Al Ain: Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain was declared the winner of the 2016 Terra award for Internal Design and Layout.
Al Jahili Fort is one of the biggest traditional buildings in Al Ain built of mud bricks, and was placed first against two other structures nominated in the Internal Design and Layout category.
Al Jahili Fort was chosen as the winner thanks to the exceptional technical standards adopted for its restoration in 2006. The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (ADTCA) supervised the restoration process of the fort, which serves as a cultural and tourism landmark that attracts visitors and tourists to Al Ain.
The fort, built in 1891, is one of the oldest historical landmarks in the UAE, and was once used by the Armed Forces to ensure the safety and security of the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi.
Al Jahili underwent various restorations before becoming a museum that was opened to the public in 2008.
The award is the first of its kind to recognise contemporary earthen architecture engineering. It was launched by the International Centre for Earthen architecture (CRAterre-ENSAG), a centre that is affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The aim of the award is to highlight and honour exceptional projects constructed from mud bricks in different parts of the world, as well as shedding light on the advantages related to sustainable construction methods.
