GSAS Certification

The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) is the first integrated, performance-based system designed to assess and rate buildings and infrastructure for their sustainability impacts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Developed in 2007 by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) in collaboration with the TC Chan Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the Georgia Tech Research Institute School of Architecture, and other renowned expert offices, GSAS evaluates key aspects of sustainability.

Key Features of GSAS Certification:

Evaluation Criteria: Includes measuring energy and water consumption, and indoor environmental performance.

Application in Building Design: Enhances overall building quality, reduces maintenance requirements, and extends lifespan.

Core Philosophy: To create sustainable development that addresses specific social and cultural needs while minimizing ecological impacts.

Goals of GSAS:

• Protecting the environment.
• Preserving natural resources.
• Enhancing human well-being through a three-pronged approach focusing on ecological, economic, and cultural factors.

Through intensive research, the GSAS framework offers practical solutions for modern sustainability demands, fostering improved living environments, reducing resource consumption, and mitigating urban environmental degradation.

GSAS Certification Categories:

GSAS addresses sustainability on macro and micro levels through eight categories:

Urban Connectivity: Zoning and transportation networks.

Site: Land preservation, planning, and development.

Energy: Energy needs, efficiency, and fossil fuel use.

Water: Water consumption and its impact on supply and treatment systems.

Materials: Processing, manufacturing, usage, reuse, and disposal.

Indoor Environment: Thermal comfort, air quality, acoustics, and lighting.

Cultural & Economic Values: Cultural preservation and economic support.

Management & Operations: Building management and operations.

GSAS Design and Build (GSAS-D&B) Categories:

GSAS-D&B evaluates a project’s environmental impacts in eight categories, divided into specific criteria for measurement:

• Mandatory Categories for Certification:
  • Energy
  • Water
  • Criteria outlined in Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS).

Disqualification Conditions:

• A cumulative score below zero.
• A score of -1 in either the Energy or Water category.

Recognition: Projects receive a GSAS D&B Certificate and, upon request, a “Recognition Plaque” highlighting their GSAS star rating.

How Does the GSAS Rating System Work?

1. Weights: Reflect the relative importance of criteria in percentages, allocated by GSAS Trust through AHP studies.
2. Levels: Compliance levels range from -1 to 3, approved post-verification by GSAS Trust.
3. Scores: Numerical scores are calculated by multiplying weight percentages by compliance levels.
4. Ratings: Summed individual scores determine a project’s overall success. Ratings include:
   • Design & Build: 1 to 6 stars.
   • Construction Management: D to A Class.
   • Operations: Bronze to Diamond.

Types of GSAS Certifications:

GSAS provides three certification programs to assess sustainability throughout the project lifecycle:

1. GSAS Design & Build Certification (GSAS-D&B)
2. GSAS Construction Management Certification (GSAS-CM)
3. GSAS Operations Certification (GSAS-OP)

The GSAS Trust acts as the certifying body, managing evaluations and issuing certificates.

GSAS Certification (Global Sustainability Assessment System) is a pioneering framework for assessing and improving building sustainability in the Gulf region. By incorporating principles of the circular economy approach, GSAS encourages the efficient use of resources throughout a building’s lifecycle. This synergy aligns with reducing waste, promoting recycling, and ensuring materials are sustainably sourced. The certification also supports minimizing environmental impact while maximizing long-term economic value, a core principle of circular economy practices. Through GSAS, buildings not only achieve superior environmental performance but also contribute to the transition from a linear to a circular economic model, fostering sustainability at all levels.