DATE WITH THE FUTURE

Al Ain is home to an innovative humanitarian scheme that could make a significant contribution to social development projects in countries where date palm trees are cultivated.

The Food Shelter is due to be completed this month in Al Ain Oasis and has been developed by London-based architect Sandra Piesik, of 3 ideas Ltd; in collaboration with TCA Abu Dhabi; the Al Ain Historic Environment Department, BuroHappold Engineering; and Mehler Texnologies.

Its design is based on a grid shell construction of nine eight-metre by eight-metre modules, creating the framework of a structure that could be used in developing countries to construct schools, clinics, nurseries and other types of buildings around oases.

Date palm leaves, usually discarded as an agricultural by-product, are bundled together by the traditional Arish technique, and are then lapped to form long circular-shaped sections that can be curved into arched profiles to form structural members for the grid-shell frames, which are covered with a tensile roof fabric.

No lasting residue is left, as these freely available leaves are biodegradable while the roof fabric can be reused.

It is hoped that the ‘Sabla’ project, which follows six years of research and development, will provide a place for farmers from the Al Ain Oasis to sell their products.