American University in Cairo
OP-1: Building Design and Construction

Classrooms at The American University in Cairo (AUC) have recently been renovated with new sustainable furniture, enhancing both the learning environment and the university's commitment to sustainability. These upgrades include eco-friendly materials and ergonomic designs, contributing to a greener campus while improving student comfort and engagement.

AUC employs various technologies, such as real-time energy use tracking, to ensure efficient energy use across campus. Installation of occupancy sensors in classrooms and meeting rooms helps ensure lights are off when rooms are not in use. The occupancy sensors can also set the temperature to different settings based on occupancy. Sensors are also used as part of the campus’ automated fire detection and suppression system. Currently, a program is in place to test motion sensors in classroom building hallways as well. Lutron software is used to control lights across campus, and HVAC fans and temperatures are controlled through our Building Management System (BMS). The BMS is a computer-based control system that controls and monitors a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment, such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems.

• In 2024, AUC faculty housing Plot#3 earned its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in Operations and Management (O+M) for existing buildings. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) established the certification. The building has a green roof, solar heating, energy-efficient doors and windows, motion sensors, submeters, and a landscape full of low-impact native plants.  Monthly water and building-level energy consumption data are being continuously monitored, and policies, such as no-smoking policies, waste management, or green cleaning, have been partially implemented and discussed for future implementation. In 2013, AUC initiated this project as LEED (O+M) aids building managers in creating more green operations, helping to maximize operational efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. LEED-accredited professionals, along with the AUC task force of faculty members, executive directors, and the Office of Sustainability director, are working to earn AUC Faculty Housing Plot 3 LEED (O+M) certification. Throughout the project, students used the building as a living lab to learn about green building approaches and sustainable methods of building operation.

• Elements of green building implementation as reflected in AUC’s Design, Construction & Renovation: 

The buildings at AUC serve as a foundation for embodying sustainability on campus. When AUC moved to New Cairo in 2008, the architects prioritized sustainability and efficiency in the design of the campus. AUC New Cairo was built using 24,000 tons of reinforcing steel, as well as 115,000 square meters of stone, marble, granite cladding, and flooring. The walls were constructed according to energy management systems, which reduce campus air conditioning and heating energy use by at least 50 percent as compared to conventional construction methods. Throughout the campus, openings from plazas, courtyards, and gateways between buildings are oriented toward the prevailing northeast winds and the University Garden. The water and greenery cool the breeze as it moves up to replace the rising, warmer air at the center of the campus. This environmentally conscious design reduces long-term energy and maintenance costs while also contributing to the social design of the campus. A hollow-square building design is repeated across campus in different

scales, allowing as much natural light and air as possible to enter the offices, classrooms, and labs from every direction. AUC has a sustainable design on most buildings through wooden paneling on windows, which helps to reduce the amount of heat entering buildings while still providing adequate lighting. Most of the buildings on the New Cairo campus have natural ventilation designs and full-day natural lighting elements. There is a building energy management system that makes sure lighting and HVAC are turned off when classrooms and meeting rooms are not in use. 

• The construction and renovation guidelines at The American University in Cairo through the University’s Office of Project Management (PMO) promote sustainability and keep the AUC campus environment friendly, as initially designed, by introducing new technologies according to local and international codes, in the newly requested modifications’ projects as per the three main pillars: (SDGs 9 & 11)

1. Civil work: For material selection, new sustainable materials are introduced, especially in educational spaces, such as resilient flooring, which is produced with green electricity and minimum waste and recycled up to 67% of it as backing content. 

2. Emulsion wall paint shall be used in new modification projects. Ceiling tiles currently used have 37% of their content recycled. 

3. Electrical Work: Indoor light fixtures are converted to LED instead of fluorescent to reduce power consumption. This initiative is continued for each modification project. Converting the light fixtures for outdoor use to LED controlled through solar cell panel boards has started in spaces such as the School of Continuing Education and Student Lounge. The motion detectors are used in the main halls' utilities, and PMO shall have the same concept in the services and utility areas. 

4. Mechanical Work: To achieve the optimum ventilation rate for indoor spaces and reduce the carbon footprint, a programmed room thermostat has been installed in various areas with a separate variable air volume (VAV) system. 

5. Technical requirements/submissions (the evaluation is 100% technical): The contractor shall organize his proposal in the following manner with the subject headings and sequence indicated.