The program is for a business hotel to be located in a more pedestrian oriented development near a light rail stop in Downtown Jebel Ali, Dubai. Our design approach was to focus on the interaction of the building with the public space, to create a pedestrian accessible and highly visible destination for the area.
To maximize activity on the ground floor, the building was opened up to the adjacent medina streets by creating direct links to the retail, restaurant, cafe and meeting spaces off the lobby.
The facade of the project is composed of a double skin which functions to provide solar shade and natural cooling for the building, in addition to creating a distinct visual impact. The skin is formed out of a stretched woven wire mesh LED fabric that will project still and video imagery onto the surface. This projection layer will increasing visibility from the adjacent highway and commuter rail system to attract visitors. The hotel is designed to be destination that will attract the discerning business travelers as well as residents from the area.