• Described as the UAE’s first sustainable building, the centre is also the first to achieve a Five Pearl rating from Estidama and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design platinum certification.
    Described as the UAE’s first sustainable building, the centre is also the first to achieve a Five Pearl rating from Estidama and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design platinum certification.
  • The exterior of the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.
    The exterior of the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.
  • A philosophy of sustainability and conservation guided the project from its beginning, with 92 per cent of construction waste either recycled, reused or reduced, says Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri.
    A philosophy of sustainability and conservation guided the project from its beginning, with 92 per cent of construction waste either recycled, reused or reduced, says Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri.
  • The 1.7 million kilograms of waste that was saved and not sent out into the environment is the equivalent of 24 fully loaded Airbus A320 airliners.
    The 1.7 million kilograms of waste that was saved and not sent out into the environment is the equivalent of 24 fully loaded Airbus A320 airliners.
  • The centre’s special design resulted in a 70 per cent reduction in heat absorption from the Sun, and a 50 per cent saving in energy and water usage.
    The centre’s special design resulted in a 70 per cent reduction in heat absorption from the Sun, and a 50 per cent saving in energy and water usage.
  • “The centre will teach visitors the importance of sustainability and preserving resources,” Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri says.
    “The centre will teach visitors the importance of sustainability and preserving resources,” Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri says.
  • The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre has five interactive galleries: Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall, Abu Dhabi Desert Over Time, Abu Dhabi’s Living World, Looking to the Future and People of the Desert.
    The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre has five interactive galleries: Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall, Abu Dhabi Desert Over Time, Abu Dhabi’s Living World, Looking to the Future and People of the Desert.
  • Described as the UAE’s first sustainable building, the centre is also the first to achieve a Five Pearl rating from Estidama and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design platinum certification.
    Described as the UAE’s first sustainable building, the centre is also the first to achieve a Five Pearl rating from Estidama and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design platinum certification.
  • The exterior of the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.
    The exterior of the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.
  • A philosophy of sustainability and conservation guided the project from its beginning, with 92 per cent of construction waste either recycled, reused or reduced, says Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri.
    A philosophy of sustainability and conservation guided the project from its beginning, with 92 per cent of construction waste either recycled, reused or reduced, says Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri.
  • “The centre will teach visitors the importance of sustainability and preserving resources,” Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri says.
    “The centre will teach visitors the importance of sustainability and preserving resources,” Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri says.

UAE

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre marks Al Ain Zoo expansion - in pictures

Julie Nicholson

April 19, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

The newly opened Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre has been described as the jewel in the crown of Al Ain Zoo’s expansion project. Photos: Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

TechnologyTourismEnvironmentUAE