Page 27 - Magazine April 2022

Architecture Contractors News

Zaha Hadid Architects completes dune-like

Beeah Headquarters in Sharjah

Zaha Hadid Architects has released drone footage headquarters are split into two “dunes” which both
of its latest completed project – the headquarters house different departments. These are connected
for environmental management company “BEEAH by a central courtyard, which has been designed
Group”, located in Sharjah’s Al Sajaa desert. The as an “oasis” within the building, and offers natural
design takes its cues from the surrounding sandy ventilation.
dunes, with the studio’s signature, sinuous forms Given BEEAH‘s sustainability focus, the practice’s
emulating the desert’s topography. design follows suit, and sees energy-harbouring
After successfully winning the project in 2013, technology embedded throughout the scheme. Across
work began in 2014, when the practice was still led the building’s shell, for example, glass reinforced fibre

by its founder, Zaha Hadid. Her successor Patrik panels reduce heat, on-site water treatment filtrates
Schumacher, who took to the helm of the company waste water to minimise consumption. A solar farm
after her death in 2016, has overseen its completion. provides power to Tesla battery packs, which provide
“Embodying these principles, the headquarters’ electricity to the entire building throughout the
design responds to its environment as a series of day and night. Elsewhere, this energy is conserved
interconnecting ‘dunes’ orientated and shaped to through the building’s smart management system,
optimise local climatic conditions,” said the practice. which automatically adjusts lighting and temperature
“Embedded within its context of Sharjah’s Al Sajaa depending on occupancy and time of day. “The building
desert, the design echoes the surrounding landscape will sets a new benchmark for future workplaces,” the
shaped by prevailing winds into concave sand dunes practice added.
and ridges that become convex when they intersect.” Lego took a similarly sustainable approach when
Visitors enter the building through a 15-metre-high designing its new headquarters in Copenhagen,
dome, and inside, spaces are flooded with natural which made use of 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) of waste
daylight and look out onto expansive views. The LEGO bricks for all outdoor furniture.

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