An Oasis of Expression

For anyone new to Dubai, the Courtyard in Al Quoz is a must-visit. A self-described ‘escape’ from the hustle and bustle of the city, it has a way of surprising first-time visitors with its abundant greenery, calming water features, and inspired design. Dariush Zandi, the book’s author, is an architect by training and is also the co-founder of the eponymous cultural hub that has, over the years, come to define its neighborhood as a creative zone. After studying architecture and urban design in New York City, Zandi moved to Dubai and worked as a town planner. He was allotted land for a studio and began working on a unique design that incorporated his love for preservation and upcycling, as well as elements of nature. Found objects (ranging from salvaged doors, windows, and fragments of buildings, even items from a shipyard in the Creek) were incorporated organically into the design and architecture of the building which grew organically and sustainably into the space we see today. 

Courtyard is first and foremost a hub for the community; a place for people to gather, catch an exhibition, shop, watch a show at the theatre, or just exchange ideas as they sip coffee. The book attempts to capture exactly this spirit and the space’s evolution. As a result, the book unfolds less as a linear narrative and more as a layered collage. It is textured, personal, and at times deliberately poetic, though always engaging. At its core is the story of how the space came to be. The salvaged fragments, the portholes from decommissioned ships, the weathered wood, the rusted metal, all the reclaimed architectural details from old houses that were being demolished come together, unexpectedly cohesively, over time. And the reader sees the Courtyard emerge as an unlikely oasis within what was an otherwise industrial landscape.

The visual language of the book mirrors this evolution. Floorplans and sketches sit alongside archival clippings, photographs, and documentation of the space as it grew into a cultural node. There is a sense of constant movement and of a place shaped by the people who pass through it. Also captured in these pages is the life within these walls: exhibitions, fashion-shows, launch events, gatherings, collaborations, and the quieter, everyday moments that give the space its character. Testimonials and community voices add depth, reinforcing the idea that the Courtyard is a lived-in place.

Like the Courtyard itself, the book is best approached without expectation. It rewards those willing to slow down, wander, and take it in as it comes.

Published by Motivate Books, Courtyard is available across leading bookstores.