How has passive design played a major role in reducing the cooling load?
Natural ventilation has been achieved for all the main car parks surrounding the development. Natural ventilation could not be employed economically for the mall internal areas, due mainly to the limited period of the year that climatic conditions allow its use. Other issues with this strategy for the mall were the noise pollution form the neighbouring Emirates Road and the ingress of dust and insects that could result (particularly in food and beverage) areas, and the attendant hygiene and maintenance implications. However, due to the HVAC control systems employed in the mall, free cooling will be facilitated via mechanical means to all main mall areas when outdoor enthalpy is below the return air enthalpy. In addition, there is widespread use of thermal wheels, heat pipes and VFDs on air-handling plant to recover energy and minimise energy consumption related to supply air-conditioning and its distribution. Furthermore, to minimise cooling loads, vertical roof lights have been specif
