The Baniyas Square project offered a rare opportunity in Dubai to design and build a project within the existing urban fabric of the city. The site's location offered the inspiration for the overall planning approach with consideration being given to views out to the main square and south facing facade that recognised the need for a certain level of protection from the environment.
Inspiration is also heavily derived from the buildings of the surrounding neighbourhood in terms of materiality and scale. An attempt is made to pick up on relevant facade orders and rhythms whilst also recognising symbolical features such as the metro entrance that may be utilised in the proposed development. The project took an unusual step in minimising the parking required on site by connecting itself directly to the public concourse area of the metro.