Kiddie Express is the third branch of a children’s salon brand, located within a busy shopping mall in Dubai. Designed to accommodate both children and teenagers, the project builds upon operational and technical lessons learned from the client’s earlier outlets. The design prioritizes functionality, durability, and efficient space planning within a high-footfall commercial environment.

The spatial layout is organized to ensure clear zoning and smooth circulation. Dedicated areas support simultaneous use by young children, teenagers, parents, and staff, allowing the salon to operate efficiently during peak hours. Circulation routes were carefully considered to maintain comfort and accessibility while optimizing workflow.

The design language balances playful elements with a more mature aesthetic. Yellow and green accents introduce vibrancy, while terrazzo-patterned surfaces add visual texture without overwhelming the space. This approach broadens the salon’s appeal across age groups, creating an environment suitable for both younger children and teenagers. The overall visual identity aligns with the brand while representing a progression from previous branches.

all images courtesy of Euphoria Interiors unless stated otherwise

playful accents define the children’s hair salon interiors

Euphoria Interiors, led by designer Amanda D’Souza, selects materials guided by durability and maintenance requirements. Porcelain tiles were specified for flooring due to their resistance to wear and ease of cleaning. Finishes and surface treatments were chosen for safety, longevity, and suitability for continuous commercial use. Each material was evaluated for performance within the constraints of a mall setting, where heavy daily traffic is expected.

The execution phase required coordination with contractors and mall management, particularly in relation to commercial approval procedures. Despite time constraints associated with these processes, structured planning and contractor selection supported consistent quality and project delivery. Kiddie Express demonstrates how commercial interior design can integrate operational efficiency, age-inclusive aesthetics, and material durability within a high-traffic retail environment.

the salon is designed to serve both children and teenagers within one cohesive environment

dedicated stations accommodate children, teens, parents, and staff simultaneously | image by Inn Decor LLC

yellow and green highlights introduce energy across the salon | image by Inn Decor LLC

terrazzo-patterned surfaces add texture without dominating the space | image by Inn Decor LLC

material choices respond to the operational demands of a mall environment | image by Inn Decor LLC

the interior accommodates multiple age groups without visual conflict

finishes are selected for safety, longevity, and ease of maintenance

service zones are arranged to optimize workflow efficiency

Kiddie Express occupies a high-traffic retail unit within a Dubai shopping mall | image by Inn Decor LLC

project info:

name: Kiddie Express Kids Salon

designer: Euphoria Interiors | @euphoriainteriors.ae
lead designer: Amanda D’Souza
location: Dubai, UAE

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Herzog & de Meuron takes to the UAE to design Janu Dubai, a mixed-use development bridging hotel, residences and workspaces. The single vertical address is set to be developed by H&H in partnership with Aman Group, and will introduce the Janu brand to Dubai through a pixelated tower recognized by curving columns.

Sited at Al Mustaqbal Street and 17th Street, the building will occupy a major spot within the financial district’s dense grid of offices, galleries, and restaurants. Its 1.3 million square foot footprint will accommodate a 150 room hotel, 57 branded residences, a private members’ club, offices, and retail.

images courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

tactile architecture to contrast a glassy skyline

Herzog & de Meuron design the Janu Dubai tower with a compact, sculpted massing that reads as mineral and weighty against Dubai’s glassy skyline. Shadow and texture is favored over reflective glass, as terraces and planted edges carve depth into the facade.

Together with H&H in partnership with Aman Group, the architects shape the building through recesses and projecting volumes that frame outdoor rooms in the sky. Balconies and gardens step along the elevation, allowing planting to soften the perimeter and infusing interiors with greenery.

The fifty-seven residences occupy the most panoramic levels, organized with a range of layouts that extend from two bedroom homes to a triplex penthouse of over 11,000 square feet. Interiors are defined by high ceilings that reach up to 3.5 meters, broad windows, and a restrained palette of hand finished plaster, natural timber floors, and monolithic stone kitchens and baths.

the pixelated facade is defined by curving vertical columns

mixed-use programming by herzog & de meuron

Residential access is set back and hidden among a landscaped drop-off which guides residents away from the street. The entry lobby rises to eighteen meters to create a tall, shaded volume that slows the pace of arrival. Concierge services, private car lifts, and dedicated high speed elevators shape a smooth sequence from street to home.

