The Symphony Tower, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects for Imtiaz Developments, is situated within the new Horizon district of Dubai between the city’s Meydan Racecourse and the waters of Ras Al Khor—the uppermost reaches of the historic Dubai Creek on which the city was founded.
Renderings: Bloomimages
Located a short distance from Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Design District, home to some of the city’s renowned landmarks, cultural venues and shopping precincts and a hub of creativity hosting a variety of acclaimed events and exhibitions, Symphony Tower will also be served by the planned extension of the Dubai Metro.
Drawing inspiration from the distinctive three-dimensional geometries and detailed embroidery of Al Sadu and Talli—the traditional Emirati crafts of weaving with metallic threads—the tower’s exoskeleton defines an interlaced façade that appears to transform in tone and depth as the sun moves across the sky throughout the day.
A variety of external spaces throughout the 42-storey tower provide outdoor living areas for each apartment. Determined by the grid of the tower’s exoskeleton and accentuated by the varied depths of these outdoor spaces, this interwoven structure imbues a distinctive rhythm and texture to each façade, emulating the intricate patterning and craftsmanship of the embroidery fashioned by the Emirate’s traditional artisans.
Photovoltaics charge batteries for the tower’s lighting, reusing solar energy absorbed during the day to describe the softly illuminated three-dimensional lattice of the exoskeleton. The gentle amber glow of this lattice after sunset expresses the recurring pattern within the structure, echoing the geometric reflections from metallic threads within the region’s celebrated embroidery.
The precision engineered exoskeleton serves both structural and environmental functions. Reducing solar gain by shading the façades, the exoskeleton and its terraces also shelter the tower’s outdoor living areas, providing residents with comfortable external spaces throughout much of the year.
Modular construction methods and the use of recycled steel, low-carbon concrete and responsibly sourced finishes will decrease the tower’s embodied carbon, while its water consumption will be reduced through greywater recycling, low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping.
