The Dubai Future Accelerators space hosts startups in cooperation with the government and private sector entities. With the right interventions, and by utilizing the strengths of the existing design, we set out to design an exploration and production space that is never underutilized. Out of the 80 hours of field research, a scenario-based layout system that enables different modes of interactions emerged.
Project Team: Begüm Ural, Deniz Dönmez, Engin Ayaz, Gizem Akın, İrem Coşkun, Yusuf Akın Gülsayın
Proje Lead: Nesile Yalçın
Network: Cambridge Contractors (Contractor), Ediz Akyalçın (3D Visualization), Parça Proje (Lighting Consultant)
With the Dubai Future Foundation’s “Accelerators Space,” we sought to create a holistic brand experience across Area 2071, the larger development that hosts the space, to create a vibrant space that is never underutilized. The main purpose of the space is to host the startups that participate in the accelerator programs in cooperation with the government and private sector entities.
From the project’s early phases, it was clear that designing a scenario-based layout system would enable different modes of interactions and different acts of working. Our research showed that the right interventions needed to be made in order to build a holistic experience and establish Area 2071 as a leading innovation platform on a global scale.
To get there, we needed to build onto Area 2071’s strong design language, while developing user-centered solutions across. So, we started with the strong aspects of the existing design to address some of the shortcomings the space had.
After 80 hours of field research, we set out to design an exploration and production space that is never underutilized. With this in mind, we looked at the existing space and noticed that there were some key challenges. We responded to these by developing a design system with multiple attributes—including a clear programmatic division between different acts of working. These were: Focus, Exchange, Co-produce, and Connect—illustrated on the animated image below.
This scenario-based layout system enabled different modes of interactions to take place. Moreover, the service-design based user journey models ATÖLYE created allowed additional moments of surprise, delight, and serendipity. On top of this, the specialist effort that is deployed in the domains of lighting and wayfinding served to create a more well-rounded experience.
Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, CEO, Dubai Future Foundation