Higher in the tower, a full floor of amenities forms a communal retreat. An infinity pool faces the skyline, while lounges, dining rooms, terraces, and a fitness center encourage lingering. Access to the Janu Spa and Club extends the wellness program into the hospitality component, linking residents to the larger ecosystem of the hotel.

For Aman Group, the project marks an expansion of the Janu concept into an urban Middle Eastern context, while for Herzog & Meuron, it will be the firm’s first built work in the United Arab Emirates.

the columns carve depth into the elevation

layering pools, terraces, and planted roofs above Dubai’s financial district

a shaded retail courtyard introduces greenery at the base of the tower

a landscaped residential entry leads to an eighteen meter-high lobby

a private terrace opens toward Burj Khalifa and downtown Dubai

an infinity pool overlooks dubai’s skyline

fifty-seven branded homes occupy the most panoramic levels of the tower

a full amenity floor offers an infinity pool, lounges, fitness spaces, and skyline views

Herzog and Meuron shape Janu Dubai with a sculpted mineral massing and planted terraces

project info:

name: Janu Dubai

architect: Herzog & de Meuron | @herzogdemeuron

location: Dubai, UAE
developer: H&H Development, Aman Group | @aman

visualizations: courtesy Herzog & de Meuron

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Dutch practice MVRDV unveils a sculptural, mixed-use tower dubbed Inaura, its latest proposal for Dubai. The project is set to rise 210 meters (690 feet) between the dense urban fabric of the city core and the longer views toward the Burj Khalifa.

To stand apart within the crowded stretch of skyline, the stacked floorplates separate to accommodate a luminous ‘ovoid’, or egg-shaped volume nestled at roughly three quarters of the tower’s height. Suspended behind a glazed envelope, this pearl-like structure will be experienced with its own interior space rather than just as a massive artwork. From a distance, it registers as a soft orb of light, visible from multiple vantage points across the Emirati city.

The ovoid contains the Sky Lounge, with a VIP area enclosed within its curved form and a club space extending around it. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames direct views toward the Burj Khalifa, while the elevation above surrounding rooftops offers a clear sense of height and exposure.

visualizations © The Boundary (unless otherwise stated)

the ground level plinth

At the street level of MVRDV’s Inaura tower, a four-story plinth houses restaurants and lobbies, with a gym stacked above. An infinity pool occupies the plinth’s roof, paired with a spa one level higher, creating a sequence of wellness spaces that mediate between ground and tower. Above this base, the lower portion of the building houses a 101-room hotel alongside 105 urban apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms.

Above the Sky Lounge, the architects plan seven floors of larger ‘sky villas’ within the upper section of the tower. These four- to six-bedroom homes open onto expanded outdoor terraces and long views across Downtown Dubai. The stacking of programs creates a clear vertical order which moves from public and shared amenities toward increasingly private living environments as the building rises.

Inaura is a 210 meter (690 foot) mixed-use tower designed by MVRDV for Dubai

the reflective facade by MVRDV

MVRDV defines the facade of its Inaura tower by a stack of horizontal bands formed by two-meter (6.6-foot)-deep wraparound balconies. These balconies temper sunlight and give each level a consistent external depth. As the tower rises, facade elements shift gradually — mirrored glass at the lower levels transitions toward greater transparency higher up, and crisp corners soften into rounded edges near the top.

