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Architects: NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD
Lead Architect: Koko Nakamura
Design Team: Koko Nakamura, Hiroshi Nishikiori, David Lehnort, Issei Kasajima, and Takamichi Moriyama
Architect of Record: WSP ME
Interior Architects: Rockwell Group
Interior Designer: DENNISTON, LW DESIGN GROUP, ROCKWELL GROUP, DWP, HBA SOCIAL
Landscape Architects: Cracknell Landscape Design LLC.
General Contractor: Alec Engineering and Contracting
Client: Ithra Dubai
Photographers: Hufton&Crow and Koji Horiuchi

One Za'abeel is a mixed-use skyscraper standing at the gateway from the Dubai International Airport to the central Dubai, accommodating offices, hotels, residences, and commercial spaces. Its two towers (each 305 meters and 235 meters in height) stand on plots separated by an elevated highway, connected 100 meters above ground by a horizontal cantilevered steel structure called THE LINK. The linear and asymmetrical silhouette embodies timeless elegance creating a new architectural icon of Dubai.

Located in between the city's historic Old Town and the emerging recently developed area, THE LINK is designed as an interface of Dubai's both aspects while amplifying the iconic stature of the project. It is a 230 meters long column-free structure providing extensive view of Old and New Dubai, and providing unity to the two towers bisected by a highway. THE LINK not only create an iconic form but also contribute to functional integration of the two towers (e.g. utilizing as evacuation path) and to stabilizing wind induced movement of the towers.

THE LINK adopts a robust outer tubular structure; major steel components are organized in a diagrid pattern across four faces in a length of 230 meters, curbing torsion, and deformation, and enabling a vast, column-free interior that could accommodate various activities while providing an unobstructed panoramic view of the city. Its six-sided glass curtain wall and façade supporting steel frame are also designed in a diagrid pattern, enhancing the geometrical integration of structure and facade.

The tower's exterior offers diverse expressions depending on the viewing angle due to the glass fins positioned outside the glass curtain wall. White dots on the glass fins both enhance solar shading and soften the structure's mirror effect, adding contrast to THE LINK's transparent facade.

Driven by the strong aim to achieve LEED Gold Certification, sustainability was key in the design and development. This is achieved partly by a selection of subtle but effective measures – turning architectural design features into sustainable achievements.

Care has been taken to select regionally sourced luxurious quality materials with low VOC emissions. Building materials are chosen to minimize the heat island effect. Green roofscapes, consisting of local and adaptive species, water features, and softscapes further enhance this. The concept goes beyond the plot boundary into the public realm – making positive contributions to the community. All florae are sustained through drip irrigation, solely reliant on TSE (Treated Sewage Effluent) and condensation water collected from the HVAC system.

The glass-aluminum façade provides natural daylight and direct views to occupied spaces. U.A.E. glass façades can appear counterproductive in terms of sustainability. However, this façade contributes to reducing overall cooling expenditure, with its energy-efficient performance exceeding the requirements of DGBR and ASHRAE. This is due to the high specification of the low-e IGU (insulation glass unit) assembly, and the vertical/horizontal external fins. Also, a large amount of bicycle parking spaces and EV parking is provided.

As a result of these numerous environmental initiatives, LEED (BD+C) GOLD certification has been achieved helping to address the U.A.E.'s “net-zero” 2050 emissions target.