Al Jahili Fort, the largest castle in Al Ain and one of the oldest historical monuments in the United Arab Emirates, has received the Terra Award prize on July 14 at the 12th World Congress on Earthen Architecture in Lyon for the ‘Interior Layout & Design’ category, making it one of the world best pieces of contemporary earthen architecture in 2016.

The Terra Award is an international prize for contemporary earthen architecture which was launched in 2013 by the earthen research laboratory Craterre-ENSAG in France. Sponsored by UNESCO’s International Council of Museums (ICOM), the award aims to identify and distinguish outstanding projects around the world, as well as to highlight the creativity of their design and distinctive qualities of sustainable construction and development.

Al Jahili Fort, one of three finalists for the best interior design category, was awarded the first place owing to its architectural quality, environmental approach, energy and technical performances. Restoration of the fort was overseen by   Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority which operates the site as one of the primary landmark visitor attractions in Al Ain.

Built by Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (Zayed the First) between 1891–1898, the fort was constructed with the purpose to protect Al Ain city’s precious palm groves and underwent a few renovation processes throughout the years, until it opened as a museum receiving visitors in 2008. It was used as the headquarters of the Armed Forces and played a key role in maintaining the security and stability in the Eastern region of Abu Dhabi, defending the country's Eastern border, from 1955 and until the establishment of the federation in 1971.

In 2010, Al Jahili Fort had received the ‘International Architecture Award’, by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

For more information about the Award, visit the Renovation of the Al Jahili Fort webpage on the Terra Award website. 

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