Along the northern elevation, balconies widen as they climb, extending outdoor areas for the sky villas and opening views toward the Burj Khalifa. With this calibrated variation, the team reinforces the building’s vertical progression all while maintaining a coherent design language.

a luminous ovoid Sky Lounge is embedded high within the structure

a layered plinth combines restaurants, fitness, and wellness spaces

the facade shifts gradually from reflective to transparent glass

wraparound balconies provide shade depth and outdoor space

the Sky Lounge frames direct views toward the Burj Khalifa

an infinity pool occupies the plinth’s roof, with a spa one level higher

project info:

name: Inaura Tower

architect: MVRDV | @mvrdv

location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

client: Arada Developments LLC

visualisations: © The Boundary | @the_boundaryuk, © MVRDV (Antonio Luca Coco, Angelo La Delfa, Stefano Fiaschi, Jaroslaw Jeda, Luana La Martina, Pavlos Ventouris, Kirill Emelianov, Ciprian Buzdugan, Lorenzo D’Alessandro)

founding partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs
partner: Bertrand Schippan
design team: Stavros Gargaretas, Efthymia Papadima, Federico Fiorino, Dimitrije Milic, Kevin Petitjean, Esteban Alvarez Ruiz, Lola Elisa Cauneac
head of interior: Aser Gimenez Ortega
interior design team: Maria López Calleja, Efthymia Papadima, Egle Jacinaviciute, Sofia Mermigka Angeli, Daria Rosh, Andrea Bit, Loes Bekkers, Francisco Polo, Victor Martiniuc, Amanda Galiana Ortega, Türker Naci Saylan, Emilia Mayorca Benarroch
BIM coordination: Giuseppe Mazzaglia, Chiara Arena, Marija Jasine
MVRDV NEXT: Agnieszka Thiel
model making: Andreana Vasilatou, Bianca Mascellani
strategy, development: Sruti Thakrar, Hannah Yan

lead consultant: Dewan Architects & Engineers
MEP, BMS, smart home, F&B/retail provisions, gas, infrastructure: 9E Global
interior design, artwork: MVRDV, H2R
landscape: Square M
lighting: Nulty Lighting
vertical transportation: Dunbar and Boardman
signage, wayfinding: The Design Company
fire and life safety: Infinity
facade engineering + BMU + facade access: WSP
acoustics: Delhom
spa, GYM consultancy, swimming pools, water features: EME
traffic design, parking study, parking management system, TIS: RMC
logistics, waste management: MCTS
wind tunnel specialist: CPP
sustainability: Climatize
aeronautical surveyor: Nortech
experience strategy (competition phase): 20-20 Studio
structure (competition phase): Ramboll

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Iconic Japanese architect Tadao Ando unveils plans for the upcoming Dubai Museum of Art, a new cultural institution floating at the edge of Dubai Creek. The rounded, monolithic structure will float in the saltwater inlet on a circular platform, its fluid concrete surface folding and twisting toward a glazed opening that catches the desert light.

Viewed from across the bay, the museum reads as both grounded and in motion. Its curved body will evoke the hydrodynamic precision of a vessel. The facade, clad in smooth white panels, is punctured by triangular apertures that taper upward and filtering daylight into the interiors. At sunset, the building’s surface absorbs the shifting amber tones of the sky, softening its engineered geometry into something quietly atmospheric.

Within the surrounding landscape, a procession of palms lines the approach, their shadows repeating the rhythm of the facade. The structure’s base meets the water through a subtle overhang, giving the impression that the museum floats.

Tadao Ando designs a new art museum rising over Dubai Creek | visualizations © Al-Futtaim Group

tadao ando designs with sunlight

Inside, Tadao Ando’s design language of restraint and precision becomes clear through the treatment of concrete and light. The galleries occupy the first two levels, organized around a central oculus that channels daylight downward in a pearlescent glow. The play between curved concrete walls and the circular skylight produces a calm, shifting brightness that defines the visitor’s path without the need for overt boundaries.

The upper level houses a lounge and restaurant framed by full-height glazing. From here, views extend across the creek toward the city’s skyline. With this framing, the architect situates the art and the architecture which surrounds it within the broader context of an evolving Dubai. The museum also includes a library and study areas dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists and designers.

triangular openings filter light across the curved facade

curving voids to frame views

Commissioned by the Al-Futtaim Group, the museum is developed as a public amenity and a platform for creative exchange. Its design speaks to Ando’s enduring interest in geometry, and light. Here, these elements converge within a distinctly urban and maritime setting. The building’s outer shell is smooth and continuous, and conceals an interior landscape of concrete volumes and curving voids that guide movement and frame sightlines.

