a curving steel finned roof extends over AMA's dubai harbour yacht club

a steel finned roof appears to take flight above dubai’s marina

The Dubai Harbour Yacht Club stands as a beacon along the waterfront with its expressive steel finned roof that extends towards the marina, creating a welcoming sight for approaching boats. The structure, realized by Andy Shaw and Naji Mahmoud of AMA studio, is located on the western side of Dubai in between the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, a key anchor of the Dubai Harbour development scheme. Offering amenities and panoramic views across the water to the city skyline, the building is made with both a concrete and steel based structure, with the feature roof fabricated from steel box beams, each distinctly shaped, sized, and angled to contribute to the overall expressive curve.

all images by Phillip Handforth unless stated otherwise

ama intertwines concrete and steel for an intricate structure

AMA has designed the Yacht Club as part of the Dubai Harbour development which features a new cruise terminal, residential towers, and retail spaces in a central location along the new marina. Beyond its physical presence, the harbour has evolved into a key venue for hosting sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup Fanzone and running races, and its new promenade has become a popular public space frequented by cyclists, runners, and families.

The design brief called for a landmark structure that would draw the attention of boats and visitors whilst helping to set the future identity of the development. The architectural team led by Andy Shaw and Naji Mahmoud sought to develop an orderly arrangement of rectilinear spaces surrounding a long, slender atrium engulfed in natural light from above. The Yacht Club’s most complex feature, the steel roof, fans out above it with an expressive swoop composed of varying lines that converge to create an intricate curve. This element becomes the defining feature of the fine dining restaurant perched at the upper level over the water, offering panoramic views across the boats to the sea and Dubai Marina skyline. The technical components of the building including MEP elements are housed in a separate block, framing a public space around the main entry — an ideal setting for events with sweeping views of the marina.

AMA completes the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club

AMA’s Managing Partner, Andy Shaw, comments: ‘Our building fuses a simple and practical rectilinear plan with an expressive steel roof of varying blades, creating a swooping surface that is inspired by the site’s nautical context. We are thrilled to see the completion of the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club building. Our team has worked thoughtfully to create a new hub that offers yacht enthusiasts and visitors alike the very best in luxury, comfort, and functionality, while also adding to the identity of the emerging area with a striking landmark responding to its environment.’

its expressive steel finned roof that extends towards the marina

sited on the western side of Dubai in between the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina

the varying blades create a swooping surface inspired by the site’s nautical contex

the bold structure draws the attention of boats and visitors whilst setting the future identity of the development

offering amenities and panoramic views across the water to the city skyline

image by AMA

project info:

name: Dubai Harbour Yacht Club
architecture: AMA

principal architects: Andy Shaw, Naji Mahmoud
location: Dubai, UAE

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom