Inside HPlace, a Desert-Inspired Oasis in Downtown Dubai.

In Dubai’s gleaming Downtown district, Atelier Prototipi has crafted a hospitality venue that draws inspiration from the emirate’s most precious natural asset—its mesmerizing desert landscape. HPlace is an interpretation of organic architecture, where flowing forms and textured materials create a dialogue between the urban and natural environments.

Nestled within Boulevard Plaza Tower 2, the space unfolds like a naturally carved cavern, with smooth oval contours reminiscent of ancient desert dwellings. The volume divides into tiered levels, beginning at the panoramic entrance with views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. On the main floor, different travertine blocks organise distinct zones for hospitality and two bar areas.

The material narrative of raw and smooth mineral plaster finishes mirrors the natural colours of desert sand, while different treatments of travertine—both polished and rough-hewn—create a tactile journey through the space. The furniture selection amplifies this sensory experience, featuring creamy bouclé, sandy quartz stone, and natural oak veneer harmonising with the honey-toned travertine.

The lighting design deserves special mention, anchored by the aptly named Moon fixture from Davide Groppi in the main space. As dusk falls, it bathes the interior in an ethereal glow. Miniforms’ glass tables add another layer of visual poetry, their surfaces catching and refracting light like desert mirages.

A verdant terrace serves as an oasis during daylight hours, offering respite from Dubai’s intense sun. As evening approaches, the boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve, creating a seamless flow between the interior landscape and the natural environment beyond.

The project not only references its context—it embodies it, creating an environment where time seems to flow as gracefully as the sand dunes that inspired it.

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[Images courtesy of Atelier Prototipi. Photography by Lizaveta Kulenenok.]