The BIG 5 Global Impact Awards honored innovative projects for their contributions to carbon net-zero design and sustainable development.
The much-anticipated BIG 5 Global Impact Awards concluded with a celebration of groundbreaking efforts in carbon net-zero innovations within architecture and design. This year, three exceptional finalists competed for the Carbon Net-Zero Initiative of the Year award, presented during an exclusive ceremony held on November 27 at Dubai’s iconic Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
We’ve selected three nominees to highlight: INI Design Studio for its Abellon Waste-to-Energy Campus in India, Gautam & Gautam Associates for the Eco City Zero project in Delhi, and AESG for its pioneering work in reducing carbon emissions across the built environment. These remarkable projects exemplify innovative approaches to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
INI Design Studio: Abellon Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Campus
The Abellon WTE Campus in Jamnagar, India, redefines waste management by transforming a polluted landfill site into an eco-friendly energy hub. Conceptualized during a two-day stakeholder session led by Jayesh Hariyani, Chairman and Managing Director of INI Design Studio, the project delivered India’s first net-zero carbon emissions waste plant.
“We wanted to build something that was environmentally and sustainably sound, as well as to give the community something they would benefit from,” Hariyani said in an interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine.
The campus occupied only 20% of the site for plant operations, utilizing the remaining land to create green spaces and community facilities. The 7,825-square-meter campus processed 220,000 tonnes of municipal waste annually into 7.5 megawatts of clean energy—enough to power 15,000 homes—and integrated a solar plant to supplement grid energy. The site was revitalized with the planting of 12,000 trees and featured social infrastructure, including parks, jogging tracks, a community temple, and a multipurpose green field.
Completed in 2021, the project also provided 80 local jobs and included a research and development center to educate the public on waste management solutions. By combining environmental innovation with community development, the Abellon WTE Campus emerged as a blueprint for sustainable urban renewal in India.
Gautam & Gautam Associates: Eco City Zero
In Delhi, Eco City Zero showcases a pioneering blend of biophilic and carbon-neutral design, offering a sustainable residential community for government employees. The project, led by Gautam & Gautam Associates, combined ecological principles with modern urban planning to create a net-zero carbon environment that also enhanced residents’ well-being.
“We took our inspiration from nature,” said Ankur Gautam, project lead and co-partner at Gautam & Gautam Associates, in an interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine. “But we also wanted it to be a 100% net zero project.”
The design of the high-rise towers incorporated solar photovoltaic panels, which generated clean energy for the community, while a pneumatic waste management system transformed waste into biofuel for cooking gas. Additionally, the buildings were equipped with air pollution filters, ensuring cleaner air for residents.
The project spanned a 23-acre site, featuring extensive green spaces that provided recreation opportunities and fostered a connection to nature. Residents enjoyed picturesque views of major Delhi landmarks, further enhancing the appeal of the community. Strategically located near transport links and cultural hubs, Eco City Zero combined eco-conscious living with urban convenience, setting a new benchmark for sustainable residential development in India.
AESG: Advancing Carbon Reduction in the Built Environment
Dubai-based consultancy AESG established itself as a leader in advancing decarbonization across the built industry through its wide-ranging initiatives. The company’s efforts provided governments and stakeholders with tools to achieve ambitious net-zero targets while promoting actionable solutions for climate resilience.
Among its key achievements was its support of the launch of Abu Dhabi’s Carbon Calculator, a mandatory tool that enabled hotels across the emirate to track and quantify carbon emissions. This initiative was complemented by sustainable tourism guidelines and the Net Zero Neighborhoods Report, which included case studies from around the world and outlined principles for planning low-carbon urban developments.
“Our initiative focuses on providing practical, science-based pathways for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment,” said Hani Abdel Razeq, director of sustainability at AESG, in an interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine. “Key elements include comprehensive carbon assessments for buildings, the development of sustainability frameworks, and tools such as carbon calculators for tracking emissions.
AESG also collaborated with the Dubai Free Zones Council to develop an energy demand management strategy aligned with the UAE’s 2050 net-zero vision. By leveraging data analytics, IoT solutions, and building performance simulations, AESG optimized energy usage in existing and new developments. Their approach emphasized collaboration with local governments and stakeholders to ensure practical and regionally aligned strategies for reducing carbon emissions.
“We also integrate innovative technologies like building performance simulations, data analytics, and IoT-driven solutions to optimize energy usage. At the core of our approach is collaboration with local governments, stakeholders, and clients to ensure that strategies are not only ambitious but also actionable and aligned with regional decarbonization goals.”
