The Nikken Sekkei-designed One Za’abeel development in Dubai turned to Fiandre Architectural Surfaces to create bespoke surfacing solutions in the luxury hospitality, retail and residential mixed-use buildings.
Comprising two adjacent skyscrapers connected by a cantilevered platform, One Za’abeel’s 270-m and 235-m towers are one of the newest focal points of Dubai’s skyline. Located in the heart of the city near the International Financial Centre, and a stone’s throw from the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the airport, the mixed-used complex was developed by Ithra Dubai LLC and designed by Japanese architecture, engineering and urban planning firm Nikken Sekkei. Totalling 530,000-sq-m the complex’s two skyscrapers host hospitality, retail and living functions, providing residents and visitors with a holistic offering of luxury services and experiences. The sky concourse, which connects the buildings, floats between the two towers and extends over the motorway which runs below. The space spans 226-m and hosts bars, restaurants, boutiques, wellness spaces, an infinity pool and a terrace.
The luxury experience is rounded off by the building’s finishes and surfaces including flooring, wall coverings, shower trays and countertops in the bathrooms provided by Fiandre Architectural Surfaces and its distribution partner Arteco Ceramics, who were official partner brands of the project. Bespoke ceramic solutions were applied throughout the multi-typology buildings, present in workspaces, the One&Only resort and homes as well as the SIRO Hotel and the 264 luxury apartment units.
In the reception and lobby of One Za’abeel The Residences, leaf-shaped brass inlays were integrated into Calacatta Statuario coverings from its Marble Lab collection. The ivory-white hued material is punctuated by light grey grains and was also used to cover the floors and common areas of the residence tower, including corridors, lift landings and apartment interiors. In each of the apartment units, the floors, wall coverings, shower trays and countertops in the bathrooms are also enveloped in the surfacing. Different configurations were used throughout including a herringbone pattern present in some of the showers.
The buildings were built in compliance with the United Arab Emirates’ goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and met the requirements of LEED Gold certification. Fiandre’s surfaces were naturally compatible with this goal as each of the Iris Ceramica Group’s brands, including Fiandre Architectural Surfaces have obtained Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver, issued by The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Arteco and Fiandre worked closely together to ensure that minimal waste was created during the customization processes for the flooring and other decorative elements.
