How Zaha Hadid’s Legacy Lives On Throughout ME Dubai
Bold expressions of wellness, art, design, and geometry intersect throughout the luxurious downtown hotel, personally envisioned by the late architect herself
The only hotel in the world to be completely conceptualised inside and out by the late famed architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, ME Dubai is a long-awaited trove of style. Tucked within The Opus by Omniyat building, the hotel has delicately united art, world-class cuisine, fashion and music inside one impressive building. Every suite is an expression of sculptural curves, bold materials and sharp angles, paying homage to Zaha’s grand vision.
A major figure in architecture of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Zaha’s groundbreaking style of radical deconstructivism made her the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, and the RIBA Royal Gold Medal as the first female architect. Her inaugural major built work, the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhein, Germany – characterised by a remarkable structure that resembles a bird in flight – now serves as a space for exhibits and events, as well as a continuous celebration of her undying genius.
Designs for The Opus were revealed in 2007 by Zaha, before her passing in 2016. Originally set for completion in 2018, the project was pushed back due to construction delays and after much anticipation, it welcomed guests in March of 2020. The hotel marks the very first ME by Meliá in the Middle East, a personality-led lifestyle brand that intertwines innovative style with local tastes.
Upon entrance, gleaming white marble floors are accentuated with plush ottomans that are upholstered in rich burgundy, made by Zaha Hadid Design. The angled hotel reception desks are lit to match the above balconies. Meanwhile, behind, a golden curved wall with undulating lines evokes an illusion of movement. This is just the beginning of the optic journey ahead.
The Suite ME, an ideal balance between luxury and comfort, comprises an elegant bar, pool table and Jacuzzi for an abundance of relaxation while the Personality Suite has been styled to flower freedom and self-expression. The well-lit interior notes inspiration from the golden sand dunes of Dubai, creating an immersive experience amidst glistening vistas of Downtown Dubai’s skyline. The Passion Suite, where each detail is a meeting point for form and function, is meticulously made with floor-to-ceiling windows, desert and midnight-blue hues.
In the bathroom, the sinks and showers are from Zaha Hadid’s 2015 Vitae Collection for Noken Porcelanosa and above the double sinks hang twin mirrors with curves that complement The Opus’ striking void.
The spa, Wellness by ME, reflects a modern self-care haven, with plenty of uplifting massages for a world of sensorial serenity.
A striking statement of visual grandeur in the Middle East and keeping Zaha Hadid’s unmatched architectural legacy alive, ME Dubai invites visitors to literally step into a design legend’s mind.
Images Courtesy Of ME Dubai
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Interiors’ Winter 2021/2022 Issue.