HCM SUMMIT
23 October 2025
Tickets available soon
Leisure Opportunities
Job search
Job Search
see all jobs
Latest job opportunities
star job
Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust
£47,000 - £50,000pa + pension + generous benefits package
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Everyone Active
Competitive
Cleveland

Zaha Hadid Architects win competition for Sharjah leisure hub inspired by falling water droplet

Job opportunities
Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust
£47,000 - £50,000pa + pension + generous benefits package
location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
more jobs
We look forward to applying all our knowledge and experience in creating some of the world’s most popular civic spaces
Tariq Khayyat, Senior Associate and Head of Region-Middle East
Credit: ZHA

Following an international competition, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have been appointed to design the Central Hub of the Aljada leisure masterplan in Sharjah, UAE.

Development company ARADA is overseeing the enormous mixed-use project – one of the largest of its kind in the region – and organised the competition to find an architect for the 1.9 million sq ft (176,500sq m) Hub, billed as “a major destination for tourists and residents, offering world-class amenities complemented by community facilities as well as retail and dining experiences.”

The first phase will create “a lively, family-friendly destination” with a series of attractions, including an adventure activity zone, a food market and outdoor events spaces. A central observation tower will be surrounded by public squares with water features irrigated by recovered and recycled water.

ZHA’s winning proposal is inspired conceptually by “the moment a water droplet strikes the earth’s surface, captured in an array of elliptical buildings designed to channel prevailing winds into civic spaces and courtyards to facilitate cooling during the summer months.” Tensile canopies sustain a microclimate at ground level for extensive gardens of species native to the region.

“We are proud to partner with ARADA on a project designed for Sharjah’s community and its visitors,” said Tariq Khayyat, head of the Middle East region for ZHA. “We look forward to applying all our knowledge and experience in creating some of the world’s most popular civic spaces to foster Sharjah’s public realm in delivering Aljada’s Central Hub.”

ARADA chair, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, added: “ZHA are globally renowned for forward-thinking and transformational urban design. While all of the companies in this design competition offered outstanding designs, it was their integrated design approach that best matched our vision for Aljada’s Central Hub as an interconnected destination.

“This approach is synonymous with our mission to develop rewarding and engaging communities, building the Sharjah of tomorrow.”

The Aljada project – a 24 million sq ft (2.3 million sq m) residential and leisure community – was launched by the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, in 2017. It will be delivered in phases, beginning in 2019, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2025. Global engineering company CH2M has been awarded the infrastructure design contract for the project.

ZHA are working on a growing portfolio of high-profile mixed-use projects in the Middle East, including a cultural and research complex for a Unesco World Heritage site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia; two leisure projects for Qatar’s Lusail City masterplan; and the Al Wakrah Stadium for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The firm recently opened an office within the Dubai Design District in response to “solid growth in demand from new and existing clients across the region.”

In a statement, they said: “We are working with the many diverse histories and cultures of the region to address important issues in a meaningful way – contributing to the development of more ecologically sustainable and integrated built environments."

Sign up for FREE ezines & magazines
Following an international competition, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) have been appointed to design the Central Hub of the Aljada leisure masterplan in Sharjah, UAE.
TAW,VAT,ARC,DES,DEV,CLD
THUMB25455_288365.jpg

More News

1 - 15 of 68,411
26 Feb 2025
Toronto boutique operator, Sweat and Tonic, has announced the launch of a new reformer Pilates brand, Reformd, which will be the world’s highest capacity Lagree ... More
26 Feb 2025
Improvements in life expectancy in Europe have slowed according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health Journal, with England showing the largest deceleration. ... More
26 Feb 2025
US operator, Life Time, has started the rollout of cold plunges to more than 70 of its clubs in response to customer demand. In a ... More
25 Feb 2025
Peloton has entered into a partnership with the University of Texas to offer the first immersive Peloton workout space on a college campus. The university’s ... More
24 Feb 2025
Corinthia Hotels and Dubai General Properties (DGP) have partnered to develop a new five-star hotel and residential complex in the heart of Dubai, marking Corinthia's ... More
24 Feb 2025
Technogym founder, Nerio Alessandri, has unveiled his trademarked 'Healthness' concept at the Technogym 25th Wellness Congress. The new word joins the company's lexicon which includes ... More
20 Feb 2025
BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group has completed the 1,200sq m Jinji Lake Pavilion in Suzhou, China. Situated on the Jinji waterfront, the pavilion offers a ... More
19 Feb 2025
Four Seasons has announced plans to expand its presence in the UAE with a new luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah, set within the flagship ... More
19 Feb 2025
Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) is introducing an innovative UK degree-level qualification: the Advanced Leadership in the Spa and Beauty Industry course. This new programme, available ... More
18 Feb 2025
Accor has released a comprehensive white paper designed to deepen understanding of wellness design and its capacity to enhance guest experiences, boost loyalty and drive ... More
18 Feb 2025
After four launches last year, Third Space is keeping up the pace of expansion with a new signing on London’s Oxford Street, as well as ... More
18 Feb 2025
Young and affluent consumers are leading health club usage in Latin America, according to research from the Health and Fitness Association (HFA) and there are ... More
17 Feb 2025
Colruyt Group’s fitness chain, Jims, is doubling its estate with the acquisition of 40 fitness clubs from NRG. The deal will accelerate the Colruyt Group’s ... More
17 Feb 2025
Global Wellness Day (GWD) is set to return for its 14th year on 14 June 2025, embracing the theme: #ReconnectMagenta – a call to restore ... More
17 Feb 2025
Merlin Entertainments has confirmed Fiona Eastwood as its CEO – she had been interim CEO following the departure of Scott O’Neil. Eastwood said: “I have ... More
1 - 15 of 68,411