zaha hadid architects sculpts BEEAH headquarters to mimic the desert dunes of the UAE

the soft architecture of BEEAH group’s new headquarters

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has completed a fluid work of architecture for BEEAH Group in the deserts of the UAE. The project marks the company’s new headquarters outside Sharjah, and was just opened on March 30th by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.

Taking full advantage of its desertous context, the building is powered by a solar array. Further, the work is equipped with next-generation technologies to operate at LEED Platinum standards. With these technologies the new headquarters is designed to achieve net-zero emissions and will set a new benchmark for workspaces moving forward.

images © Hufton + Crow | @huftonandcrow

designed with a focus on sustainability

Developing the design for the new headquarters, the team at Zaha Hadid Architects (see more here) honored BEEAH’s ‘twin-pillared strategy of sustainability and digitalization.’ the company works across six key industries that include waste management and recycling, clean energy, environmental consulting, education and green mobility.

The headquarters is the latest milestone for BEEAH Group (see more here) as it continues to pioneer innovations for the UAE city of Sharjah and across the globe, establishing a base of operations for the group to diversify into new, future-critical industries. With their new headquarters, BEEAH demonstrates how technology can scale sustainable impact and ultimately serve as a blueprint for tomorrow’s smart, sustainable cities.

zaha hadid architects echoes the surrounding landscape

Embodying these principles, Zaha Hadid Architects’ BEEAH Headquarters responds to its environment as a series of interconnecting ‘dunes’ orientated and shaped to optimize local climatic conditions. Embedded within its context of Sharjah’s Al Sajaa desert, the design echoes the surrounding landscape shaped by prevailing winds into concave sand dunes and ridges that become convex when they intersect.

Ensuring all internal spaces are provided with 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 are interconnected by a central courtyard, defining an oasis within the building which is integral to its natural ventilation strategy.

inside the BEEAH headquarters

Visitors enter the BEEAH Headquarters beneath its 15-meter high dome which serves to enhance natural ventilation and allow passive daylight to enter the building. Along with the central courtyard and open-plan office, the headquarters incorporates smart meeting rooms, an immersive visitors center and an auditorium.

The 9,000 square-meter project takes shape with its sustainability at its core with a high percentage of locally procured materials and is equipped with future-ready technologies to enable operations at LEED Platinum standards with net-zero emissions and minimal energy consumption.

Glass reinforced fiber panels reduce solar gain while slab and glass cooling regulate interior temperatures for optimum comfort. On-site water treatment filtrates waste water to minimize consumption while a solar farm charges Tesla battery packs to meet the building’s energy demand throughout each day and night.

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project info:

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project info: BEEAH Headquarters

architecture: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) | @zahahadidarchitects

location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

completion: March 2022

photography: © Hufton + Crow | @huftonandcrow

design: Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher

project director: Sara Sheikh Akbari Commercial Director: Charles Walker
project team: Gerry Cruz, Drew Merkle, John Simpson, Matthew Le Grice, Maria Chaparro, Frenji Koshy, Leo Alves, Erwan Gallou, Vivian Pashiali, Alia Zayani, Alessandra Lazzoni, Dennis Brezina, Eider Fernandez-Eibar, Rasha Al- shami, Ben Kikkawa, Maria Vergopoulou-Efstathiou, Haohao Chen
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 Lopez-Blanco, Matthew Johnston, Sabrina Sayed, Zohra Rougab, Carl Khourey, Anas Younes, Lauren Barclay, Mubarak Al Fahim
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
MEP, lighting, fire protection, life safety: Atelier Ten
sustainability (design stage): Atelier Ten
sustainability (construction stage): Buro Happold
cost: Gardiner & Theobald
project manager: Matthews Southwest
landscape: Francis Landscape
local architect: Bin Dalmouk, DSA Architects International
main contractor: Al Futtaim Construction