DSA ARCHITECTS INTERNATIONAL: Sustainability Rooted at Foundational Level

In 2023, Mike Scott, Group MD at DSA Architects International (DSA), told Energy Focus that the company had developed a culture of sustainability. “Designs that fully consider the use of eco-friendly materials, energy conservation and waste reduction are always our goal,” he said.

A long history (est. 1985) and an ambitious strategy make this mantra more important than ever before as the company, and the world, advances projects at an increasingly fast rate. In just the last 12 months, the company has been awarded a number of projects where sustainability that incorporates world-class design is the key focus.

DSA Architects International was founded in Johannesburg when Ridler Shepherd Low Architects opened its doors. Over the past three decades, the company’s scope and scale has changed dramatically and now, operating across strategic locations globally, with their offices in Dubai, Riyadh, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Belgrade, Kochi, and Hyderabad, DSA Architects International is a global powerhouse when it comes to sustainable, striking, solutions-based design.

In 2023, the company was named among the top 100 Architects and Designers by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, claiming another top spot after scooping titles for Best Luxury Hotel Architecture for DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, 2021; Best Luxury Hotel Architecture for Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort in Bahrain, 2022; and Best Luxury Architect Studio in Saudi Arabia, 2023.

The multifunctional team, with offices around the world, design to deliver. Utilising architectural, design, planning, engineering, and construction skills that others simply cannot, this is a business doing more for sustainability than most in the industry.

SSID

In Dubai, where the newbuild luxury property market continues to boom unlike anywhere else in the world, DSA Architects was busy with a prestigious project for the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD). This project was a milestone for DSA, promising to make the most of the company’s skillset. Following strict Swiss engineering and design principles that encourage sustainability and energy conservation, the project is impressive and boasts strong green credentials.

“Construction was carried out over what we call phases. Phase one and phase two were 10 months each inclusive of a three-month re-design period. We were indeed faster than normal due to materials and construction methodology that we used,” explains Peter Davison, MD DSA Architects Middle East.

“One of the unique items was that DSA oversaw the design and construction of the first Minergie standard building in the MENA region. In other words, our project boasted novel developments in both the design, build, and delivery of a low energy consumption built environment. Additionally, we used our skill in designing buildings that are fit for purpose, well ordered, legible and of course highly functional.”

Minergie is a Swiss certification for building standards and is focused on the reduction of CO₂ emissions and associated costs in the built environment. Established in 1998 in Basel, certifications are now globally present with new projects and buildings going up all over the world.

DSA embraced the Minergie principles and helped make the SISD the first certified business in the Middle East. Foremost in the design process was thermal isolation through the use of glass and white surfaces.

“Our goal is for the students to feel up-lifted,” says Davison.

“We used thermally insulated wall construction (called a Jehan Wall), consisting of polystyrene core and shotcrete to either side of the surface, along with plaster to external wall faces only.

“Our windows are high specification Argon gas filled double glazed units, with all external aluminum works thermally broken thus avoiding any heat transfer,” he adds.

As an international boarding school, the building had to include live, work, play environments under one roof, and this is a challenge for architects. But DSA has completed projects of this nature, separately and integrated, many times through its portfolio.

“The buildings have a human scale, so for example the circulation spaces are generously proportioned for a greater sense of comfort and well-being. Additionally, the use of white surfaces ensures generous ‘daylighting’ and aids teaching clarity,” explains Davison.  

“Our environmental impact was improved by reducing time in the construction period. By using water-proofing ‘additives’, rather than ‘post’ water proofing in the conventional way, we saved valuable time,” he added, reminding of the company’s community focus, ensuring buildings are suitable for their local surroundings physically and functionally.

In terms of energy efficiency, solar is an obvious choice in Dubai with more than 3500 monthly sunshine hours on average. Rooftop solar and solar carports have been deployed, expecting 30,680 megawatt-hours of clean energy over a 25-year lifespan. Alongside other green energy and sustainability initiatives, the result is a building that drives home a deep focus on using the building for better.

“The roof system was managed through a layered propriety insulated and waterproofed roof build-up system.

