Powered by its solar array and equipped with next-generation technologies for operations at LEED Platinum standards, the new BEEAH Headquarters has been designed to achieve net-zero with future-ready technologies for minimal energy consumption to serve as a blueprint for tomorrow’s smart, sustainable cities.

With their twin-pillared strategy of sustainability and digitalisation, BEEAH works across key industries that are critical to realising a sustainable future including waste recycling, clean energy, environmental education and green mobility.

Embodying these principles, the headquarters’ design responds to its environment as a series of interconnecting ‘dunes’ orientated and shaped to optimize local climatic conditions. Embedded within its sand dunes of Sharjah’s Al Sajaa desert, the design echoes the surrounding landscape that is shaped by the prevailing winds.

Ensuring all internal spaces are provided with ample daylight and views while limiting the quantity of glazing exposed to the harsh sun, the headquarters’ two primary ‘dunes’ house the public and management departments together with the administrative zone that interconnect via a central courtyard, defining an oasis within the building which is integral to its natural ventilation strategy.

With a high percentage of locally procured materials including GRC panels reducing solar gain, the headquarters’ on-site water treatment filtrates waste water to minimise consumption and the solar farm charges Tesla battery packs to meet the building’s energy demand throughout each day and night. The building’s smart management system automatically adjusts lighting and temperature depending on occupancy and time of day.

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

Design: Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher

Project Director: Sara Sheikh Akbari

Commercial Director: Charles Walker

Project Team: Gerry Cruz (Exterior Package Lead), Drew Merkle (Interior Package Lead), John Simpson, Matthew Le Grice, Maria Chaparro, Frenji Koshi, Leo Alves, Erwan Gallou, Vivian Pashiali, Alia Zayani, Alessandra Lazzoni, Zsuzsanna Barát, Dennis Brezina, Rasha Al-shami, Anna Mieszek, Elena Scripelliti, Eider Fernandez-Eibar, Marco Pavoni, Ben Kikkawa, Maria Vergopoulou-Efstathiou, Haohao Chen, Thanh Dao

Phase 1 Project Director: Tariq Khayyat

Phase 1 Project Architect: Kutbuddin Nadiadi

Design Team: Gerry Cruz, Drew Merkle, Yuxi Fu, Xiaosheng Li, Edward Luckmann, Eleni Mente, Kwanphil Cho, Mu Ren, Harry Ibbs, Mostafa El Sayed, Suryansh Chandra, Thomas Jensen, Alexandra Fisher, Spyridon Kaprinis, John Randle, Bechara Malkoun, Reda Kessanti, Carolina López-Blanco, Takehiko Iseki, Matthew Johnston, Sabrina Sayed, Zohra Rougab, Carl Khourey, Anas Younes, Lauren Barclay, Mubarak Al Fahim, Faten El Meri

Competition Team: Xiaosheng Li, Gerry Cruz, Yuxi Fu, Drew Merkle, Lauren Barclay, Mostafa El Sayed, Alia Zayani, Mubarak Al Fahim

Consultants:

Structure/Facade/Acoustic/Transport & Civil: Buro Happold [London]

MEP/ Lighting/Fire Protection & Life Safety: Atelier Ten [London]

Sustainability (Design Stage): Atelier Ten [London]

Sustainability (Construction Stage): Buro Happold [Dubai]

Cost: Gardiner & Theobald [London]

Project Manager: Matthews Southwest [Dubai]

Landscape: Francis Landscape [Beirut]

Local Architect: Bin Dalmouk [Sharjah], DSA Architects International [Dubai]

Main Contractor: Al Futtaim Construction [Dubai]