FOSTER + PARTNERS

commercialspaces

Jul 9

Written By Lauren Engel

COMMERCIAL

FOSTERS + PARTNERS

Dubai

The Alif Pavilion is a sculptural building in Dubai designed by Foster + Partners, exploring themes of movement, innovation, and human connection through architecture and immersive space.

Architecture | Fosters + Partners

SERVICES PROVIDED

Photography | Cinematography

ABOUT

The Alif Pavilion is a landmark building in Dubai designed by Foster + Partners. Its form is defined by sweeping curves and reflective steel fins, housing immersive spaces that explore the evolution of mobility—from ancient innovations to future technologies. Inside, the world’s largest passenger lift and a 330-meter outdoor track bring motion to life through dynamic, interactive exhibits.

The pavilion was designed to remain in use long after construction, with a flexible structure intended to transition into a permanent workspace within the city’s innovation district.

GOALS

Dubai is known for its ambitious architecture, and the Alif Pavilion stands out even in that context. Designed by Foster + Partners, the building was created to embody movement—not just as a theme, but as something visitors physically experience. Our goal was to capture how people flow through the space: the way light shifts across the metallic curves, how the scale invites exploration, and how the design itself becomes part of the narrative. We approached the shoot with that in mind, focusing on rhythm, energy, and the sense of discovery that unfolds as you move through it.

CHALLENGES

We approached the Alif Pavilion with a focus on capturing how people interact with the space—while being intentional about scale, movement, and flow. With a structure this large, timing was everything. We had to anticipate when the building would feel alive but not crowded, when the light would hit just right, and how reflections and surrounding architecture would play into the frame. Planning ahead and observing the rhythm of the space throughout the day allowed us to strike the right balance between human presence and architectural clarity.

STRATEGY

To capture both the scale and human interaction at Alif, Arturo + Lauren spent several days studying the rhythm of the site—tracking how foot traffic, light, and reflections evolved throughout the day. Because the building’s form is massive and constantly shifting in appearance, timing was critical. We carefully planned shoot windows to avoid crowding while still including enough activity to show how the space is used. Interiors required a different approach, with selective lighting adjustments and a focus on slower exposures to work around darker zones. With limited time to shoot both video and photo, we worked in tandem—prioritizing key angles, doubling back when lighting improved, and using time-lapses to bridge transitions between moments. Every decision was built around movement, energy, and clarity—making sure both the architecture and the people moving through it were framed at their best.

OUTCOME

The final visuals reflect the dual nature of the pavilion—as both a sculptural landmark and a space designed for flow. By balancing clean architectural shots with subtle human presence, the work feels grounded and alive. The video captures the rhythm of the space through movement, while the photography highlights its scale and detail without losing the energy of interaction. Together, they offer a cohesive visual narrative that mirrors how the building was meant to be experienced: not just seen, but moved through.