Pixel Creates a Hub in Abu Dhabi’s Makers District

Designed by MVRDV, Pixel’s colourful, community-focused architecture blends outdoor living with a unique, people-centric vision. By Nikitha Sunil Vallikad

In the heart of Abu Dhabi’s evolving Makers District stands Pixel, a development that defies conventional residential architecture in the Emirates. Designed by the Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, this vibrant project comprises seven towers that encircle a central plaza, blurring the boundaries between private and public spaces. More than just a collection of residential units, Pixel offers an innovative take on communal living, bringing together locals and expats to foster a community spirit that is often overlooked in the Gulf’s rapid urban growth.

A Place with Heart and Soul 

Unlike typical high-rise developments, Pixel embraces a human-scaled approach, creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that is rare in Abu Dhabi. The project is positioned as the social nucleus of Makers District, with restaurants, cafés, and offices designed to keep the space active throughout the day.

As Edina Peli, the associate architect at MVRDV, explains, “Pixel is designed to be more than just a collection of buildings; it’s envisioned as a dynamic, pedestrian-centric hub that enriches the wider community.”

This inclusive philosophy is at the core of Pixel, where the plaza acts as a gathering space, blurring the lines between residents, visitors, and professionals.

The design draws inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s heritage of pearl diving. The development is imagined as an oyster with a hard, protective exterior and a delicate, lively interior. The façades facing the central plaza feature tiles in 14 pastel shades, reminiscent of the subtle colours of a pearl.

“The outward-facing side is robust and protective, while the inward-facing side is more open, light, human-scaled, and playful,” Peli adds. This duality creates a visually striking contrast, while encouraging interaction between residents and the public realm.

Design for the Senses

MVRDV’s thoughtful massing of the seven towers is a key feature that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the project. The towers are positioned along the site’s perimeter, allowing for natural shading and a cooling breeze from the nearby sea, a crucial feature given Abu Dhabi’s intense climate. By positioning the towers to break the wind and create comfortable outdoor spaces, Pixel promotes an outdoor lifestyle in a region where people often retreat indoors.

“We performed detailed analyses of sun, shade, and wind conditions,” notes Peli, highlighting how this strategy was critical in enhancing the comfort of the public spaces.

Pixel’s façade design furthers this sensory experience, with bay windows, terraces, and green roofs spilling into the central plaza. These features extend indoor living spaces into the public realm, fostering a strong connection between residents and the vibrant life of the plaza below. The materiality is both modest and eye-catching, with concrete panels imprinted with patterns inspired by oyster shells, designed by artist Nicole Martens. Together with the pastel tiles, these elements give Pixel an identity that stands out in Abu Dhabi’s sea of glass and steel towers.

A Community-Centric Approach 

At the heart of Pixel’s design is a commitment to fostering community. The mixed-use development features 525 apartments, ranging from compact studios to spacious three-bedroom homes, ensuring a diverse range of residents. The social dynamic is further enhanced by the pedestrian-friendly plaza, where public events and gatherings naturally draw people together. Unlike the often isolated residential towers of the region, Pixel encourages interaction. As Peli describes, the architecture allows residents to watch events from their balconies or terraces, creating a sense of connection without sacrificing privacy. “One of the main ambitions was to create a complex that fosters a sense of community,” she says.

Privacy is maintained through ceramic screens that provide visual separation between units, ensuring that residents enjoy both the vibrancy of the plaza and the peace of their homes. These elements, combined with the unique geometry of the towers, ensure that Pixel is not just a place to live, but a place to engage with the community.

A Critique of the Urban Landscape

Pixel’s unique design marks a significant departure from the more isolated, luxury-focused developments typically seen in the United Arab Emirates. While it has been praised for its communal focus and innovative use of space, there are questions about whether this approach can become a sustainable model for future developments in the region. The project has successfully integrated outdoor living and social interaction into its design, but only time will tell if this will lead to a lasting change in the way urban spaces are conceived in the Gulf.

Nonetheless, Pixel offers a bold reimagining of residential architecture in Abu Dhabi. By prioritising community, accessibility, and connection, it presents a refreshing alternative to the high-rise luxury towers that dominate the city’s skyline. Whether it will inspire future developments remains to be seen, but Pixel has already made its mark as a lively, human-scaled counterpoint to the Emirates’ towering ambitions.

FACTFILE

• 

  Pixel Apartments Al Reem for IMKAN

  Project Name: Pixel

• Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Completion: 2024
• Client: IMKAN
• Infrastructure: Parsons
• Cost Control: Turner & Townsend
• Landscape and Public Realm Design: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
• Landscape Architect: Verdaus
• Lighting: Delta Lighting Design
• Wayfinding & Signage: Dezigntechnic
• Vertical Transportation: Cooper Wilcock
• Artist (Façade): Nicole Martens