The world’s largest shopping centre, the Dubai Mall’s design is on the scale of urban planning. Divided into seven experiential districts, it includes a fashion zone with catwalk; a sports area with Olympic-size ice-skating rink; a gold souk that evokes traditional Arabic outdoor markets through arabesque detailing and skylit courtyards; and a massive indoor aquarium. Naturally lit atria of varying volumes throughout serve as rest areas and way-finding points. The ‘mashrabiyya’ pattern of the facade cladding offers a sense of place. Next to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the Mall’s roof is also highly designed, appearing at night as an assemblage of layered plates and volumes.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture