Eco-responsible project design

A new paradigm for the infrastructure of the future

By 2030, over two thirds of the world population will live in cities, destined to become enormous archipelagos spanning hundreds of kilometres, attracting goods, people and capitals.

91% of the world’s urban population breathes substandard quality air according to the WHO (World Health Organisation). 

Infrastructure therefore plays a fundamental role in our daily lives and will do so increasingly in the future. However, facing these challenges using the methods of the past will not ensure we achieve the results we hope for. 

The methods and criteria used to design and construct infrastructure significantly impacts the environment and the quality of life of the communities.

The infrastructure sector offers great potential to reduce the impact of the construction and management of works from an environmental, economic and social viewpoint.

The environmental benefits of using eco-design and construction systems are tangible: a number of official studies show that on average, a green building requires between 15% and 40% less energy than a traditionally constructed counterpart, which helps to reduce the emission of climate changing gases and, consequently, its environmental impact.

In a quickly urbanising world, designing sustainable infrastructure is essential to improving the liveability of cities for 4.5 million people.

Eco-design and eco-construction schemes

Some recently developed projects using these schemes include:

• Doha Red Line North in Qatar (using the GSAS system Global Sustainability Assessment System);
• Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar (using the GSAS systemGlobal Sustainability Assessment System);
• Line 3 of the Metro in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (two stations in the project use the LEED Standard Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design);
• Metro Northwest in Sydney, Australia (using the IS system Infrastructure Sustainability);
• Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth, Australia (using the IS system Infrastructure Sustainability);
• ENI Administrative Centre in Italy (using the LEED systemLeadership in Energy and Environmental
• Design);
• Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre in Athens (with the Platinum certification of the LEED Programme Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design);
• Gucci logistics centre in Switzerland (LEED Platinum).

Continuous innovation

Each project we implement is a unique work, which requires the creative development of ad hoc solutions using highly specialist knowledge.  Our construction sites are, therefore, true laboratories of innovation and advanced research into processes, products and materials. 

In an era of technological and environmental challenges, We carry out research and development both at project level and at the level of central structures, with the aim of guaranteeing the optimisation of time and cost of execution of works and socio-environmental performance, with the improvement of safety conditions and reduction of environmental impact.

On project level,  in addition to the initiatives designed to continuously improve process efficiency, the most demanding research activities are conducted above all on projects presenting technical challenges insuperable with conventional techniques and technologies. Each construction site is therefore a laboratory of innovation and continuous research on processes, products and materials that contribute not only to the competitiveness of the Group, but also to the technological advancement of the sector.

On a corporate level, on the other hand, the technical departments work unceasingly to develop state-of-the-art methods that best respond to the unique characteristics of each project and share the different innovations, pooling replicable initiatives. Webuild’s technical teams - in partnership with the best experts and professionals in the market, universities and research centres - develop ad hoc solutions to fulfil the customer's needs and simultaneously preserve the environment and the local communities.

These initiatives allow the Group to acquire new know-how and improve the efficiency of our production processes, with potential spin-offs in terms of increased competitiveness.