Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown by Innovation Design Studio is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award in Urban Planning and Urban Design Competition Category.
IronUrban Planning· 2024
Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown
Client: Innovation Design Studio
A' Design Award Winner in Urban Planning Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #158978The Design
About Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown
Mtown design revolves around a central spine, incorporating building blocks to connect the project with the main node. Intimate piazzas between clusters offer diverse experiences. Creating a green spine overlooking the central park, promotes a deeper connection with nature. The design prioritizes well being, considering social, physical, mental, and emotional effects on occupants and communities. The design reflects a holistic approach focusing on well being centric space and walkability. Making it an enjoyable walk all yearlong is one of the main goal by adding shaded spots along the spine.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award
Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown is an Iron A' Design Award winner, a prestigious recognition granted to good designs that meet the professional and industrial requirements expected from well-designed creations. Iron winners demonstrate great skill, high specialization, expert understanding, and creative capacity of their creators. Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished creation that is practical and innovative. This Iron A' Design Award-winning design integrates industry best practices and has competent technical characteristics linked with know-how and talent. Mtown Makadi Heights Downtown is respected for its thoroughness and is designed to provide quality of life improvements that help make the world a better place.
Interviews
Design Interview
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
Our approach in designing Downtown Makadi is centered on creating a spine’s experience by incorporating building blocks around the spiral spine, connecting the entire project with the main node. This strategy adds depth and enriches the town’s core by creating intimate piazzas between clusters, each with distinct characters and activities. Introducing the village fabric allows users to immerse themselves in the downtown from with- in the clusters, providing a diverse range of experiences.
A key aspect of our design is the extension of the central park. Additionally, we’ve introduced a green commercial spine overlooking the central park, fostering a deeper connection
with nature for residents and users. Our focus on well-being is paramount, aligning with principles promoting long-term health for building occupants. Research underscores the impact of architecture and urban design on psychological well-being, influ- encing overall health. Our commitment is reflected in prioritizing the health and well-being of individuals, considering physical, mental, and emotional effects on both building occupants and the surrounding communities. This commitment shapes the essence of our meticulously crafted master plan for downtown Makadi.
The embodiment of well-being is prominently displayed through its walkability. Prioritizing the safety of pedestrians, we’ve meticulously designed an environment that is alive with a joyful and vibrant atmosphere. Navigating through this space is not just a journey but an experience that evokes a sense of fun and happiness.
Nature is intricately woven into the fabric of the surround-
ings, creating a harmonious blend which fosters a serene and refreshing atmosphere, enhancing the overall well-being of those who engage with the space. Our commitment to creating a walkable, safe, lively, and nature-infused environment stands as a testament to the holistic approach embedded in the master plan’s design.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
The wellbeing of the user! Creating a well-being centered design is of utmost importance as it plays a crucial role in promoting long-term health for building occupants. Extensive research has shown that architecture and urban design have a significant impact on the psychological well-being of individuals, hence influencing their overall health in the long term.
A good design should prioritize the health and well-being of all people, taking into account the physical, mental, and emotional effects on both the building occupants and the surrounding community.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
We are delighted to let you know that they started field work and we cannot wait to see the project in real life, liveable and alive.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- M-Town design revolves around a central spine, incorporating building blocks to connect the project with the main node. Intimate piazzas between clusters offer diverse experiences. Creating a green spine overlooking the central park, promotes a deeper connection with nature. The design prioritizes well-being, considering social, physical, mental, and emotional effects on occupants and communities. The design reflects a holistic approach focusing on well-being-centric space and walkability.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Land Area:197,000 sqm
Footprint: 20%
BUA: 101,500 sqm
Level difference 23 meters
Land Dimensions: 655m x 420m
46% of the Built-up area is dedicated for residential units and the rest is dedicated for the retail, commercial, hotels and amenities.
Surrounded by residential neighborhoods - Tags
- downtown, Mixed-use, spine, spiralspine, Mtown, Nightlife, alive, Integrated, Wellness, Walkabletown
- Production Technology
- The design was produced after a back and forth open discussions with the client to get a full understanding of their requirements. We started by introducing three different directions which gave us the opportunity to brainstorm with the client unlocking the full potential of our concept design. We used AutoCad, Sketchup, 3Dmax, Photoshop and InDesign to illustrate and present our design.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge while designing this project was the level difference within the site and how to make use of that 20m difference creating an interesting integrated outdoor space. The other challenge was to come Up with an innovative downtown fabric and creating different vibe for each cluster connecting them all with the main spine harmoniously.
Another challenge is to keep this large open space walkable and safe for pedestrians without vehicles interference. - Research
- Our research was based on the site studies and analysis in terms of contour lines, level difference, climate impact, the surrounding and the accessibility to the site whether for vehicles or the pedestrians access. In addition to the sea view studies. Our research was also focusing how to incorporate the wellness principles within the design as we believe that the urban fabric and architecture has a high impact on the well-being of the end-user.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the unique shape of the land, the level difference within the land and the wellness concept. We are very keen to implement wellness principles within our design as we believe the urban and architecture fabric has a huge impact on the mood and well-being of the user.
The shape of the land effortlessly imposed the concept of the spiral spine connecting all the clusters and amenities with the main node and the sky piazza created as an outdoor amphitheater welcoming musical festivals. - Project Duration
- The design process started in September 2023 and the project is under construction, located in the heart of Makadi Heights, merely 20 minutes from Hurghada by the Red Sea in Egypt. Makadi Height stands as a central hub, situated at the peak of Makadi Bay, at an advantageous location, positioned 78meter above sea level.
- Operation Flow
- Crafted with meticulous attention, our
design philosophy centers on creating
an environment that seamlessly weaves
together all essential facilities and amenities.
The intention is to craft a fully integrated
town where every conceivable need is not
only met but exceeded.
Our commitment to thoughtful planning
ensures that residents experience the
epitome of convenience and comfort,
making each aspect of daily life effortlessly
accessible within this meticulously designed
community. - Team Members
- Design Director: Mahmoud Farouk, Managing Director: Alaa Abdel Hamid, Design Manager: Abdel Rahman Elshafay, Architect: Ibrahim Ismail, Architect: Mahmoud El Amir, Architect: Ahmed Helmy, Architect: Ahmed Aly, Architect: Ahmed Nazir, Architect: Moustafa Salah, Design Management: Sandy Sawiris
- Image Credits
- Main Image 3D Artist & Illustrator Atelier 23
Image #1 3D Artist & Illustrator Atelier 23
Image #2 3D Artist & Illustrator Atelier 23
Image #3 3D Artist & Illustrator Atelier 23
Image #4 3D Artist & Illustrator Innovation Design Studio
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