When complete, the Dubai Museum of Art will become a new focal point in Dubai. It will host exhibitions, discussions, and educational programs. Backdropped by Dubai’s skyline, Tadao Ando’s upcoming work will distill his enduring design philosophy into a single gesture.

the rounded structure twists upward with a calm white surface

sunlight glows through the oculus, casting a pearlescent hue

the museum rests on a circular platform surrounded by palms

project info:

name: Dubai Museum of Art (DUMA)

architect: Tadao Ando

location: Dubai, UAE

visualizations: © Al-Futtaim Group

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At the entrance of Dubai’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel, two large-scale ceramic walls by Studio RAP define the spatial experience of arrival. Titled Blue Voyage, the installation explores the potential of 3D printed ceramics in architectural surfaces, combining computational design with material precision.

Positioned on either side of the main lobby entrance, the walls measure six meters in height and nine meters in length, creating a sculptural threshold between the exterior and interior. The project draws from the movement of the nearby Gulf, translating the dynamics of water into a series of fluid, wave-like forms. Each surface is composed of thousands of flowing lines that shift in density and depth, producing a tactile gradient that interacts with natural and artificial light throughout the day.

Dubai’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel exterior | all images by Riccardo De Vecchi unless stated otherwise

900 Unique 3D Printed Ceramic Tiles shape the installation

In total, around 900 unique ceramic tiles were designed, generated parametrically, and 3D printed at Studio RAP’s facility in Rotterdam. The production process ensured precision in fit and consistency in surface quality while allowing variation across each module. The installation’s corner tiles were developed to wrap the patterns seamlessly, emphasizing continuity and minimizing visual interruption.

Blue Voyage represents one of the largest 3D printed ceramic architectural installations completed to date. The project continues the studio’s exploration of how computational tools and digital fabrication can extend the expressive and technical possibilities of ceramics within contemporary architecture.

two 3D printed ceramic walls by Studio RAP define the entrance of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai

the installation, titled Blue Voyage, explores the architectural potential of 3D printed ceramics

ach wall measures six meters high and nine meters long

positioned on either side of the main lobby, the walls frame the hotel’s entry sequence

thousands of flowing lines create a sense of motion across the ceramic surface

the density and depth of the lines shift to form a tactile gradient

around 900 unique tiles make up the complete installation

project info:

name: Blue Voyage
architect: Studio RAP | @studio.rap

location: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai (UAE)

client: Dubai Holding Real Estate

architect (main building): Killa Design

3D ceramic printing: Studio RAP

firing and glazing: Royal Tichelaar

photographer: Studio RAP, Riccardo De Vecchi | @riccardodevecchi.photo

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Wave, an all-day dining destination in Dubai, UAE, embraces the Memphis style to boldly reinterpret Mediterranean sensibilities. Located in the heart of Mirdif, a neighborhood, known for its grounded atmosphere and local appeal IDST designed the restaurant as a warm, textural landscape that unfolds gradually for its guests. Its interiors shift from the sun-drenched softness of its natural light to the sculptural rhythm articulated by its custom furnishings and material finishes. The result is a meticulous study in sensory curation, creating in a multisensory experience for serene daytime gatherings as well as vibrant evening settings.

Wave, designed by IDST, is located in Dubai’s Mirdif neighborhood

all images courtesy of Natelee Cocks

playful contrast between mediterranean and memphis

The architectural and design vision for Wave was brought to life by IDST. Renowned for its thoughtful design, the studio emphasizes materiality, character, and intention in every space it creates. Completed in 2025, their work for Wave, from the full design and supervision to sourcing and styling, introduces layers of refinement and creativity. At its core, the concept fuses Mediterranean ease with the expressive geometry of Memphis design. This unexpected play unfolds through deliberate contrasts — soft versus bold, curved versus linear, and earthy versus graphic — culminating in a striking new identity for all-day dining.

