The New Moon project by our company, specially designed for Zabeel Park - a new landscape park in the City of Dubai, has been an ultramodern incarnation of traditional Oriental values. Massive and imposing, the crescent-shaped construction has absorbed technological perfection and the flight of architectural thought to express all-time values. This is the key to understanding the specific character of the project and the philosophy of the project architects.

Just like the Moon from time immemorial was considered in the Orient a symbol of power and energy, the shape of the building goes to accentuate prosperity of the present-day United Arab Emirates. At the same time, the nation has not lost its links with history, culture and ancestral traditions. From the outside the New Moon is decorated with Arab calligraphy making it easy to “read” the building even from the peripheral areas of the park. This is the cornerstone of the project’s architectural concept. “No matter how synchronized with the contemporary world Arabs could be, they will always live with Allah in their hearts,” such was the principle the project architects abided by in the work. With that priority in mind, they accomplished a spatial planning mission to harmoniously fit the building into the landscape and orient it towards Mecca – a sacred place for all Muslims. It is a fact of life that while saying their prayers Muslims have to face the sacred city of Mecca. It will be no problem for those visiting the New Moon, as the main axis points in the right direction.

Inside the building provides for five levels, with an observatory on every level, to symbolize the Five Pillars of Islam: faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salat), charity (Zakaat), lent (Sawm) and pilgrimage (Hajj). Every level illustrates the meaning of the Pillar it symbolizes. Besides, the building makes room for a café, a children’s library, a conference room and a help desk.

Decorated with Arab calligraphy, the outward siding of the building is a steel frame with elements of varying transparency. An architectural solution like that makes it possible to regulate the level of illumination and air temperatures at the different levels of the New Moon, protect the interiors from direct sunlight and ensure free circulation of air flows.

These and other means of passive protection recreate inside the building areas with a special microclimate, and reduce the burden on the power supply systems.  

The building project was designed in full conformity with LEED Green Building Code. Solar batteries and collectors can be installed on the outer casing of the building, to cut energy consumption to an even higher degree. Designed to allow visitors to be inspired by Arab culture and local traditions, the project provides plenty of room for hosting scientific conferences and other group activities. At the same time, the New Moon in itself is a medium of values, both traditional and pioneering, in the sphere of architecture, design, modern technologies and ecology. The project can constitute a true landmark of present-day Emirate Dubai alongside other well-known architectural constructions.