10DESIGN_The Contemporary Area of Al Seef_Inspired Living_Aug-Sep Issue 2018

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DECOR • DESIGN • ARCHITECTURE

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 38 / VOL 7

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A R C H I T EC T U R E

On the waterfront

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INSPIRED LIVING

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018

Historic Dubai Creek has been revived with a vibrant urban design scheme PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERRY O'LEARY

Fishermen, pearl-divers, weavers and tradesmen once came together to trade at Al Seef, Dubai’s oldest district lining the shores of Dubai Creek. This historic heart of Dubai has now been revitalised

by Meraas.

Located close to the Al Fahidi Cultural Historical Neighbourhood, Al Seef has been designed to reflect the city’s culture and heritage, as well as its modern cosmopolitan character. Visitors can enjoy a casual dinner while watching dhows make their way up and down the creek or wander winding paths and alleys that speak of a bygone era.

The nearly 2 km-long bustling promenade now has cafes, restaurants, shops, and an events plaza, to attract people from near and far to the waterfront.

Hong Kong-based architecture firm 10 Design was the design architect for the contemporary district of Al Seef, leading the project from concept design all the

INSPIRED LIVING

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018

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way through to construction supervision. The contemporary area spans around 670m of the Dubai Creek waterfront with retail, F&B, hospitality, marina amenities and parking, covering over a total of 85,000 sq m.

Led by design partner Gordon Affleck and design director Paul Rodgers, the scheme has broken down the retail and F&B amenities into a series of standalone pavilions lining the shores of Dubai Creek. The pavilions fully open out onto the promenade, blurring the distinction between internal and external spaces.

One phase of Al Seef has been designed to reflect Emirati heritage.

Buildings here look like they belong to neighbouring Al Fahidi, with wind towers, coralstone walls and gypsum plaster. Every effort has been made to recreate the architectural and cultural ambiance of a traditional wharf.

Al Seef also includes a marina with 56 berths for yachts, traditional souk, a floating market and pontoons with space for floating restaurants, art galleries, and shops selling locally made Emirati crafts.

This June, two hotels under the Zabeel House by Jumeirah brand opened here, welcoming their first guests. Extending from the hotels are separate F&B water pavilions that spill out and into the creek, stepping across a terraced, cascading landscape for a distinctive take on waterfront dining.

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PROJECT CREDITS 10 DESIGN – Lead Design architect W.S. Atkins & Partners Overseas – Lead Consultant / architect of record / structure engineer / MEP engineer CH2M – Marine engineer Cracknell – Landscape qrchitect and landscape lighting designer

Genius Loci – Signage and way finding designer Mace – Project management consultant Meinhardt – Façade engineer NeoLight – Façade and interior lighting designer Studio HBA – Interior designer Vortex – Fire safety engineer