. Dr. Kamal has also garnered recognition for his academic research in strategic planning, participatory urban development, and housing and real estate management. Dr. Kamal has made significant contributions to capacity building and training, enhancing the knowledge and skills of future professionals in the field. His impact extends to the realm of academia, where he imparts his wealth of knowledge to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Dr. Kamal has lent his expertise to international projects as an expert in urban economics, circular economy impacts, strategic planning, and climate resilience. Notably, he has led local and international teams in initiatives aimed at promoting energy efficiency and zero-emissions techniques in the building and construction sectors.
Eng. Ahmed Abdrabo
Energy and Environment Consultant
Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
With over 33 years of professional experience, Eng. Ahmed Abdrabo has worked in executive, coordinating, and consulting roles in the energy and environment sectors. For more than 25 years, he has participated in the Egyptian delegation for the UN Climate Change negotiations and contributed to the climate change capacity-building programs in Egypt. Additionally, he has coordinated various energy, energy efficiency, and climate change-related programs in collaboration with international institutions such as the World Bank, USAID, US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, Global Environment Facility, UNDP, EBRD, JICA, and the European Union Commission. Eng. Abdrabo has been involved in numerous local and international sustainable development activities and events, including the recent Rio+20 Summit. Over the past five years, he has led Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in its energy transition initiatives.
Mennatullah AbdelGawad
Business Sustainability Manager
Hassan Allam Holding
Mennatullah AbdelGawad is currently working in the Business Sustainability Department of Hassan Allam Holding (HAH). She graduated from the German University in Cairo, majoring in Sustainable Urban Design and joined the company through Hassan Allam Academy’s Graduates program. She did her master’s at Ain Shams University and wrote her MSc. thesis at Arizona State University through the Center of Excellence for Energy’s exchange program that was fully funded by USAID. Her research topic was Exploring Opportunities to Improve Benefit-Cost Ratio of Energy Efficiency of Green Buildings in Egypt. In addition, she has been an IFC-accredited EDGE Expert since February 2022 and has been awarded Construction Professional of the Year 2023 in Big 5 Construction awards.