In the rapidly evolving construction and development landscape of the Middle East and beyond, sustainability is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), developed by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), has emerged as the leading performance-based system in the MENA region. Focused on improving the sustainability of the built environment through holistic life-cycle evaluation, GSAS offers a robust framework for sustainable design, construction, and operations.
This is where GSAS Consultancy Service becomes indispensable. Aimed at developers, architects, engineers, and project owners, GSAS Consultancy Service helps navigate the intricate landscape of sustainability certification by providing tailored, expert guidance from design through to post-occupancy.
What is GSAS Certification?
GSAS Certification is a third-party rating system designed to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure by setting clear benchmarks in areas such as energy efficiency, water management, materials usage, indoor environment, and more. It evaluates projects across eight sustainability categories: Urban Connectivity, Site, Energy, Water, Materials, Indoor/Outdoor Environment, Cultural & Economic Value, and Management & Operations.
GSAS Certification exists in several formats to cover various project scopes:
GSAS Design & Build (GSAS-D&B) for new constructions,
GSAS Construction Management (GSAS-CM) for construction phase evaluations,
GSAS Operations (GSAS-OP) for assessing the sustainability of operational buildings.
Navigating this framework requires the expertise of a certified GSAS Consultant—professionals accredited to guide teams in achieving compliance and excellence.
The Role of a GSAS Consultant
A GSAS Consultant plays a crucial role in aligning a project’s vision with GSAS standards. This includes:
Advising on design strategies aligned with GSAS criteria,
Preparing and reviewing documentation and simulation models,
Coordinating with GSAS Trust on submissions and audits,
Supporting the project through the certification phases: registration, design audit, construction audit, and final certification.
When engaging a GSAS Consultant, you’re not just hiring a technical advisor—you’re securing a strategic partner committed to maximizing your project’s sustainability potential.
Why Choose GSAS Consultancy Service?
GSAS Consultancy Service simplifies a complex process. Whether you are pursuing a 1-Star GSAS rating or aiming for the prestigious 6-Star mark, our team ensures your project adheres to the highest sustainability benchmarks. Here’s how:
Expert Navigation: Interpreting and implementing over 200 GSAS criteria across various building typologies requires seasoned expertise. Our GSAS Consultant team excels at translating GSAS requirements into practical design and construction strategies.
Customized Support: We provide tailored consultancy based on your project’s typology—commercial, residential, hospitality, or even specialized zones like parks and interiors.
Streamlined Certification: From compiling necessary documentation to coordinating audits and submittals via GSASgate™, our consultants facilitate seamless certification workflows.
ERKE: GSAS Consultant
ERKE is a global leader in sustainable design and green building consultancy. With offices in Dubai, London, and Istanbul, we integrate regional expertise with global standards in sustainable architecture.
To date, ERKE has delivered over 200 Green Building projects across diverse geographies—from Switzerland to Saudi Arabia—covering various building typologies and environmental performance goals. While these projects span multiple certification systems,
Our commitment to sustainability is reinforced by Cemil Yaman, a recognized early GSAS Expert. His deep knowledge and experience position ERKE to provide comprehensive GSAS Consultancy Services, helping clients in Qatar and the region achieve their green building goals.
Importance of GSAS in Qatar
The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) plays a pivotal role in shaping Qatar’s sustainable development landscape. Developed by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), GSAS is the first performance-based sustainability rating system tailored to the unique climatic, cultural, and economic conditions of the MENA region.
1. National Sustainability Mandate
GSAS is embedded in Qatar’s national strategy for sustainable growth. It is the mandatory certification system for public projects, including government buildings, stadiums (notably those built for the FIFA World Cup 2022), transport infrastructure, and more. This aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social development.
2. Localized Standards
Unlike global systems like LEED or BREEAM, GSAS is tailored to Qatar’s desert climate, addressing region-specific challenges such as water scarcity, high energy consumption, and thermal comfort. It ensures that sustainability efforts are not just theoretical but practically applicable and effective in the Qatari context.
3. Integrated Life-Cycle Assessment
GSAS evaluates sustainability across all phases—design, construction, and operations. This comprehensive approach ensures long-term performance, lower lifecycle costs, and consistent environmental responsibility throughout a building’s existence.
4. Capacity Building
Through programs like GSAS-CGP (Certified Green Professional), GSAS also fosters local expertise. This empowers Qatari professionals and institutions to drive sustainable innovation from within, reducing dependency on external systems.
5. Benchmark for Regional Development
GSAS has set a precedent for other countries in the GCC to develop or adopt similarly region-focused sustainability frameworks. Its success in Qatar has positioned the nation as a leader in climate-responsive urban development.
In summary, GSAS is not just a rating tool in Qatar—it is a strategic foundation for achieving resilient, high-performance, and environmentally responsible urban growth.
A Legacy of Excellence
Whether you are launching a new urban district or retrofitting a heritage structure, GSAS Consultancy Service ensures that your sustainability goals align with globally recognized standards. Our team not only helps you achieve GSAS Certification but also enhances the long-term performance and value of your assets.
Partnering with ERKE means collaborating with a visionary force in sustainable development. Through the collective experience of our GSAS Consultant team and with the leadership of Cemil Yaman, we offer services that embody precision, passion, and performance.
Let us help you build the future—efficient, ecological, and GSAS-certified.
