Ben van Berkel talks about making a landmark project with Wasl Tower

For Ben van Berkel, the visionary Dutch architect behind UNStudio, architecture isn’t just about steel and stone. It’s about motion, mood and meaning. And nowhere is that more evident than in Dubai’s newest landmark: Wasl Tower.

In an interview with Arabian Business, van Berkel opens up about the inspiration, innovation and intent behind one of Dubai’s most anticipated skyscrapers, a 303-meter statement of sustainable design, structural ingenuity and urban storytelling. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a building iconic, beyond the headlines and height, this is the conversation you’ll want to catch up on.

Standing tall along Sheikh Zayed Road, Wasl Tower’s twisting form isn’t just aesthetic, it’s visionary architectural, a symbol of design where innovation and purpose meet. Inspired by the ancient concept of contrapposto, where statues seem to shift their weight from one leg to another, the building mirrors the dynamism of life itself. It’s a form that feels alive, changing depending on where you’re standing.

Engineering for complexity

Designing a 64-story mixed-use tower, home to the 5-star renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel, branded residential units, offices, world-class wellness amenities and a rooftop helipad, meant facing major structural challenges. The biggest? Making space work across functions with very different needs.

The solution: a pre-stressed floor system and a hybrid column structure that allows for flexibility while keeping the building structurally sound.

Van Berkel’s team resolved this complexity through smart engineering that never sacrificed design intent.

Ceramic with a purpose

One of Wasl Tower’s standout features is its shimmering ceramic façade, the tallest of its kind on any high-rise globally.

The glazed ceramic tiles help regulate temperature, reflect sunlight and dissipate heat faster than conventional materials. 

Urban integration, not isolation

More than a standalone project, Wasl Tower is woven into the city’s infrastructure. A skybridge connects it directly to Dubai’s metro, creating seamless pedestrian flow and boosting accessibility.

And at night? The tower glows. Programmable lighting subtly shifts its tone, creating a living presence that evolves as the city moves around it.

With its sculptural presence, urban connectivity and sustainable ambition, Wasl Tower isn’t just a landmark; it’s a reflection of where Dubai’s real estate is headed.