Hatem Saeed Al Amoudi shines forth as the fine, bold architect of change that the UAE wants to alter its course in the future regarding building performance and sustainability. At Dubai Future Foundation- DFF-where he serves as Head of Labs, Al Amoudi is on the helm in this revolution of energy management and smart building solutions which the world so desperately needs. With high energy prices and environmental sustainability a rapidly central theme among GCC states, there is now increasing impetus to adopt energy-efficient practices. This has gathered further pace in recent times with the COP21 summit in Paris, but the UAE has taken serious steps toward green building and sustainability in the most recent past. Dubai, for one, has been at the forefront of such initiatives through its regulations and incentives targeted at ensuring eco-friendly construction.

This also includes the Dubai Municipality-devised Al Sa’fat green rating system, which works towards making Dubai’s buildings more sustainable to fall in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 vision of a smart and sustainable city. In fact, the system may even link rental prices to green building ratings, which in a way forces developers and property owners to take up the mantle of energy efficiency.

This is where Energy Solutions Group International, founded by Al Amoudi in 2013, comes into the fore. ESGI has rapidly established itself at the head in optimizing energy usage of both commercial and residential buildings. In a nutshell, the mission of the company is to take the mystery out of energy efficiency and make effective and affordable solutions. First and foremost, Al Amoudi began his journey with a focus on energy automation systems for smart homes. This, in turn, evolved into integrated building management systems and then into the development of ESGI itself. Its largest early client, Etihad Airways, had approached ESGI initially to develop global standards for environmental controls in its luxury lounges. It was that collaboration which would set the stage for what innovations ESGI would provide for the future.

At the heart of ESGI’s operations is a state-of-the-art 24/7 command center in Dubai. From this facility, it allows for real-time monitoring of client energy performance to provide actionable insights into how buildings are consuming their energy. The dashboards within the command center present an elaborative review of the energy use, allowing clients to identify inefficiencies and enable them to make informed decisions.

Al Amoudi speaks of how vital the visual display of energy consumption is:. Instead of promising savings, ESGI provides efficiency for its clients through actual data review. This typically tends to drive more change, since their energy usage patterns are right in front of them. One of the major milestones for ESGI was working with Dell on the Dell Edge Gateways for IoT. This allows seamless communications between various building systems and provides valuable data to optimize. In fact, with the addition of this technology, ESGI can further enhance their building management systems to provide clients with the maximum levels of control and efficiency.

This potential with the Gateway was showcased with a test project recently completed at a Dubai shopping mall. This is a highly inefficient mall with an extremely sophisticated BMS, but several redundancies as well as recommendations for improvements derived from the integration done by ESGI could have the potential of saving 2.45 million dollars per annum. This will go to prove that cutting-edge technology plays an important role in energy management today.

With more and more green initiatives being embraced by the UAE, greater is the requirement for effective regulation and enforcement. Al Amoudi, along with ESGI’s COO Andrew Ward and Director Paul Warren, called for a regulatory framework that comprises independent measurement and verification bodies. They believed financial incentives that are directly related to energy performance, such as not only rebates but adjustments in rents or municipality fees, would accelerate the energy efficiency mechanism.

Al Amoudi said that ESGI had indeed set up a good platform for energy efficiency in the UAE but that further accomplishment in terms of industry-wide change needed to be dictated and shaped by government action. His ultimate vision is one where energy efficiency is not an option but part of how buildings are designed and operated.

Hamad Khoory has managed to fashion a niche that not only coexists but also combines these two tensions. As the principal of LOCI-a design studio based in Dubai he founded in 2012-Khoory has gained major recognition in the fields of contemporary architecture, urban planning, interior architecture, and product design. His works mirror how context shapes architectural undertakings, and his philosophy is typically marinated in respect for culture and the environment.

When Hamad Khoory entered the architecture field, the beginning was indeed impassioned and well-appreciated from an art point of view. Grown up, he was fascinated with the world of art and sculpture, which actually laid the base for a future career in architecture. He supplemented this interest by taking two visual arts courses that furthered his artistic perception. In fact, these early artistic exposures proved to be some of the most important influences to occur in the development of his philosophy of design, which strongly advocates the marriage between art and architecture. Khoory received both his undergraduate and postgraduate training as an architect from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. An academic career that traversed continents: from Boston, USA, to Berlin, Germany; both great tolerance cities and assimilations of varied architectural styles and influences. This wide exposure gave the definition to his design philosophy, introducing a great respect toward the cultural and environmental contexts in which architecture exists.

Hamad Khoory founded LOCI-the design studio that would come to redefine contemporary architecture in Dubai and beyond in 2012 . The name LOCI itself is derived from the Latin word for “place,” reflecting the studio’s commitment to designing spaces that are inextricably linked to their cultural and environmental contexts. It is LOCI’s belief that a design philosophy should be responding to the unique characteristics of a site rather than imposing one singular notion on it.

