Villa Moda, Dubai

Graeme Massie Architects were approached by Kuwait based fashion retailer and property developer Villa Moda to prepare proposals for a major mixed-use development comprising 6-star hotel, retail and cultural amenities for a planned new city district, Bawadi, currently located on the periphery of Dubai.

It is usual, in a European situation, to consider the implications of built context at the inception of a project; however, faced with a site which is currently a desert we had to develop an alternative method of initiating our design process. In effect we created our own context by internalising the project.

The proposals grow from research into Islamic architecture and revolve around a series of interlinked shaded courtyards, linked by narrow retail alleyways (souks). This arrangement effectively focuses attention inwards, to spatial qualities, rather than outwards to external expression.

A rich, patterned material language has been developed utilsing screen-printed 'blue' concrete, stainless steel and dark stained hardwood.

Client: Villa Moda

Cost: Undisclosed

Area: 250,000 sqm

Status: On hold