As the construction and infrastructure industry accelerates efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, global consultancy Egis is stepping up with a transformative approach that redefines how sustainability is embedded into infrastructure. With operations across the Middle East and beyond, Egis recognises there is a great opportunity to influence climate and social outcomes in the hundreds of projects it designs and delivers for clients. This recognition is the foundation of Act4EcoDesign - Egis’ proprietary sustainability integration framework designed to make eco-design the new normal in construction.
Egis’ Act4EcoDesign as a New Standard in Sustainable Construction
Published 19.11.25
7 mins read
Making Sustainability a Design Priority.
Sustainability in construction is often seen as a box-ticking or compliance exercise. Egis goes beyond that by placing environmental performance at the heart of project planning and delivery. Through the Act4EcoDesign framework, sustainability is no longer treated as an afterthought; rather, it becomes a core design principle, embedded from design through to operation.
At its core, the framework is built around seven themes or “environmental stakes”:
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Carbon and energy performance
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Water stewardship
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Biodiversity preservation
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Circular economy integration
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Climate resilience
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Pollution prevention
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Resource efficiency
Each project is assessed across these criteria using a four-tier performance scale. This structured yet flexible approach allows teams to adapt to local challenges while pushing the boundaries of sustainable design.
Integration with Global and Regional Standards.
One of the framework’s strengths is its alignment with internationally and regionally recognised sustainability certifications. In projects already pursuing certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, Envision, Estidama, GSAS, or Mostadam, we directly link our Eco-design performance with the relevant rating system equivalencies, ensuring seamless integration and maximising the environmental benefits for each project.
Training the Next Generation of Eco-Designers.
Embedding sustainability into every project requires not only frameworks and tools but a culture change. That’s why Egis launched the Act4EcoDesign training programme, with a goal of building a community of champions and collaborators across Egis to embed eco-design principles into our daily work.
Developed in part by AXA Climate School, the programme includes e-learning modules and live webinars. These cover both foundational knowledge and practical application across the seven Eco-design themes, ensuring that sustainability becomes second nature for teams at all levels.
Case Studies Showing Real-World Results.
KAFD Fire Station, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Level 4: Very High Performance)
Designed and delivered by Egis, through its architectural subsidiary Omrania, the King Abdullah Financial District Fire Station sets a global benchmark in sustainable emergency response facilities. As the world’s first fire station to achieve LEED Platinum v4 certification, the project exemplifies high-performance design and climate-conscious infrastructure. Key sustainability features include a green roof, on-site solar photovoltaic panels, a high-efficiency building envelope and smart systems that optimize energy, water and indoor environmental quality. The design features a climate-responsive, LED-illuminated louvered façade, exemplifying how even mission-critical infrastructure can embody, sustainability and resilience.
Dubai Exhibition Center (DEC), Dubai, UAE (Level 3: High Performance).
Egis played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, serving as the Lead Engineering and Sustainability Consultant for what is now the largest purpose-built indoor exhibition venue in the region. Spanning 1.2 km and featuring 180,000 sqm of exhibition space, the project reflects Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for tourism and business events. Egis oversaw the full engineering scope, including architectural, structural, and MEP design, while ensuring alignment with legal, statutory, and sustainability requirements. The design features record-breaking clear spans, including a 120-meter portal frame in the South Hall, enabling exceptional spatial flexibility and supporting the rapid two-year construction timeline.
Under Egis’ leadership, the DEC expansion achieved Level 3 Eco-design (High Performance) by integrating sustainability from the outset. Passive design strategies, high-performance MEP systems, rooftop solar panels, and low-carbon materials helped significantly reduce both operational energy demand and embodied carbon. Originally targeting LEED Silver, the project was successfully upgraded to LEED Gold for both phases, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental excellence. Aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable, large-scale infrastructure in the Middle East.
*As published in Construction Week News Saudi - September 2025
Author.
Gheed Abdul JabbarESG Consultant
