Gurdwara Sikh Temple

The Client’s brief was straightforward; “to create a place of worship for the Sikh community in Dubai”. Although highly specialized and sensitive in nature, we had the ability to be open-minded with the design aesthetics while being respectful of tradition in regards to the concept and functional requirements.
It was a great honor and testimony to our design ethics to be considered for such a project, a first within the Middle East located in Jebel Ali, Dubai. The land was gifted by H.H. Sheikh Mohammad while the project itself was supported by the Dubai and Indian Governments.
The creation of a tri-layered graphic was applied to a laminated glass window. Each image was printed onto glass panels using heat reflective films to create a clear visual; the graphic rotates visually over the glazed surfaces of the architectural envelope. The intricate designed ceilings are a combination of inverted positive and negative ceiling moldings creating a dynamic visual. The immense fret-cut decorative wall panels are softly illuminated from behind through to the meditation rooms’ delicate customized sheers creating spiritual serenity.
All the elements were to be aesthetically unique with materials such as handpicked Italian Carrara marble from its source in Massa, hand-stitched embossed leather panels, illuminated wall surfaces, intricate ceilings, bespoke furniture pieces, upholstered panels, Swarovski crystal studded sheers, dynamic “Kinetic” window detail and pendant lighting floating serenely above.
A dynamic yet contemporary design approach maintaining the language of Sikhism was to be created. The layering and build up of varying textured surfaces incorporated numerous techniques and materials which were projected over internal surfaces creating a 3-dimensional construct. Graphic forms and patterns were abstracted from their original context and applied within through engravings, fret-cuts, embossing and moldings maintaining the design philosophy yet with an inherent serenity, sophistication and elegance.