“Internally all the lighting is LED and therefore low heat generating. We also connected these to motion sensors limiting the operational runtime to activity time only.

All air handling units utilized are DC type in lieu of AC units’ due to low heat generation capabilities,” states Davison.

AFRICAN EDGE

In Africa, DSA has designed a number of high-end hotels for international brands. Attracting tourism to the continent has long been a goal of governments and the private sector with tourism’s unique ability to create large numbers of sustainable jobs, quickly. With the likes of Hilton, Radisson, and Six Senses trusting DSA to turn ideas into reality, the DSA brand is in a good place.

In Zambia, the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort on the banks of the Zambezi River in the country’s south – owned by Radisson Blu – received an EDGE green building certification thanks to proactive energy efficiencies initiatives.

Close to Victoria Falls, the hotel is unique in its design and Radisson has intentionally opted for a sustainability focus to allow the local environment to thrive. Longer-term, the group hopes to realise 150 hotels in Africa by 2025.

“The hotel’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its 20% increase in energy efficiency, water reduction, and use of sustainable building materials. These efforts have not only helped the property achieve EDGE certification but also align with Radisson Hotel Group’s award-winning Responsible Business Program. By signing the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge, the resort has demonstrated its dedication to promoting environmentally friendly practices within the hospitality industry,” the company said.

In the Seychelles, well-known as a paradise of the Indian Ocean but with a famous African welcome, energy security is a must as the country’s government has called for 15% renewables by 2030 to combat the heavy influence of diesel generators.

When Hilton Hotels decided that the beautiful Anse La Mouche beach front would be the perfect location to open a new property, DSA was engaged to design something special. Under Hilton’s boutique lifestyle brand Canopy, the Seychelles location was its first Resort Hotel property worldwide.

“Drawing inspiration from its breathtaking surroundings, this stunning resort offers 120 locally inspired guestrooms, 70 branded residential apartments, a retail village, and other exciting facilities to cater to every guest’s needs,” the company says.

Designed with contemporary charm and local flair in mind, regional conditions were also taken into consideration. Construction was a challenge because of the local topography and demanding brief.

Rocks and granite moved during construction were retained and used in landscaping, storm water and rain run off was designed to protect local sensitive wetlands during construction, no sand was allowed to be taken from the beach, and no-disruption to the local landscape was a priority at all times.

“Joining a global portfolio of 40 properties, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles offers guests a slice of paradise, blending the authentic local flair of Anse à la Mouche with a sophisticated design that captures the essence of the neighbourhood. We look forward to welcoming guests to this amazing destination,” said Jenna Hackett, brand leader, Canopy by Hilton.

Hilton has set ESG goals to continue with its mantra of ‘travel making the world a better place’. The company aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions intensity from managed hotels by 75% (MT CO2e/m2, 2008 baseline), and reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions intensity from franchised hotels by 56% by working collaboratively with franchisees (MT CO2e/m2, 2008 baseline). The group also has strict targets for water and waste which DSA has taken into account in its design and master planning processes.

In terms of energy and water conservation of the Anse La Mouch project, its consumption were carefully measured, sources indicated, and measures to decrease overall consumption have been implemented during the design process.

Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by the business were also measured, and procedures were implemented to reduce and offset them as a way to achieve climate neutrality. Reusing treated wastewater and rainwater harvesting strategies were also adopted.

These are just a few examples of how DSA continues to embed sustainability into each and every project it is a part of. And this is also why DSA is recognised globally, continually picking up awards for quality and excellence.

The built environment is where the energy transition should be starting and finishing. All of the opportunities to decarbonise are here, and all it takes is architects and dreamers to see how major changes can be made right now to impact the future in a major way. What separates DSA is its experience and expertise, and this is proven across the company’s portfolio of completed projects – each better than the last, and each more efficient than what has come before. So, what comes next? “We bring a unique blend of creativity, innovation and technical excellence to the projects we deliver. We are committed to delivering exemplary concept, design, appropriate state of the art technology and service, thereby reinforcing our standing as a leading international architectural consultancy,” concludes Davison.