"NOAH" Ethnographic District ARUP | Page 31

Concept Vision Development Al Nasseem, Dubai, UAE Key point The project architectural importance leads on the mixture of traditional architectural forms and sustainable feature in the design of complex of housing and retail uses. The project Al Nasseem is a sustainable urban development in the centre of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates designed by X - Architects . Inspired by the urban fabric of traditional Middle Eastern cities, the design combines contemporary materials with ancient strategies for passive cooling. Taking cues from both the natural oases of Al Ain and the dense urban fabric of traditional Islamic cities, the master plan for Al Nasseem develops an environmental synergy between landscape and urbanity that is both modern and unique. Al Ain, known as “The Oasis City”, possesses a historic and remarkable landscape condition within the UAE: 7 oases and an extensive underground irrigation network known as falaj provide precious water that supports plant life in this otherwise harsh desert environment. Carved out of a site that was formerly a park, the new development brings this latent oasis condition to the fore through the way the natural environmental condition is woven together with the dense urban fabric. General view Restaurant area The main square Retail area Area 102.885 sqm Function Mixed-use which includes a variety of housing typologies, retail or souk and oice space Main features Passive sustainable ‘urban oasis’ Traditional architecture 31