Transforming Urban Landscapes: The Innovation of Al Fay Park

presented by MDT-tex

Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Al Fay Park is a testament to the innovative fusion of nature and modern textile architecture. Located on Reem Island, known for its architectural marvels and vibrant international community, the park showcases pioneering shade solutions by MDT-tex, under the guidance of esteemed landscape architects from SLA, Copenhagen. This urban oasis not only serves as a recreational haven but also stands as a beacon of sustainable and aesthetic design amidst the Emirates’ challenging climate.

Innovative Shade Solutions: Creating Al Fay Park’s Textile Canopy

Faced with Abu Dhabi’s extreme climate, with summer temperatures reaching soaring highs, Al Fay Park was designed as an urban forest, featuring:

Abu Dhabi’s climatic extremes, with summer temperatures reaching soaring highs, necessitate inventive solutions for outdoor comfort. Al Fay Park, designed as an urban forest, incorporates over 15 tensile fabric canopies across its expanse, enveloping play and sports areas under a protective layer that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. These fabric structures, characterized by their inverted shapes, not only offer refuge from the sun but also ingeniously channel rainwater towards central masts for drainage, mirroring the functionality of a natural canopy.

Crafting a Dynamic Landscape

Al Fay Park’s tensile canopies contribute to a dynamic landscape of light and shadow that changes throughout the day and seasons. Ranging in height from 3 to 6 meters, with shade diameters of 5 and 6 meters, these structures are strategically placed to emulate the diverse layers of a natural forest canopy. This not only enhances the park’s aesthetic appeal but also its ecological function, providing a habitat-like environment that supports urban biodiversity.

Ensuring Durability Through Thoughtful Design

The durability of Al Fay Park’s shade structures is a testament to the thoughtful design and quality of construction that underpin the project. Each canopy is anchored securely with a concrete-steel foundation, designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of Abu Dhabi. This commitment to durability ensures that the park’s innovative shade solutions remain a lasting feature of the city’s landscape, offering a serene and inviting space for residents and visitors alike

The varying heights of these tensile canopies, ranging from 3 to 6 meters, with shade diameters of 5 and 6 meters, create a dynamic landscape of light and shadow, mimicking the diverse canopy layers of a forest. Anchored firmly with concrete-steel foundations, these structures stand as a testament to the durability and thoughtfulness of design, ensuring a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for all park visitors.

A Legacy of Innovation and Sustainability

MDT-tex’s involvement in Al Fay Park is a showcase of their 30-year legacy in textile construction and lightweight architecture. The project, completed within an ambitious 3-month timeframe, underscores the company’s comprehensive approach – from design and production to on-site implementation. MDT-tex’s commitment to customization and flexibility is evident in their capability to adapt sizes, colors, and materials to meet the specific needs of clients, landscape architects, and designers, making each project a unique embodiment of the client’s vision.

• Rapid Completion: The project was completed within an ambitious 3-month timeframe, showcasing MDT-tex’s efficiency.

• Customization and Flexibility: The ability to adapt sizes, colors, and materials to meet specific client needs.

• Broad Manufacturing Capabilities: In-house production over an impressive area of 15,000m^2, utilizing materials ranging from polyacrylic to woven PTFE textiles.

Landscape Architecture: SLA

Published on March 6, 2024