World Trade Center Souk and Mall - interior

This shopping center aimed to reinvent the old heart of the city and give it a more contemporary face while still keeping some traditional elements in its design. The architects came up with a contemporary interpretation of the traditional souk or market, and the city's vernacular architecture by using elements such as light-taming screens, intricate patterns and materials found in traditional Arab architecture and giving them new shapes. The panels are movable and change their positions according to the time of the day and season. The interior layout is reminiscent of the highly dense and fragmented streets of traditional Arab cities.

The souk combines traditional Arab markets and high-end luxury shopping, all in one place- a portrait of the buoyant city of Abu Dhabi.