T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies
Encyclopedia
The T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies is a non-profit organization in the United States headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania dedicated to addressing the environmental issues faced by the building industry. The T.C. Chan Center engages in collaborative research that is related to the development of basic knowledge, technologies and processes. Practical applications range from the building to the urban scale. Outcomes include patents, publications and proprietary information. The T.C. Chan Center is a member of the UNEP-SBCI.
QSAS was developed by the T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with and on behalf of the Gulf Organization for Research and Development [GORD]. Since its deployment in 2009, over 128 buildings in Qatar have been certified through QSAS. In December 2010, QSAS was adopted into the curriculum of the environmental design faculty at King Fahd University and Qatar University. Most recently, the State of Qatar has integrated QSAS into the Qatar Construction Specifications [QCS] making the implementation of certain criteria mandatory for buildings developed in Qatar.
The development of the rating system took advantage of a comprehensive review of combined best practices employed by a mix of established international and regional rating systems. This review has been performed while taking into consideration the needs that are specific to Qatar’s local environment, culture, and policies. This has led to adaptations and additions to sustainability criteria. Additionally, measurements for the rating system are designed to be performance-based and quantifiable, wherever possible. The result is a ground up, and in large part, a performance-based sustainable building rating system customized to the unique conditions and requirements of the State of Qatar.
Mission Statement
The T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies addresses the environmental issues faced by the building industry today. Our mission is to develop new knowledge, analytical tools, processes, simulation techniques, technologies and programs of continuing education for professionals involved in building energy and systems. The environmental issues faced by the building industry today provide us with a unique opportunity to address and affect real change. Our goal is to facilitate the creation of high performance buildings and promote healthier, more sustainable environments.History
The T.C. Chan Center was founded by Professor Ali Malkawi in 2005 at the University of Pennsylvania with initial support by Mr. David Chan, a philanthropist from Hong Kong. The Center began with partnership with Tsinghua University in Beijing and since then it has grown into an international organization with offices in Philadelphia and Beijing and affiliate offices in France, Hong Kong, Mexico, Switzerland and Costa Rica.GPIC
The Center was awarded a grant for the only U.S. Energy Innovation Hub, the “Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC)” along with a large consortium. This five-year initiative is designed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the U.S. Appropriated by Congress and funded by the Department of Energy, this 122$ million grant funds core research and development. An additional 30$ million was contributed to this award by the Governor of Pennsylvania. The Energy Innovation Hub is located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a 1,200 acre waterfront business development that includes 80 companies, 7,500 employees and 5500000 square feet (510,966.7 m²) of building space.QSAS
Qatar Sustainability Assessment System [QSAS] is a green building certification system developed for the State of Qatar. The primary objective of Qatar Sustainability Assessment System [QSAS] is to create a sustainable built environment that minimizes ecological impact while addressing the specific regional needs and environment of Qatar.QSAS was developed by the T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with and on behalf of the Gulf Organization for Research and Development [GORD]. Since its deployment in 2009, over 128 buildings in Qatar have been certified through QSAS. In December 2010, QSAS was adopted into the curriculum of the environmental design faculty at King Fahd University and Qatar University. Most recently, the State of Qatar has integrated QSAS into the Qatar Construction Specifications [QCS] making the implementation of certain criteria mandatory for buildings developed in Qatar.
The development of the rating system took advantage of a comprehensive review of combined best practices employed by a mix of established international and regional rating systems. This review has been performed while taking into consideration the needs that are specific to Qatar’s local environment, culture, and policies. This has led to adaptations and additions to sustainability criteria. Additionally, measurements for the rating system are designed to be performance-based and quantifiable, wherever possible. The result is a ground up, and in large part, a performance-based sustainable building rating system customized to the unique conditions and requirements of the State of Qatar.