As the summer months approach, heat resilience is becoming a key priority for the UAE’s built environment. In the region, cooling can account for up to 80% of a building’s total electricity consumption, making design and construction choices critical not only for comfort, but also for long-term efficiency and sustainability. At the same time, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 targets a 40%  reduction in energy demand across key sectors. This means buildings can no longer depend only on mechanical cooling after completion. The decisions made during planning, design, material selection, and construction directly influence how liveable a building will be for future residents and tenants.

For Access Consult, years of experience across the UAE’s built environment have shown that designing for this region requires a clear understanding of climate, local regulations, cultural context, user comfort, and operational performance. Drawing on this experience, Access Consult outlines six construction choices that can help make buildings in the UAE more heat-resilient.

1. Choosing the right building orientation

One of the most effective ways to reduce heat gain is to study how the building sits on its plot. Orientation affects how much direct sunlight a building receives during the hottest parts of the day. Research in the UAE shows that north-facing windows consume 36% less annual cooling energy compared to windows facing other directions.