Oystra | Zaha Hadid Architects

Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Oystra is a 128,000 square metre seafront development of 950 one- to four-bedroom apartments, duplexes, penthouses, and waterfront villas, together with extensive shopping, dining and leisure amenities.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of UAE’s fastest-growing emirates with its population projected to grow 55% by 2030, requiring an additional 45,000 homes to meet future demand. Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector is also experiencing record growth, with the emirate anticipated to welcome 3.5 million tourists a year by 2030, increasing from 100,000 visitors in 2013.

Extending 4.5 kilometres into the Arabian Sea with 23 kilometres of coastline including 7.8 kilometres of white sand beaches, Al Marjan Island’s infrastructure is being developed as a leading destination within the UAE. Incorporating parks, marinas, wellness centres and entertainment hubs, the island is situated 25 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to give more than 75% of its apartments unobstructed views of the sea, the development’s fluid geometries encompass large balconies and terraces shaped to echo the rippled patterns carved by waves in sand. These balconies serve as seamless extensions of each apartment’s living space while also shading the interiors from direct sunlight.

Oystra’s sculptural 20-storey waterfront towers are set within its 42,000 square metre site of landscaped gardens, courtyards, swimming pools and beach club overlooking the bay, while the rooftop restaurant and 360° infinity pool give panoramic views of Al Marjan Island and the Arabian Sea.

The development connects directly with Al Marjan Island’s tree-lined coastal promenade, giving residents pedestrian access throughout the island via this sheltered shoreline walkway cooled by the prevailing north-westerly winds blowing inland from the sea.

Environmental simulations maximised efficiencies in site conditions, structure, and orientation, while digital mapping analysis optimised the design's external solar shading and enhanced natural ventilation. The development will integrate seawater-based cooling and an insulating cavity between the building envelope and the project's façades that are exposed to direct sunlight. These strategies will reduce energy demand for cooling while enhancing interior comfort in Ras Al Khaimah’s arid climate.

Design: Patrik Schumacher, Christos Passas

ZHA Project Director: Christos Passas

ZHA Project Associates: Mei-Ling Lin, Joao Bravo Da Costa, Eider Fernandez

ZHA Project Architects: Sattor Jabbor, Branko Svarcer, Kourosh Asgar Irani

ZHA Project Leads: Ben Kikkawa, Ekaterina Smirnova, Gaganjit Singh, Anri Gyoloyan, Nassim Eshaghi, Maria Bystrova

ZHA Project Team: Dahyun Kim, Elizabeth Konstantinidou, Shizhao Yang, Mirella Dourambei, Abdullah Ummer Farook, Ali Rais, Avneesh Rathor, Theodoros Tamvakis, Danae Mavridi, Canon Lee ZHA Competition

Project Director: Christos Passas

ZHA Competition Associates: Joao Bravo Da Costa, Mei-Ling Lin

ZHA Competition Project Architects: Ben Kikkawa, Maria Bystrova,

ZHA Competition Project Leads: Dieter Matuschke, Akis Polykandriotis, Anri Gyoloyan, Avneesh Rathor

ZHA Competition Team: Abdullah Ummer Farook, Ali Rais, Dahyun Kim, Shizhao Yang, Mirella Dourambei, Theodoros Tamvakis, Gaganjit Singh

ZHA BIM Team: David Fogliano, Michael O’Reilly, Muaz Masri

ZHA Environment & Sustainability Team: Carlos Bausa, Bahaa Alnassrallah, Shibani Choudhury, Aleksander Mastalski, Aditya Ambare, Disha Shetty, Abhilash Menon, Jing Xu

Consultants

Executive Architect: Dewan Architects and Engineers, Dubai

Façade Engineering: Koltay Facades

M&E Engineering: Samadhin Associates

Transport Consultant: RMC, Dubai

Fire Engineer: SHE, Dubai

Landscape Consultant: Cracknell Landscapes

Lighting Design: FPOV

Interior Design: HBA, London

Signage and Wayfinding: TDC

Waste Management: Climatize, Dubai