Sustainability is key in today’s growing ecologically-aware world.
To instill that into the generations of tomorrow, Estidama is proud to introduce The Estidama Fareej Design Contest in collaboration with Aldar Properties. 
A Fareej can be described as the smallest unit of Emirati communities. It is a group of homes that accommodate an extended Emirati family clustered around a courtyard or park.
Focusing on family relationships, the design of the Fareej ensures:
- Ample space via a central courtyard
- Privacy via a cul-de-sac entrance, keeping out traffic
- Safety and the freedom to move about easily by providing a ‘Sikka’
Fareejs are grouped together into clusters around a central park complex that can support a kindergarten or childcare facility, a play area and a local mosque.
These clusters are combined into proper neighborhoods with a population of 8,000 – 10,000. Local shops and higher density housing complete the needs of the neighborhood.
First Prize Winner
Fareej Design ID: MD90 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project wins the Estidama Fareej Contest on account of how it combines local and modern sustainability features into a functional design. The proposal conveyed a touching poetic style and beauty in its reinterpretation of the traditional element of the wind tower into an innovative wind wall. The “Wind Catcher” was the best representation of an Emirati interpretation of sustainability. The Jury members also appreciated the design’s simplicity and flexibility to a wide range of different development types. The Jury would like to challenge the team to readapt the green roof to meet Estidama guidelines as well as to work on the floor plan and the elevations.
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Honorable Mentions
Fareej Design ID: TJ51 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project was selected for an Honorable Mention on account of its use of a sunken courtyard, original shading structure and the careful consideration of building materials. The Jury would like to challenge the team to evaluate different options for the sunken courtyard as well as to use more organic materials for the shading structure.
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Fareej Design ID: DR09 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project was selected for an Honorable Mention on account of its outstanding originality. The design features an elevated first floor that creates an open, shaded courtyard. The Jury would like to challenge the team to improve the overall sustainability of the structure and to consider additional Estidama sustainability elements.
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Fareej Design ID: FR91 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project was selected for an honorable mention on account of its inspirational design and innovative approach to sustainability. The design is G-shaped and partially elevated. The Jury appreciated the use of the overall elegance of the design and the use given to the courtyard and the intelligence behind the shading choices. The Jury would like to challenge the team to reconsider the floor plan and to integrate additional research on the use of sustainable materials.
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Fareej Design ID: EK09 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project was selected for an honorable mention on account of the overall quality of its comprehensive approach to sustainable design. The project proposed interesting solutions for the courtyard, included a dome structure to reduce solar exposure and integrated the use of a wind tower. The Jury would like to challenge the team to reconsider more options for partially sinking the structure and to use the Estidama Pearl Rating to calculate the impact of the dome/wind tower on the overall sustainability of the design.
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Fareej Design ID: HF76 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
The project was selected for an honorable mention on account of its innovative approach to sustainability. The proposal was one of the most complete in the contest in terms of details and deliverables. The sustainable design options included several ideas on the use of Japanese walls and wind catchers that interested the Jury. The Jury would like to challenge the team to use the Estidama Pearl Rating to calculate the impact of the walls on the overall sustainability of the design.
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Aldar Special Mentions
Aldar Properties selected two designs as the most realistic interpretations of a sustainable villa for the Al Falah Community. Both designs are commendable for their feasibility and their practicality.
Fareej Design ID: MN34 - UAE University
The project deserves to be commended for its use of a very basic concept for the design of the villa, and the incorporation of a functional lay-out. The sustainability features are included in a way that makes them extremely adaptable to the characteristics of the family villas that Aldar Properties envisages for the Al Falah Community.
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Fareej Design ID: OU43 - UAE University
The project deserves to be commended because the students have placed the focus on proposing a project that is practical and consistent with the approach to large developments like Al Falah Community. Aldar Properties wishes to recognize the effort that these teams have done to consider the specificity of the Al Falah Community project and the limitations imposed by the needs of a large development on the design of the villa.
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Estidama Special Mentions
The following five designs receive a special mention from Estidama for the high quality of their presentations. They were selected by Estidama on the basis of their overall quality, adherence to contest guidelines and comprehensive approach to the topic of sustainability.
