Located on a narrow site with a restored 1890s brick facade, this five-storey steel structure serves as a gateway to the NYU Abu Dhabi programme in New York. The architects have sought to respond to both cultures and create a design vocabulary and language accordingly. Inspired by the built and natural landscapes of the desert, the architecture also responds to the commitment to technology. The glass-enclosed stair core ties the floors together, while also providing spaces for mingling and interacting. These spaces are also created programmatically in lounges and cafés. Translucent resin panels, inspired by latticed screens, include Islamic graphics to filter light and provide layers of privacy.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture