BEEAH Headquarters
Zaha Hadid Architects
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.