Nature’s Reflection

Mirror House is a stunning new lakeside building in Dubai Media City Park

By HAS Engineering

Home to News corporations and big tech companies, as well as a large open-air amphitheater that hosts international music and food festivals, Dubai Media City has become a central hub of the city.

Its vast central park is a sanctuary for busy people on their lunch breaks to relax and catch their breath on the grassy expanses around the park’s lake and water feature. HAS Engineering were tasked with modernizing the existing lake side retail counter with an all glass structure. HAS Engineering were tasked with the overhaul of an open type retail counter made of wood and clay roofing tiles which previously existed there, the client wanted to have it upgraded to a modern architectural structure known as Mirror House to match the tall buildings, surrounding the lake’s periphery.

It turned out to be quite a complex project as the Mirror House had to be built in such a way that the existing kiosk had to be retained and Mirror House had

to be built enclosing it. We also had to keep in mind the wooden decking leading to the building, hence load bearing was a constraint. The base pile structures and connecting beams were inspected and the frame was designed in such a way that the structure was attached to the substrate civil structure after evaluating structural load analysis and wind load etc.

The movement of materials was quite a logistical issue as the deck would not take the weight of the delivery trucks, hence the structure was built in shorter span sections and was shifted onto the site using mobile trolleys and erected on site using fasteners. Moreover, the frame was cladded with substrate layer onto which the glass and mirrors were cladded. A few sections of tinted glass were installed on top instead of mirror so that natural light can pass through. In addition, the internal walls were lined with aluminum composite panel cladding to conceal the steel frame work. The unit was installed with electrical systems including lighting, AC, fire panel etc.

The best feature of this project had been the Mirror Houses’ ability to mimic nature. Its blends in while at the same time stands out. It’s quite amazing to view during sunrise, sunset or during a foggy day as each time it has different character to show.

Thanks to the client for entrusting HAS Engineering with the job and the entire team of HAS and associated vendors who put in their efforts to ensure we produced the best possible project upon completion.