Architecture

MVRDV plans pixelated towers for Abu Dhabi

MVRDV plans pixelated towers for Abu Dhabi
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
View 7 Images
Pixel includes 480 apartments of varying size
1/7
Pixel includes 480 apartments of varying size
Pixel has a total floorspace of 76,000 sq m (818,057 sq ft)
2/7
Pixel has a total floorspace of 76,000 sq m (818,057 sq ft)
Pixel comprises seven mid-rise towers
3/7
Pixel comprises seven mid-rise towers
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
4/7
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
Pixel is part of a larger development called Makers District
5/7
Pixel is part of a larger development called Makers District
MVRDV's Pixel will connect to a large new beach, marina and public events area designed by BIG
6/7
MVRDV's Pixel will connect to a large new beach, marina and public events area designed by BIG
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
7/7
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
View gallery - 7 images

MVRDV has revealed a new mixed-use residential development planned for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, appropriately named Pixel. Due for completion in 2020, the project comprises a group of seven towers that sport an eye-catching pixelated design.

MVRDV is clearly fond of pixelated architecture and has produced several recent designs that riff on the distinctive cubic style, including the Bałtyk and the Sax.

Pixel's seven mid-rise towers will include 480 apartments of varying size, from plush penthouse-style residences to relatively inexpensive studio apartments, as well as retail, office, and community spaces. Shaded terraces will be installed at street level. The towers will be clad in concrete and ceramic and oriented to maximize the view, as well as taking the sun and wind into account.

"Pixel represents a new way of approaching neighborhoods, communities, the way of living, the way of working," says MVRDV. "Based on a research of possible residential models, we selected together with the client the 'mini-tower' configuration, which resulted in spreading 7 mid-rise, relatively slim towers around the plot, influenced by the local conditions (sun and wind) and providing the most view around for most apartments."

Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza
Pixel's seven towers will be arranged around a pedestrianized plaza

The buildings will surround a pedestrianized plaza and connect to a large new beach, marina and public events area designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) called The Artery.

Both Pixel and The Artery are at the center of a larger Abu Dhabi development called Makers District, which itself is part of a wider building push in the capital city that has attracted some of architecture's biggest names.

Highlights include Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, which was recently completed nearby, and a planned new Guggenheim museum by Frank Gehry.

Source: MVRDV

View gallery - 7 images
1 comment
1 comment
Alien
Actually they look quite good -and the interiors seem quite nice... but I can't help be reminded of a song from the 60's called: "Little boxes". If you've not heard it -see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlSpc87Jfr0