Abu Dhabi Architectural Façade Design Manual

MAnDAte oF the DepArtMent oF MunicipAlities AnD trAnsport
The Department of Municipalities and Transport was established by Law No. 30 of 2019, and its main priorities are to realize the vision of the leadership which draws on the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to embrace progress by placing great value on the importance of pursuing development in line with both the needs of present and future generations and the community in general.
The authority embodies the values of good governance, driven by the needs of the community it serves and working with a passion to accomplish its aims. The Department focuses on finding the most effective means of providing essential, modern, responsive and comprehensive municipal services across three regional municipalities, and supports Abu Dhabi’s global position as a leader in innovation-led urban planning and transportation, as part of the Abu Dhabi government’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards to the benefit of all citizens and residents of the emirate.
The DMT is responsible for continually investing in the development of better infrastructure, facilities and transportation sectors within the emirate, guiding, regulating and monitoring urban development to enhance Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class destination to live, work and visit.
The DMT also ensures the highest standards of safety, security, sustainability and technological development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s land, air and maritime transport networks, in accordance with the highest international standards and the UAE’s legislation with the objective of being the region’s connection to the world.
The Department’s aspirations are driven by the simple proposition of innovating and building sustainable smart cities, fostering a capacity to change and adapt in order to maintain excellence in services and sustaining prosperity for future generations, allowing the entire Abu Dhabi community to reach their full potential.
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Throughout history, architecture has stood as a representation of society, reflecting the values, successes, and rise of civilizations. From the monumental structures to the residences and buildings that make up the fabric of a city, which will be our nation’s unspoken success story to the world and future generations.
By studying the built environment of the past, combined with modern psychological and environmental research, DMT and its affiliates are working together to understand the effects of architecture on people in an entirely new way, and how architecture impacts society, allowing us to follow our leadership’s vision towards the realisation of great projects that shape the magnificent skyline of Abu Dhabi
Today, we share with you the “Abu Dhabi Architectural façade Design Manual”, to be an integrated reference for developers, private and government entities, as well as everyone in our emirates to be part of our urban development, to help unify the efforts of all in designing the characteristics of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and to highlight the cultural details that reflect our heritage and vision for the next fifty years, promoting Abu Dhabi's distinctive global position as the best place to live and work, because architecture is more than just the built environment, it is also a part of our culture. It represents the way we see ourselves and the world.
Falah Al Ahbabi Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)
chAirMAn ForeworD
1.0 Introduction 6 1.1 Overarching Purpose 8 1.2 User Applicability 9 1.3 Geographical Jurisdiction 10 1.4 Technical Jurisdiction 12 1.5 Process 16
1. user Guide 3
2.0 Introduction 23 2.1 Architectural Façade Design Principles 24 2.2 Lighting 64 2.3 Wayfinding Signage 68
2. Design principles and Guidelines 22
Introduction 73 Evaluation Matrix - Villas 74 Evaluation Matrix - Buildings 78 Evaluation Matrix - Towers 82
Appendix a: evaluation Matrices 72
Appendix B: Glossary 86
purpose 1.1
process 1.5
the late sheikh Zayed bin sultan Al nahyan, Founding Father of the uAe
prepArinG For the Future – neAr or FAr – stArts toDAY, not toMorrow
1 introduction
Façade composition for windows: saadiyat island, Abu Dhabi
with a clear vision, a coherent plan of action can be taken.
Over the past few decades, Abu Dhabi Emirate has witnessed a rapid pace of development transforming it from a desert into its current global state.
Abu Dhabi is currently in a unique position to harness its growth potential, an d continue building upon its successes in making use of its progressive momentum to ensure its city image matches its current global status. This is a crucial time for Abu Dhabi to evaluate, identify, and progress its unique city image.
The Abu Dhabi Architectural Façade Design Manual
(referred to as 'Manual') comes forward as a stepping
stone in the leadership's effort to help shape a city image
that our future generations would not only be proud of,
but would also feel a greater sense of belonging to. That
city image should stand out both at the regional and the
global scale.
The initial stages of this effort seeks to enhance the
architectural image of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through
the introduction of this Manual, setting forth guiding
Architectural Façade Design Principles for the most
common building typologies within the Emirate - namely
Villas, Buildings and Towers.
