Info & Images:
Courtesy Foster+Partners
Read Time: 3 mins
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©Nigel Young
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One of the world’s
largest kinetic art installations opens to visitors at the Apple Dubai Mall…
Apple Dubai Mall
is reinventing the traditional introverted idea of mall-based retail as a more
outward-looking experience that engages with the spectacle of urban life. Its
design is a highly innovative response to the culture and climate of the
Emirates, while also demonstrating Apple’s pioneering ambition to create
inspirational civic spaces for all.
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©Foster+Partners
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Designed by the veteran
Foster+Partners, the new Apple Dubai Mall occupies the most pivotal position in
the city, alongside the iconic Burj Khalifa and overlooking the famous Dubai
Fountains. Spanning over two floors, it embraces the theatre of the fountains
with a sweeping 186-foot (56.6 metre) wide and 18foot (5.5 metre) deep terrace
– a first for any Apple Store – with unparalleled views of the spectacular
setting and the incredible choreographed display.
Intended as a
major attraction, the design of the mall is all about creating an exceptional
architectural and social experience for visitors, bringing to the fore new
ideas about the evolving role of Apple Flagships in the community, informs Stefan
Behling - studio head, Foster+Partners.
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©Foster+Partners
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| ©Nigel Young |
Celebrating the
sun, the design of the mall uses the abundant daylight to create a special
ambience within. Reinterpreting the traditional Arabic Mashrabiya, innovative,
‘Solar Wings’ (18 in number) gently shade the outside terrace during the day
and open majestically during the evening to reveal the ‘best seat in the house’
with a breath-taking view of the waterside promenade and fountains. With their
movement path inspired by a falcon spreading its wings, the motorised ‘Solar
Wings’ that are carefully designed never to intersect, take one full minute to
open and close – and are in itself a theatrical experience – an integrated
vision of kinetic art and engineering. The wings have been carefully crafted to
inspire delight, a delicate combination of form and function.
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| ©Nigel Young |
Made entirely of
lightweight carbon fibre, each wing has multiple layers of tubes forming a
dense net. Following an in-depth study of sun angles, the rods are distributed
in higher concentration, where the solar radiation is the most intense over the
year. The unique pattern allows clear views out for people standing on both
levels of the store, and the sunlight streaming through the wings casts dappled
shadows deep into the interior.
“The opening and
closing of these majestic Solar Wings is analogous to a delicate ballet recital
– but on a monumental scale. In some ways it is a very spiritual experience,
with the sun streaming through them and creating the most delicate and
beautiful patterns of light and shade – a seamless blend of technology and
culture," adds Behling.
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| ©Nigel Young |
Access to the
store is through full-height, glazed pivoting doors on both levels, directly
from Dubai Mall. The Avenue, a specially designed area for accessories display,
on the lower level along with Apple’s signature display tables sits in the
midst of a grove of trees, creating a calm environment to experience Apple’s
latest products.
Apple Dubai Mall
will also launch Apple’s new global in-store experience, ‘Today at Apple’
– where New Creative Pros, the liberal
arts counterpart of Apple’s technical geniuses, will offer individual advice
and training on photography, filmmaking, art and design and more.
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| ©Nigel Young |
The new shaded
terrace features nine substantial trees within large planters incorporating
seating for visitors to sit, relax and enjoy the view. The planters will rotate
mechanically to ensure that the trees receive even sunlight. The terrace will
offer the communities of Dubai a new vantage point – furthering Apple’s
commitment to the communities they are part of.
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