THE CLUSTER

The Cluster is a contemporary apartment building on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The project has a goal of trying to understand new forms of living and inhabiting spaces based on cultural elements embedded in Emirati society in the United Arab Emirates.

The client’s main request was that the building has to reflect the Emirates and Emarati culture in a modern way. He said: “I want a place where Emarati families can live a contemporary but rooted life in the center of Dubai!”

The building comprises 28 apartments with 4 apartments per story and a retail block on the ground level. The residences were created in 4 different typologies, each uniquely positioned throughout the vertical height of the building.

Various aspects of Emirati culture and traditional architecture were implemented in the design. There is an emphasis on privacy and this is reflected in the vast distance between the entrances of each apartment. The connection to nature is made through private green couryards in each apartment. The strong sense of community in Emirati culture is retained through creating a shared ‘majlis’ for community gatherings. Other facilities include a mosque, lounge spaces, a gym and a swimming pool on the roof top.