Hunter Douglas Middle East has supplied more than 4,500 roller blind systems and acoustic fabric solutions to Al Shera’a, the headquarters of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), supporting the building’s energy efficiency and indoor comfort objectives.
Inaugurated in May 2026 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Shera’a is described as the world’s tallest, largest and smartest net-positive government building. It is designed to generate more clean energy than it consumes.
The project reflects Dubai’s focus on sustainable infrastructure and the integration of technology into public buildings. Its design places energy performance at the centre of building operations, with shading systems playing a role beyond their traditional function of controlling light and providing privacy.
According to Hunter Douglas Middle East, the roller blind systems installed at the headquarters are integrated with the building management system (BMS), allowing them to operate as part of the wider building controls.
The integration is intended to reduce solar heat gain and cooling requirements while making greater use of natural daylight. Managing the amount of sunlight entering the building can help limit the need for artificial lighting and reduce the burden on cooling systems, particularly in the UAE’s hot climate.
The acoustic fabric solutions supplied by the company are designed to improve the indoor environment by supporting sound management and comfort for people working inside the headquarters.
The combination of automated shading and acoustic treatments addresses two aspects of modern office design: energy performance and the quality of the workplace environment.
Al Shera’a’s net-positive energy target places particular importance on the interaction between building systems, including lighting, cooling and controls. Integrating shading into the BMS allows it to contribute to the building’s wider operational strategy rather than function as a standalone interior feature.
Hunter Douglas Middle East said it was proud to contribute to a development that reflects Dubai’s ambitions for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
The installation adds to the range of systems used in the headquarters to support its energy and workplace objectives. The project also illustrates how building components such as blinds and acoustic materials can form part of a broader approach to efficient design.
As governments and developers increasingly prioritise lower-energy buildings, the coordination of shading, lighting, cooling and automated controls is becoming an important consideration in large-scale construction projects.
Al Shera’a stands as a prominent example of Dubai’s investment in sustainable government infrastructure, with its design combining clean-energy generation and building technologies intended to improve operational efficiency.