The projects retained demonstrate creativity and an excellent understanding of the criteria that Estidama chose to highlight in the Fareej Contest. The teams are commended for their dedication and high degree of accomplishment in the preparation of the materials accompanying the submission.
Fareej Design ID: CT91 - UAE University
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Fareej Design ID: WH01 - UAE University
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Fareej Design ID: YZ45 - American University of Sharjah
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Fareej Design ID: BI72 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
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Fareej Design ID: NK25 - Ajman University of Science and Technology
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Challenge
Creating awareness about the importance of sustainability, this challenge aims to engage university students in the fields of architecture, urban planning, engineering and related fields. By participating in this program, students will have the opportunity to integrate best Estidama practice in sustainability into projects that will then be part of Abu Dhabi’s urban environment.
The Estidama Fareej Design Contest fosters meaningful exchange between the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, developers, universities and students.
Students are asked to design a two-story, multi-family, residential villa inspired by the traditional Emirati home to meet the sustainability criteria of Estidama. The building shall be designed to high energy efficiency standards and include sustainable design elements in the categories of:
- Living Systems
- Livable City, Livable Buildings
- Precious Water
- Resourceful Energy
- Stewarding Materials
In addition, the proposed villa shall sit within the site boundaries and include the components listed below:
- Residential units;
- Community gathering space;
- Outdoor spaces;
- Accessibility for all;
- Budget constraints
The winning design will be rated against the Estidama Pearl System for sustainability criteria and presented to Aldar Properties to be integrated into the homes that will be built in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
For more information on the requirements of the challenge, please download the Submission requirements sheet.
Objectives
- To foster a meaningful exchange between the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, developers, universities and students
- Offering students an opportunity to integrate Estidama’s vision of sustainability into projects which will then be part of Abu Dhabi’s urban environment
- Preparing and equipping students with the knowledge of sustainable design
Contest Site
The Al Falah Community is a joint effort of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and Aldar Properties. As part of Abu Dhabi Government's housing initiative, the community will provide 5,000 homes for middle-income UAE families.
It will comprise of:
- Five villages each with its individual Village Centre.
- 15 schools and mosques
- The focal point of the project will be the Town Centre
- The Town Centre will consist of civic buildings, a 65,000 square meter retail mall, a hospital, 50,000 square meters of commercial office space, a hotel and a sports and leisure complex.
Students are encouraged strongly to visit the site of the development. A site visit alongside an Estidama ‘Pearl Rating’ workshop will be organized to familiarize the students with Estidama.
Al Falah
Designed as a practical and sustainable community, Al Falah moves away from the traditional ‘grid’ approach. Community-focused, Al Falah’s innovative model allows for gatherings in a number of open parks connecting its residential, commercial and leisure elements.
Eligibility
- The contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students of architecture, urban planning, engineering and other related fields in the UAE.
- Multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional teams are strongly encouraged.
- Projects can be submitted by individual students or teams of students with no limit on the number of students per team.
- Teams are encouraged to secure a faculty member or industry professional in an advisory role
- Only one entry per team is allowed.
- All entries must be submitted in English and Arabic. Estidama does not take any responsibility to translate any of the entries.
- Teams are required to register for the contest by completing an online registration form on Estidama’s website.
Judging & Jury
Students will be judged on:
- Conceptual design and program fulfillment:
How does the project’s vision meet the requirements? - Integration of sustainable design strategies:
Does it incorporate and apply Estidama’s criteria? - Creativity in process, design and innovation
- Engagement of social, environmental, and economic aspects of program site
- Overall energy reduction and its documentation
Judging can take place at the university level before sending projects to Estidama. University competitions will be arranged by the professor and mentor and can take place anytime before the official deadline for submissions.
The final jury will include senior representatives from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and Aldar Properties.
Submission Requirements
The following must be submitted with your team's design entry. Please read the Submission Requirements and Technical Requirements documents for official guidelines.
Awards
The winners of the contest will be invited to collaborate with Aldar Properties team to discuss the practicality of their designs and integrate elements into the Fareej home models at the planning phase. In addition, the winners will receive a chance to have:
- Model presentation at GreenBuild 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona (USA)
- Model presentation in Future Environment Exhibition 2010
- Model presentation in Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010
- Participation in post-design Charette with Aldar Properties and Estidama. Following the contest, all universities should plan to attend the post design Charette in Abu Dhabi at Aldar Properties’ headquarters. The date will be determined after the winners are chosen.
