| Category | Sustainable Masterplanning | Green Certification | Environmental Building Analysis |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Size | 235,622sqm |
Projects
Deira Waterfront
A sustainable urban morphology
Strategically located in close proximity to the richness of the existing Deira Souq and the breath-taking Dubai Creek, Deira Enrichment Project is set in an exciting location that blends deep heritage and rich traditions of the existing Souq with new modern opportunities presented by the waterfront. Envisaged as an extension of the Deira fabric, this development pays homage to the tradition of trade deeply rooted in the history of Dubai.
The mixed-use development consists of 20 mixed-use plots spanning a GFA of some 580,000sqm and is currently in its first phase of works. Of the 20 plots, eight plots of prime land covering a GFA of approximately 235,622 square metres within the Deira Enrichment Project are conceived by a multi-disciplinary team of Singapore and Dubai based consultants led by DP Architects for Ithra Dubai.
As part of the strategic planning at concept design stage, we worked closely with DPA and undertook an extensive bioclimatic study to define a sustainable urban morphology for the site. The design brief was to elevate the customer experience across the development ensuring that it becomes an essential tourist destination in Dubai. In order to achieve this, particular emphasis was put on optimisation of outdoor thermal comfort around the numerous courtyard and outdoor seating areas, scattered across the development.
Details
By thoroughly understanding the extreme climate of Dubai, we were able to then propose a mixture of bespoke passive and active sustainable design solutions that optimised outdoor thermal comfort.
“The goal was to develop a sustainable urban morphology that enhanced the customer experience. This was achieved through an integrated approach that kept the influencing factors of outdoor thermal comfort – operative temperature, air movement and humidity – at the forefront of the design process.”
A high resolution CFD simulation was carried out during concept design to assess air flow from one side of the site to the other. The analysis helped to achieve a massing that avoided stagnation of air thereby maximising thermal comfort levels and air quality.
A thermal comfort map was developed for the site which was used as a briefing tool for the overall sustainable urban design at the early stages of the project.
Detailed inter-building shading analysis was carried out to determine areas that would be un-shaded for prolonged periods. The analysis helped inform the location of the outdoor F&B areas and to determine which areas would require additional solar shading.
The massing and orientation of the buildings were informed by studies of the sun path, solar irradiance and inter-building shading ranges that identified areas exposed or shaded from the sun across the day. It was essential to find a balance between appropriate building spacing to allow wind flow, whilst ensuring that walkability and connectivity between plots onsite and surrounding developments were maintained. In order to accurately assess the air flow characteristics across the site, a large scale high-resolution computational fluids dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the interaction between the individual buildings and outdoor spaces with the prevailing winds. Using this information, we were able to identify ‘hot spots’ where conditions dropped below levels considered acceptable for outdoor thermal comfort in Dubai. As part of this a ‘thermal comfort map’ was produced to identify where additional mitigation measures were required, with the outdoor food and beverage (F&B) areas being of particular importance.
By initially understanding the climate characteristics of Dubai, it was then possible to propose bespoke passive sustainable design solutions, as the design progressed. These included shading device design and planting strategies to shade walkways and F&B areas.
Finally, during Schematic Design, the thermal performance of the façade design was evaluated via computational means. As part of this, we advised on façade shading device geometry and glazing specifications, in order that onerous Dubai Green Building Regulations could be met.
Specialist Services
Integrated services provided for this project.
AWARDS
| 2020 |
SGBuild Awards 2020, Consultant Category, Winner Deira Waterfront Development Phase 1 |
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