the restaurant’s aesthetic mixes the Mediterranean and the expressive geometry of Memphis design

materiality and pattern layer IDST’s design

Diving deeper into the aesthetic, visual rhythm plays a central role in the architecture of Wave. The space is underscored by repeating patterns — from striped upholstery to checkerboard textiles and sculptural lamps — that create a subtle yet pervasive sense of movement. Materiality is both grounding and uplifting, with textural layers like polished marble, raw ceramics, natural wood, and layered upholstery interacting to create a sense of richness without visual noise. The core palette of terracotta and sand tones speaks directly to sun-baked coastal towns of the Mediterranean, while strategic accents of deep navy and cobalt offer moments of sharp contrast and depth. These characteristics are also translated through bespoke furniture, crafted in collaboration with Custom No.9.

textural layers like printed wallpapers, hand-painted ceramic tiles, and polished marble add a sense of richness without visual noise

Wave is a feast for considered details. A standout element is the bold and varied use of tiles: handcrafted Moroccan zellige and hand-painted ceramic tiles mingle with custom-designed floor patterns that subtly guide circulation and define zones. This tactile and graphic approach to surface design reinforces the project’s rhythmic language and adds a vibrant sense of craftsmanship to every corner. The lighting, sourced from designers including Incommonwith, Henry Holland, Italamp, and &Tradition, was selected specifically to accentuate architectural features, creating the shifting moods that evolve from day to night. Furthermore, IDST meticulously curated a collection of art and decorative objects, like handcrafted vases, to imbue the restaurant with a soulful, textured identity.

the lighting was selected specifically to accentuate architectural features

terracotta and sand tones relate to the Mediterranean’s sun-baked coastal towns, while accents of deep navy offer moments of sharp contrast and depth

custom-designed floor patterns subtly guide circulation and define zones

bespoke furniture, crafted together with Custom No.9, translates the interior’s characteristics into form

Memphis style’s sculptural rhythm is articulated through custom furnishings and material finishes

layered upholstery continues the theme of sun-drenched softness

the project’s rhythmic language, tactile, and graphic approach adds a sense of craftsmanship to every corner

the design’s deliberate contrasts pairs soft versus bold, curved versus linear, and earthy versus graphic

project info:

project name: Wave
designer: IDST
location: Mirdif, Dubai, UAE
photographer: Natelee Cocks
date: 2025

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Studio EMKAAN creates an environment that feels both familiar and otherworldly for Al Fanar Educational Facility, located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Its all-white dome structures, which the architects liken to a mother’s womb, are conceived as protective, nurturing forms that cradle creativity and growth. The school introduces a spatial language that seeks to resonate with children’s imaginations, turning daily routines into journeys through spaces.

This ability to adapt without losing sight of the original vision became central to the identity of the project. Principal architect Muhammad Obaid compares the school to the koi fish, an enduring symbol of perseverance and transformation. Just as the koi navigates obstacles while maintaining its path, Al Fanar translates challenges into possibilities, ensuring the design remains true to its intent of sparking curiosity and imagination.

Early studies drew from the Cal-Earth technique, where sandbags inspired by rammed-earth construction were stacked to create sustainable domes. Teachers participated in building these first structures, infusing the fabric of the school with their enthusiasm for learning. The intention was that students, too, might one day contribute to the making of their own environment. Yet, when UAE fire safety regulations required abandoning sandbags in favor of concrete, the team embraced the change as an opportunity. Concrete provided greater control over openings and skylights, allowing the architects to refine how daylight enters each space.

images courtesy of EMKAAN

Emkaan Envisions the School as an Evolving Landscape

Light plays a central role in the facility’s design, entering the Al Fanar building through circular skylights that punctuate the domes, carefully studied to follow the rhythm of the sun across the day. These openings frame shifting patterns of brightness and shadow, inviting curiosity and a sense of connection to the natural world. The Dubai-based team at EMKAAN treats light as a medium of learning, encouraging children to observe cycles of change and adapt to them. Around the school, lush greenery has been cultivated to link inside and outside. As the vegetation matures, it reinforces the idea that architecture extends beyond walls, becoming part of a larger ecological and communal framework.

The project’s development relies on a collaborative process that spans architectural design, interior detailing, lighting studies, material selection, and site coordination. Every stage, from structural calculations to inspections, contributes to shaping a facility intended to grow with its community. Feedback since its opening has highlighted this sense of uniqueness, with some children describing it as reminiscent of Star Wars, while neighbors compare it to a Hobbit house. 

