Ghaf Woods Experience Centre

  • Prize
    Winner in Architectural Design - Small Architecture
  • Design Company
    aoe
  • Lead Designer
    Larry Wen
  • Architecture Firm
    aoe
  • Photo Credit
    Arch-Exist, Majid Al Futtaim
  • Project Location
    Dubai, UAE
  • Client
    Majid Al Futtaim
  • Project Date
    2025

Nestled within Dubai’s first-ever forest living community, the Ghaf Woods Experience Centre stands as a landmark of sustainable innovation and immersive place making.

As a gateway into Ghaf Woods Community, this centre offers a multi-layered introduction to the community’s sustainable living vision. The design draws inspiration from the desert landscape, with a dynamic architectural form that mirrors a sand dune emerging from the terrain. Master planned like a stream weaving through the forest, the visitor journey begins with a drive into the woodland, where cars are discreetly dropped off. Inside, the centre merges storytelling, innovation, and place making.

Visitors are guided through a series of immersive experiences: from a signature “Light Tunnel” that plays with shadow and reflection, to curated displays of construction materials, and a VR tour that brings the future homes and landscapes of Ghaf Woods to life. Every element bridges the gap between vision and reality.

More than an architectural achievement, this centre represents a paradigm shift: a move toward biophilic design, low-carbon lifestyles, and sustainable, community-first development.




BLT Built Design Awards 2025
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