Architect MVRDV’s new collection of mixed use buildings in Abu Dhabi makes a break from the city’s architectural norm by breaking down facades into ‘pixelated’ forms.
In the ever-expanding skyline of Abu Dhabi, where luxury towers often dominate the architectural landscape, Pixel, a mixed use scheme designed by MVRDV, offers a refreshing alternative. As the first completed project in the Makers District which sits on Reem Island, a natural feature 600 metres off the main Abu Dhabi island, Pixel is claimed to “embody a new approach to living that emphasises community, identity, and connection to place.” By merging innovative design with thoughtful urban planning, MVRDV has created Pixel to not only serve its residents, but to contribute to the cultural and social fabric of the city.
The mixed-use development brings together 525 residential apartments with retail, office spaces, and leisure amenities, all anchored by a lively central plaza. The 85,000 m² project reflects project developer IMKAN’s vision to establish the Makers District as a creative hub for the UAE capital, and one which complements the cultural richness of nearby Saadiyat Island.
Jacob van Rijs, founding partner at MVRDV, explains the design intent behind the scheme, and how the architects hoped to make a break from the context of recent development in Abu Dhabi: “We challenged the residential typologies that have become the norm in the UAE. Instead of nondescript, isolated towers made palatable by a veneer of luxury finishes on the interior, Pixel makes it possible for residents to spend time outdoors, become friends with their neighbours, and invite visitors for a meal in the plaza restaurants.” He continues: “It encourages a way of life that is not only enjoyable, but is also environmentally and socially more sustainable than the alternatives.”
Design concept
MVRDV’s approach to Pixel’s design was centred on its seven towers, which the practice describes as “compact.” These structures are strategically positioned at the site’s periphery, optimising shade, promoting airflow, and maintaining clear sightlines to the waterfront. The placement enhances environmental comfort and establishes strong visual connections with the surrounding coastal landscape.
At the heart of the development lies the communal plaza, which serves as Pixel’s social hub. The ground level hosts an array of cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets, while community-focused services such as gyms, wellness centres, medical clinics, and co-working spaces are housed on the floors above. This ensures constant activity throughout the day, fostering a vibrant and welcoming environment.
Central to the design concept is the way the buildings’ facades not only visually but literally break down into individual square forms as they approach the plaza, giving a look of the volumes ‘pixelating’ at lower levels. Recessed sections further up the facades are balanced by sections extruding at the lower levels in a seemingly random fashion. The project’s architects explain further: “The facades disintegrate into individual ‘pixels,’ forming terraces and bay windows that spill into the public space.” This design element “invites residents to connect with the outdoors,” with the cascading terraces acting as an extension of the internal living spaces.
The fragmented nature of the towers gives the impression that the development is “organically grown, rather than imposed,” say the architects. This design move “enhances the visual dynamism of the space, helping to make the new building a more inviting and accessible landmark within the district.” The breaking down of the exterior form into disaggregated sections not only provides the project’s distinctive identity, but also promotes interaction between residents and visitors in the plaza below, says MVRDV.
Material palette
The material palette employed in Pixel reflects a “balance of modesty and identity,” say the architects. Inspired by Abu Dhabi’s pearl-diving heritage, MVRDV employed a “symbolic interpretation of an oyster – robust and durable exteriors enclosing a softer, vibrant interior.” The outer facades are clad in textured concrete panels, designed by artist Nicole Martens, featuring patterns that resemble oyster shells. This “bold yet understated motif” gives the complex a distinctive presence in the city’s skyline.
Within the plaza, pastel-coloured tiles are interspersed with glazing on facades, providing shading to interiors. The tiles, rendered in 14 subtle hues, provide a contrast to the building’s rough concrete exterior, and a further visual disaggregation, “evoking the delicate iridescence of a pearl.” The contrast also helps to provide residents with a sense of transition between public and private spaces.
Each tower is further distinguished by a unique interior colour palette to enhance wayfinding and give each building its own identity while reinforcing the project’s broader narrative of individuality and community integration.
Sustainability
Pixel’s layout and design take climate-conscious principles into account. The strategic positioning of the towers provides shade while encouraging cooling breezes through the development. This passive cooling strategy reduces energy consumption and enhances comfort during Abu Dhabi’s hotter months. Additionally, water features and green landscaping throughout the plaza contribute to the microclimate’s cooling effect, further promoting outdoor activities.
The integration of green roofs on the cascading terraces extends this environmental ethos. These surfaces not only add natural benefits, supporting biodiversity, they also enhance insulation to help reduce heat gain. The architects comment that the focus on “modest yet impactful design decisions ensures that Pixel embodies sustainability not through high-tech solutions, but through thoughtful, passive strategies.”
Mixed community
The 525 apartments range from compact studios to expansive three-bedroom units. By blending affordable and premium residences within the same development, the project encourages and supports a degree of diversity among the residents. The central plaza provides an equalised desirability to the scheme: ground-level apartments enjoy the same vibrant and attractive surroundings as their higher-tier counterparts.
“The plaza is the beating heart of Pixel,” says van Rijs. “It’s a space where residents from all backgrounds, be it expats or locals, families or individuals, can come together to socialise, relax, and enjoy their environment. That sense of belonging is critical to the project’s success.”
By fostering social integration, the project cultivates a sense of belonging which the architects claim “transcends conventional residential models.” The development “actively promotes interaction across generations, backgrounds, and social groups, reinforcing its identity as a place where community thrives.”
It is clear that Pixel offers a great deal more than the mainstream residential development to date in the local context; MVRDV goes as far to say that it is “a testament to the power of architecture to shape vibrant communities.” The architects conclude: “By embracing innovative design, thoughtful materiality, and sustainable principles, we created a space that redefines the concept of urban living in the Emirates.”
“Pixel reflects a vision for a more human-centred city,” says Jacob van Rijs. “It’s a reminder that architecture should connect people – not just to their homes, but to each other.” With its harmonious blend of social connectivity, environmental awareness, and aesthetic innovation, this project could be a shining example of what the future of urban development in UAE could look like.
Project factfile
- Architect: MVRDV
- Engineering & project management: Ramboll Middle East
- District masterplan: RNL
- Infrastructure: Parsons
- Cost control: Turner & Townsend
- Landscape & public realm design: Bjarke Ingels Group
- Landscape architect: Verdaus
- Lighting: Delta Lighting Design
- Wayfinding & signage: Dezigntechnic
- Vertical transportation: Cooper Wilcock
- Security: WSP, Consquare
- Facade artist: Nicole Martens