We’re delighted to share that our latest LEED Platinum fit-out in Abu Dhabi has earned certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Our client is one of Abu Dhabi’s largest listed real estate developers.
The project involved extending their workplace and upgrading their existing offices at the same time.
We completed everything within six months and in line with the agreed programme. It wasn’t a simple job, though. So here’s a look at what made it challenging, and how our team made it work.
What Does LEED Platinum Actually Mean?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. According to USGBC, it’s the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Projects earn points for their choices on energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality and more.
A project needs at least 40 points to achieve certification at all. Platinum is a different level altogether. It’s the highest of four levels and requires 80 points or more, as UC Davis explains in its overview of the system.
In other words, Platinum is never a box-ticking exercise. Every decision on site has to support the same goal.
Starting with a Building That Was Already Platinum
Our client’s main building already holds LEED Platinum certification. That set the bar from the very beginning. The extension had to meet exactly the same standard, or it would fall short of the building it belongs to.
So we treated Platinum as our starting point, not our stretch goal. This shaped the way we planned the whole project. It also meant working closely with the client and every project partner right through to handover.
Working Next to a Busy, Operational Mall
One of our biggest challenges was the building’s direct connection to a busy mall in Abu Dhabi. The mall stayed open throughout. Shoppers, retailers and staff passed through the area every single day.
That meant our works had to fit around them, not the other way round. Access, timing and site safety needed constant attention. Our aim was simple: Visitors should hardly notice we were there.
Upgrading a Live Three-Floor Office
At the same time, we carried out modifications to the client’s existing three-floor office. And here’s the tricky part: The office never closed. Teams kept working, meeting and looking after their own clients while we worked around them.
Live environments call for a different kind of discipline. Clear communication matters at every stage. Standards on safety and cleanliness can’t slip, even for a day. Most importantly, people should notice the difference in the finished space, not during the works.
A LEED Platinum Fit-Out Delivered on Programme
Despite all of this, we handed over the project within six months and exactly as planned. We met the full LEED Platinum standard while two live environments stayed open around us.
Staying on programme with this many moving parts takes more than a good plan. You need a committed site team, trusted partners and a client who shares your ambition. Fortunately, we had all three.
A Word from Our Managing Director
Nicola Trivett, Managing Director at Summertown, said: “Achieving LEED Platinum for our project with one of Abu Dhabi’s largest listed real estate developers is a proud milestone for Summertown. It demonstrates what is possible when a shared sustainability ambition is matched by commitment at every stage of delivery. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and project partners and reinforces our belief that exceptional workplaces should create lasting value for people, businesses, and the environment.”
What This Project Tells Us
For us, this project shows that high sustainability standards and live operations can work side by side. A demanding certification, a busy mall and an occupied office could easily have pulled things in different directions. Instead, one shared goal kept everyone on the same page.
It also adds to our growing portfolio of LEED certified projects across the UAE. For example, we delivered a LEED Platinum office for Schneider Electric in Dubai. Each of these sustainable projects reflects the same commitment: Workplaces that keep performing long after handover.
Planning a Sustainable Fit-Out in Abu Dhabi?
Maybe you’re extending your offices, or upgrading a workplace that needs to stay open. Either way, we can help you reach your sustainability goals without putting your business on hold.
Take a look at our sustainable interior fit-out services, or get in touch with our team. We’d love to hear about your next project.
