District 11 Sharjah building, UAE commercial architecture, Dubai architectural photos
District 11 building development in Sharjah, Dubai
4 February 2025
Design: HWKN Architecture
Location: Sharjah, Dubai, UAE
District 11, Dubai
HWKN Architecture Unveils a Future Forward Work Resort Neighborhood in Central Sharjah.
Al Marwan Real Estate Development has tapped HWKN to design eleven distinct buildings for a new commercial neighborhood in one of the most modern development areas of central Sharjah and has been fully researched, visioned, and planned with AI, a first in the UAE.
At the ACRES 2025 exhibition in Sharjah, Al Marwan Real Estate Development unveiled District 11, an AI-inspired work community that will bring a new office experience to the UAE and the world with architectural designs by HWKN. Located in Sharjah between a range of residential communities, District 11’s forthcoming commercial and urban place is poised to transform the area into a walkable live, work, and play neighborhood. It is set to officially launch in local and international markets during the second quarter of this year.
HWKN is a global innovative architecture firm at the forefront of integrating AI to revolutionize architecture across the globe. Through a proprietary reverse engineering process, AI driven concepts are translated into buildable designs by refining AI outputs and translating them into functional yet inspiring buildings. HWKN’s fusion of technology with creativity is redefining architecture. The AI-informed design process is broken down into three phases, exploration, articulation, and visualization. HWKN has optimized the employee experience for comfort, collaboration, and productivity to address what business will need 15 years down the line.
The project’s prime location on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street (311), just five minutes from Sharjah International Airport and Sharjah University City, makes it an ideal hub for attracting talent and professionals from universities. District 11 is also within walking distance of Al Zahia City Centre, the Al Zahia residential community, and other prominent areas. Spanning 3 million square feet of 11 buildings with 200 commercial units, the project includes retail spaces, business and family-oriented amenities such as nurseries, specialised institutes, and healthcare centres. Al Marwan Real Estate Development and HWKN are shaping the future of smart offices and are being designed to adapt with the evolving architecture industry.
The neighborhood is poised to be rich with stories and experiences. District 11 will offer a diverse array of attractions including retail, food and beverage, cultural, and flora offerings making it a destination worth visiting—whether with family, friends, or on your own. As a vibrant mixing hub, it brings together people working within the community, residents from the surrounding neighborhoods, and visitors from afar.
An efficient grid shapes highly functional office buildings, while dynamic angulations at the center form an engaging public promenade. This promenade stretches seamlessly from the mosque in the west to the neighboring residential communities in the east, serving as a connective spine for the neighborhood. Each building is designed with distinct interior layouts catering to a variety of needs. From American-style open plans to more compact European dimensions, and even structures adaptable for use as hotels or coworking hubs, the diversity reflects the versatility of the neighborhood. The DNA of District 11 is as vibrant and multifaceted as the future tenants who will bring it to life.
“Through our participation at ACRES, we aim to present District 11 as a preview ahead of its official launch. Designed with a modern, future-focused approach and integrated smart services, the project offers a dynamic business environment developed in collaboration with global design firms,” said Marwan Al Zaiem, Chairman of Al Marwan Group.
“Our designs of the innovative development are made up of eleven office buildings and one mosque, each uniquely designed to create a distinct identity while encouraging people to engage with each other and the buildings,” said Matthias Hollwich, Founding Principal of HWKN. As commercial real estate developments are seeking innovative ways to enhance work-life satisfaction and productivity HWKN has developed the Work Resort, a new office prototype designed as an aspirational place which inspires employees to accomplish their best work in an alluring atmosphere. Here, HWKN expands the concept to a neighborhood scale. This approach combines professional workspaces with resort-like amenities, offering a balanced environment that caters to both work and the easing of personal needs.
HWKN Architecture
HWKN – https://hwkn.com/ is an award-winning, New York-based global architectural innovation firm led by Matthias Hollwich, alongside partners Jessica Knobloch, Dorin Baul, Robert May, and Olga Snowden. Founded in 2008, HWKN partners with cities, developers, and clients to maximize the impact and value of their development assets. The firm’s diverse portfolio includes buildings and neighborhoods alike, from retail spaces and popup-installations to residential and commercial schemes in the United States, Middle East, and Europe, with collaborating offices in Munich, Miami, Berlin, Riyadh, and London. HWKN creates unforgettable architecture by designing from the
outside in, shaping spaces that turn buildings into social activators, identity markers, and happiness enhancers.
The creative strategy is extended into the inside of the building, introducing new operational typologies. Here the future of real estate is taking shape, creating buildings for generations to come. Honored in Fast Company’s ranking of the world’s top 10 most innovative architects of 2024 for the firm’s AI work, the design team shapes the future for people, communities and investors.
District 11, Sharjah, Dubai, UAE images / information received 040225
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