The Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC), designed by Atkins, has been short-listed for the 2007 EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence in the category of sustainable construction.

The awards, which recognise the achievements of developments whose raison d'être is environmental protection and improvement, provide public recognition for the individuals and companies who have attained the highest standards within the design and construction industry.

The judging criteria for the awards focus on nine key areas including project innovation, energy efficiency, financial viability and influence, in all of which the BWTC scores highly.

The iconic building is the first in the world to suspend electricity-generating wind turbines between two commercial tower structures, surpassing existing construction boundaries.

The office towers also incorporate a number of other environmentally sound energy efficient measures including solar-powered external lighting, energy efficiency, low-energy fluorescent lighting and enhanced thermal insulation for opaque fabric elements, all of which assist in reducing carbon emissions.

The use of ‘type-rated’ turbines with minimal modifications ensured that the additional cost incurred by incorporating turbines into the project was reduced to around 3.5 of the overall project value making it a financial viable venture and since its initial design launch there have been a number of derivative projects in the region, a true testament to the viability of the project’s design.

Simha LytheRao, senior project manager of Atkins Middle East, commented on being short listed: “We are honoured to be one of the four high-calibre projects short listed for the EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence.

“The award recognises projects that push the boundaries of environmental architecture and generates exposure which helps to promote the use of innovative and effective environmental building solutions, ultimately contributing to shaping the future of our planet for the better.”

Judges for the awards include the chairman of the Environment Agency, Sir John Harman, London's deputy mayor, and the driving force behind many of the capital's green initiatives, Nicky Gavron, Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive of the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Carbon Trust's technology direct David Vincent and the BRE Group director Peter Bonfield.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at London's Natural History Museum on Tuesday October 23.

Situated on the Manama waterfront and in the heart of the region’s leading financial and business hub, the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) project comprises the two 50-storey sail shaped twin office towers, the five-star Sheraton Hotel as well as MODA Mall, Bahrain’s only ultra high-end shopping destination, featuring some 160 luxury retail outlets as well as a host of modern cafes and exciting fine dining eateries. 

The BWTC provides leading regional and international organizations with a world-class business address.

The buildings are highly advanced in design and operation and are Bahrain’s first intelligent offices, employing the latest SMART systems capable of delivering unsurpassed security and maximum competitive advantages and efficiency in office management. In addition, they are the first of their kind in the world, using wind energy to provide 11 – 15 per cent of the electricity needs of the office towers.

Other benefits enjoyed by local and international businesses occupying space at the development is membership to the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA).

Locating at the BWTC offers an exceptional opportunity for connectivity with the global business community.

With more than 300 centers in 100 countries, WTCA has a membership of approximately 750,000 commercial enterprises worldwide.