Located on the western shores of Dubai, Waterfront will transform 1.4 billion square feet of empty desert and sea into an international community – for an estimated population of 1.5 million people – twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Our project in this district is composed of over 15 mid-rise buildings of various sizes holding a mix of apartments over ground floor retail. The development of each block has been conceptualized to ensure the water’s edge promenade is continuous, accessible and active for pedestrians and residents. An Avenue of the Palms was created on a split level to separate the road traffic from pedestrians along the canal edge. The built form includes the creation of various courtyard housing types that line the Avenue. The facade treatment utilizes a system of deep rectangular frames along the base and middle capped by the stepped back set of penthouses and private roof decks. (in joint venture with Kieferle & Partner)