Mohammad Saeed AlShehhi, COO of d3, introduces Phase Two, Dubai Design District's new Creative Community, being master-planned by Foster+Partners
Mohammad Saeed AlShehhi, COO of d3, introduces Phase Two, Dubai Design District's new Creative Community, being master-planned by Foster+Partners.
Tell us about the vision for and inspiration behind Phase Two of the Dubai Design District (creative community)
Our vision for d3 is to become an innovative global design hub and the inspiration behind Phase Two was to establish a creative community which acts as an incubator for emerging local designers and artists, whilst providing a natural home for art galleries and studios seeking to engage directly with the region.
The most critical component of our inspiration were our creative partners; international luxury brands, globally recognized architecture firms, local artists and fresh new talent. As a master planner, we undertook extensive research, completed crowdsourcing exercises and held workshops to ensure we produced a dynamic and adaptable space that surpassed the needs of its community, inspiring its creative collective and encouraging collaboration.
Influenced by design districts such as New York’s Meat Packing District and London’s Shoreditch, we wanted to create a fluid, evolving environment with flexible work spaces and active management programmes to ensure businesses could grow organically.
How is Foster + Partners helping you achieve this vision?
As d3 was a blank canvas it was fundamental that Foster + Partners engaged with our creative partners to fully grasp d3’s vision and understand the aspirations of the different users. After careful research, they analysed the potential of how spaces could be utilised, highlighting the need to encourage collaboration between disciples to design a fluid, interconnected infrastructure.
Covering over 1 million square feet, Foster + Partners have taken a contemporary approach to architecture as Phase Two of d3 will include a mix of flexible contemporary offices and communal working facilities interspersed around a series of pedestrianised streets and outdoor events spaces, combined with an emphasis on creating vibrant and attractive landscape. Foster + Partners has helped us achieve our vision by crafting an entire self-sufficient ecosystem, focusing on the evolution and growth of the design industry.
How will the design of Phase Two support the creative nature of the businesses at d3?
d3 is the only purpose-built design district in the world and so is unique in that the purpose of its very structure was to support the creative nature of its businesses.
The brief to Foster + Partners was to build an environment that encourages interaction and inspires burgeoning creativity. This demanded innovation: a space that could mirror the evolution of its artist, so both could grow organically. Consequently, the foundation of d3 is a flexible framework, enabling each building to be deconstructed and reassembled so that designers can adapt their environment to their changing needs.
Additionally, d3 goes beyond simply providing a workspace. With galleries, boutiques and dining options d3 is a blossoming community, offering an entire creative lifestyle, supporting the growth of individuals and the collective.
d3 stimulates collaboration through its integrated design, where local talent sits alongside established designers and galleries are interspersed with studios and fashion houses. d3’s shared offices and communal space offer a single home base for designers and design enthusiasts, where they can be inspired, unite and integrate to ultimately achieve their creative vision.
Why do you believe it is important to develop a community of architects, interior designers and artists in one location
By providing a dedicated home for the regions community of architects, interior designers and artists this enables them to meet, inspire and collaborate. Through its integrated design and cutting edge technology d3 encourages the sharing of ideas and the cross pollination of creativity, enabling designers to propel the creative industry forward.
Through the consolidation of the design industry, d3 brings together industry experts to share their knowledge and experiment with new mediums, ultimately becoming the beating heart of the region’s evolving design scene. As the world’s only destination dedicated to design, d3 is committed to promoting fresh new talent whilst providing a creative home to established international design, luxury, art and fashion brands. With one innovative location, the creative community can unite and prosper.
Can you also tell us a little bit about the co-working communal facilities being planned in Phase Two?
The co-working communal facilities were designed to stimulate collaboration amongst creative disciplines, with clusters of offices centred around courtyards and open spaces, all connected by walkways. By the sharing of space, these facilities enable the community to interact.
Phase Two will also be set over four levels with single and double high tenancies, which will offer shading for the arcade of shop-fronts and main pedestrian sheets. The interweaving of offices caters to the needs of the d3 community by providing spaces that are adaptable for use, space, arrangement, and location.
Sustainability is at the forefront of the architecture and design, how are you implementing this in your project?
We are developing a creative destination at d3 that is rooted in cutting-edge design and innovation, and in doing so, we will contribute to Dubai’s broader vision of an efficient, modern, seamless and safe city that improves the daily experience of businesses, residents and tourists.
Once the second phase of d3 is complete, intelligent green solutions will be applied to the buildings to ensure they are sustainable, and to reduce energy waste. Our ambition is for d3 to deliver a high standard of living to people and a positive contribution to the natural environment, underpinned by technologically smart and efficient governance. Further initiatives will include solar hot water renewable energy, electric vehicle power and charging, energy monitoring technology and advanced parking management systems, all of which will contribute to Dubai’s wider Smart City objectives.
How do you see the impact of d3 on the design industry in the UAE by 2020?
Through d3 the design industry will grow, evolve and diversify. By 2020, d3 will be fully operational. In addition to a thriving creative industry the Waterfront development will host design-led hotels, unique cafes, restaurants and boutiques.
d3 will have a positive impact on the design industry by offering brands greater autonomy therefore leading to the growth of its economy. A d3 trade license provides 100% ownership, a tax free status and the ability to fully repatriate profits and capital. Through this unique offering d3 will attract more global designers seeking to maximise their profits, leading to the growth of the market.
d3’s vision is to catalyse the growth of the design industry and by providing a platform for emerging designers it will showcase a plethora of new talent. Through the sponsorship and hosting of events such as Fashion Forward, Dubai Design Week and The Graduate Show, d3 will contribute to a more integrated and diverse design industry whilst championing local designers and creatives, catapulting them to a global platform.