Proposal for Promoting Sustainable Architecture through Energy Efficiency Education in the UAE

Given that the building industry is one of the biggest consumers of energy, it is important to support educational initiatives that increase the understanding of students on sustainable design principles in relation to the local context. This study used a quantitative methodology based on a literature review and a survey distributed to architecture students and recent graduates. The analysis of the results highlighted the need for practical applications of local sustainability regulations in architecture education, the lack of incorporation of energy efficiency concepts in architecture education, and the importance of energy simulation tools with user-friendly interfaces and integration with BIM tools. The results were employed to suggest an educational approach for sustainability in architectural programs. The suggested approach includes starting with an introduction to energy efficiency concepts relevant to the climatic conditions and the local regulations of the UAE, then, using the energy simulation tool (Autodesk Insight 2022) to test the impact of energy efficiency parameters directly on the Revit model of a residential villa as a case study, and finally, combining the theoretical knowledge and the simulation tool to achieve the Estidama Pearl Rating System, mainly the Resourceful Energy category. This study ran 22 simulations using active and passive techniques on an existing villa in the UAE and successfully showed the impact of each parameter on energy consumption with reference to Estidama Rating Systems. Integrating energy simulation in undergraduate programs would support students with the concepts of sustainability and energy efficiency.