KAUST is proud to have made sustainable and environmentally-conscious building standards a priority from our inception, being the world’s largest LEED Platinum certified campus at the time of its completion, in 2009.
The university continuously strives to create urban revitalization of its built infrastructure, through the improvement of public spaces such as parks and green areas; roads and traffic, such as dedicated cycling lanes around school areas; and residential building upgrades such as the recent upgrade of student dorms.
We are also committed to ensuring our campus is accessible to everyone in the community. The campus and community grounds are open all year-round, offering free access to explore and engage with our built environment. Residential neighborhoods offer different housing types and a wide range of parks, playgrounds, and community areas built to bring residents together and make them feel at home.
Built Infrastructure
Certifications and Building Standards
We ensure that all new and renovated buildings at KAUST meet construction standards that at minimum are LEED Silver-equivalent for New Construction.
Since 2016, our in-house Sustainability Design Criteria provides a set of standards to incentivize and/or mandate contractors to prioritize energy-efficient upgrades, use of sustainable materials and resources, reduce water footprint, among other guidelines, as part of their construction projects.
Energy efficiency measures include overall energy reduction, incorporation of renewable energies whenever possible, site assessment (e.g., shade and sun/wind exposure), massing and orientation, and envelope attributes. After construction, all existing KAUST buildings undergo routine energy review assessments guided by an Energy Review Methodology. This methodology includes guidelines to identify energy waste and informs operational plans to upgrade energy efficiency standards across all campus buildings.
In terms of water management, water efficiency is incorporated by focusing on water-conscious building standards, reducing both indoor and outdoor water use, implementing water metering, and incorporating grey-water recycling systems across campus buildings.
Although the construction of the KAUST campus was conducted on untouched desert grounds, with currently no sites qualifying as brownfields, KAUST remains committed to sustainable development throughout all building phases within its endowment area. This includes, for example, possessing criteria such as brownfield remediation, as part of its Sustainability Design Criteria.
Recreational Facilities
KAUST provides a wide range of recreational facilities, all of which are free access to the community year-round. These facilities include a dive center, gyms, pools, fitness studios, spinning classrooms, squash, tennis and paddle courts, sports arenas, a climbing wall, a children’s indoor playland, art rooms, yoga spaces, volleyball courts, and more. Additionally, our retail outlets, which feature a pharmacy, bike shops, beauty salons, travel agency, eyewear store, gas station, clothing stores, a plant nursery, supermarkets, banks, and a variety of other shops and retail services, ensure that our community has access to essential services. Our food retail options include 38 different restaurants and cafes, offering diverse culinary experiences to all visitors.
Academic Buildings
KAUST ensures that all academic buildings and facilities are accessible year-round, offering free entry to the community and visitors. These facilities include the main campus, conference halls, one big auditorium, and thematic rooms, such as the Sustainability Action Lab, that fosters sustainability literacy, and Art Exhibition rooms, that temporarily showcase the work of different community, local and national artists. These spaces are designed to foster academic engagement and provide a supportive environment for learning, inspiration, research, and collaboration, while also engaging with the local community.
Libraries
KAUST offers free public access to all its libraries and associated services, which serve as vital knowledge hubs for the community. Our libraries are located across the main campus, Harbor Walk, and The KAUST School, providing extensive resources to support educational and intellectual pursuits. In addition to physical resources, community members also enjoy full digital access to the library’s comprehensive collection via the university library website, the KAUST Research Repository, and a community subscription to PressReader, a global digital collection of newspapers and magazines.
Museum
The Museum of Science and Technology in Islam celebrates the important contributions of Muslim scholars to science and technology during the first Golden Age of Islam, from 650 to 1650. Fully owned by KAUST, the Museum features a public permanent art collection, building models, and instruments of science and exploration showcasing the pioneering work of renowned figures such as Jabir ibn Hayyan, Abbas bin Firnas, al-Kindi, al-Razi, al-Jazari, and Taqi al-Din. Their innovations laid the foundation for modern civilization, and their legacy is still felt today in various aspects of contemporary life. It is open to the public and free of charge to visit by anyone. External visitors should book in advance due to capacity reasons.
Green Areas and Parks
KAUST has numerous well-maintained green spaces and parks that are freely accessible to the entire community. These include a wide variety of children playgrounds, green parks, and the Safaa Golf Course, where community members can also go for leisure walks every Sunday evening. These areas provide a tranquil environment for relaxation and recreation, contributing to the overall well-being and quality of life for our residents and visitors.
Our community enjoys free access to the King Abdullah Monument, a site of profound cultural significance marking the very spot where King Abdullah delivered his renowned vision for KAUST. Set within a culturally significant landscape, the monument stands at the intersection of the key ecosystems that define KAUST – the coast, the desert, and the sea. Beyond its symbolic importance, the monument also serves as a vibrant venue for various community events, fostering connection and celebration among KAUST members.
Residential Neighborhoods
KAUST provides a range of affordable on-campus housing options tailored to the needs of its residents, including fully furnished and equipped apartments (Harbor and Oasis neighborhoods), as well as townhouses and villas (Palms, Gardens, and Island neighborhoods), all assigned based on household requirements. All utilities, internet access, and maintenance are included in the housing agreement, ensuring convenience and value for all residents.
To support affordability, KAUST offers a comprehensive subsidized housing program. Graduate students, as part of their fully-funded programs, are required to live on campus. Single and married students are entitled to free on-campus housing, while students with families receive subsidized on-campus housing, ensuring affordable housing for students of all backgrounds.
For staff, rental contributions for eligible housing types are capped at 25% of base salary, ensuring affordable housing for employees. Single staff members may also choose rent-free shared accommodations. Staff can opt to live off-campus and receive housing stipends to support their housing expenses. This approach ensures that all members of the KAUST community have access to safe, affordable, and comfortable housing.
