The Dubai Metro has caught the world’s attention for its unique offerings.
Dubai Metro is the longest fully automated rail system in the world and will have 47 stations, including 9 underground stations. The curved, shell like stations are reminiscent of the pearl shell, which harks back to Dubai’s traditional pearling past. It is worth mentioning that the stations themselves are part of a public transport network, which means that people are not using their private cars, thus eliminating their individual carbon footprints.
On the sustainability front, the rationalization and optimization of the station’s structure, makes the structure much lighter and efficient, thereby using less structural tonnage. Other features include: Use of highly insulated cladding, which went beyond the local authority’s requirements, to reduce comfort cooling loads and thereby lower energy usage. High performance glazing: The amount of glazing and the orientation were optimized to allow controlled natural daylight to enter the interiors but also to prevent excessive solar gains. Control of excessive solar gains using solar shading devices, again reducing cooling loads and lowering energy usage. Energy efficient light fittings were specified, and their numbers optimized. Natural light itself was used as much as practical for the Underground stations, thereby lessening energy usage. Wherever possible the design teams specified and sourced products that were readily available in the Middle East such as featured glass and ceramic tiles and all viaduct prefabrication was completed in Dubai.
|