W Hotel – Mina Seyahi

Situated on an offshoot of the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road, the 31-storey structure harmonises with its glitzy counterparts, but in fact speaks a different architectural language, soaring above the marina with an exterior that nods to the city’s rich seafaring history of pearling, fishing, and boat-building. “The concept is inspired by Dubai’s strong relationship with the sea, and by local craftsmanship of boat-building fused with biomimicry,” says Aedas’ Global Design Principal Ignacio Gomez, adding that the roof of the tower forms a graceful swooping shape of the traditional dhow. The ancient two-masted sailing boats were used for trading goods and fishing activities, generally known as the patrimony of the region. W Hotel reinforces the nautical theme, while the steel and aluminum façade shimmers gold in the sun to create a mirage-like effect. Carefully designed around an exuberant tree, placed in the entrance of the hotel, that was brought from outside the UAE to symbolize the history of trading between the region and the rest of the world. The entire aesthetic of the hotel is a tribute to Middle Eastern storytelling customs and the lively interchange of oral tradition that Mina Seyahi has long been a host to.