Confidential Client Offices – Dubai
Studio Emergence utilized architectural installations, natural light, and warm wood when designing a confidential client’s offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Inspired by the undulating sand dunes that dominate Dubai’s landscape, Studio Emergence has designed a contemporary office space that merges context, culture, and design.
Rooted in principles of biomimicry, the design philosophy is rooted in bringing the outside in; to inject a more organic touch to what can often be a sterile space. The first few steps, therefore, included understanding textures, shapes, colours, undulations and soft curvilinear geometries of the desert dunes in order to recreate its abstract form in design.
Three main design details dominate the space; a calm & minimal colour palette, the use of light, and the use of landscape as inspiration.
Our research revealed that the future of the office was in connection and collaboration, rather than individualistic pursuits. Hence, an open and warm space has been designed, highlighted by a minimal colour palette of nudes and beiges, inspired by the landscape. This is further seen in the custom organic carpet that artistically depicts movement; areas of togetherness feature clustered dots, while areas of solitude feature spaced-out dots.
Coming to light – we brought in sunlight with the help of an artificial skylight with a stretch ceiling in the centre. Fabricated with the help of a waffle structure, this organic-looking skylight lends a degree of openness to the space. Such design details were planned out on softwares and then brought to life using 3D laser printing technology.
Lastly, the use of landscape. The minimal yet maximal sand dunes have been used as inspiration in a variety of ways; Textured walls with different layers of materials were customized throughout the space to represent different shades of sand across the Emirates, vertical louvers fit within glass were created to replicate the calming movement of the sand dunes, and the monochromatic palette was adapted across colour and texture.
According to Khushbu Davda, co-founder of Studio Emergence, “It’s been a pleasure designing for a new environment. As architects, we have to be extremely mindful about each space’s unique characteristics in order to optimise the experience of the client. That’s why, creating a calm and soothing office in the middle of Dubai led us to the sand dunes as inspiration!”
Design: Studio Emergence
Contractor: Workshop on Wheels
Photography: Yamini Krishna Photography
