The Dubai Frame Case Study

The Dubai Frame is located in Zabeel Park in Dubai. It is constructed to form a massive
frame and covered by a cladding of stainless steel that is gold-colored to attract tourists. The
design was selected competitively in 2009 as the top winner of the ThyssenKrupp Elevator
Architecture Award. The architects in the design aimed to highlight and celebrate Dubai’s
transformation from the past, current, and future developments. In February 2018, it was
opened to the public.
This Frame visualization shows the transformation of Dubai to a global tourist destination
from a fishing village. The main materials used in construction are aluminum, reinforced
concrete, steel, and glass forming the 50-storey structure designed to enable one to see
modern Dubai landmarks from one side and from the other older parts of Dubai City. The
future gallery visualizes what Dubai might look like in 2050 with 3D printed buildings,
robots, and drones conducting regular maintenance tasks, Hyperloop transport, and flying
taxis (Lenton, 2018).
Due to the high volume of tourists expected, automatic revolving doors opted for the entrance
at the ground level for their ability to withstand high traffic and beautiful design.
Feature Description
Vertical sides height 150m
Sky deck horizontal length 93m
Area of the center part of the sky deck 25m2
covered with glass panels and giving a view
of the city of 3600
Number of stories tall 50
Adult entrance ticket price $10
Expected number of tourists per year Two million
Expected visitors per hour 200
Area of smart-glass panels located on the 116m2
floor and capable of switching from
transparent to translucent as visitors walk
across
Area of laminated glass 2900m2
Number and speed of hydraulic jacks used 4, 3.5mm/sec
in raising the central bridge
Concrete cubic meters used in constructing 9900m3
legs and base
Tons of steel reinforcement used 2000 tons

Reference
Lenton, D. (2018). The measure of the Dubai frame. Engineering & Technology, 13(3), 14-
15.