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A Desert Sands
from August 2020
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Desert Sands
By: Dubai Municipality
Set within the desert sands, The Dunes Platform is located at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve – the largest reserve in Dubai known for its unmarred and undisturbed wildlands that have been left untouched by human civilization.
The Dunes platform was designed by Dubai Municipality and it’s a part of portfolio of eco-tourism projects. Blending into its desert environment, the structure is inspired by the surrounding sand dunes and the shrub formations that form over the sand.
The focal point of the building is its originallyshaped roof, mimicking the forms found in the surrounding nature, shading the platform below. Featuring irregular cell-like perforations that act as a lattice, it allows sunlight to filter through, creating formations of shadows across the viewing platform as well as against the building’s stone paint walls. Acting as a main structural element, the 70x50 metres covering is a combination of steel frames and GPRcladded material with stone finish.
Resting underneath the undulating roof is a singlestory concrete structure which houses indoor and outdoor platforms. The indoor platforms comprise a multi-purpose hall that can be used for yoga and aerobics, with a glass partition that opens up to the shaded outdoor platform, allowing visitors to exercise and meditate out in the openness. The outdoor platform also acts as a viewing deck, offering visitors a chance to take in the vastness of the desert landscape, while enjoying the sunrise or sunset over the dunes.
In focus with Samer Saad Hameed, Principal Marine Projects Engineer, Dubai Municipality
What was the inspiration behind building the Dunes Project?
The Dune shade structure was inspired by desert shrub formation over the sands. It mimics the dunes blending the venue completely with the surrounding environment.
How much did the project cost to build?
11,600,000 AED.
Apart from hosting Yoga retreats, what other events will be held in the space?
There will be aerobics sessions and guests can watch the sunrise.
Can visitors stay overnight or is it solely for daytime use?
It is daytime only. However, staying overnight is permitted in within the Al Marmoom Sanctuary.
What materials were used and how do they blend with the natural environment?
The external finishes are as follow:
GRP cladding with stone slates finish for shade. Stone paint for buildings walls. WPC decking for external platform. Paving slabs for walkways. Glass balustrade.
The internal finishes are: Wooden parquet floor for the multipurpose hall. Aluminum box section for false ceiling and gypsum board bulkhead. Rest of areas are porcelain tiles for floor, emulsion paint for the wall and ceiling.
Photo Credit: Anique Ahmed (www.anique-ahmed.com)
