Royal Herbs Al-Bahareya Village

On a 4,200 sqm plot of land, ECOnsult designed and built eight buildings to accommodate 120 people, including workers’ and engineers' residences, a VIP house, a cafeteria, a clinic, meeting rooms, training rooms, and a worship area. Located in the Western Desert, where temperatures in the summer can reach 50 degrees Celsius, the complex now operates without the need for energy-intensive air conditioning units. Integrated into the design were key features that dissipate and control heat and reduce GHG emissions by applying affordable, low-tech solutions. As a result, the rooms’ temperatures remain at a comfortable 19 to 26 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The Bahareya Farm Complex is 100% powered by a solar energy micro-grid that saves 155 tons of CO2 and reduces energy costs by 23,000 USD annually. Additionally, the complex was designed to use 65% less water and 64% less energy than conventional building practices by deploying smart design-first architectural solutions that, among other things, illustrate and prove how to dissipate and manage heat in buildings through design while improving the livelihoods of its inhabitants. The Village received three Tarsheed certifications from the Egyptian Green Building Council for its energy, water, and habitat saving measures, which reached platinum and gold levels.

Sustainable Features

64% energy savings 65% water savings 50% reduction in negative environmental impact
  • Passive cooling: eliminates AC usage by providing thermal comfort with design techniques and optimum building orientation
  • Cross ventilation: permits airflow by design to allow for heat escape and provide adequate air circulation
  • Thermal mass: selected building materials have high thermal insulation to provide maximum insulation against the desert's heat
  • Roof: reduces heat conductivity by covering the entire roof with reflective tiles
  • Windows: high-performance double-glazed windows reduce heat transfer and provide a comfortable thermal environment
  • Renewable Energy: uses solar-powered water heaters to provide heated water
  • Landscape: uses gravel and arid plants to minimize irrigation water usage and waste
  • Composting: organic waste is composted to produce natural compost and reuse it in organic farming
  • Indigenous techniques: uses Shee Babounich or Mugworts plants to repel insects and snakes and act as a natural air freshener.
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Client: Royal Herbs
Location: Egypt
Date: 2019
Award: Triple TARSHEED Awards, 2020 ASHDEN Awards Shortlisted, World Green Building Council
Tags: Natural Cooling, Passive Design, Local and Natural Resources, Model for Heat Resilience, Green-Certified Self-Sustainable Model for an Egyptian Village, Low-Tech Solutions, Resilient Cities, Climate Change Mitigation, Off-grid, Carbon Neutral, Economic Savings, Waste Management
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ECOnsult is a partner with the highest accredited inspectors and auditors in Egypt, China and Italy. We provide energy auditing, modeling, LEED, BREEAM, EDGE and Tarsheed certifications.