On March 30th, His Highness Sheikh Sultan III bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Emir and Doctor of Sharjah, officially unveiled the new BEEAH Group headquarters in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), the building is primarily powered by solar panels and incorporates next-generation operational technologies. Meeting LEED Platinum standards, it aims for zero carbon emissions in the future. This headquarters will serve as the management and administrative hub for BEEAH Group, setting a new standard for future workplaces.
BEEAH Group’s strategy revolves around two pillars: “sustainable development” and “digitalization.” The company has expanded into six key industries, including waste management and recycling, clean energy, environmental consulting, education, and green transportation.
This new headquarters marks a significant milestone for BEEAH, symbolizing its innovation and growth both locally in Sharjah and globally. It establishes a versatile operational base that supports the group’s expansion into essential future industries. Through this building, BEEAH demonstrates how technology can enhance sustainable impact and envisions the blueprint for smart, sustainable cities of the future.
The headquarters is designed as a series of interconnected “sand dunes,” reflecting the surrounding desert environment through their shape and orientation. Situated within the Al Sajaa Desert of Sharjah, the building complements the landscape by mimicking natural sand dunes shaped by prevailing desert winds. This design gradually reveals its form as a series of interlocking valleys and ridges within the desert.
The two main “sand dunes” house public spaces, management offices, and administrative areas. These indoor spaces benefit from abundant natural light and scenic views, while the exterior facade minimizes glass exposure to direct sunlight, reducing heat gain. A central courtyard connects these functional zones, serving as both a natural ventilation core and an “oasis” within the building.
Visitors enter the building through a striking 15-meter-high dome that enhances natural ventilation and allows sunlight to penetrate the interior passively. In addition to the central courtyard and open-plan offices, the headquarters features smart meeting rooms, immersive visitor centers, and auditoriums.
Covering 9,000 square meters, the BEEAH headquarters emphasizes sustainability at its core. The building extensively uses locally sourced materials and integrates advanced technologies to meet LEED Platinum standards, aiming for net zero emissions and minimal energy consumption.
Glass fiber reinforced panels reduce solar heat gain, while advanced cooling systems for floors and curtain wall glass regulate indoor temperatures, ensuring comfortable environments. A water treatment system onsite filters wastewater to minimize water consumption. The solar farm powers Tesla battery packs, providing energy day and night.
The headquarters also offers employee-focused smart applications, including contactless pathways, virtual concierge services, intelligent meeting rooms, and automated daily tasks. The building’s intelligent management system automatically adjusts temperature and lighting based on occupancy and time of day. Additionally, all rooms are equipped with collaborative tools to support remote and hybrid work environments.
The design by Zaha Hadid Architects embodies BEEAH’s dual commitment to “sustainable development” and “digitalization.” This headquarters represents a major achievement for the group, reflecting its evolution from a local environmental company in Sharjah to an international enterprise focused on future-oriented industries. The building stands as a testament to BEEAH’s ongoing contribution to a sustainable future.
The design competition held in 2013 was won by Zaha Hadid and her team, who were commissioned by BEEAH to create the new headquarters. The building is designed to achieve net zero emissions and integrate next-generation technology, establishing a convenient and collaborative workspace for employees.
Zaha Hadid Architects collaborated with sustainability engineers and consultants Atelier Ten and Buro Happold, project manager Matthews Southwest, construction contractor Al Futtaim Construction, and HVAC engineer Al Futtaim Engineering to realize the BEEAH headquarters. Furthermore, EVOTEQ, a joint venture between Microsoft, Johnson Controls, and BEEAH Electronics, provides intelligent building technology for the project.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Hufton+Craw
Design: Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher
Project Guidance: Sara Sheikh Akbari
Business Guidance: 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 One Project Guidance: Tariq Khayyat
Stage 1 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
Local Architect: Bin Dalmouk, DSA Architects International
Structural Engineer: Buro Happold
MEP Engineer: Atelier Ten
Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald
Project Management: Matthews Southwest
Landscape Design: Francis Landscape
Main Contractor: Al Futtaim Construction
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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