Sustainable Desert Living
2024
Young Vision Award
Winner
Qasimi & Abbas
Designers / Creators / Authors / Leaders
Tarek al Qasimi & Kahifa Abbas
Our project, rooted in the heart of Ras al Khaimah, embodies sustainable desert living by integrating traditional technologies and design principles that have supported life in this harsh environment for centuries. We’ve harnessed the cooling effects of wind-generating shapes, the natural insulation of thick mudbrick walls, and the strategic placement of courtyards to create spaces that are both energy-efficient and deeply connected to the landscape. By blending these time-honored techniques with modern innovations, we’re reimagining how architecture can harmonize with the desert, offering a model for sustainable living that honors our cultural heritage while meeting contemporary needs.