fbpx
Close

The Dunes Platform in Dubai’s desert offers a space for meditation

The building blends in with its desert surroundings

Set deep within the desert sands, The Dunes Platform is located in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve – the largest desert reserve in Dubai known for its unmarred and undisturbed wild lands that have been left untouched by human civilisation.

Blending into its desert environment, the structure is inspired by the surrounding sand dunes and the shrub formations that form over the sand.

Dunes Platform

Image courtesy of Dubai Municipality

The focal point of the building is its organically-shaped roof, mimicking the forms found in the surrounding nature, shading the platform below. Featuring irregular cell-like perforations that act as a lattice, it allows sunlight to filter through, creating formations of shadows across the viewing platform as well as against the building’s stone-paint walls. Acting as the main structural element, the 70×50 metres covering is a combination of steel frames and GRP-cladded material with a stone finish.

Resting underneath the undulating roof is a single-storey concrete structure which houses indoor and outdoor platforms. The indoor platform comprises a multipurpose hall that can be used for Yoga and aerobics, with a glass partition that opens up to the shaded outdoor platform, allowing visitors to exercise and meditate out in the openness. The outdoor platform also acts as a viewing deck, offering visitors a chance to take in the vastness of the desert landscape, while enjoying the sunrise or sunset over the dunes.

Dunes Platform

Anique Ahmed Photography

Anique Ahmed Photography

[row][column width=”50%”][/column][column width=”50%”][/column][/row]

The Dunes Platform was designed by Dubai Municipality and is a part of the portfolio of eco-tourism projects, with the final design selected by High Highness at the early stages of the project in September 2016.

“In order to enrich the visitor experiences with the goal to transforming Al Marmoom Desert into an important destination for eco-tourism, the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality managed to develop The Dunes Platform as part of the Master plan development for Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve,” says Samer Saad Hameed, Principal Projects Engineer at Dubai Municipality.

Dunes Platform

Image courtesy of Dubai Municipality

Image courtesy of Dubai Municipality

This article was originally published in the 200th Issue of identity. 

The Latest

id Library: Stillness

Norm Architects shares its uniquely Scandinavian view of Japanese aesthetics

Warmth, Texture and Colour

Collectus Studio infuses a distinct design aesthetic in each space at this residence in Dubai

A Soft Geometry

Newfo showcases a composed beauty

Earthen Architecture course

Preserving Earthen Architecture

We interview Amel Chabbi, Conservation Section Head, Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi on the evolution of the International Course on Earthen Architecture Conservation (EAC) program and its learnings. 

identity panel at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 in collaboration with Casamia

Modularity Meets Hyperpersonalisation

An exclusive panel held in collaboration with Casamia at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025.

Web of Light

The modularity of Webb helps shed a new light on spaces

A Collector’s Dream Home

Designed by Liu Hong of Y&J Design, this six-story residence in Shanghai balances function, emotion and immersive experience

Celebrating Design Through Light

We take a closer look at the Tom Dixon and Articolo brands stocked at Huda Lighting

Elevating Saudi Arabia’s Design Scene

We interview Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design on the fair’s inaugural Riyadh edition

AATI Store in Jumeirah

Aati opens a new showroom in Jumeirah

With a new 800-square-metre location on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road, Aati strengthens its position as the Middle East’s definitive destination for luxury interiors.

What’s New: The Linealight Collection

The new releases by the brand at Euroluce 2025 blend technology and aesthetics

MOLTENI

A Greater Evolution

VVD kitchen by Vincent Van Duysen evolves with elevated detail