Handmade Terracotta provides sense of place at Time Out Market Dubai

We were delighted to be consulted on the most recent Time Out Market venture by commercial interior design and architecture firm, Zebra. The Time Out Market Dubai was opened in April 2021, and features some beautiful bespoke tiles sourced by Solus Head of London Sales, Michael Irvine.

“Zebra wanted to express an aesthetic that was in keeping with the history of the location; something that recalled the geometrical ceramics from the traditional Islamic architecture of the region. We provided a range of handmade tiles that achieve this while providing the warmth and softness of terracotta.”

Glen Dyer, the Creative Director at Zebra explained, “Time Out Markets around the world are often found in older buildings where there is an element of donor architecture that can be used as a backdrop. In our case we had an existing shell and core, and our challenge was to create character that appears authentic and lived-in but not manufactured.

“When comparing Time Out Market Dubai to others amongst the estate we believe that we have been able to achieve this authenticity and sense of place.

“We selected a palette of materials that would invoke a memory of the UAE with all who had experienced her beauty. The monolithic counter tops are representative of the warm sands of our beaches while the rich terracotta mashrabiya handmade tiles are pulled from the flowing dunes of the Hatta region” 

Director of Projects for Time Out Market, Bruno Veninga, was happy with the collaboration. “In Dubai we felt that we needed a more informed design direction and asked Zebra to provide us with some options to choose from for the localisation aspect. Zebra presented three potential colour schemes / material boards, all unique, yet all relevant to Dubai, from which we made our selection. This then translated into the final design scheme and into the beautiful market we welcome our customers to today”.

Located in the Souk Al Bahar, looking across the Burj Khalifa lake, Time Out Market is in a prime position. The market contains three bars and 17 food counters which deliver an array of international dining experiences; local artist, Abdulla Lutfi recently unveiled a large mural depicting everyday Emirati life in the past and present; and a stage area hosts bands and DJs at the weekend.

Dubai has come a long way from its humble beginnings as an 18th century fishing village. It positioned itself early as an entrepôt, focusing on trade and, later, tourism. The Time Out Market Dubai is a modern expression of this long-standing identity, and consciously recalls a proud heritage of cultural exchange.