Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Image 2 of 32Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Facade, WindowsAbu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Image 4 of 32Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - FacadeAbu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - More Images+ 27

  • Project Team: Norman Foster, David Nelson, Gerard Evenden, Stuart Latham, Muir Livingstone, John Blythe, Edson Yabiku, David Crosswaite, Giulia Galiberti, Sandra Glass, Ashley Lane, Giulia Leoni, Emily Phang, Bram van der Wal, Ho-Ling Cheung, Luca Latini, Franquibel Lima, Chris Nunn, Riccardo Russo, Jillian Salter, Ronald Schuurmans, Sunphol Sorakul, Daniel Weiss, Laura Podda, Yong Bin Kim, Yvonne Jendreiek
  • Collaborating Architect: Planar
  • Cost Consultant: EC Harris
  • Fire Engineering Consultant: Exova Warrington Fire
  • Façade Consultant: Arup
  • Client: ALDAR Properties PJSC
  • Site Area: 3,94 hectare
  • City: Abu Dhabi
More SpecsLess Specs
Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Windows, Facade, Cityscape
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

Text description provided by the architects. Abu Dhabi’s Central Market is one of the oldest sites in the city. Inspired by the traditional architecture of the Gulf this scheme aims to reinvent the market place, giving the city a new civic heart. By offering an alternative to the globalised one-size-fits-all shopping mall it offers a distinctive modern interpretation of the regional vernacular. As a shopping experience it combines luxury goods boutiques with food markets and craft- based trades. Like the traditional souk, these different experiences are brought together in an interior architecture of dappled sunlight, bright colours and fountains, with a changing rhythm of squares, courtyards and alley ways.

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Image 28 of 32
Market Long Section © Foster + Partners

For up to six months of the year the climate here is very pleasant – comfortable enough to stroll and sit outside. That has inspired a sequence of public routes and squares in which the barriers between inside and outside are dissolved. Open at night as well as during the day, these new spaces provide an important central venue in the city during festivals and celebrations and are cooled naturally when conditions allow.

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Beam, Facade, Column
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

For the remainder of the year, the spaces can be enclosed by roof panels that slide into place to enable the internal environment to be controlled more closely. The perforations in the roof and interior panels – a pattern developed with a scholar of Islamic arts – continue outside, wrapping the podium building in a textured facade. The design of the panels is based on octagonal forms, which reference both traditional zellij tilework and more recent research into mathematical geometry. Continuing the greenery of Abu Dhabi, the site is generously landscaped, the roofs of the podium buildings forming a series of terraced gardens.

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Image 30 of 32
General Elevation © Foster + Partners

Rising above this dense, close-grained ‘mat’ is a cluster of tall buildings, which vary in height and massing depending on whether they contain offices, apartments or a combination of a hotel and serviced apartments. Visually they form a family, with smooth, reflective facades designed to need little maintenance in this dusty desert environment. Layers of internal shading on the towers control glare and solar gain.

Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners - Windows
© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Abu Dhabi Central Market / Foster + Partners" 21 Oct 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/558920/abu-dhabi-central-market-foster-partners> ISSN 0719-8884

© Nigel Young / Foster + Partners

阿布扎比中央市场 / Foster + Partners

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.