To mark the inaugural international Sharjah Architecture Triennial, Bee’ah, the Middle East’s leading sustainability pioneer, is presenting the exhibition Shaping the Future, in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and American University of Sharjah (AUS). Supporting the sustainable growth of the emirate’s urban and design fabric, together with its global outlook, the company is also a platinum sponsor for the iconic event, which will host a gathering of industry experts from around the world.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, as well as the Bee’ah design exhibition.

Sharjah Architecture Triennial is the first major global platform for architecture and urbanism in the MENA region, South and Southeast Asia. Participating in international conversations while anchored in Sharjah and the UAE, the Triennial offers new spaces for dialogue on how the built environment exists within its complex social, economic, and cultural contexts, as well as the potential for sustainable development that benefits all citizens.

Bee’ah’s exhibition complements the themes of the groundbreaking event, primarily by featuring an overview of sustainable infrastructure in the emirate. It takes visitors on an in-depth journey into the inspiration behind Bee’ah’s new headquarters, which was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The exhibition also features a selection of work by students from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at AUS.

Bee’ah’s new headquarters embody the company’ core principles of sustainability and technology, to become the region’s first fully AI-powered green building. Opening in Sharjah in 2020, the complex will be one of the smartest and most sustainable offices in the world.

Shaping the Future features a selection of design studies, computer-generated visualisations, technical drawings and diagrams, and recent construction photos. Exploring Bee’ah headquarters’ place within the ZHA portfolio of work, this exhibition also presents a selection of the studio’s key projects, showcased through videos, models, and photographs.

HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO at Bee’ah, commented on the Sharjah Architecture Triennial: “As a platinum sponsor, and a Sharjah-based company, we are proud to mark the occasion of the first Sharjah Architecture Triennial, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. This will be an important platform for regional and international figures to discuss the future of architecture and urbanism in the region, and how it can be shaped in a sustainable fashion that benefits both our citizens today and the generations that follow.”

Speaking of Bee’ah’s Shaping the Future exhibition, Al Huraimel said: “Sustainability and technology are the foundation for everything we do at Bee’ah. Our new headquarters will embody this ethos, as we continue to follow the UAE government’s vision of creating a sustainable future for the country, powered by technological and forward-thinking solutions. We hope our exhibition will inspire visitors to imagine the many possibilities that exist at the intersection of sustainability, technology and design.”

Patrik Schumacher, Partner, Zaha Hadid Architects said: “Bee’ah’s new headquarters is transforming attitudes and behaviours with sustainable concepts of architecture. The exhibition explores the development of this pioneering building and its place within Zaha Hadid Architects’ repertoire of continued innovation.”

As the first fully Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated building in the GCC, Bee’ah’s headquarters will be equipped with a sweeping array of smart building solutions powered by Microsoft, using the Johnson Control Digital Vault offering, and deployed by Evoteq. Merging seamlessly with its desert environment, the dune-shaped building is slated to achieve a LEED Platinum certification, positioning Bee’ah as a progressive sustainability and technology leader.

Bee’ah also recently announced that it will power the building with an onsite solar energy plant, which will be developed and built by Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies; and backed by Tesla Powerpacks that will store excess energy to power the headquarters by night.

Commenting on the exhibition of work by students from AUS, Chancellor Kevin Mitchell said: “AUS continues to benefit from a long-standing partnership with Bee’ah and is pleased to be invited to participate in the Shaping the Future exhibition. For over 20 years CAAD faculty, students and alumni have been engaged in work that explores architecture and urbanism in the region. The work exhibited illustrates how current students seek to ensure a sustainable future through proposals to transform the built environment.”

Sharjah Architecture Triennial will take place from November 9, 2019 to February 8, 2020 at two recently decommissioned public buildings, the Al-Qasimiyah School and the old Al Jubail Vegetable Market. Bee’ah’s exhibition, Shaping the Future, will be held at Khalid bin Mohammed School from November 9 to December 21. Opening times are Friday, 4-9pm; Sat-Thu, 9am-9 pm.