Commercial – Abu Dhabi – UAE
COOP
60,000 sqm
2023
An Open Market Experience Reimagined: Climate Comfort Meets Urban Connection
This commercial project redefines the traditional open market by offering a vibrant, street-like retail experience—all within a climate-controlled, air-conditioned environment. Designed to blend the charm of an outdoor souq with the comfort of a modern destination, the project unfolds organically, drawing inspiration from its urban and natural context.
One of the defining qualities of the design is its sensitivity to the surrounding cityscape. Rather than existing in isolation, the architecture embraces its environment, responding thoughtfully to the nearby cultural, natural, and touristic attractions. This awareness becomes a central feature, enabling the project to serve not only as a commercial hub but also as a gateway to the city’s most treasured views and experiences.
The open layout, paired with carefully framed visual corridors, creates rare moments of connectivity with iconic landmarks, allowing users to see and feel the city in new ways.
Elevated terraces, transparent partitions, and strategically placed vantage points highlight natural and built assets beyond the site, making the project a celebration of its setting.
A key architectural gesture is the roof design, which remains open to the sky, filtering daylight through indirect lighting systems. This subtle connection to the sky allows visitors to experience the changing moods of natural light throughout the day, maintaining a powerful bond with nature while staying protected from the climate. The soft interplay of light enhances the ambiance, offering a calm, immersive atmosphere for shopping, gathering, and social engagement.
Altogether, the project is envisioned not just as a commercial center, but as a new destination—one that merges urban energy with environmental sensitivity, offering residents and tourists alike a uniquely connected, comfortable, and memorable experience.
