Pearl Villa Rating System
The aim of the Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS) is to promote
the development of sustainable villas and improve quality of life.
Achievement of a sustainable villa requires the integration of the
four pillars of Estidama together with a collaborative and
inter-disciplinary approach to villa development known as the
Integrated Development Process. The PVRS encourages water, energy
and waste minimization, local material use and aims to improve
supply chains for sustainable and recycled materials and products.
The PVRS respects the traditional 'fareej' residential design and
supports historical priorities of solar shading, outdoor thermal
comfort and internal privacy.
An Executive Council Order of May 2010 states that starting in
September 2010 all new villas must be designed to achieve a minimum
rating of 1 Pearl, while Emirati villas (government funded) must
meet at least 2 Pearls. Following this mandate, significant effort
has been made to align the PVRS with the Abu Dhabi Development and
Building Codes.
The Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS) applies to any new
stand-alone enclosed permanent structure to be built on a new or
existing plot, and containing one dwelling unit for use by a single
household, or a multi residential building of three or less stories
above grade that houses multiple dwelling units.
A dwelling unit is one designed for residential occupancy with
independent living facilities including provisions for sleeping,
cooking and sanitation. The maximum size for a villa is 2,000 m2.
Larger villas must comply with the Pearl Building Rating System.
Villas built as temporary structures (planned to be in place for
less than two years) are excluded.
Thousands of new villas will begin construction in the Emirate
of Abu Dhabi and this system will improve the quality, comfort and
sustainable performance of these villas.
Project teams planning to submit an application for a Pearl
Villa Rating should follow the process and instructions outlined here.
Pearl Villa Rating System & Guides
- The Pearl
Villa Rating System
This document contains all credit intents, requirements,
relevant calculations and methodological information, design and
construction submittal requirements and any relevant reference
standards.
-
PVRS Submittal Guide
This guide explains how to use the PVRS submittal templates.
- Owners Guide
The 1 Pearl Villa Guide for Owners explains the purpose,
benefits, and requirements of the minimum requirements of the Pearl
Villa Rating System.
- Consultant Guide
The 1 Pearl Villa Guide for Consultants provides detailed
recommendations for achieving the required credits of the Pearl
Villa Rating System throughout the design process.
- Villa Information Leaflet
The Villa leaflet provides information for villa owners on the
benefits of Estidama, the Pearl Villa Rating System, the available
tools and resources, including training, and the villa
certification process.
Pearl Villa Rating System Calculators
-
PVRS Water Calculator (2 to 5 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 2 to 5 Pearls. This
spreadsheet calculation tool is to be used as part of the
submission for the required credit, PW-R1. It is also to be used
for those projects pursuing PW-1, PW-2.1 and PW-2.2 optional
credits. The tool will automatically determine if the required
credit is achieved and the number of credit points obtained for any
optional credits the project has pursued.
-
PVRS Water Calculator (1 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 1 Pearl. This spreadsheet
calculation tool is to be used as part of the submission for the
required credit, PW-R1 credit. The tool will automatically
determine if the required credit is achieved.
-
PVRS Waste Calculator (2 to 5 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 2 to 5 Pearls. This
spreadsheet based calculation tool is to be used as part of the
submission for the required credits SM-R2 and SM-R3. It is also to
be used for those projects pursuing SM-7 and SM-8 optional credits.
The tool will automatically determine if the required credits are
achieved and the number of credit points obtained for any optional
credits the project has pursued.
-
PVRS Waste Calculator (1 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 1 Pearl. This spreadsheet
based calculation tool is to be used as part of the submission for
the required credits SM-R2 and SM-R3. The tool will automatically
determine if the required credits are achieved.
- PVRS U-Value Calculator (2 - 5 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 2-5 Pearls. This
spreadsheet based calculation tool is to be used as part of the
submission for the required credit RE-R1 and RE-2. The tool will
facilitate compliance with building envelope thermal performance
requirements.This tool provides the capability for assessing one
U-value for each envelope element (wall, floor & roof). If more
than one construction build-up is used within the villa then each
additional U-value calculation must be provided in separate U-value
calculators. The supporting credit narrative must clearly outline
the location and use of the various construction types as well as
summarising the overall elemental performance.
- PVRS
U-Value Calculator (1 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 1 Pearl. This spreadsheet
based calculation tool is to be used as part of the submission for
the required credit RE-R1. The tool will facilitate compliance with
building envelope thermal performance requirements. This tool
provides the capability for assessing one U-value for each envelope
element (wall, floor & roof). If more than one construction
build-up is used within the villa then each additional U-value
calculation must be provided in separate U-value calculators. The
supporting credit narrative must clearly outline the location and
use of the various construction types as well as summarising the
overall elemental performance.
-
PVRS Ventilation Calculator (1 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa project aiming for 1 Pearl. This spreadsheet
based calculation tool is to be used as part of the submission for
the required credit LV-R3. The tool will determine if the natural
and mechanical fresh air ventilation requirements have been
met.
-
PVRS Energy Prescriptive Pathway Calculator (2 - 5 Pearl
Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 2 - 5 Pearls. This
spreadsheet based calculation tool provides a simple means of
demonstrating compliance with some of the requirements of the
prescriptive method described in the RE-R1 credit.
-
PVRS Energy Prescriptive Pathway Calculator (1 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects aiming for 1 Pearl. This spreadsheet
based calculation tool provides a simple means of demonstrating
compliance with some of the requirements of the prescriptive method
described in the RE-R1 credit.
- PVRS
Energy Model Template (1-5 Pearl Projects)
Applies to villa projects choosing to comply with RE-R1
requirements and obtain optional credit points under RE-1 via the
performance pathway. It should be noted that the baseline model
parameters must be set as the prescriptive parameters of RE-R1 and
that a solar hot water system delivering at least 50% of the total
hot water demand must be installed on the proposed villa. The
domestic hot water demand must be calculated based on the EVPD
parameters for Solar Hot Water Systems (click
here to see more details).
- PVRS Scorecard
This spreadsheet tool lists all the PVRS credits and is to be
used by project teams to track project implementation of the Pearl
Rating System.
Pearl Villa Rating System Templates