ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
performance environments in step with the UAE’ s climate agenda.
One-of-a-kind hotel The Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai hotel within Wasl Tower was developed in close collaboration with the hotel operator and GA Design- who were responsible for the interior design concept of the hotel areas. This ensured alignment between the architectural concept and the hotel’ s specific requirements. As such, the organisation is divided into vertical neighbourhoods, with wellness facilities, dining areas, and event spaces distributed across several levels.
The design supports a clear relationship between public arrival, private services, and shared amenities. Public event spaces, such as meeting rooms and celebration areas, are located on the lower levels and remain fully accessible from the ground floor. These spaces open directly onto the ground floor and landscaped courtyard, ensuring transparency and connectivity.
The hotel lobby, located on Levels 35 to 37, offers a unique arrival experience. Late-evening venues on Levels 61 and 62 provide elevated views of the city, while wellness facilities on Levels 11 and 12 offer a retreat from the urban environment. This spatial arrangement reflects the tower’ s broader design goals, integrating hospitality with the building’ s mixed-use programme and embedding a hospitality experience throughout the entire structure.
daylight-responsive systems, and LED lighting reduces perimeter-zone energy use by up to 20 %. An integrated heat pump system and district cooling further reduce the carbon footprint.
Materials were selected for their environmental performance, with regionally sourced granite and aluminum, recycled PET acoustic panels, and low- VOC finishes used throughout. Outdoor areas feature passive cooling and planting to create comfortable microclimates.
Reflecting the project’ s integrated approach to architecture and interior experience, Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai was recognised with the Architecture: Hotel award at the 2025 Identity Design Awards, which celebrate excellence in design across the Middle East.
Credits Lead consultancy design Architecture Interior Architecture Photo credit: © Ahmad Alnaji – SARAB Photo credit: © Johnseye Photography
www. unstudio. com
The Tower’ s structural system was designed for efficiency and flexibility. Post-tensed floor slabs, hybrid concrete columns, and mechanical-level outriggers enabled an efficient floorplate with minimal internal columns. This approach, which had never been used before in Dubai, resulted in 3,000 cubic metres less concrete used in total. Additionally, health and usercomfort were prioritised, with CO2-based ventilation controls, natural daylight access, open floorplates, and clear spatial orientation promoting user wellbeing.
Wasl Tower stands as a testament to UNS’ s continuous drive for innovation – creating people-centered, high
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