Noah Etnographic District
Abu Dhabi Central Market, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Key point
The main feature of the project which is also important for our intervention
is its brand new approach of innovating the traditional forms and markets
of Abu Dhabi city.
The project
Inspired by the traditional architecture of the Gulf Foster + Partners
reinvent the market place. It’s a one-size-its-all shopping mall which
combines luxury goods boutiques with food markets and craft- based
trades. Like the traditional souk, these diferent experiences are brought
together in an interior architecture of dappled sunlight, bright colours and
fountains, with a changing rhythm of squares, courtyards and alley ways.
For the remainder of the year, the spaces can be enclosed by roof panels
that slide into place to enable the internal environment to be controlled
more closely.
The perforations in the roof and interior panels – a pattern developed with
a scholar of Islamic arts – continue outside, wrapping the podium building
in a textured facade. The design of the panels is based on octagonal forms,
which reference both traditional zellij tilework and more recent research
General view Modern ‘souk’ experience
Patterns developed with a scholar of Islamic arts Local products
into mathematical geometry.
Area
689.416sqm
Function
Retail centre
Main features
Traditional souk experience
Venue for festivals and celebrations
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