This project, done while at Woods Bagot as a junior architect, was a competition entry to revamp an old port structure into a passenger cruise terminal. In order to create an aesthetic and flexible solution that doesn’t impose onerous structural requirements on the ground floor slab we suggested an option using shipping containers to house the retail elements within the overall space. Retail “pods” are arranged in clusters a little like dhows in a busy harbor and reminiscent of the way Abu Dhabi as a city is a series of islands. 

On top of the retail pods we see the ability to use the ample height of the building to accommodate a mezzanine level that can serve as lounges and flexible exhibition space. The retail and exhibition elements would provide an alternative use of the space during cruise downtime. The existing concrete floor is ground down to expose the aggregate to give a cost effective but refined industrial flavor. The form was modeled and drawings produced in Rhino.

Work done at Woods Bagot Dubai.