foster + partners has completed the design of apple’s latest store in the middle east — ‘apple dubai mall’. the building includes a 186 foot curved storefront and balcony overlooking burj khalifa and the dubai fountain, and boasts one of the world’s largest kinetic art installations. the scheme seeks to respond to the culture and climate of the emirates, while simultaneously demonstrating apple’s ambition to create inspirational civic spaces.


the building is clad with a kinetic art piece named ‘solar wings’
image © apple (also main image)

 

 

located in the dubai mall — a destination that attracts more than 80 million visitors a year — the new apple store spans two floors, and is clad with a kinetic art piece named ‘solar wings’. reinterpreting the traditional arabic mashrabiya, the installation gently shades the external terrace during the day, before opening in the evening to take in views of the waterside promenade. conceived by foster+ partners as a ‘theatrical experience’, the 18 carefully engineered panels are inspired by the motion of a falcon spreading its wings.


the mechanical wings open in the evening to take in views of the waterside promenade
image © nigel young / foster + partners

 

 

each wing is made entirely from lightweight carbon fiber, with multiple layers of tubes forming a dense net. ‘following an in-depth study of sun angles, the rods have been distributed in higher concentration where the solar radiation is the most intense over the year,’ explains foster + partners. ‘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 186 foot curved storefront and balcony overlook burj khalifa
image © apple

 

 

the shaded terrace features nine trees set within planters, with seating also provided for visitors to sit and relax. to ensure that the trees receive even sunlight, the planters rotate mechanically. the opening of the store coincided with the announcement of the tech giant’s new in-store experience. ‘today at apple’ sees trained team members offer individual advice on photography, filmmaking, art, design, and more.


the new apple store spans two floors of the dubai mall
image © nigel young / foster + partners

 

 

‘the design of apple dubai mall is 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,’ said stefan behling, head of studio, foster + partners. ‘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.’


the opening of the 18 engineered panels is inspired by the motion of a falcon spreading its wings
image © nigel young / foster + partners

 

 

‘we view our stores as a modern-day town square, where visitors come to shop, be inspired, learn or connect with others in their community,’ added angela ahrendts, apple’s senior vice president, retail. ‘and what better place to come together than overlooking dubai’s epicenter, where the dubai fountain, burj khalifa and dubai mall meet. we are so honored to have a home at one of the world’s most incredible and dynamic intersections.’


the development takes in sweeping views across the city
image © nigel young / foster + partners


the opening of the store coincided with the announcement of a new in-store experience
image © apple


‘today at apple’ sees trained team members offer advice on photography, filmmaking, and more
image © nigel young / foster + partners


access to the store is provided directly from the dubai mall
image © nigel young / foster + partners


staircase and handrail detail
image © nigel young / foster + partners


the store overlooks the dubai fountain
image © nigel young / foster + partners

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

philip stevens I designboom
apr 27, 2017

    have something to add? share your thoughts in our comments section below.

    comments policy
    LOG IN
    designboom's comment policy guidelines
    generally speaking, if we publish something, it's because we're genuinely interested in the subject. we hope you'll share this interest and if you know even more about it, please share! our goal in the discussion threads is to have good conversation and we prefer constructive opinions. we and our readers have fun with entertaining ones. designboom welcomes alerts about typos, incorrect names, and the like.
    the correction is at the discretion of the post editor and may not happen immediately.

    what if you disagree with what we or another commenter has to say?
    let's hear it! but please understand that offensive, inappropriate, or just plain annoying comments may be deleted or shortened.

    - please do not make racist, sexist, anti-semitic, homophobic or otherwise offensive comments.
    - please don't personally insult the writers or your fellow commenters.
    - please avoid using offensive words, replacing a few letters with asterisks is not a valid workaround.
    - please don't include your website or e-mail address in your comments for the purpose of self-promotion.
    - please respect jury verdicts and do not discuss offensively on the competition results
    (there is only one fist prize, and designboom usually asks renown professionals to help us to promote talent.
    in addition to the awarded designs, we do feel that almost all deserve our attention, that is why we publish
    the best 100-200 entries too.)

    a link is allowed in comments as long as they add value in the form of information, images, humor, etc. (links to the front page of your personal blog or website are not okay). unwelcome links (to commercial products or services of others, offensive material etc. ) will be redacted. and, ... yes, spam gets banned. no, we do not post fake comments.

    forgot password

    (113 articles)

    (59 articles)

    (190 articles)

    PRODUCT LIBRARY

    a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

    architecture news

    architects turn bangkok townhouses into modern multilayered office architects turn bangkok townhouses into modern multilayered office
    dec 11, 2018

    architects turn bangkok townhouses into modern multilayered office

    #architecture

    the interiors take advantage of the industrial look of the raw concrete structure, adding glossy elements and green lively splashes to contrast the strict mood.

    the interiors take advantage of the industrial look of the raw concrete structure, adding glossy elements and green lively splashes to contrast the strict mood.

    #readers#architecture
    this prefabricated shelter clings to a mountain peak in the italian alps this prefabricated shelter clings to a mountain peak in the italian alps
    dec 11, 2018

    this prefabricated shelter clings to a mountain peak in the italian alps

    #architecture

    at an altitude of 3,290 meters (10,794 feet), the bivouac seeks to encourage the exploration of the isolated area and its nearby mountaineering routes.

    at an altitude of 3,290 meters (10,794 feet), the bivouac seeks to encourage the exploration of the isolated area and its nearby mountaineering routes.

    #architecture

    all architecture news