SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR / MORO 2.0 DATA CENTER MEINHARDT

Moro 2.0 Data Center by Meinhardt won the Sustainable Project of the Year. According to Guinness World Records, DEWA's Moro 2.0 Data Center (Moro Hub) is the world's largest SolarPowered Data Center.

Moro Hub aspired to build a net-zero energy facility (Data Centre) to serve its national and global clients while remaining carbon neutral. It was founded to meet the need for an innovative and agile data centre that leads the future of how these projects can be designed and built sustainably.

Meinhardt’s engineering designs incorporate environmentally sustainable principles that are socially responsible and commercially feasible. /

DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT OF THE YEAR / MUSEUM OF ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

SHAPE ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE + RESEARCH

Museum of Energy and Infrastructure by Shape Architecture Practice + Research won the Design & Build Project of the Year.

To facilitate the highest level of immersion for museum visitors, every space, from entry to the individual exhibit, was made to emulate a theatre setting. A minimalist approach accommodated this goal best, using streamlined materials and a dark interior colour scheme. The palette contains hues of black, white, and copper, drawing from the natural tones found amid the region’s desert roadways. Dark backdrops and strategic lighting highlight displayed contents and cause the surrounding setting to recede.

A juxtaposition of exhibit media, including printed information boards, physical models, and interactive digital presentations, introduces variation in experience and texture. By using the same palette and aesthetic, these materials maintain a cohesive connection with the museum's character. As a result, the space is holistic, with a seamless blend of architectural and educational features. /

Architecture Leaders Awards 2023