Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre

Sustainable Design

Among its many attributes and features, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre’s high performance "building envelope" is an impressive 85% more efficient than a traditional building of its size.

This efficiency has been achieved through a variety of energy saving systems, some of them highly advanced, some of them deeply traditional. Here are some of the highlights:

•	More than 180,000 sensors monitor the building atmosphere, controlling air temperature, circulation and humidity. They respond instantly to increased or decreased temperatures or visitor foot traffic.
•	Below ground exhibition spaces take advantage of the earth’s natural insulation against extreme temperatures to keep the building naturally cool.
•	The south facing windows are smaller while those to the north are larger. All the windows are made of high performance, zero-draught glass, with maximum glazing. Direct sunlight does not enter the building at any point.
•	Solar power produces hot water and electricity for exhibits and water pumps.
•	A solar cooling system captures energy from water heated by the sun, and then uses the energy to cool the air.
•	A pre-cooling AC system takes in air above ground and channels it underground, where the earth, sand and soil cools it naturally. This greatly reduces the final energy requirement for cooling.
•	Closed system water pipes run through the concrete flooring to keep it cool.
•	Water conservation is an important initiative. We employ no-flush urinals and vacuum flush toilets, similar to the WC units used in aeroplanes, as well as grey water recycling.
•	We use recycled construction materials, sourced no farther than 500km from Al Ain.
•	We also use energy-efficient fixtures, light pollution and tobacco smoke controls.