The Fold by Tariq Khayyat Design Partners: Tulip-Inspired Townhouses Redefining Jumeirah Living

Dubai, UAE

The Fold is a low-rise urban development comprising 28 terraced townhouses arranged along the prime Al Wasl Road in the Jumeirah district, one of the most sought-after areas in Dubai. Renowned for its high-end yet diverse urban fabric and relaxed atmosphere, Jumeirah offers a unique living experience.

The Fold by Tariq Khayyat Design Partners, won an 2025 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

The Fold aims to redefine the residential offering in the UAE and the GCC region, establishing a new architectural paradigm that subtly combines sophistication, refinement, and inclusivity. This development seeks to further the social, infrastructural, and environmental progress the region has witnessed over the past century.

Tkdp’s approach has been guided by extensive research and investigation of the site and its wider existing context. The main challenge was to coherently address the social, environmental, and lifestyle needs and aspirations of the residents through more daring yet functional design solutions. This approach steers away from the otherwise repetitive architectural language that has shaped the neighborhood over the past 50 years.

The design ideally resembles the simple yet striking elegance of a field of tulips, orderly aligned to Al Wasl Road. The bespoke 12-meter double-curved GRP components of the villas’ envelope are not a mere aesthetic addition but serve as connecting points coherently adjoining the volumes, giving continuity to the overall ensemble. The GRP has been enriched with EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System), providing a homogeneous silky finish while also ensuring even higher insulation and better thermal performance overall.

The 28 townhouses are organized along a 200-meter central axis, a wide pedestrian artery offering an escape from the busy Al Wasl Road and its surroundings. This pedestrian artery also facilitates interaction between neighbors, providing a platform for people to meet, socialize, and engage in sports activities. This fosters a truly new approach in terms of community-building, nurturing dialogue, and creating a sense of real togetherness that is currently lacking in the immediate adjacencies and beyond.

All villas have been conceived with 3 or 4 bedrooms, featuring high ceilings, as well as ample living and entertainment areas. On the ground floor, the double-height entrance opens onto the living and dining rooms, extending to the screened private garden. On the upper floor, taking into consideration the very specific climatic conditions and to provide privacy and tranquility, wood-powder-coated aluminum louvres ensure shade and comfort to the balconies that are seamlessly connected to the internal spaces, bedrooms, walk-in wardrobes, and bathrooms. To maximize and enhance the overall residential experience, the roof is fully accessible and functions as a terrace and spa with a secluded jacuzzi, offering a unique viewpoint towards Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa, and the whole Jumeirah area.

Architects: Tariq Khayyat Design Partners (TKDP)
Lead Architects: Tariq Khayyat and Xiaosheng Li
Design Team: Sarah Asif, Mohamed Fahmy, Louai Jaber, Ahmed Yakout, Abdulrhman Al Howash, Abdulrhman Ibrahim, Bana Mansour, and Omar Kaddourah
Architect of Record & Engineering: Al Khawajah Engineering Consultancy
Façade & Sustainability: Drees & Sommer
Architectural Lighting: Delta Lighting Solutions
Main Contractor: Aroma International Building Contracting
GRP & GRC Sub-Contractor: Arabian Profile
Client: HUNA
Photographers: Luke Hayes

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