For Muhammad Obaid, the design draws inspiration from literature as much as from the lived experiences of its young users. Reflecting on Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities, Obaid compares Al Fanar to Zenobia, a city that continues to evolve with time and memory. In this way, the school is imagined as a place that may one day be reshaped by its students themselves, perhaps by one who becomes an architect, carrying forward the impressions of this environment. 

Studio EMKAAN creates an environment that feels both familiar and otherworldly for Al Fanar Educational Facility

the architects liken its all-white dome structures to a mother’s womb

nurturing forms that cradle creativity and growth

lush greenery has been cultivated to link inside and outside

a spatial language that seeks to resonate with children’s imaginations

principal architect Muhammad Obaid compares the school to the koi fish

Al Fanar translates challenges into opportunities

the project’s development relies on a collaborative process

ensuring the design remains true to its intent of sparking curiosity and imagination

light plays a central role in the facility’s design

the design draws inspiration from literature as much as from the lived experiences of its young users

circular skylights punctuate the domes

project info:

name: Al Fanar Educational Facility

architect: EMKAAN | @emkaan

location: Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE

principal architect: Muhammad Obaid

team: Ahmed Yousef, Vilena Tarasova, Anastasia Gvozdova, Michael Membrebe, Darwin Regaspi, Ahmed Ismael, Cristopher Ramirez, Darrel Malabanan, Amr Karam

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Envisioned as a woodland sanctuary, The Wilds is an upcoming masterplan in Dubai featuring nearly 1,700 residences and inclusive, sensorial public zones. A timber-lined structure, called The Nest and tucked within the woodland canopy, will serve as its visual and social anchor. The shaded pavilion marks a threshold between architecture and landscape, housing a community gathering space and children’s exploring area for observing birds, insects, and the surrounding ecosystems.

Around it, homes of various scales are integrated alongside adaptive plantings, small-scale habitats, and multispecies infrastructure — such as duck houses, bird nests, beekeeping zones — that attempt to retain and support the UAE’s native biodiversity within an urban framework.

all images courtesy of Aldar

a residential development Envisioned as a woodland sanctuary

The project, developed by Aldar, is conceived as a low-rise, family-focused community that features five- and six-bedroom mansions designed by Nabil Gholam Architects, along with a range of villas and apartments distributed across an ecologically sensitive masterplan. Each home is bordered by green corridors and planting zones, with internal landscaping arranged to intertwine private properties and shared habitat.

Throughout, pond, lawn, and dry stream typologies shape the larger hydrological landscape, with water features doubling as natural drainage and informal play. The team has also embedded outdoor learning through a dedicated international school campus, while daily needs are served by a retail center, wellness zones, community clubhouses, and small-scale civic infrastructure such as a clinic, nursery, and two mosques.

Aldar reveals plans for nature-first community

the uae’s first leed platinum certified residential community

While The Wilds is Aldar’s third residential initiative in the city, it is the generally the first residential community in the UAE to achieve both LEED Platinum and Fitwel 3-Star certification — the highest levels awarded under their respective frameworks. These accreditations reflect Aldar’s broader goals to embed sustainability and public health benchmarks into residential development, something it has also foregrounded in its Haven and Athlon communities.

With walking and cycling trails threading through the plan, shaded hammocks, meditation decks, and areas for sport and swimming, the development promotes a slower, ecological form of suburban living that can coincide with habitat retention.

The Wilds is an upcoming masterplan in Dubai

featuring nearly 1,700 residences

a timber-lined structure, called The Nest, anchors the masterplan

homes are integrated alongside adaptive plantings, small-scale habitats, and multispecies infrastructure

an attempt to retain and support native biodiversity within an urban framework

each home is bordered by green corridors and planting zones

featuring mansions designed by Nabil Gholam Architects

project info:

name: The Wilds

developer: Aldar | @aldar

location: Dubai, UAE

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Dubai’s Jebel Ali racetracks are set to be transformed into a vibrant, walkable district with Bjarke Ingels Group’s (BIG) upcoming masterplan. The A.R.M Holding Mega Project proposes an urban framework that foregrounds landscape, public space, and social infrastructure, aligned with the city’s ambitions for more sustainable growth.

