In order to protect ecological surroundings, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is using environment-friendly material in all parts of its16 million sq. meter campus that includes 2,000 villas for university teachers. KAUST, located about 80 km north of Jeddah, has a unique coastal environment covering about 36 million sq. meters, 16 million sq. meters of which forms the university campus. The non-campus area comprises an offshore ecosystem that serves as a research sanctuary. Currently undergoing phased development, the campus community is expected to grow to 20,000 residents including students, faculty, staff and their families. “KAUST will use the material for various residential and non-residential purposes throughout its 16 million sq. meter campus, ranging from kitchen and laboratory worktops and reception counters to window frames and shower trays,” said an official source of the company providing the environment-friendly material to the university. He said over 2,000 villas for university teachers and students will incorporate aurora-colored Corian design elements, invented and produced by science company DuPont. Corian has been measured against the indoor air quality guidelines published by Greenguard Environmental Institute and proven to be one of the safest surfacing materials. KAUST is an international graduate-level research university decided to use the DuPont Corian line of surfacing material as part of its campus development plan, he said. KAUST needed a material that could support the day-to-day needs of educators, students and faculty without compromising the institution's environmental platform. The surface material used by KAUST is nonporous and stains do not penetrate the surface. With proper cleaning, Corian also resists the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. It is also heat and scratch resistant. “It perfectly complements the development goals set by KAUST and contributes to a world-class learning and living environment,” stated Safouan Shono, DuPont Building Innovations Country Manager, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
