1. How did you adapt Foster+ Partners perceptions with Abu Dhabi’s identity?
When we first started working in Abu Dhabi, we began to realise the deep links between the environment and the local community, which tied in with our interest in sustainability. It is the rich history of living in one of the harshest natural environments that provides a suitable complement to our work.
2. How is sustainability and environmental changes guiding architectural trends in your opinion?
The built environment is responsible for 40 per cent of global carbon emissions. Therefore, embracing the idea of sustainability is crucial to global net-zero ambitions. At Foster + Partners, sustainability has been a central focus since the inception of the practice with projects such as Masdar City, which was the first masterplan designed to be wholly powered by renewable energy. We work closely with our clients to develop bespoke design solutions that are optimised for their operations and the planet.
3. How did technology enabled you to integrate sustainability principles in your designs?
Technology can complement and be an integral part of sustainable solutions. For instance, at Masdar we began exploring the link between mobility and buildings at a very early stage. The idea of using autonomous vehicles to transport people around the city is a prime example of integrating technology with the fabric of the city. This was over a decade ago, and now conversations about smart cities and autonomous vehicles are ubiquitous.
4. What major challenges did you face while designing in Abu Dhabi?
I would have to say it is the extreme desert climate, which in many ways is an advantage. If you can ensure that the buildings work well in the most difficult of environments, then it serves as a learning for projects in other parts of the world as well. For instance, the Zayed National Museum is the first naturally ventilated museum in Abu Dhabi. The sustainable solutions that we have successfully developed on this project are now informing our other projects across the world.
5. What are your future plans in Abu Dhabi?
We are looking forward to the opening of the Zayed National Museum and to work with the government and other local developers to realise many more incredible projects in the region.