'Enhancing Abu Dhabi’s architectural image to become more distinctive and attractive, while nurturing the community’s sense of architectural aesthetics.'
Vision stAteMent
01 02 oVerArchinG oBJectiVes
to enhance the architectural image of the most common building typologies within the emirate - namely the Villas, Buildings and towers.
to nurture the community’s sensibility towards good design and architectural aesthetics.
The following are the primary objectives of this Manual:
Vernacular façade treatment: Qasr-Al-hosn, Abu Dhabi
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has established this Manual with the purpose of enhancing the architectural image for any new construction or renovation of most common building types within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi - namely Villas, Buildings and Towers.
the purpose of this Manual is to:
• Outline specific Architectural Façade Design Principles, in addition to Lighting and Wayfinding Signage guidelines to be implemented on building typologies mentioned above.
• Introduce the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), and the related review process.
• Introduce the relevant evaluation matrices.
oVerArchinG purpose
noc: No Objection Certificate
1.2 user ApplicABilitY
• Consultants (architects, engineers, and other specialists)
• Developers
• Municipalities
• Clients / Owners
Al DhAFrAh
The Abu Dhabi Architectural Façade Design Manual is applicable throughout the three regions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
1.3 GeoGrAphicAl JurisDiction
ABu DhABi
Al Ain
A building façade design review, based on the principles and guidelines of this Manual, is conducted for the following allocation types:
• Investment
• Commercial
• Any other allocation types added by DMT in the future.
* This manual can be used as a guiding tool to design buildings not included in the technical juristiction.
1.4.1 plot Allocation
• Commercial Villas.
Buildings
• Between four to 10 storeys in height.
towers
• Between 11 to 25 storeys in height.
* Towers above 25 storeys are not included in this manual. However, this manual can be used as a guideline for their design.
1.4.2 Building typologies
11 - 25
4 - 10
1 - 3
Buildings within the following plot allocations are excluded from this Manual, however, the ARC still reviews their façade designs and issues NOCs based on their respective manuals and regulations as per the permitting process:
• Public buildings (including, cultural, religious, healthcare, governmental, and educational).
• Utility.
Buildings within the following plot allocations are excluded from this Manual, and DO NOT require an NOC from the ARC during their permitting process:
• Residential.
• Industrial.
• Agricultural.
• In addition to buildings within developments that have guidelines which have been approved by the Department of Municipalities and Transport.
Moreover, the following project types are excluded from this Manual, and DO NOT require an NOC from the ARC during their permitting process:
• Changes to the interior of existing buildings.
• Routine repair or maintenance of the building’s exterior, including, like-kind, replacement of doors, windows, fencing/walls, and roofs, with minimal changes to colors and materials (Amendment to the building's façade are subject to review by the architectural engineer to assess whether or not the update needs to go through the ARC).
• Landscaping.
1.4.4 Jurisdiction limitations
All design proposals for building typologies within the applicability of this Manual, whether they are new buildings or for upgrading/refurbishing/renovating existing ones shall consider the principles in this chapter and will be reviewed by the ARC during the permitting process.
An noc from the Arc shall be obtained by the owner for the following project types:
• Newly designed Investment Villas, Buildings, and Towers.
• Additions or alterations to villas, buildings, or towers that impact exterior elevations or façade aesthetics.
• Any project executing a façade upgrade such as renovations, rehabilitations, or reconfigurations of the exterior façade elevations, including:
• Renovation/rehabilitation of entire building façade.
• Construction or renovation within the interface, such as fences or perimeter walls.
1.4.3 Applicability
1.5 A. what is the Architectural review committee (Arc)?
ARC comprises of selected staff members overlooking the regions of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, who shall be responsible for the review process.
B. what is the purpose of Arc?
ARC has been established to provide an objective evaluation process to assess proposed architecture exterior façade for the most common building typologies within the Emirate - namely Villas, Buildings and Towers regarding:
• Compliance with the Abu Dhabi Architectural Façade Design Manual.
• Ensuring aesthetic quality and coherence. • Preventing the construction of poorly designed
buildings. • Supporting innovative and high-quality designs. • Enhancing the architectural image of Abu Dhabi, Al
Ain, and Al Dhafra.
c. When is the ARC No Objection Certificate (NOC) required?
