Detailed Investigation into the Design of The Opus Building, Dubai

This report provides a detailed investigation into the design and construction of the Opus Building in Dubai, designed by Zaha Hadid. It begins with an overview of the building's unique architectural concepts, including the distinctive 'void' and its cube-like structure. The report then delves into the design principles guiding the creation of the building, such as unity, balance, and emphasis, and how these principles are translated into site considerations, exterior and interior spaces, and furniture. The analysis includes a recognition and representation of design theory, with a focus on the building's location, exterior features like the glass façade, and interior design elements. The report also examines the furniture arrangement and the overall concept intended by the designer, highlighting the building's modern and futuristic outlook, the integration of technology, and the revolution in office room designs. The report uses visual aids such as images of the building's features to support its analysis, and concludes by summarizing the key aspects of the Opus Building's design and its impact on architectural innovation.

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 1
CONSTRUTION OF THE OPUS BUILDING IN DUBAI
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 2
PART 1: DESIGN INVESTIGATION OF THE OPUS BUILDING IN DUBAI
1. Ideas and concepts related to the under-investigation design
The Opus building is one of the magnificent works of art that stands in the desert town of
Dubai. The building is quite a spectacle to any person’s eye given that it has a unique
architectural design that is incomparable to other ordinary buildings. The building has been
designed to look like a cube which has a fluid-like opening through its middle, which is
commonly referred to as the ‘void’("The Opus in Dubai Designed by Architect Zaha Hadid",
2007). This ‘void’ has been clad with a tinted curved glass that enables a more remarkable view.
The building is a multi-purpose building that serves as a retail and commercial center. Designed
by architect Zaha Hadid and developed by the Omniyat Properties, the Opus Building is a
landmark design project which will be analyzed in this report ("The Opus in Dubai Designed by
Architect Zaha Hadid", 2007).
2. Design principles guiding the creation of the building/interior that is to say how the ideas
and concepts are translated into design principles (Unity, Variety, Balance, Scale,
Proportion, Emphasis, Pattern, Hierarchy)
The Opus is a 21 storey building that is mainly made up of offices which take up about
17 floors of the same. The whole structure consists of two discrete towers that are inter-linked to
look like a single cube-shaped building (Ramola, 2016). From the foundation the towers are one
and have five floor basement which then continues to a four storey podium from where the void
starts. The towers have been joined by a steel bridge which involved complex Engineering
calculations. The bridge spans 40 meters and was designed to ensure the earthquake loadings
were taken in consideration hence its complexity. This was a learning experience to most of the

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 3
Engineers and designers as the building’s integrity had to be kept in all stages of the design.
These towers also have a central core that serve the two with lifts and communal restrooms.
PART 2: RECOGNITION AND REPRESENTATION OF THEORY
2.1 Principles of the design: site, exterior, interior space, and furniture
The building is located in the Burj Khalifa District of Dubai and will house the ‘ME by
Melia hotel’ –which is a world-class hotelier in that region (Rinaldi, 2017). A paramount section
of the Opus is the void which enhances the spectacle of the building. According to its architect
Zaha, this void, is supposed to give visibility of other fascinating buildings in the city such as the
Burj Dubai, which is adjacent to it. Zaha described the void as a window to the city ("The Opus
in Dubai Designed by Architect Zaha Hadid", 2007). To achieve this art in the building, the
designed were posed with the challenge of ensuring the fluid-like void was well incorporated
without compromising the structural strength of the building. Also, it would be covered with
glazed-glass which enhanced this. As such, the designers came up with a pattern of glass façade
which formed pixelated striations that provided good reflectivity from the building ("The Opus
in Dubai Designed by Architect Zaha Hadid", 2007). It was necessary to ensure that the glass do
not reflect solar light at one point such as to cause glaring. At night, the glass façade would light-
up in beautiful colors which brings the building to life.
The interior of the building is furnished with unique type of features like furniture that
offer ultimate comfort and usability to the user. This is particularly achieved in the hotel rooms
as well as the apartments. In addition, the building has integrated its own digital music system
that ensures quality entertainment to the occupants (Leech, 2017).

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 4
2.2 Top view image of the Opus Building
2.3 Investigation and photographs of different features of the Opus

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 5
A lounge room at the Opus Tower
An Office Room at the Opus Tower.
Furniture arrangement at the Opus in an apartment

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 6
.
A bedroom in an apartment at the Opus building
The furniture in the building is unique as can been seen in the image above as designed by the
architect Zaha. It is evident that the architect has introduced new designs and concepts that have
revolutionized the ordinary office, apartment, and general room arrangement and outlook of the
furniture. As can be seen from the photos the rooms do not have corners as is the norm in other
buildings but have peculiar fascinating shapes. Also, there are no ornaments or pictures on the
walls as tradition but this has brought out the quality of confidence, purity and artistry in the
rooms. Zaha is well known and celebrated for many of his outstanding and excellent designs, but
the Opus building exceeded everyone’s expectations in the field of architecture.
2.4 Principles and features of the Opus Building
The fact that the Opus does not have columns running across the floor plates enables
more lighting to the offices. The building was also designed to house other facilities including
restaurants, apartments, and a five-star boutique (Leech, 2017). Add to this, an atrium is left at
the center of the building which also has well designed lobbies. All the rooms in the building

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 7
have a unique look which distinct them from the conventional type of buildings from its external
appearance as well as the interior decoration and arrangement.
2.5 The main concept intended by the designer of the Opus
The design of the building has revolutionized the concept of office rooms as they have
the most modern set-up that incorporates both art and workability of the offices. The offices are
unique and are designed as freehold rather than the traditional type of offices. This has enabled
the architect to design better quality spaces which are incorporated with the latest technological
appliances. The offices have spectacular natural lighting owing to the intrinsic design of the
whole structure. As such, the architect aimed at providing the best quality of utility packaged in a
modern and futuristic outlook.

Running Head: Construction of the Opus building in Dubai 8
References
B, R. (2016). Construction of Zaha Hadid’s The Opus in Dubai a challenge for engineers. The
National.
Ferrari, Z. H. P. S. C., & Peyrer-Heimstaett, J. E. L. P. (2010). The Opus Office Buildings,
Dubai, UAE. Urbanism and Architecture, 10, 039.
Leech, N. (2017). Zaha Hadid’s The Opus is ahead of the curve. The National.
Rinaldi, M. (2017). Zaha Hadid’s first Dubai project The Opus costruction go ahead.
The Opus in Dubai Designed by Architect Zaha Hadid. (2007). Design Build Network. Retrieved
8 November 2017, from
Welch, A. (2017). The Opus, Dubai building. E-architect.