Thermal comfort in the UAE depends on 24/7 air-conditioned space, where the indoor temperature is often set under 20 °C. The extreme temperature difference between indoor and outdoor during the day always keeps people inside. New buildings tend to become a vast air-conditioned structure encompassing all activities. Inhabitants thus become less and less exposed to the natural environment.

The project questions the norm of thermal comfort. Instead of ever enlarging air-conditioned space to prevent sudden thermal changes, all(zone) proposes a transitional climatic space to mediate the temperature difference between inside and outside. The intricate fabric roof uses the principle of passive cooling to cover the courtyard adjacent to an air-conditioned gallery in the Al-Qasimiyah School, and create a transitional space. During the day, the heat from the ground is reduced by the shade of the roof in the courtyard. The outdoor air is thus cooled down, reducing the temperature difference. During the night, when the air temperature above the ground drops greatly, the ground's residual heat is transferred to the atmosphere via the porous pattern of the fabric roof.

This project is one of four architecture offices – Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, L.E.FT Architects, Civil Architecture, and all(zone) – that have been invited to develop proposals for re-imagining the Emirate of Sharjah in response to the themes of housing, schooling, and environment.

Each office will present its architectural proposal in a series of stakeholder workshops involving the Triennial’s board members which include the Sharjah Urban Planning Council, Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, environmental and waste management company Bee'ah, and the American University of Sharjah. The aim is to generate new and long-lasting discussions about the future of Sharjah. The propositions are exhibited as part of the Triennial.