The approach centers on improving resident well-being by distributing urban density and weaving built forms and open, green spaces together across five square kilometers. A large central park sits at the center, maintaining the spatial memory of the racecourse, with a series of mixed-use neighborhoods organized around it. With nature weaving through them, and with all amenities accessible by just a five-minute minute walk, the configuration is reminiscent of an ‘archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green’, as architect Bjarke Ingels notes. Development is set to begin in 2026.

all images courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

bjarke ingels group (big) creates human-centric scheme

Stemming from national priorities and embodying ideas of holistic prosperity, BIG envisions the masterplan for the A.R.M Holding Mega Project as a ‘living landscape of interconnected communities’. Consideration of physical, emotional, social, and environmental dimensions foster this sense of connectivity across the various island-like pockets which all seamlessly lead into one another before converging around the central park. ‘The park doesn’t stop at the center,’ says Bjarke Ingels. ‘It bleeds between the islands, weaving nature through the urban fabric.’

To enhance this sense of well-being, the architects also place an emphasis on walkability, accessibility, and the integration of local SMEs in what the developers refer to as a ‘city-as-gym’ concept. To improve public health outcomes, all residents can reach green spaces, amenities, workspaces, and social services by just a five minute walk. Sustainability strategies are also prominent, aligned with the goals mapped in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, with the integration of passive cooling and urban farms, while equestrian facilities nod to the site’s heritage.

Dubai’s former racetracks in Jebel Ali are set to be transformed into a vibrant district

fostering social, economic, and environmental sustainability

The A.R.M Holding Mega Project has been framed as an effort to balance global architectural expertise with local cultural and social priorities. H.E. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, the company’s CEO, underscores the importance of embedding Emirati identity within the development, positioning the project as part of a broader effort to rethink the relationship between heritage and urban expansion in Dubai. ‘This masterplan will serve as a bridge fostering communication, understanding, and principles of empathy that are central to our vision of enabling prosperity,’ he says. 

the masterplan weaves built forms and open, green spaces together across five square kilometers

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) takes a human-centric approach

all amenities and public spaces are accessible by a five-minute minute walk

commissioned by A.R.M. Holding

consideration of physical, emotional, social, and environmental dimensions foster connectivity across the ‘islands’

project info:

name: A.R.M Holding Mega Project

architect: Bjarke Ingels Group | @big_builds

location: Dubai, UAE

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Set to become one of Dubai’s most impressive new landmarks, UNStudio‘s Wasl Tower is nearing completion and continues to transform the city’s skyline with its sinuous form and advanced facade of ceramic fins. With structural design by Werner Sobek, the supertall tower rises 302 meters and draws on classical art’s ‘contrapposto’ stance — its twisted form suggesting a figure mid-stride. Currently in the final stages of construction, the project has been photographed by Nils Koenning, offering a unique glimpse into the next generation of mixed-use skyscrapers in the UAE.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the project sits at a critical urban intersection in Dubai, linking the world-famous Burj Khalifa with the newer City Walk development. Its prominent placement along Sheikh Zayed Road ensures high visibility, especially as it stands opposite the Burj Khalifa without any other tall structures to compete with. A new pedestrian bridge connects the building to the Burj Khalifa metro station, extending accessibility while reinforcing its role as a node within Dubai’s ever-evolving infrastructure network.

images © Nils Koenning

the high-performance facade of ceramic fins

With one of the tallest ceramic facades in the world, the Wasl Tower in Dubai pushes the limits of facade design by blending tradition with performance. The architects at UNStudio and engineers at Werner Sobek cloak the tower in a lace-like grid of ceramic fins, crafted from low-tech glazed clay. This surface works to both reduce heat gain and enhance interior daylighting. Each fin is precisely angled at 12.8 degrees, a figure determined through parametric modeling to optimize shading and light diffusion. This outer skin is thus a passive cooling system which responds to the desert climate and offers a tactile visual identity that reads as both futuristic and traditional.

