The new ME Dubai hotel inside the Opus is located close to Downtown Dubai. The Opus was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects as two towers that meet at the top with a three-storey bridge to form an eroded cube. The bottom connection forms a four-storey atrium.
The insulated glazing is UV coated and has a mirrored frit to reduce heating from direct sunlight. A dotted frit pattern emphasizes the orthogonal volume and at the same time blurs its curving boundaries.
The void’s facade consists of 4,300 single and double curved glass panels that cover 6,000 square meters. The panels are made from 8 mm Low-E glass, 16 mm of spacing between the panes, and two layers of 6mm clear glass with a 1.52mm PVB resin laminate. Each panel is installed with an LED that results in a dynamic light installation.
“The precise orthogonal geometries of the Opus’ elemental glass cube contrast dramatically with the fluidity of the eight-storey void at its centre,” explained Christos Passas, project director at Zaha Hadid Architects.
The 93 rooms ME Dubai hotel interior is fitted with Zaha Hadid furniture throughout, like the ‘Petalinas’ sofas and 'Ottomans' pods in the lobby.
The bedrooms include Hadid’s custom designed ‘Opus’ bed and ‘Vitae’ bathroom collection designed in collaboration with Noken Porcelanosa.
The hotel houses offices floors, serviced residences and restaurants, cafes and bars including ROKA, the contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant and the MAINE Land Brasserie.
A smart sensor system automatically adjusts the ventilation and lighting according to occupancy to save energy. Guests receive stainless steel bottles to prevent plastic use and the hotel aims to reduce food waste by not serving in buffet style.
