Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
Organisation : National Energy Services Company (Tarshid)
TARSHID HQ is an office building designed to demonstrate leadership in sustainability, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management. The building accommodates employees working more than 60 hours per week and combines open workspaces, meeting rooms, support facilities, a canteen, a gym, and landscaped indoor and outdoor areas.
The workplace layout places dedicated staff areas next to the glazed façade to maximize access to daylight and outdoor views, while shared services are concentrated in central zones. Flexible planning allows additional workstations and manager offices to be created with limited modification, reducing the need for frequent relocations and major renovations.
The headquarters achieved LEED Platinum certification with 93 points, reflecting the integration of high-performance building systems, efficient space planning, sustainable materials, and environmental management practices. Its location also supports lower-carbon commuting by providing access to nearby public transportation.
TARSHID has also achieved ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management Systems and ISO 50001 certification for Energy Management Systems, demonstrating its commitment to systematic environmental stewardship, continuous improvement in energy performance, and compliance with internationally recognized management standards.
The main actions implemented to reduce the energy consumption of this building.
Energy-efficiency investments include a Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) air-conditioning system that adjusts refrigerant flow by zone to match actual cooling demand. The HVAC system is integrated with the Building Management System (BMS) and occupancy sensors so cooling can be reduced or switched off in unoccupied spaces.
Lighting efficiency is supported by LED fixtures, motion sensors, daylight harvesting, and an open-plan layout that improves natural-light penetration. Removing internal barriers increased daylight access while reducing dependence on artificial lighting.
Additional measures include solar panels, CO₂ sensors, energy and water meters, external shading structures, and thermal and acoustic insulation. Sustainable fit-out choices include locally sourced and recycled materials, low-VOC paints, reusable glass partitions, and recyclable aluminum components.
The BMS continuously monitors and controls key building systems, including HVAC, lighting, occupancy sensors, CO₂ sensors, and solar-energy interfaces. Real-time regulation allows operating conditions to be adjusted according to occupancy and environmental demand, minimizing unnecessary energy use while maintaining occupant comfort.
Dedicated energy and water meters provide consumption data for monitoring, trend analysis, anomaly detection, and corrective action. This enables the facilities team to identify inefficient patterns, investigate abnormal consumption, and implement targeted optimization measures.
Preventive maintenance and regular performance reviews support the continued efficiency of equipment and controls. Operating schedules, sensor settings, and system performance are reviewed to ensure that building services run only when required and remain aligned with actual occupancy.
Efficient use is reinforced through occupancy-based scheduling and automatic reduction of cooling and lighting in unoccupied areas. Employees benefit from daylight-oriented workspaces and are encouraged to use stairs, shared facilities, and nearby public transportation to reduce the building’s wider environmental footprint.
Consumption data from energy and water meters is used to promote awareness, support informed operational decisions, and guide conservation actions. Flexible workspace planning reduces unnecessary renovation, material use, and disruption when occupancy requirements change.
The building’s sustainability approach also includes landscaped green areas, extensive indoor planting, waste reduction, recycling, the use of local materials, and shaded outdoor spaces. Together, these measures promote responsible use of resources while supporting employee comfort and engagement.
