The UK's Atkins is working on the concept design for a low carbon emissions tower at Dubai International Financial Centre, its second major project in the region to incorporate environmentally friendly elements.

Known as the Lighthouse, the 400-metre office tower will be designed to reduce its energy consumption by up to 65 per cent and water consumption by up to 40 per cent. This will be achieved by using passive solar architecture such as awnings, a series of low energy and low water use solutions and recovery strategies for the energy and water used.

The building will also have integrated renewable energy sources, including wind turbines and 4,000 solar panels.

Meanwhile, the construction is approaching completion on the Atkins-designed Bahrain World Trade Centre, which will use wind turbines to provide up to 15 per cent of its power requirements.