The ARC NOC is part of the Preliminary Planning and Concept Approval Stage in the Municipality building permits process.
process
3D Visualization of Mixed use Building
Abu Dhabi Architectural façade design Manual | Department of Municipalities and transport
1.5.1 Architectural review committee (cont.)
D. What are the required documents to obtain the ARC No Objection Certificate for villas, buildings and towers?
# Document Description
project summary page describing the following: • Design brief. • Plot regulation requirements. • Project scope. • Architectural style, proposed materials descriptions and color palettes. • Lighting design description and purpose, and an explanation on how it enhances the architecture.
2 Context Photos of surrounding context including adjacent plots and buildings.
3 Site Plan
proposed site plan with north arrow, showing: • Building orientation with solar movement and prevailing wind direction. • Boundary wall location . • Car park. • Entry path. • Surrounding plots, streets and street furniture. • Provide the façades on the site plan with numbers that reflect the number of elevations and rendering
façades.
5 Elevations
the main façade's elevation demonstrating the following: • Proposed materials and colors. • Dimensions. • Roofline levels in addition to the roof top screening design. • Notes describing exterior finishes, windows, openings and wayfinding signage. • Percentage of glass used in the building's façade.
6 Renderings Day and night renderings showing all façades including perimeter walls/fences (renderings may be of aerial view, primary street view, or both).
7 Evaluation Matrix A completed evaluation matrix (select relevant typology: Villa, Building, Tower).
15
The ARC shall evaluate each project proposal per this Manual with consideration given to unique project requirements and conditions.
To obtain the other necessary preliminary approvals and NOCs for the construction or renovation of a villa, building and tower, the applicant shall comply with all required and applicable codes, standards and guidelines which are audited by the relevant entities/departments.
The following list of manuals is not exhaustive:
1.5.2 codes and standards
urban street Design Manual
street Addressing system Manual
public realm & street lighting
code
The standards and requirements of the Department of Culture and Tourism must be complied with for buildings within the World Heritage Sites Buffer Zone and the Overlay Area - Historical and Cultural Resources, and any building on the List of Modern Heritage.
2 2.0 introduction
2.2 lighting
introDuction
2.0 This chapter provides a set of guiding Architectural Façade Design Principles for the most common building typologies present in Abu Dhabi Emirate, Villas, Buildings, and Towers. It also sets forth design guidelines and recommendations relating to the Façade Lighting and Wayfinding Signage for the same building typologies.
It acts as a tool that is meant to assist all building owners, architects, designers, and consultants in creating good quality designs that add positive visual impact to the whole city image. This tool will also be used in the reviewing and evaluating process of all applicable building permit submissions, whether it be submissions for new buildings or for refurbishing/renovating existing ones.
The design principles and guidelines presented in this Manual are not exhaustive, and therefore, the designers/consultants are encouraged to apply other design principles that may further enhance their proposals.
towers
interface.3
2.1 Architectural Façade design principles
The Architectural Façade Design Principles outlined in this section are categorized under seven different topics and are intended to ensure that the architectural image of buildings within the previously defined typologies are achieving good quality designs.
These Architectural Façade Design Principles cover the following topics:
.2 scale proportion and rhythm
1. context Existing buildings, streetscape and landscaping establish the local context frame of reference for the design of new buildings and renovation or upgrades of existing ones.
New or renovated architectural structures should appropriately respond to the existing conditions within their local and regional context.
Design proposals are advised to take the following into consideration:
1.1. Creating harmony between the building and its immediate local context through the scale, color palettes and interface designs.
1.2. Providing a design that reacts to the building's plot location, especially if the plot is located on a corner or a main street.
1.3. Considering the effect the building's design has on the skyline.
context (General)1: The interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs.
local context: The immediate surroundings of a specific project site.
context (Architecture): The physical characteristics of the natural or built environment within which a structure, building, plot or development is located.
cultural context2: The environment or situation that is relevant to the beliefs, values and practices of the culture under study.
regional context: The broader area of the gulf coast countries and middle eastern architecture styles.
1. “Context.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www. merriam-webster.com/dictionary/context. Accessed 22 November 2019.
