( CNN ) -- In designing modern and sustainable buildings in the United Arab Emirates , architects are taking cues from an ancient Arabic design tradition . A high-tech shading system running up the facade of the Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi was inspired by `` mashrabiya , '' latticed screens commonly seen in Islamic architecture that diffuse sunlight and keep buildings cool without blocking light . `` Not allowing the sun to land directly on the skin of the building , causing overheating and glare , was a very simple concept , '' said Abdulmajid Karanouh , the buildings ' architect . `` And that 's why using the mashrabiya , inspired from the past and inspired by nature , was a no brainer . '' Wrapping around most of the 25-story buildings ' sides , the screens are arranged as an array of repeating geometric patterns and are computer-controlled to respond to the sun 's movement , unfolding like an umbrella when the sun hits them . The screens fold closed and the automated mechanism shuts off each day after the sun goes down . The north sides of the buildings never receive direct sunlight and are left unshaded by the screens . In Abu Dhabi , solar rays can heat the outside surface of windows up to 90 degrees Celsius , ( 200 degrees Fahrenheit ) . By shielding the glass from the sun , the screens keep the buildings cool , reduce glare and let in diffused natural light . Using this method , the buildings require less artificial lighting and 50 % less air conditioning . With the desert sun beating down on the cities in the Gulf , solar energy is an important environmental factor in its cities . But desert dust and sand make photovoltaic panels less practical than one would expect in this part of the world . Karanouh says even a thin layer of dust can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by nearly half , and proper maintenance means regular cleaning using water jets pumping fresh water , a scarcity in an arid country like the United Arab Emirates . `` You might find that you are spending so much energy to desalinate the water and get it to where it needs to be and then clean the panels , you 'll find out that that energy may equate or even exceed the energy that you get out of the photovoltaic panels , '' he said . In Qatar , the Doha Tower , a striking cylindrical building , was designed along the same lines ; it is covered entirely in a latticed screen that uses a multi-layered pattern constructed of aluminum and glass . Both structures were named as best buildings of 2012 by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats , which recognizes sustainable architecture . The United Arab Emirates is not normally thought of as a leader in combating climate change -- it has one of the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the world , according to the World Bank -- but Abu Dhabi has in recent years drawn attention for its innovative renewable energy building projects . Most notable is Masdar City , its much-hyped , planned city that is still being constructed , It was originally slated as being a carbon neutral area but now aims for environmental sustainability . The area has green features like a 10 megawatt solar power plant and a 45-meter-tall wind tower that helps regulate air temperatures in the public square by controlling air movement .
In the United Arab Emirates , architects are taking cues from an ancient Arabic design tradition . A shading system on the facade of the Al Bahar Towers was inspired by latticed screens . Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: Doha Tower in Qatar , a striking cylindrical building , was designed along the same lines .