Michael Slessor

Buro Happold

07/09/2011 Written by: Rachel Davies No comments

Michael is a sustainability consultant working in the United Arab Emirates.

So Michael, I can tell from your brummie accent you’re not from the Middle East!

No my family are from Birmingham – I was seconded out to Dubai for 6 months in 2009.

What exactly is it that you do?

I’m a sustainability consultant and I also assist on mechanical engineering when needed.  The job roles are fairly fluid here.

When did you join BH?

I joined 3 years ago after graduating from Fitzwilliam College Cambridge.  I then went to work in the London office with Ian Pegg and Alasdair Young.  I was there a year when the opportunity for a secondment to the Dubai office arose.

What’s going on in Dubai work wise then?

Well the major project that I have been working on is with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. I’ve been based in their offices for a large portion of the last 2 years.

That sounds interesting what’s the project?

We have been assisting the UPC in developing the Estidama Pearl Rating System.

So this is the Abu Dhabi equivalent of LEED and BREEAM right?

Yes, that’s right.  My role has been focused on the Resourceful Energy and Precious Water sections.

How did BH get involved with this?

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) had already been developing the concept, in fact there were 10 Estidama Pilot Projects, and BH was involved in 4 of them. Following this, the UPC engaged us to assist with the further development of the Pearl Rating System making it more practical and implementable.

And where are we now with this?

Version 1.0 of the Pearl Rating System was released in April 2010 and the minimum requirement of 1 Pearl mandated in June 2010 for all new Communities, and September 2010 for all new Buildings and Villas. We are still engaged with the UPC assisting now on the implementation side which is whole different ball game!

Villas?

Yes these are basically homes over in the Middle East.

What did we use to build these rating systems?  Clearly the climate and culture had a huge part to play?

Yes absolutely.  BH has a wealth of experience in sustainable design and this coupled with the extensive Middle East work we have done led to a system that could be adopted.

Would it be fair to say, as an outsider, that sustainability doesn’t seem to have played a huge part in the Middle East until recently?   

I would say that that was fair but the Pearl Rating System has been warmly welcomed.  Of course we have had a lot of questions from local consultants but this has been a very positive experience.  It’s really put BH at the heart of the issue, we’ve been able to influence policy and guide and steer the government.  It’s been great for both parties; there is a mutual respect between us.

I’ve noticed a few of our sustainability consultants have moved to the Middle East recently...

Yes there have been a few more secondments. There are some really exciting projects here and it’s great to be able to apply our knowledge.

How does a boy from the Black Country deal with the heat?  

I remember the first night I arrived, the plane landed at 02.00am and it was 34 degrees!

Wow that’s hot!

That’s nothing.  During the day temperatures are reaching 48 degrees.  I try to avoid being outside when it’s like that....you can only really stand an hour of it.

So how do you get about?

Unfortunately the car is king over here.

That’s not very sustainable!  Does BH have its sights on moving transport up the environmental agenda too?

Dubai was built around the car, fuel is so cheap and cars are a real status symbol...so that’s going to be difficult.  But we are working on a wide range of sustainable masterplans in the Middle East of which transportation plays a major role in street network design.

So to summarise, would you recommend a secondment to the Middle East!

I think Gavin Thompson (Chairman) once said “a year in the Middle East is like two years in the UK” and I totally agree with him.  You are thrown in the deep end here – it can be stressful, but it’s also exciting - I’ve learnt a huge amount.  There’s a great community with lots of people to socialise with...the office has regular events and it’s good to catch up with BH visitors when they come over.

I’m taking it 6 months at time!