The Wasl Tower in Dubai introduces an unusual vertical seam that functions as a ‘vertical boulevard’ — a stacked procession of outdoor balconies and green terraces that run up the spine of the building. Crowned by a series of rooftop infinity pools, this seam brings a new level of permeability to high-rise living in a desert context. It also forms a crucial axis for public engagement, with programmatically rich zones that house dining, entertainment, and hospitality functions suspended far above the city.

Dubai’s Wasl Tower is a 302 meter skyscraper designed by UNStudio with structure by Werner Sobek

unstudio’s classical inspiration

With its Wasl Tower in Dubai, UNStudio draws inspiration from classical sculpture, rotating along its vertical axis in a dynamic contrapposto pose. Its complex geometry is supported by three massive 300-meter shear walls, which are linked by four strategic outriggers. This structural system enables an open and adaptable floorplate, meeting the demands of its mixed-use program — including office spaces, apartments, and a hotel — while allowing the building to gracefully twist and face multiple directions.

The project becomes a living element within the nightscape through its responsive lighting system designed by Arup. Hidden behind the ceramic fins, the system pulses with light patterns that mimic the tempo of urban life. During the day, the same ceramic system moderates solar exposure. At night, the tower becomes a glowing presence powered in part by PV panels integrated into the adjacent car park structure. The lighting concept flows from exterior to interior, especially in the tower’s public areas and sky lobby.

the building’s sculptural form is based on contrapposto and rotates along its vertical axis

To navigate its complex, multi-functional interior, UNStudio and Werner Sobek employ a layered vertical transport strategy. A total of seventeen elevators — including five for services — support the distinct programs within the tower. Express lifts connect major hubs like the ground floor, spa, sky lobby, and rooftop, while separate lift groups serve office workers, hotel guests, and residents. While streamlining circulation, this system enhances user experience by lending direct, efficient access between public and private zones.

As the Wasl Tower nears its anticipated completion later this year, Dubai prepares to welcome a new icon which actively engages with its climate, culture, and infrastructure. With its ceramic cloak, kinetic silhouette, and environmentally responsive features, the tower signals a forward-thinking future for high-rise design in the desert metropolis.

it features one of the world’s tallest ceramic facades made from low-tech glazed clay

ceramic fins provide shading and reflect light deep into the building

a vertical boulevard of outdoor balconies runs the full height of the tower

the tower is located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Burj Khalifa and City Walk

project info:

name: Al Wasl Tower

architect: UNStudio | @we.are.uns

location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

contractual partner, lead engineering consultant: Werner Sobek | @werner.sobek

completion: expected late 2025

photography: © Nils Koenning | @nils_koenning

UNStudio team: Ben van Berkel, Gerard Loozekoot, Frans van Vuure with Nick Marks, Harlen Miller, Crystal Tang and Derrick Diporedjo, Machiel Wafelbakker, Dana Behrman, Roman Kristesiashvili, Filippo Lodi, Rene Wysk, Hans Kooij, Patrik Noome, Megan Hurford, Elizabeth White, Fernando Herrera and Aleksandra Sliwinska, Pietro Scarpa, Mihai Soltuz, Philip Wilck, Rutger Stefan Oor, Bao An Nguyen Phuoc, Nanang Santoso, Thomas van Bekhoven, Ka Shin Lu, Henk van Schuppen, Matthew Harrison, Jung Jae Suh, Jae Geun Ahn, Pieter Doets, Shankar Ramakrishan, Meng Zhang

advisors
structural, facade, MEP engineering: Werner Sobek
sustainability, acoustic engineering: Werner Sobek Green Technologies
local MEP engineering: Seed
architect of record: U+A Architects
light design: Arup
landscape architect: Green4Cities
cost consultant: Kulkarni Quantity Surveyors
FLS consultant: Aecom
vertical transportation: Dunbar & Boardman / TUV Sud
AV/IT consultant: Shen Milson Wilke
wind engineering: Wacker Ingenieure
kitchen consultant: Sefton Horn Winch
pool engineering: Barr & Wray
interior design hotel: GA Design
interior design F&B: AB Concept

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