Foster + Partners first opened a studio in Dubai’s Design District in 2017. Over the past five years, the team has grown from 3 to 21, and recently moved into a new building in the same area. The fully pedestrianised and walkable district is home to a range of creative companies and the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, a university for the next generation of designers. The recent addition of cycling infrastructure allows members of the team to cycle to work, during the cooler months.
Will Plowman, Partner, Foster + Partners, said: “It’s a real privilege to work in such a vibrant and creative part of the city. The growing office thrives off the energy in the Design District and we enjoy being an active part of the community here. It’s an exciting time to be living and working in Dubai - we are really looking forward to seeing what the next five years bring.”
The new studio offers spectacular views of the city, including some of Foster + Partners’ completed and ongoing projects. Over the past decade, the practice has celebrated the opening of buildings such as ICD Brookfield Place, a major office and retail development in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre district that recently won ‘Best International Office Architecture’ at the International Property Awards; Apple Dubai Mall, a highly innovative response to the culture and climate of the Emirates which demonstrates Apple’s pioneering ambition to create inspirational civic spaces for all; Index Tower, an 80-storey building which represents a vertical city quarter with a population of around 6,000 residents and workers; House of Wisdom, which conceptualises the library as a social hub for learning, supported by innovation and technology; and Alif - The Mobility Pavilion, one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s three signature pavilions based on the sub-themes of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.
The Lana, Dorchester Collection, a luxury hotel and residential development located between downtown Dubai and the Dubai Design District, is due to open later this year. Situated on the edge of the Marasi Marina, this new waterfront is set to become a major destination in Dubai. The seven vertical gardens across the development are the environmental and social focus of the design. Each garden creates a new lifestyle experience enriching the lives of the guests and residents.
Construction is also underway on The Palm Flower, a striking residential building that will be located on the ‘trunk’ of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. This is the last remaining plot to be developed on the two-kilometre stretch of land, making it one of the most exclusive new addresses in the city.
Despite being four hours ahead of the team in London, the two offices work together closely on a daily basis. The Dubai team is made up of eight different nationalities, reflecting the diversity of the city. Members of the team often meet outside of working hours to play padel, enjoy BBQs in the desert and take part in the annual Wadi Bih Run, in the scenic Hatta mountains. The office often connects with the Foster + Partners team in Abu Dhabi, for work and social events.
Ill Sam Park, Partner, Foster + Partners, said, “Dubai is an exciting and diverse market, with an emphasis on luxury residential and premium office spaces. We are continuously inspired by this innovative and rapidly growing city, which allows us to push the boundaries of design.”
