Dan Sibert of Foster + Partners discusses Solaya, which is set to redefine residential living
Dubai’s waterfront enters a new era with Dan Sibert, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, leading the vision for Solaya in Jumeirah 1. He shares how the studio is redefining coastal living through calm modernism and fluid connections with nature.
In a city known for pushing the boundaries of architecture and setting new benchmarks, a landmark project is emerging along its pristine coastline. Solaya, an exclusive collection of 234 beachfront residences in the Jumeirah 1 neighbourhood, is poised to redefine residential living.
This landmark project marks the next chapter of the longstanding partnership between Dubai Holding Investments and Brookfield Properties, leveraging the renowned Meraas brand. After shaping several of Dubai’s most iconic retail and lifestyle destinations, the partners are now bringing their expertise to create a new benchmark in the city’s residential market. Designed by world-renowned Foster + Partners, with interiors by 1508 London, every residence has been thoughtfully crafted to deliver seamless indoor–outdoor living, with panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline.
- Solaya has been described as a blend of architectural precision and understated elegance. What was the overarching vision that guided Foster + Partners’ design for this landmark coastal development?
Our overarching vision is to provide a collection of curated residences that offer refined luxury living, where the city meets the sea. The collaboration between Meraas and Brookfield Properties has been instrumental in crafting this vision. The buildings will be surrounded by incredible native greenery, and every apartment will be orientated to maximise views and celebrate indoor-outdoor living by the beach. We are also generating a brand-new civic space for Dubai, which takes the form of a spectacular landscaped park at the centre of the site.
- How did the unique beachfront setting in Jumeirah 1 influence the form, orientation, and spatial organisation of Solaya’s nine buildings?
The scheme comprises two distinct residential collections, which are connected by the new park that overlooks the beach. Landscaping flows seamlessly from the park into the residential areas, creating a green sanctuary in the heart of Dubai.
The residential buildings have been designed from the inside out, so that their external appearance is defined by the arrangement of the apartments’ different rooms. The rooms are rotated to provide each apartment with direct views along the coast and towards the city’s skyline, resulting in a highly varied and stepped façade.
- What architectural strategies did you employ to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces while maintaining privacy and comfort for residents?
We are using rough-cast stone from the local area for the buildings’ vertical walls, creating a tactile, natural feel that connects the architecture to its beach context. This is contrasted with highly machined balcony elements, establishing a dialogue between natural and engineered materials.
Our design also blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces – and includes landscape features within the apartments to enhance residents’ connections to the surrounding environment. The apartments feature courtyards, balconies, and outdoor terraces, which harmoniously blend nature with comfortable indoor living. Ground-floor homes connect with private gardens, while the whole-floor penthouses have their own dedicated lift access, private pools, and 360-degree views.
We are also incorporating significant landscaped areas between the buildings and the beach, which allows residents to ‘breathe out’ upon arrival. This transition from the intensity of the city to the relaxed beach environment is a key experiential element of the project.
- Solaya is positioned to become one of Dubai’s most coveted addresses. From a design perspective, how did you balance exclusivity and community within such an expansive 40-acre masterplan?
Dedicated lift access and sensitive landscaping contribute to greater privacy for residents, while also offering communal green areas for the public to enjoy.
The landscape design is defined by a layered approach, taking residents and visitors from a dune arrival area, through a sheltered canopy zone, to the park and the beach. Curated public amenities within the park combine passive and active elements. Extensive landscaping around the residential communities provides privacy and a sense of exclusivity.
