Hopkins design Dubai Gate Village
After an international competition in July 2004,
Hopkins Architects were appointed to design a new
200,000 m2 mixed use development for the Dubai
International Finance Centre (DIFC).
The scheme comprises of ten separate buildings,
containing offices above a podium with penthouses,
an apartment building, five levels of car parking
with live work units to the perimeter and retail at the
podium level.
This cluster of buildings sit along the Gate Precinct
development to one side and the A312 road to the
other with bridge links forming part of the overall
DIFC master plan.
At the podium level, the buildings are linked by a
series of spaces that form a primary spine with a
series of secondary links. At this level, speciality
restaurants, cafes and small boutiques have
been planned to create lunchtime and evening
destinations. A covered arcade with landscaped
piazzas has been designed to encourage
movement of people and to create interesting
environments to explore.
The office buildings are stone clad with recessed
apertures for windows. In addition to the envisaged
shading from the proximity of the buildings, the
windows are provided with mushrabias and
additional shading devices to add character to
the buildings and provide privacy from buildings
opposite.
The overall environment created is seen as a
reflection of the local conditions and the social and
cultural scene.
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