A skyscraper that behaves like a climate device—two towers shading a chilled canyon of air.
Mixed-use in Plot- DIFC, Dubai.
Featured in Foster + Partners's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.
Visitor Guide
Go around sunset: the city heat eases and the building’s shaded ‘slot’ reads as a deliberate environmental section; look up into the atrium from the base.
From DIFC/Index promenade, golden hour for the deep vertical shadow gap; night for the illuminated atrium slot.
Primarily private office/residential; ground-level retail and lobbies are typically accessible, upper levels require tenant/resident access.
The ‘gap’ between towers is the architecture: it’s a passive shading strategy turned into a formal move.
30–60 min
Design & Structure
Performance-led tall-building design: sun-path and wind studies informed massing; curtain wall and atrium environment coordinated digitally to reduce solar gain while maintaining views.
Glass curtain wall + steel/concrete frame; materiality matters because glass is disciplined by shade, not celebrated blindly.
Engineering integrates two linked tower masses with large atrium volumes, managing lateral loads and thermal comfort simultaneously.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed The Index (Dubai)?+
The Index (Dubai) was designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 2010. It is located in Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Where is The Index (Dubai) located?+
The Index (Dubai) is located in Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its coordinates are 25.2071°, 55.2790°.
When was The Index (Dubai) built?+
The Index (Dubai) was completed in 2010. It was designed by Foster + Partners.
Can I visit The Index (Dubai)?+
The Index (Dubai) is a real building in Emirate of Dubai that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.