Phase One of the Central Hub in Sharjah by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) will complete in the first quarter of 2019, according to Arada. The project, set to be a new leisure and entertainment destination for the UAE when complete, is part of the US$6.5 billion Aljada development.“The Central Hub’s design conceptualizes the first moment a water droplet strikes the earth’s surface, captured in an array of elliptical buildings that are designed to channel prevailing winds into public spaces and courtyards to aid natural cooling,” ZHA writes.Spread over 1.9 million square feet, the Central Hub has been conceived as a highly sustainable development that also integrates smart technologies. “The complex’s natural ecosystem, irrigated by recovered and recycled water, is designed to sustain a microclimate at ground level for gardens featuring plant species native to the region, while the Central Hub’s lighting requirements will be entirely provided by smart solar power. More than 25 football fields in size, the car-free Central Hub is focussed around its large central plaza and public observation tower,” ZHA writes.“The Central Hub’s design integrates a variety of civic spaces designed with natural cooling strategies to enable them to be enjoyed throughout the year —even during the summer months. In total, there will be 732,000 square feet of public squares and gardens within the Central Hub, including the large community park that covers a quarter of the complex with thousands of specially selected native trees and plants,” ZHA says.The first phase of the development, which includes an outdoor cinema space, a food truck village, skate park, and other family-friendly facilities — is scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019. Arada expects to build all phases of the Central Hub by 2022.HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, said: “Sustainability is absolutely central to Arada’s vision, and that has been reflected in the Central Hub’s design. We are working hard to protect and encourage local native species and natural environment. We’re doing this in a way that is cost-efficient and leaves as small an impact on the planet as possible.”Johannes Schafelner, Project Director, Zaha Hadid Architects, said: “Aljada’s Central Hub stands as an example of how conscious design can work with the environment to create a truly unique and inspirational focus for its community. The Central Hub is a defining project for Sharjah and the UAE, and we have been proud to work closely with Arada on bringing this development to life.”Click on the slideshow for a sneak peek at the project.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/                                Founder: Louise Blouin   Read more