A team of students from the American University in Dubai participated in the global competition to design solar powered houses in the Solar Decathlon - Middle East organized by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

AUD students, under the supervision of Professor Mohannad Abu Suhaiban, Assistant Professor of Architecture, worked on the architectural design and focused on making the building environmentally friendly while, not overlooking the heritage and culture of the Emirates, especially the architectural inscriptions, in the interior and exterior design.

The participating students Mays Al-Reem Maarouf, Nadine Ammar, Aisha Al-Suwaidi, Eliana Fares, Anna Josephina Hajjar, Malak Tariq, Laila Shaaban, Ayah Khaled, Raissa Al-Hattawi, Heba Dabash, Yasmine Issa and Farah Ali, completed the project, both theoretically and practically, starting from planning and design to the construction process. The building was completed in miniature form through 3D printing and is currently on display at DEWA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dr. David A. Schmidt, President of the University, and Dr. Sabrina Joseph, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, visited the building and praised the efforts of the students in its completion.