Shamal Residences
As part of the ambitious Dubailand development in Dubai, UAE, the design brief called for a series of housing typologies, with particular focus on large-scale apartment block prototypes. Each was required to accommodate approximately 1.3 million square feet of residential space, targeted toward an upper-middle-class demographic. Beyond sheer scale, the central challenge lay in giving each building type a distinct architectural concept and visual identity—ensuring individuality while contributing to the coherence of the overall development. As lead designer for Voorsanger, Martin Stigsgaard developed the distinct Shamal Residences concept.
Project Size
1.3 million sf
Location
Dubai, UAE
Architecture Shaped by the Desert
The Shamal Residences take their name and inspiration from the powerful Shamal winds, the seasonal desert storms that sweep across Saudi Arabia into the UAE, sometimes stretching across 800 kilometers. These winds sculpt the desert terrain, leaving behind soft, undulating sand formations that cling to everything in their path.
This phenomenon became the architectural metaphor for the Shamal Residences. The buildings are envisioned as sculptural forms shaped by the wind, with facades articulated in flowing, wave-like contours. These undulating surfaces give the buildings a dynamic presence, as if in constant dialogue with the desert forces that inspired them.
Just as the Shamal storm produces unexpected pockets of calm amid turbulence, the design introduces sheltered spaces of tranquility. Within the structures, interior lobbies act as oasis-like sanctuaries—cool, shaded, and verdant—contrasting with the expressive exterior. These lobbies offer residents spaces for reflection, refuge, and community gathering, reinforcing the balance between drama and serenity.
From Desert Forces to Global Aspirations
The Shamal Residences embody an architectural narrative rooted in the elemental power of nature while also responding to global aspirations for contemporary living. Designed with expansive balconies and integrated park landscapes, the residences provide generous outdoor spaces that mediate between private life and the wider urban fabric.
This typology is not only highly functional but also elevates everyday living into an experience marked by elegance and symbolism. Rooted in place yet forward-looking in spirit, the Shamal Residences stand as a testament to how architecture can transform natural forces into meaningful, livable form—housing that is symbolic, experiential, and inseparable from its desert context.
