If you happened to drive along E128 to Al Dhaid in Sharjah, chances are you might have noticed a sand-dune shaped building. The new structure made residents in the emirate curious about its sudden appearance and what it was. Well, now the cat is out of the bag! Turns out that this is the headquarters of waste management company Beeah. A true masterpiece of architecture, this building focuses on sustainability, in a stunning way (of course). Read on to know more.
Beeah is set to appear in a National Geographic documentary called Desert Wonder, scheduled to air on April 17. From the initial design by the late Zaha Hadid to the fully operational office of the future that exists today, the film takes viewers on an engrossing journey of the five-year construction process. The third structure in the United Arab Emirates created by the renowned architect before her passing in 2016, the Beeah headquarters was unveiled last year.
The 9,000 square meter building is a living example of sustainability, generating 40% of its energy from solar energy that has been integrated with cutting-edge technology. Visitors are greeted by lighted, sweeping staircases that take them to the first floor’s art gallery as soon as they enter.
‘We are honoured to be featured on Nat Geo,” said Nada Al Taryam, managing director of civil and architectural projects at Beaah and also the group’s chief real estate officer. “The channel captured the challenges and triumphs of our journey from the early stages of construction to the final product, showcasing the behind-the-scenes efforts that led to this remarkable achievement”, he added.
According to Taryam, the project’s design, construction, and operation were all infused with sustainability. For instance, the design includes environmentally friendly elements like a curved structure that maximizes natural light and reduces the need for artificial lighting, as well as high thermal mass that absorbs and dissipates heat. The building’s efficiency is also continuously optimized by an AI system based on occupancy.
While systems are integrated to maintain and improve efficiency, windows reduce solar glare and special glass cuts radiant thermal energy to keep the building cool in the summer. Meeting minutes are automatically recorded in conference rooms and emailed to participants.
The building’s exterior has soft- scaping areas that resemble miniature sand dunes and use native plants that do well in arid environments without a lot of irrigation. The company’s unique structure represents its development into an international holding group with key businesses for a sustainable future.
Seriously, how futuristic can Dubai really get! With such latest innovations and inventions, Dubai only out-does itself every single time.
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