Schneider Electric Opens Smart, Sustainable Flagship Office ‘The NEST’ in Dubai

Global design firm Gensler has unveiled The NEST, Schneider Electric’s new 10,000-square-metre flagship office in Dubai, which is being positioned as a model for the future of work in the Middle East. Combining sustainability, advanced smart technologies, and human-centered design, the project goes beyond a traditional workplace to create what its developers call a “living ecosystem.”

Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, The NEST serves as Schneider Electric’s first regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa, bringing together more than 1,000 employees under one roof. The building integrates office, training, and innovation facilities, with a focus on collaboration, flexibility, and sustainable practices.

At the heart of the development is the Innovation Hub, an interactive space that allows clients, partners, and visitors to experience Schneider Electric’s technologies in action. Demonstrations range from energy-efficient homes and smart offices to advanced data centre solutions, showcasing the breadth of the company’s offerings.

The NEST has already achieved SmartScore Platinum certification, the highest international benchmark for smart building performance. It is also targeting LEED ID+C Platinum and WELL Equity certifications, which would place it among the region’s most sustainable and inclusive work environments.

“With The NEST, we set out to create more than an office – we designed a living, breathing ecosystem that embodies the future of work,” said Jose Faine, design director and principal at Gensler Middle East. “Our approach focused on fusing technology, sustainability, and human experience to deliver a space that is not only smart and efficient, but also inclusive and inspiring.”

The Dubai project is also significant as the first development under Schneider Electric’s Global Impact Buildings Programme, an initiative aimed at redefining workplace environments worldwide with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

For Schneider Electric, the new headquarters represents both a regional milestone and a global benchmark. By consolidating its operations for the Middle East and Africa into a single hub, the company aims to strengthen collaboration across teams while driving forward its commitments to green innovation.

For Gensler, meanwhile, the unveiling of The NEST highlights the firm’s growing role in shaping urban life in the Middle East through forward-looking designs. “This project is about redefining what a workplace can be, not only in terms of technology but also in how it supports people and communities,” Faine said.

The NEST officially marks Schneider Electric’s entry into a new era of workplace design, one that merges sustainability with digital innovation while setting a new benchmark for corporate headquarters in the region.