TECOM Dubai Knowledge Park

We completed yet another project with the Tecom Group with the design and execution of the common areas at Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai. The project included common areas like entrances and hallways – one that was intended to appeal to the students and staff of Dubai Knowledge Park.

The concept for the three atriums was based on the tree of knowledge. A central tree stands, majestically, in the atrium under the skylight with bench seating encircling it. The back wall of the reception is an abstract interpretation and is constructed out of GRG and coated in a textured concrete paint. The tree bark rings mural is a custom-designed wallpaper and the ring lights above the bench are supposed to mimic the idea of the tree rings.

The foremost criteria in designing a public space like this, used predominantly by teenage college-goers and young professionals, was to use materials that were durable and not easily stained or damaged. Durable porcelain tiles sourced locally have a realistic texture, making it appear almost like a raw concrete surface. This is complemented by a warmer travertine texture in the atrium areas and a wood effect porcelain tile in the corridors. To keep project costs within budget and keeping in mind that this design would be rolled out to 18 other buildings, different paint textures are used to create interesting variations in the walls.

Planning the space well was critical to the design, as thousands of people walk through this space, on any given day. Previously, the atrium space was largely empty with some dated furniture and was only used as a transit space. To bring about a cultural change, a centralized seating was introduced. In the main atrium, this seating is located around the tree and is a key design feature; in the other atriums, this is a customized seating unit.

Clustered lounge seating has been added to either side of the atrium and this encourages people to spend time in this space. To bring in colour, to a place where most of the finishes are neutral, the lounge seating has accent colours of a soft green that is in tandem with the green tree in the centre.