Msheireb Downtown Doha: Qatar’s first SmartScore Gold certifications
Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is the flagship project of Msheireb Properties that reflects its new vision toward modern urban developments. It is the world’s first fully-built smart and sustainable city district, and the new top destination for living, leisure, and business.
Its prime location in the heart of the capital makes it the perfect place for retail, commercial, residential and civic services. Msheireb Downtown Doha is fully sustainable, with all Gold or Platinum LEED-certified buildings adhering to the highest standards in green building services, and the honor of being the first buildings in Qatar to achieve SmartScore Gold certifications. Blending the best of Qatar’s architectural heritage with modern design, Msheireb Downtown Doha has been a smart city since its inception.
It adopts the latest advanced technology features in its infrastructure and services to cope with the next generations’ needs. Msheireb Downtown Doha is an integrated city that embraces modern, fully furnished residential units, a range of mixed-use and commercial buildings that offer a wide array of retail and business services, and cultural facilities. It is also the home to Msheireb Museums, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Al Wadi Hotel -MGallery by AccorHotels, Park Hyatt Hotel, Msheireb Galleria, and Barahat Msheireb – the biggest open-air covered pedestrian square in the region.
The certification process
The certification started with a kick-off meeting between MDD, WiredScore and the AP organization, Knight Frank. At this meeting, deadlines and responsibilities were defined and the certification process was discussed in accordance with the timing for WiredScore’s launch in the Middle East in 2022.
The SmartScore Questionnaire was then used to make an initial assessment of the building with regards to the various requirements of the certification levels. This assessment was verified in a joint workshop by the on-site MDD and Knight Frank team team, resulting in the desired SmartScore Gold certification level. Furthermore, the next steps and measures that were required to achieve the corresponding credits were determined.
The certification started with a kick-off meeting between MDD, WiredScore and the AP organization, Knight Frank. At this meeting, deadlines and responsibilities were defined and the certification process was discussed in accordance with the timing for WiredScore’s launch in the Middle East in 2022.
The SmartScore Questionnaire was then used to make an initial assessment of the building with regards to the various requirements of the certification levels. This assessment was verified in a joint workshop by the on-site MDD and Knight Frank team team, resulting in the desired SmartScore Gold certification level. Furthermore, the next steps and measures that were required to achieve the corresponding credits were determined.
An iterative process followed, that continuously worked towards achieving the desired certification level and constantly provided new evidence for the measures discussed.
After the documentation of the agreed measures was submitted, MDD received the SmartScore Gold certification. The certificate and the summary of the certification results have been included in the MDD’s rental documents, websites, digital displays, reception plaques as well as published in a press release.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the seamless integration of technology to enhance the lives of our community.
Msheireb Downtown Doha’s smart building concept
The Gold certification level is based on a number of user functionalities and technological principles that set MDD apart from other buildings. A large number of smart features are available to building users as standard, and some optional components can also be used if desired.
Outstanding cybersecurity: A collection of both IT and OT cybersecurity policies and measurements are in place, including physical security, system change control policy, and incident and problem management plan.
Championing health and wellbeing: The buildings use powerful MDD technologies to optimize building systems, such as heating, ventilation, and lighting, to reduce energy consumption, maximize comfort, and further improve wellness through integration with air quality monitoring.
Sustainability and ESG+R: Aggregated and specific data can be accessed by occupiers at a floor-by-floor level, with distinction in heating, cooling, lighting, and lifts.