Falcon’s Creative Group’s master plan for Winds of the Desert was a city-sized tribute to the boundless ingenuity and inventiveness of the human spirit.
Client: Mizin
Services: Master Planning
In 2008, Mizin, a leading real estate developer based in the United Arab Emirates, selected Falcon’s to design a fantastical master plan for a timeless destination resort where elaborate stories and ambitious dreams could be brought to life. Falcon’s was no stranger to fulfilling such requests, having recently developed similar plans for the region.
Winds of the Desert would feature a spectacular variety of themed retail, dining, hospitality, entertainment, and recreational opportunities that reflected the unique mythology of its storyline. It was designed to be a treasure trove of exclusive experiences that would entertain, thrill, and inspire all visitors.
It was up to the visionaries at Falcon’s to conceptualize the overarching story and layout. The venture also had to be a shining beacon of sustainability, innovative design, and authenticity. Mizin’s goal was to build Dubai’s greatest destination resort and entertainment center. It was a tall order, but Falcon’s was up to the challenge.
The creative design studio kicked around ideas for the theme. Being such a massive site, it needed a grand backstory. They arrived at a concept with this idea at the center: Winds of the Desert was born when the seeds of exotic locals and the great cultures of the world were blown together by the desert wind, shaping three iconic atrium hotels that served as anchors for a trio of diverse districts.
The three distinct districts were identified and assigned a signature symbol. Tetra, the triangle, stood for the generation of energy. Quadra, the square, stood for solidity. And Spheron, the globe, symbolized serenity and perfection.
Winds of the Desert’s design borrowed from beloved landmarks around the world, so, despite the fact that it was entirely invented, there was an utterly authentic feel, imparting it with special appeal. More detailed characteristics were fleshed out to support the concept and build out the world.
Tetra would allow guests to experience the tropics in ways they never had before. This captivating paradise was filled with charming villas that seemed to rise organically from the landscape. Natural architecture captured the essence of Earth’s power, creating a living symbol of renewable energy. This location was exotic and contemporary; an idyllic, familiar setting in an otherworldly space. Also within Tetra existed Zahria, an oasis of shifting sands and sparkling waterscapes in a sweeping vision of Arabia that embraced its mythical past while looking forward to its promising future.
The Spheron zone embodied everything that is chic and modern. It embraced hip, futuristic imagery meant to appeal to a sophisticated demographic. Spheron Canyons featured a lavish array of shops and attractions that were scattered throughout a network of magnificent subterranean caverns. The cornerstone of the Spheron zone was a 5-star hotel that appeared to float above a glistening body of water.
Quadra’s 6-star resort would set a new standard of luxury. Terrania, to the east of the centralized resort, evoked the refinement and richly textured grace of Italy, Greece, France, London, and Austria. This was partially due to the water-spouting fountains that dotted this area. This district was nostalgic but boldly original at the same time.
To complement each sector’s iconic hotel design, Falcon’s incorporated a variety of boutique hotels in and around Tetra, Spheron, and Quadra. The themes included popular eras, destinations, and styles, such as Roman, Baroque, Victorian, French Quarter, and Arabesque Modern. There was also one called Asian Techno, which embraced fantastical Chinese, Thai, and Japanese technology and product design.
When venturing outside of their luxurious living quarters, revelers could wander through Winds of the Desert while enjoying the comfort of a climate-controlled environment. A massive glass canopy in the flowing form of windblown sand dunes connected all three zones. While guests could easily get around on foot, they had several options to expedite their travels. They could take a water taxi, hop on a spacious, electrically powered personal rapid transit vehicle, or glide silently through the “city” via a sleek monorail system.
In addition to world-class shopping and dining experiences, there were top notch entertainment offerings, sporting events, and recreational activities. Guests could ski or surf under the safety of a dome, catch racecars and racehorses in action, check out a soccer or tennis match, bowl in a high-tech family center, dance the night away in a club pulsating with music, or even take a leisurely stroll through a beautiful botanical garden. Falcon’s also planned to incorporate one of their media-based attraction systems.
Winds of the Desert would have been a harmonious utopian community where every visitor felt special, where every experience was personalized, where the flowing architectural instilled a sense of peace, where every detail was imbued with a spirit of grandeur. Simply put, it would have been like no other place on Earth.
