Set within Dubai's International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), boutique real estate developer Abyaar is creating a commercially and residentially combined 'arts precinct' - the Dubai Arts District. Covering an area of 26 hectares the project offers freehold, community-living within a free zone and includescommercial, residential, retail and community buildings within a central landscaped park.

Marks Barfield, the creators behind the London Eye, are responsible for the design of the 11 residentialbuildings with a gross built-up area of 2,100,000 square feet, a central Clubhouse with pool, children’s playground and seven retail units for the luxury site.

The development, created to service Dubai’s blossoming media industry, is designed as a highly desirable place to live and work, with over 80% of the development dedicated to landscaping and parks. Nearby, the new airport is set to become the largest in the world, connecting IMPZ to all points of the globe.

David Marks, Managing Director of Marks Barfield comments “This bespoke development will be a first-ofits-kind arts precinct project in Dubai and is intended to attract design conscious purchasers seeking a quality environment. In shaping this community to meet the demands of the 21st century, we have focused on two primary concerns: Quality of Life and Sustainability.”
The first buildings to be found at the entrance to the site are three compact low-carbon buildings, dubbed the ‘Pebble’ buildings. Shaped by the natural environment, their visual reference stems from the soft, rounded and easy-on-the–eye shapes that are created by exposure to nature over time, in particular wind and sand. Deeply recessed balconies will provide comfortable shaded outdoor living spaces for use in the cooler months. These help prevent solar gain, reduce glare, and their undulating sand-dune shape will provide an appropriate level of privacy. Each Pebble Building will have a subtle yet different pastel colour found in the natural colours of sand, and the appearance of each building will change throughout the day and across the seasons.

Wrapping around to the east are the taller, more prominent Wave Buildings. These buildings’ balconies reach out from the apartments in a wave pattern that alternates with each floor, creating an undulating texture across the side of the buildings like patterns left on the sand after the tide has gone out. They too are characterised by a very contemporary ‘soft’ look with rounded corners and soft pastel tones. Colours range across the buildings, from natural yellows through gold to deep pastel oranges.

Marks Barfield is also designing the site’s Clubhouse which will be the community hub for the project. Based in the central gardens at the heart of the development, the Clubhouse will provide a place where everyone can get together after work. The Clubhouse’s design includes a swimming pool, children’s play area, gym and spa. Seven retail and dining units are placed around the north-eastern edge of the park for shopping and entertainment. All of which complete a stress-free life in this creative neighbourhood.

The development is situated on the Emirates Road in the ‘new Dubai’ and is to be completed in 2011.