LOCI works within a wide spectrum of design disciplines, ranging from contemporary architecture to urban planning, interior architecture, and product design. Studio projects express deep respect for the environment and commitment to sustainability. LOCI marries traditional notions of architecture with a sensitivity to contemporary design, bringing function to culturally relevant space. Prior to the founding of LOCI, Hamad Khoory developed valuable experience working with some of the most prestigious multinational companies in the field of architecture, having started his career with British multinational engineering and design firm W.S. Atkins, where he honed his skills in large-scale projects. He then moved to RMJM, another international architectural firm, where he furthered his experience in urban planning and design.

Khoory’s professional sojourn started from the UAE to Brazil, having also worked with Ruy Ohtake Arquitetura e Urbanismo in Sao Paulo. This experience allowed him to be immersed in Brazilian culture and architecture, thus further enriching his approach to design. The multifarious projects and environments in which Khoory has practiced give him a globally unique yet deeply culturally contextual view of architecture. What, then, sets LOCI apart from other design studios is a steadfast commitment to contextual design, sensitive to culture. In every project, Khoory and his team are extensively aware of the immediate environment, culture, and history. This approach makes every LOCI project a beauty to behold, connected with the local landscape.

One of the highlight projects by LOCI is that of urban planning, whereby the studio has engaged in the design of sustainable and culturally sensitive space both in Dubai and other regions. Such projects reflect Khoory’s inclination toward urban development as a blend of tradition and modernity in respect to space.

Hamad Khoory is highly enthusiastic about promoting sustainable architecture and town planning. He quite often delivers lectures and conducts workshops on his insights to infect the next generation of architects with appreciation for context-sensitive design practices. At LOCI, his commitment to sustainability reflects upon everything: from the materials used to the design processes applied. Coupled with his passion for architecture to be the leading force in community building and life improvement, he cannot stop pushing the limits of what is possible in today’s design.

At just twenty-eight years old, Mohammad Al Shamsi is making waves in the world of robotics, establishing himself as a pioneer in the United Arab Emirates. His journey from a passionate inventor to a leading figure in robotics is a testament to his relentless drive to innovate and inspire the next generation of Emirati creators. Through his interactive workshops and ground-breaking work at RoboHiTec, Mohammad is not only shaping the future of robotics in the UAE but also showcasing the incredible potential of Emirati talent on the global stage.

Mohammad Al Shamsi’s interest in robotics began at a young age, fuelled by a fascination with how machines could be programmed to perform complex tasks. This early passion led him to immerse himself in the world of robotics, where he quickly realized the lack of resources and opportunities available for young enthusiasts in the UAE. Determined to fill this gap, Mohammad founded RoboHiTec, a cutting-edge robotics company dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity among Emirati youth. RoboHiTec offers a platform where aspiring inventors can explore their creativity through hands-on experience in robotics. The company’s interactive workshops are designed to nurture young minds, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of robotics. By offering these opportunities, Mohammad is empowering the next generation of Emirati innovators, equipping them with the tools to contribute to the UAE’s growing reputation as a hub for technological advancement.

Mohammad Al Shamsi is also an accomplished inventor, continuously developing new robotic designs that have the potential to impact lives on a global scale. His projects are not just about advancing technology but also about finding practical solutions to real-world problems. Whether it’s creating robots that can assist in disaster relief efforts or developing automated systems to improve efficiency in various industries, Mohammad’s work is driven by a deep desire to make a positive difference in the world. One of the key aspects of Mohammad’s approach to innovation is his belief in the power of collaboration. He understands that the most significant breakthroughs often come from working together with others who share a similar passion for technology and innovation. This collaborative spirit is evident in the way he runs RoboHiTec, where teamwork and idea-sharing are encouraged, leading to the development of truly ground-breaking robotic solutions.

Mohammad Al Shamsi’s contributions to robotics go beyond his technical achievements. He is also a role model for young Emiratis, demonstrating what can be accomplished through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. His success is a source of pride for the UAE, showing the world that Emirati talent can compete on the global stage in the field of robotics. Mohammad’s work aligns with the UAE government’s vision of fostering innovation and technology as key drivers of economic growth and development. By demonstrating the potential of home-grown talent in robotics, he is helping to pave the way for a future where the UAE is recognized as a leader in technological innovation.

As Mohammad Al Shamsi continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in robotics, his ultimate goal is to show the government and the world the immense potential of not just living in the UAE but also creating exceptional innovations here. He is committed to following in the footsteps of the previous generation, striving for excellence in all his endeavours and contributing to the UAE’s growing reputation as a centre for technological innovation.