2007-2012 Lobbying efforts for the island in Sharjah, UAE – with many meetings and partnership building to get permission to build on the island; 2012-2015 Start of the initiative as well as idea and concept development, and project and quality management for André Heller. Realisation in cooperation with architects 3deluxe (Wiesbaden, Germany) and construction company Waagner-Biro (Vienna, Austria).
The island is particularly interesting in the evening with its many illuminated natural wonders. The island became due to its natural type of landscaping a sanctuary for birds, hosting about 10% of the number of bird species of the country. About 150 bird species have settled among which 3 types are endangered. The government of Sharjah is using Al Noor Island as a prime example of best practise in tourism. The butterfly house was the first building showing modern architecture in Sharjah City and got over 5 architectural awards.
Al Noor Island was Tripadivisor’s „Best of the Best 2023-2025“ and selected as one of Tripadivisor’s „the „Most Beautiful Middle East Islands“ in 2024.