Masdar on Sunday announced the awarding of the design and construction contract for its new headquarters complex, which will also house the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The headquarters will be one of the most advanced, sustainable multi-use complexes in the UAE. It will be the cornerstone of Masdar City — the special economic zone, clean-technology cluster and low-carbon city in Abu Dhabi. Completion is set for summer of 2014. The Masdar and IRENA headquarters aims for a four-pearl certification under the Estidama Pearl Building Rating System, one of the strictest energy efficiency and sustainability standards in the world. It will be fitted with 1,000 square-metres of rooftop photovoltaic solar panels — supplying renewable electricity to its tenants — and reduce water usage by more than 50 per cent compared to a typical Abu Dhabi building. The headquarters will be a three building, 32,000 square-metre complex. The buildings will share a community courtyard, connecting offices to spaces to shop, dine, walk, and experience the modern, sustainable lifestyle exemplified by Masdar City. “The award of this contract marks a major milestone in the development of Masdar City,” said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO and managing director of Masdar. “The buildings integrate cutting-edge technologies in energy efficiency, green building and water conservation. We remain committed to the growth of Masdar City as a technology cluster, enabling companies to set up Middle East operations to support the achievement of regional renewable energy targets and the development of clean technologies. “Higher education and research are at the core of Masdar City, enabling companies to partner with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology to accelerate the development of technologies. Organisations, such as Boeing, Siemens, Global Green Growth Institute and IRENA are already working with us and capitalising on the opportunities offered by the technology hub,” added Dr Al Jaber. Brookfield Multiplex was awarded the design and construction contract. “We are thrilled to be selected, and even more honoured to begin construction of one of the most sustainable developments in the world,” said Ashley Muldoon, CEO of Brookfield Multiplex, a 50-year-old global company responsible for building the Emirates Towers in Dubai, London’s new Wembley Stadium and the Central Park tower in Western Australia, among other projects worldwide. From gulftoday