MVRDV and BIG collaborate on lifestyle district and plaza in Abu Dhabi
– Jacob van Rijs, co-founder, MVRDV
Dutch architects MVRDV have revealed designs for their inaugural project in the United Arab Emirates – a mixed-use residential and leisure district for Abu Dhabi’s high-profile Makers District.
Called Pixel, the 76,000sq m (818,000sq ft) development will consist of seven ‘pixelated’ mid-rise towers organised around a lively public plaza designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which steers people towards an adjacent beach, waterfront promenade, marina and public events space.
MVRDV’s towers are described by the practice as “an erupted valley” designed to “create a village-like feel with distinct spaces, pocket gardens and roof decks”. They will be home to retail, office, co-working and community spaces at lower levels, while 480 residential apartments of various types and sizes will occupy the upper levels.
The towers’ restrained and minimalistic exteriors – which blend natural ceramics and concrete to reflect the local climatic conditions – means they are only truly revealed to visitors and residents when they enter BIG’s central plaza and have a direct perspective of the shapes and colours hidden within the façades.
“As part of the waterfront development Makers District, Pixel will offer contemporary living in a dynamic setting for future residents, as well as both local and international creatives”, said Jacob van Rijs, MVRDV co-founder.
“All of the towers façades combine concrete with luminous ceramics on the inside – a nod to the region’s pearl diving heritage – and they'll be a vibrant and engaging community for creativity, learning and forward living."
MVRDV are working with engineering company Ramboll Middle East and local architecture firm Dewan. The project, scheduled for completion in 2020, is part of a wider 18-hectare masterplan developed by real estate firm IMKAN Properties.
The Makers District is located opposite Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District – home to the Zayed National Museum, Jean Nouvel’s recently-opened Louvre Abu Dhabi and the planned Guggenheim Abu Dhabi by Frank Gehry.
MVRDV BIG Abu Dhabi UAE Makers District Pixel Jacob van RijsMVRDV complete futuristic Tianjin library with cascading bookshelves and enormous mirrored 'eye'
MVRDV win competition for Shanghai Future Park showcasing nature, culture and entertainment
MVRDV to transform Gothenburg riverside warehouse into vibrant cultural hub
Building or valley? Construction begins on MVRDV's green-topped Amsterdam leisure complex
MVRDV to add to Rotterdam's 'Manhattan on the Maas' with mixed-use towers linked by 'hotel air bridge'
Work begins on MVRDV's public promenade and man-made lagoon in Tainan
MVRDV complete cascading mixed-use complex in Poznan
MVRDV's Seoul Skygarden of 24,000 plants and trees opens above South Korean capital
MVRDV win competition for 'fun and human-centric' Shenzhen sports and culture complex
MVRDV design gold-tinged Paradise City entertainment zone for Seoul
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home