Semmer Villas at Dubai Silicon Oasis

Semmer Villas is a development by Dubai Silicon Oasis to provide accommodation for Emirates Airlines staff and families in a relaxed park-like setting. The goal of the landscape design was to create an attractive green and leafy residential community. We designed community spaces including streets, pocket parks, playgrounds, and the community centre with swimming pool.

Playgrounds in the larger parks are shaded with tensile fabric structures. Low seating steps create small amphitheatres overlooking the playground space.
The design of streetscapes created an environment which is walking and cycle friendly. Verdaus introduced an approach promoted for residential streets by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (USA). With this approach, vehicle lane widths are reduced to encourage drivers to “stop-and-yield” when passing other vehicles. The slightly narrower traffic lanes on internal roads decrease driving speeds and create a pedestrian character to streets.

Street tree planting creates an almost continuous canopy over the carriage way achieves the green and leafy character of desirable neighbourhoods. Streets also feature intersections with accent paving, raised pedestrian crossings, and street tree planting close to the curb to reduce the perceived width of carriageways.

Residents give positive feedback about walking and cycling around the community along the tree-lined streets. They say they feel safe and feel comfortable allowing their children to roam unsupervised throughout the community.
Location
Dubai, UAE
25.1151065, 55.3843755
Plot Size
55 ha (135 acre)
Lead Consultant
Archgroup

Studio Team
Julian Bolleter, Peter Braun, Govindan Sukumaran, Laith Wark, Leon Zaayman
Project Owner
Dubai Silicon Oasis

Role
Concept Design
Schematic Design
Detailed Design
Tender Services
Construction Supervision
Back to Residential
All Projects