Al-Ain Wildlife Park participates in Cityscape

The Centre is featured prominently at the pavilion in recognition for its pioneering vision of the "Estidama" program - a major UPC initiative focused on sustainable building design.

His Excellency, Majid Al-Mansouri, managing director of Al-Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, said:

"Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is the celebration of the legacy left to us, with God's grace, by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It delivers a message about the importance of maintaining a balance between our precious natural environment, our deep-rooted heritage and our needs for education."

A team of internationally renowned designers has worked together toward realizing the high environmental standards of Estidama. This was achieved by building a structure that stands as a memorial to Sheikh Zayed, while showcasing the opportunities of responsible building design.

This Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is a premiere example of Estidama high environmental standards because of its combination of active and passive energy efficient systems.

The interior air is cooled and heated with solar energy -the air intake-ducts are placed deep underground to pre-cool the air before it enters the HVAC system.

The Centre is oriented toward the north, resulting in less radiant heat gain. Electricity needs are supplied by photo voltaic cells on the Centre's roof.

Water is conserved by recycling grey water incorporating low-flow faucets, rain water collection basins, and the use of high-performance irrigation systems. Windows are purposed as light shafts providing natural illumination.

The building of the centre is considered a remarkable architectural monument, which contains areas designated for the display desert and bedouin life and reflect the local heritage and geology. It is a monument that faces the famous Jebel Hafeet, extending between the Emirates' Desert and the Abu Dhabi Oasis.

"The importance of this project lies in the creation of a distinguished destination for tourists and visitors, and to be a memorial and embodiment of the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with respect to the preservation of the environment and wildlife, and the protection the natural habitats of flora and fauna,"

added Al-Mansouri.

A multi-specialization professional team has taken part in designing the project, including building and landscape architects, electrical, mechanical and structural engineers, in addition to museum designers and sustainability consultants. This team's members always collaborated to raise the bar and achieve results to the highest environmental standards. It all paid off with an outstanding project that constitutes a turning point in the quest for sustainability and environmentally-friendly green buildings.

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is a major landmark in Al-Ain Wildlife Park and Resort. It is an important part of the wildlife and conservation project, whose overall aim is to re-develop the zoo in Al-Ain.

The center will become an exhibition and a place to discover the natural and cultural history of the local desert, in addition to world deserts, as well as genuine Arab traditions and customs. The centre will open in 2011.