DIFC Living and Innovation Two

DIFC Living is the residential component of the DIFC Innovation Hub which is home to over 600 businesses and startups. The DIFC Authority has plans for the Innovation Hub to be one of the world’s largest ecosystem dedicated to FinTech and innovation.

As with all DIFC buildings, DIFC Living will be delivered to LEED standards - the global green building rating system.

The workspaces are communal, with the intention of allowing residents to achieve a greater work/life balance. Amenities will include multiple outdoor green spaces, including vertical gardens and roof terraces.

The ground-breaking ceremony occurred in November 2022.

DIFC Living is seamlessly integrated into DIFC and residents and occupants have direct internal and external access to Gate Avenue.

This project marks a vital component of the DIFC Innovation Hub’s third phase. It combines residential, office, and retail spaces to embody the live-work-play philosophy into an integrated neighbourhood.

Designed by lead architect LWK + PARTNERS the project blends in seamlessly with its surroundings and reflects the neighbourhood’s unique character.

DIFC’s brief was to create a unique mixed-use development where residential, commercial and retail components coexist in harmony, yet each presents a distinctive form and clear identity to the external facade, while offering residents the very best in luxury living, emphasising sustainable design and high-quality amenities.

The development responds to the ever-evolving nature of workspaces and lifestyle choices and features over 170 upscale residences, and aims to provide high-quality amenities and an exceptional urban living experience in a cosmopolitan setting.

The main challenge was to create a distinctive identity for the building, which is set amongst two imposing neighbourhoods, as well as establishing a pedestrian flow from Al Mustaqbal Street to the Gate Avenue podium, which is at a significantly higher level to the street.

To encourage pedestrian flow from the street to the podium the architect had to be mindful of two key factors: the 14-metre difference in levels and the climatic conditions, particularly during the summer months. This led to the creation of a natural and ‘biophilic’ environment where passive cooling could be achieved through the inclusion of natural elements, such as non-artificial light, water and plants.

The pedestrian connection across the stepped podium introduces a series of cascading gardens and public plazas which will be activated with retail, and an amphitheatre for events and public performances.

During the design stages, the team employed VR tours and walkthroughs with the client and the wider consultant team to communicate the scale of perceived spaces and to examine important design components, such as structural and key façade features. This approach allowed the client to test the key components and streamline the approval process, ensuring smooth project delivery.

VR helped to communicate the effect of specific design features of the podium landscape elements and spatial components. It also helped to assess the views across the urban landscape contributing to a better overall design.

The twisted cube at the top of the tower contributes to the building’s identity and serves as a landmark for the Dubai skyline.

The residential development at DIFC has been designed to address climatic constraints in a practical and affordable manner while incorporating current engineering and sustainable planning practices without letting them drive the design process.

The official sales launch is set for September 20th 2023.