THE RE’ HUB

Category: Architecture

Year: Spring 2019

Location: Dubai, UAE

Instructor: Michael Hughes

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Dubai is a car-centric city. In order to get to a desired location, it is most likely for you to use some sort of transportation. Walkable public areas are highly localized, forcing individuals to use cars. Cars in Dubai are maintaining a status that is unique to the region. The vehicle is used not only as a pragmatic means of transportation, but also as a contemporary social generator. Here, the car is not just about getting from point A to point B; but in fact, it is used as a device for various social engagements.

Since there is such a prominent importance of cars in Dubai, this project aims to reinforce the notion of car-culture in the region by analyzing and reimagining the spaces through which, most of these cars go through on a daily basis – the Petrol Stations. The main objective of my research project is to reimagine petrol stations by viewing them as contemporary social gathering areas, also can be called as The Re’ Hubs. In which, prefix Re’ implements all the words associated with restoring energy (replenish, regenerate, refuel, etc.).

The problem with the condition of conventional petrol station is that those are focusing on traffic efficiency. The urban development has affected social environment in the area. It has lost its vernacular car-oriented social engagements, which was achieved previously by allowing freedom of car movement on site. Having that in mind, one of the focuses of the Re’ Hub was to allow freedom of car circulation, horizontal and vertical, that would increase opportunities for car-oriented social regeneration. Manipulation of the ground would mimic sand dunes as well as become the canopy. In which it functions not only as a sun-protection device, but also become a platform to accommodate cars. Another aspect that was taken into consideration, was the time spent by the user in the facility, dividing the whole project into two parts. The first is the traffic efficient model, which consists of refueling and car-care bay; and the second is social regeneration, introducing a set of functions that would generate social interaction amongst users.