In their 20th year, the International Architectural Awards are presented by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture & Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design & Urban Studies.

The BEEAH headquarters’ design 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 sand dunes.

Ensuring all internal spaces are provided with ample daylight and views while limiting the quantity of glazing exposed to the harsh desert 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.

Designed to LEED Platinum certification and net zero operations, the headquarters incorporates a high percentage of locally procured materials including GRC panels reducing solar gain.

On-site water treatment filtrates wastewater to minimise consumption and its 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 and the ZHA team designed the BEEAH headquarters in collaboration with Atelier Ten and Buro Happold