2. “Cultural Context” (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved November 22 2019 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ cultural+contex
context
1.1 Creating harmony between the building and its immediate local context through the scale, color palettes and interface designs.
the design of the building's Façade does not react to it's surrounding context and subsequently overwhelms the smaller scale neighboring buildings.
the buildings' scales are complementary to one another and positively contribute to the existing context.
1.2 Providing a design that reacts to the building's plot location, especially if the plot is located in a corner or a main street.
the design fails to respond to the plot's location on a road junction and therefore achieves no valuable significance within its context.
The unified rich pattern used in the Façade design achieves a great level of visual significance, accentuating the plot's location.
2. scale, proportion and rhythm
Scale, Proportion and Rhythm are important design techniques that create harmony and balance in the building masses and façades when applied appropriately.
Scale refers to the size and dimensions of a structure compared to a reference standard or the size and dimensions of another object.
Proportion is the relationship between the different parts or the distance between intervals or elements.
Rhythm occurs when there is a certain pattern of placement of one or several elements in the design, whether that pattern is regular or not. Rhythm relates to the principle of proportion through repetition or diversity.
In order to achieve good Scale, Proportion and Rhythm, design proposals are advised to take the following into consideration:
2.1. Ensuring the application of human-scale principles to the size and dimensions of the building's massing and architectural elements.
2.2. Appropriately sizing and scaling the different parts of the building in relation to one another, thereby best reflecting the functions of the specific internal parts of the structure.
2.3. Exhibiting clear definition of the base, middle, and top/roof parts of the buildings and towers in their design as shown in the illustration below.
2.4. Grouping and arranging the architectural elements including any patterns to form a clear rhythm.
Building base Building middle Building roof/top
Appropriately sizing and scaling different parts of the building
regular arrangement of the architectural elements
repetitive and consistent spacing of the architectural elementspairing and grouping of the architectural elements
no consideration is given to the human-scale in the design of the central mass and ground floor of the building, resulting in lack of clarity of the building's entrances.
Architectural elements such as balcony railings, screens, and openings are appropriately scaled and are considerate to the human-scale.
2.1 Ensuring the application of human-scale principles to the size and dimensions of the building's massing and architectural elements.
The massing is very rigid and does not seem to reflect any of the internal functions of the building or give any significance to the entrances.
The massing is well articulated and reflects the internal functions of the building.
2.2 Appropriately sizing and scaling the different parts of the building in relation to one another, thereby best reflecting the functions of the specific internal parts of the structure.
The building fails to exhibit a clear definition of the base, middle, and top/roof parts.
Clear definition of the base, middle, and top/roof parts of the building.
The building fails to exhibit a clear definition of the base and seems to abruplty meet the ground.
Clear definition of the base, middle, and top/roof parts of the building.
2.3 Exhibiting clear definition of the base, middle, and top/roof parts of the buildings and towers in their design as shown in the illustration below.
the windows and balconies are grouped in a manner that creates a clear and simple rhythm in the Façade.
no clear rhythm is present as each part of the building is treated differently.
clear rhythm is achieved in the Façade through the repetitive use of the windows, balconies, and architectural features.
no clear rhythm is present as each part of the building is treated differently.
2.4 Grouping and arranging the architectural elements including any patterns to form a clear rhythm.
3. interface The interface is the area or the manner in which the structure meets directly with its surroundings, and the public realm. The interface contains several elements, which may include, but not limited to:
• Any Façades of the building located on the plot boundary.
• The perimeter wall.
• Any planting (landscaping), fences or screening.
• Façades of electricity rooms/utility facilities.
In order to achieve a successfully designed interface, design proposals are advised to take the following into consideration:
3.1. Ensuring a good level of harmony between all interface elements with the streets, footpaths, roads and spaces surrounding the plot.
3.2. Animating or activating the interface to ensure an attractive appearance and appropriate integration with the public realm.
effectively transitioning from boundary walls to public realm
Designing ground floor units to appropriate sizes and openings
In addition, the following design considerations are recommended for the specific building typologies:
effectively transitioning from boundary walls to public realm
Designing ground floor units to appropriate sizes and openings
Buildings and towers:
• Clearly define, identify and distinguish the building’s primary entrance and make it clearly visible from…