One Zaabeel

The Challenge: A project of this ambition placed extraordinary demands on every system.  

Lightweight construction was essential to manage structural loads

nowhere more so than across the suspended Link, an occupied four-storey bridge where every kilogram carried consequences. The fully glazed envelope, exposed to Dubai's intense solar gain, required high thermal insulation performance to keep the interiors efficient and comfortable

The Link Bridge ceiling

a column-free interior spanning a diagrid steel structure — set demanding acoustic and durability requirements during the construction phase. And as a home for ultra-luxury hotel and serviced-apartment brands, the development called for premium drywall solutions capable of reaching an exceptional sound-insulation target of STC 65 between units — a level of acoustic privacy expected only at the very top of the hospitality market.

The solution: An integrated package across façade, ceiling, partition, shaftwall and lining applications.

Knauf Insulation supplied Façade Slab and Acoustic Slab, while Knauf Gypsum delivered partition, ceiling, lining and shaftwall assemblies complying with ASTM standards.

The performance delivered: The combined systems achieved fire, acoustic and thermal performance across the envelope and interiors.

The gypsum assemblies delivered the demanding acoustic separation the luxury accommodation required, alongside fire performance, mould and moisture resistance, load-bearing capability and the structural heights the towers and Link demanded — performance engineered to suit one of the most structurally complex buildings in the region.

Sustainability Solution: Knauf Insulation's ECOSE-based products supported a higher green-building rating, while the gypsum products carried clean-air and CDPH certifications and met green-building requirements.