New project seeks to rehabilitate old Jahili Fort of Al Ain

A traditional mud brick fort dating from 1898 in Al Ain will undergo rehabilitation to preserve its historic value, said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).

The project aims to make Jahili Fort, which is considered as one of the most important historical landmarks in the city of Al Ain, a successful cultural and tourist destination in the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan said the project will include providing a new visitor information centre, a temporary exhibition gallery, a permanent exhibition on the traveller Mubarak Bin London - Wilfred Thesiger, and a walk- through audio-visual installation on the history and development of Al Ain.

The project is part of ADACH's many initiatives to revive the role of culture in Abu Dhabi.

Jahili Fort, the largest fort in Al Ain, is currently being rehabilitated using a mix of traditional materials and modern techniques, said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of ADACH.

It will be a new cultural destination in Al Ain, with something for everyone, added Al Mazrouei.

The new architectural design follows the historic floor plan and references the niches and ventilation openings of the historic building.

The construction will use traditional mud blocks, mud plaster and palm logs, reusing whenever possible existing historic building materials, noted Dr. Sami Al-Masri, Director of Strategic Planning Office at ADACH.

Cold water pipes, embedded in the mud plaster, will cool the building in the summer, whilst cold air flow will be intelligently controlled by sensors, keeping its use down and so minimizing energy consumption, Al-Masri added.

Jahili Fort was originally built by Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa (Zayed I), Ruler of Abu Dhabi 1855 - 1909, where it served as a royal summer residence.