a sinuous skyscraper opens in dubai
Wasl Tower by UNS rises 302 meters along Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, bringing a distinct silhouette into the city’s dense skyline. The skyscraper is located near Burj Khalifa and takes on a shifting profile that reads differently from every approach, its form bending slightly as it climbs. The sinuous form and advanced facade of ceramic fins feel continuous, yet subtly adjusted, as if responding to orientation and sunlight in real time.
From the highway, the tower appears as a narrow plane that twists along its height, while closer views reveal a layered envelope that thickens and recedes. A recessed vertical seam traces one edge, carving a line that both emphasizes height and breaks the surface into readable sections.
images © Johnseye Photography, © Ahmad Alnaji
ceramic facade tuned to climate
The most defining element of Wasl Tower is its ceramic facade, developed by the architects at UNS as a full-height environmental system rather than a surface treatment. Thousands of terracotta fins wrap the building to form a continuous outer layer that filters sunlight and channels air movement across the envelope. The material choice draws from regional building traditions while extending them to a high-rise scale, where performance and durability become central.
Each fin is shaped and positioned in response to solar exposure, creating a gradient across the facade that adjusts to orientation. The density and angle of these elements allow daylight to enter while limiting heat gain, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling. Air moves through the cavity between the ceramic layer and the glazed curtain wall, supporting passive cooling through a combination of shading and ventilation. According to project data, this approach lowers cooling demand compared to older towers in Dubai.
the tower reaches 302 meters and stands near Burj Khalifa in central Dubai
uns stacks Program as a vertical city
Inside, UNS organizes a mixed-use program that combines hotel, residential, office, and public amenities within the Wasl Tower. The Mandarin Oriental Downtown occupies multiple levels, while offices and residences are distributed above and below, creating a layered occupation that shifts throughout the day. Circulation is structured through a central core, with separate lift systems guiding different user groups through the tower without overlap.
Public and semi-public spaces are inserted at key points, including elevated dining areas, wellness facilities, and event spaces. A series of lobbies placed at different heights act as transition zones, allowing the building to operate as a vertical extension of the city. Rather than concentrating activity at ground level, the project distributes social spaces upward, creating moments where the city is experienced from within the tower itself.
Wasl Tower rises over Dubai with a shifting contrapposto form
Connections across infrastructure and ground
The tower’s base engages directly with surrounding infrastructure, linking pedestrian routes, metro access, and road networks. A bridge connection extends from the podium to adjacent structures, reinforcing the building’s role as a connector rather than an isolated object. This approach positions Wasl Tower within a broader urban system, where movement through the building aligns with movement across the city.
At podium level, landscaped areas and gathering spaces soften the transition between street and tower. The inclusion of event halls and hospitality functions draws a wider public into the building, extending its use beyond residents and office workers. These spaces remain visually connected to the exterior, maintaining a sense of openness while supporting a dense program.
UNS designs a ceramic facade that wraps the building as a continuous outer layer
interiors bathed by filtered daylight
The interior spaces continue the building’s focus on material and light, with polished stone floors, warm metal finishes, and filtered daylight shaping the experience. Circulation areas are defined through subtle changes in ceiling height and lighting, guiding movement without heavy signage. In the hotel levels, double-height spaces and suspended installations introduce a lighter spatial rhythm, contrasting with the more controlled geometry of the exterior.
Rooms and public areas are arranged to maximize outward views while maintaining a consistent interior language. The use of reflective surfaces and integrated lighting amplifies natural light, allowing spaces to shift throughout the day. This approach aligns with the broader design intent, where environmental performance and spatial quality are developed together rather than treated as separate concerns.
terracotta fins filter sunlight and guide airflow across the surface
Structure and environmental strategy
Structurally, Wasl Tower relies on a combination of post-tensioned slabs, hybrid columns, and outriggers to maintain slenderness while allowing flexible floor plates. This system reduces internal columns, opening up usable space and improving adaptability across different programs. Material efficiency was also considered, with reduced concrete use compared to conventional approaches in similar buildings.
Environmental systems are integrated throughout the building, including solar thermal panels, district cooling, and daylight-responsive lighting. Ventilation responds to occupancy and air quality, while outdoor terraces and planted areas create localized microclimates. These strategies work alongside the ceramic facade, forming a coordinated approach that addresses both performance and comfort.
a mixed use program brings hotel, residences, offices, and public spaces together
elevated lobbies and shared areas extend social activity into the tower
interiors use stone, metal, and filtered sunlight to shape a calm spatial experience
project info:
name: Wasl Tower
architect: UNS | @we.are.uns
location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
contractual partner, lead engineering consultant: Werner Sobek | @werner.sobek
photography: © Johnseye Photography, © Ahmad Alnaji
UNStudio team: Ben van Berkel, Gerard Loozekoot, Frans van Vuure with Nick Marks, Harlen Miller, Crystal Tang and Derrick Diporedjo, Machiel Wafelbakker, Dana Behrman, Roman Kristesiashvili, Filippo Lodi, Rene Wysk, Hans Kooij, Patrik Noome, Megan Hurford, Elizabeth White, Fernando Herrera and Aleksandra Sliwinska, Pietro Scarpa, Mihai Soltuz, Philip Wilck, Rutger Stefan Oor, Bao An Nguyen Phuoc, Nanang Santoso, Thomas van Bekhoven, Ka Shin Lu, Henk van Schuppen, Matthew Harrison, Jung Jae Suh, Jae Geun Ahn, Pieter Doets, Shankar Ramakrishan, Meng Zhang
advisors
structural, facade, MEP engineering: Werner Sobek
sustainability, acoustic engineering: Werner Sobek Green Technologies
local MEP engineering: Seed
architect of record: U+A Architects
light design: Arup
landscape architect: Green4Cities
cost consultant: Kulkarni Quantity Surveyors
FLS consultant: Aecom
vertical transportation: Dunbar & Boardman / TUV Sud
AV/IT consultant: Shen Milson Wilke
wind engineering: Wacker Ingenieure
kitchen consultant: Sefton Horn Winch
pool engineering: Barr & Wray
interior design hotel: GA Design
interior design F&B: AB Concept
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