Timeline
July 2009
- Participating universities announced with press release
- Optional kick off events with schools and site visit
- Jury members announcement
September 24, 2009
- Online student registration final deadline
October 28, 2009 - November 01, 2009
- Contest-bound team submit proposals (computer-based models, 3D perspective and photos) to contest organizers
- Jurors preliminary review of CDs
November 02, 2009
- Announcement of winning team
November 11, 2009 - November 13, 2009
- GreenBuild, Phoenix, Arizona (USA)
November 15, 2009
- Deadline for submission to Al Manakh
December, 2009
- Charette Meeting at Aldar
January, 2010
- Future Environment Exhibition
April, 2010
- Cityscape Abu Dhabi
Disclaimer
The Estidama Fareej Contest organizing committee reserves the right to refuse any entry. Estidama is not liable for lost or misdirected, late or substantially incomplete entries, as well as any entries containing text/images that identify the designer to jurors. The decisions and opinions of the jurors represent their professional viewpoints, not the opinion of Estidama, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council or Aldar Properties. All prizes will be awarded at the discretion of Estidama and all decisions are final.
Aldar Properties
Aldar Properties PJSC is Abu Dhabi’s leading property development, management and investment company. It listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities market in 2004. Aldar was established to support the region’s infrastructure through the creation of high quality, attractive and sustainable communities equipped with residential, commercial, retail, leisure, hospitality, education and medical facilities.
Aldar’s diverse property portfolio includes major developments and re-developments within Abu Dhabi including Yas Island, Al Raha Beach, Central Market, Nareel Island, and Noor Al Ain. The company owns over 50 million square metres of land in strategic locations throughout the Emirate.
For further details visit www.aldar.com
Al Falah Community
Al Falah is a self sufficient mixed residential community that is steeped in tradition and founded on values that are integral to who you are.
It comprises of five villages of stylised villas and a vibrant town centre replete with recreational and leisure amenities so that you can enjoy the accoutrements of modern living while staying true to your culture.
Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council was created by Emiri Decree number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007. Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfilment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city. By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.
Know more about us at www.upc.gov.ae
- Al Falah Brochure PDF file - 6,499 KB
- Pearl Design Brochure PDF file - 8,796 KB
- Submission Requirements PDf file - 51 KB
- Technical Requirements PDF file - 8,204 KB
We would be pleased to hear from you. For queries, comments, suggestions and general feedback regarding The Estidama Fareej Contest, please email designcontest@estidama.org
Estidama
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
P.O.Box 62221
Telephone: +971 (0) 2 409 6000
Fax: +971 (0) 2 443 2903
- For those who will not submit a computer-based model, what are the size requirements for the boards? All drawings (design boards, renderings, etc) should be formatted to fit 11 x 17” sized paper. Use the highest resolution possible. We suggest using a resolution of 300dpi for all graphics prior to converting to PDF.
- Are there size requirements for the model? The model may be created at any scale.
- If plants or shrubs on the site are in the way of our design, will there be penalization for their removal? If your design calls for the removal or trees or shrubs acting as obstructions then there will be no penalization.
- Are we allowed to use our team name, logo, and/or school name for our presentation? You may NOT use your school name on any contest materials. You may use your team names on any component of the exhibit, however, be sure that it cannot be identified with your school or team in any way. The designs are to remain completely anonymous to ensure that there is no bias during the judging process. Logos may be used; however, you are not permitted to use any identifying characters or graphics (such as a university mascot or an Emirate’s flag).
- Is the 1050 sqm plot requirement heated square footage or just strict square footage? The 1,050 sq. ft. is for any conditioned space. Any unheated/unconditioned space (e.g. unheated stairwells) is not included in your total sq. ft.
- What are the scales to be used? We ask that your drawings be large enough for judges to clearly measure and that you explicitly state the scale of your drawings. Keep in mind that they should neatly fit 11 x 17” sized paper.
© 2009 Urban Planning Council, Abu Dhabi