Due to global warming and modern urban design, many urban spaces have to contend with elevated temperatures that can make outdoor living difficult due to the heat. Especially in the warmer months, it becomes increasingly difficult for the population of some cities to meet their activities, such as sports, public meetings, commuting between buildings or the way to work without air-conditioned rooms. For this reason, the city of Abu Dhabi has launched a pilot project that promotes shading structures. The aim of these is to significantly limit the local temperature with the help of natural shading and intelligent greening or landscape architecture.

From membrane design, mechanical engineering, to implementation, MDT-tex created this modular structure in collaboration with the customer. The product, which was built at a total of three different locations, consists of different square structures that can be connected to each other in a modular way. In each of the grids there is a motor specially calculated for heat, which can move the individual flags via an individual winding system. The flags are lowered during the day to protect the visitors of the square from the sun. At night, the technical flags made of PTFE are moved upwards so that the square can release the heat into the sky. In summary, the installation is an assemblage of technical design, membrane form finding and static efficiency, making it a great example of textile architecture in the public realm.

Through the collaboration of CBT Architects from Boston and SLA from Copenhagen, a great product for urban heat regions could be developed, which was made possible by the far-sightedness and innovative spirit of the city of Abu Dhabi.