Several factors contribute to creating something truly luxurious – attention to detail, the use of premium, high-quality materials and unique designs. At One Za’abeel, the new addition to the Dubai skyline, the careful choice of all solutions, manufacturers and surfaces had a direct influence on the final look and atmosphere of the building, which aims to be an urban landmark and raise the standard of buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

One Za’abeel 

Designed by Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei for Ithra Dubai LLC, the complex consists of two towers housing hotels, offices and residences united by “The Link”, a futuristic, panoramic horizontal volume that breaks up the two towers and makes the building especially iconic. The two towers –300m and 235m high respectively – offer a variety of amenities, aiming to attract an international clientele with all kinds of comforts and experiences. 

Italian porcelain 

Fiandre Architectural Surfaces partnered with the developers to achieve the highest standards of excellence in surfaces.The use of technology combined with raw natural materials. The Italian company specialises in the production of porcelain surfaces for internal and external use, which are known for their durability and versatility, providing a variety of colours, patterns and finishes. 

Perfect flooring 

The floors in the reception area and lobby at One Za’abeel’s residential tower were tiled with Calacatta Statuario 120cm x 60cm tiles in a polished finish, enriched with leaf-shaped brass inlays. Its beauty lies in its ivory white colour, with subtle grey veins running through it, offering a timeless and elegant appearance that works well in both traditional and modern interiors. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, porcelain is also highly durable, scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas. 

The large-format tiles were also used to cover the floors and common areas of the residential tower – from the corridors to the lift landings and other interiors, as well as in the 264 apartments on the floors, wall coverings, shower trays and countertops in the bathrooms, in a variety of different configurations. 

Reduced material waste 

To coordinate the entire process, Fiandre relied on the partnership of local distributor Arteco Ceramics, which played a key role as project consultant and point of contact with the client. Arteco ensured that as little material waste was produced as possible, recovering materials and minimising waste from the custom surfaces.  

Sustainability standards 

One Za’abeel meets the requirements for LEED Gold certification in all aspects of its design and functionality. The technical ceramic surfaces, produced in Italy by the Iris Ceramica Group brands, including Fiandre Architectural Surfaces, have received the Cradle to Cradle Certified^® Silver certification, issued by The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, one of the most ambitious global standards for the design and production of safe, circular and responsible products. 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to…

https://archdaily.com/ for the information in this editorial.