Sheikha Laila bint Al Maktoum

Emirati architect reviving traditional building techniques to combat desertification

Sheikha Laila bint Al Maktoum (b. 1988) is an Emirati architect and environmental engineer whose work has redefined sustainable construction in arid regions. As founder of Sandstone Innovations, she developed the Adobe 2.0 building system that combines ancient Bedouin mudbrick techniques with modern materials science. This method reduces construction carbon footprints by 70% while creating climate-resilient structures capable of withstanding 60°C temperature swings.

Laila's breakthrough came in 2016 with the Zayed Sustainable City Expansion, where her designs achieved net-positive water usage through integrated rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems. The project's modular construction approach cut building times by 40%, a model now used in Saudi Arabia's NEOM city and Qatar's Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Her most impactful contribution is the Desert Carbon Vault initiative launched in 2020. This program uses desert sand mixed with mycelium-based binders to create carbon-sequestering building materials. Over 500,000 tons of CO2 have been captured through this method, with applications expanding to North African solar farms and Australian outback communities.