By ; Amir Taha
The BEEAH Headquarters in Sharjah, the first fully AI-integrated building in the Middle East, has just received the OpenBlue Pioneer “Blueprint of the Future” award from Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings. Operating at LEED platinum standards and targeting net zero emissions, the BEEAH Headquarters uses an on-site solar power plant to meet a large portion of its power requirements. An on-site grey water recycling plant and water-efficient systems for landscaping applications also ensure ultra-low water consumption. BEEAH joins a select group of award winners who are using the Johnson Controls OpenBlue suite of connected building solutions to set new benchmarks for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings in a net zero age.
Set against the backdrop of the Sharjah desert, the new BEEAH Headquarters was designed to look like intersecting sand dunes, blending in with the desert landscape. The unique structure is fully integrated with an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solution powered by OpenBlue to enable energy efficiency, friction-free access and security, and connected building management and employee service systems.
Powered by the Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue digital technology the seamless interaction within the building provides personalized experiences for visitors, employees and management. A mobile app offers a virtual concierge to order beverages, book meeting rooms, and manage IT requests. The rooms themselves automatically adjust light and temperature settings to make occupants as healthy and comfortable as possible, dynamically responding to movement and set personal preferences. Facial recognition and automated security allow people to move seamlessly through the building, while also monitoring for safety.
The “Blueprint of the Future” award was presented by George Oliver, Chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls, to Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group. The BEEAH Headquarters is the first Johnson Controls OpenBlue Pioneer in the Middle East. “BEEAH Group has set a new benchmark for sustainable workspaces of the future, especially in addressing the particular challenges of building sustainably in a hot, arid climate. The BEEAH Headquarters is an iconic piece of architecture that provides a key blueprint for offices in a net zero world. We congratulate BEEAH for showing how powerful the combination of visionary thinking and digital building technology can be in creating spaces that serve people and the planet,” said Oliver.
“From its iconic architecture to its digitally connected environment, the BEEAH Headquarters is an embodiment of the group’s strategy of sustainability and digitalization. Powered by next-generation technologies that are integrated with energy and water-efficient systems, the building demonstrates how technology can help us accelerate towards sustainability targets. While preserving resources and protecting the environment, the building inspires people inside and out. We believe the BEEAH Headquarters serves as the ideal example of the smart built architecture in tomorrow’s sustainable cities, where environmental responsibility and quality of life are of utmost importance,” said Al Huraimel.
Also commenting on the award, Mohammad Khalid, Vice President and General Manager, Johnson Controls, Middle East and Africa, added: “Johnson Controls and the BEEAH Group share the same commitment to the global sustainability movement and the UAE’s transition to a circular economy. The BEEAH Headquarters truly embodies what an OpenBlue Pioneer is all about and is a concrete representation of what taking a smart leap into the future looks like. I would like to extend my congratulations to the entire BEEAH team.”
Johnson Controls is at the forefront of transforming the built environment and promoting new technologies that will enhance occupant experiences and drive sustainability. In keeping with the region’s net zero goals, the company is well set to drive digitalization and sustainability in the country.
