Zaha Hadid Architects brings Richmind's vision to life for sculptural Oystra development

Promotion: developer Richmind and executive architects Dewan Architects + Engineers have commissioned Zaha Hadid Architects to design the Oystra development in the UAE, which features a 40-metre curved steel truss spanning two towers.

Developed by Richmind, Oystra sits on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where its undulating shape overlooks the gulf.

The 128,000 square-metre development features four interconnected towers, comprising over 800 apartments as well as penthouses, sky villas and stand-alone waterfront villas.

Richmind explained that it has shifted its focus to developing original spaces that have a strong artistic intent, and Oystra intends to demonstrate its aim in pushing architectural boundaries with high-quality developments designed by world-leading practices.

The company's executive architects, Dewan Architects + Engineers, also added that the company's projects – such as Osytra – intend to enhance "the human experience", and the practice invests in understanding how architecture can shape and support people's lifestyles.

"For us, design is not a decorative layer but a fundamental driver of value, shaping how people live, feel, and interact with their surroundings," said Dewan Architects + Engineers CEO Ammar Alassam.

"Zaha Hadid Architects conceived Oystra as a seamless convergence of form, movement, and environment – a composition of sculptural geometries shaped by the natural rhythms of sea and sky," Alassam continued.

Oystra was designed to be immediately recognisable and forms part of Richmind's aim to reimagine what luxury means in the built environment.

"Projects like Oystra exemplify our belief that true luxury lies in singularity – spaces that are emotionally resonant, experientially rich, and immediately recognisable," Richmind CEO Mohammad Rafiee told Dezeen.

Construction will commence this year, and according to Rafiee, once Oystra is built, it will become one with its coastal surroundings and feel like it has always been on the site.

"For us, design is not a decorative layer but a fundamental driver of value, shaping how people live, feel, and interact with their surroundings," said Rafiee.

"What sets Richmind apart is our commitment to creating ambitious and aesthetically striking developments that are seen more as works of art than just structures – regardless of location or market comparisons."

Alassam also added that the project's unconventional design of a curved steel truss has allowed the company to showcase its skills, and that its technical team was "instrumental in safeguarding the architectural narrative".

"The 40-metre curved steel truss spans two of Oystra's towers," he added. "This structural innovation allowed for the preservation of a continuous visual rhythm across the skyline, enabling both spatial drama and structural stability."

"Equally notable is our approach to curved, walkable structural walls. Rather than substituting form for ease of construction, we embraced complexity as a driver of integrity."

To Alassam, the project also shows that UAE locations are suitable for these types of projects by starchitects.

"Oystra represents a shift in the regional architectural landscape – a maturation of the collaborative model where design excellence is no longer bound by geography," he said.

"The project affirms that cities like Ras Al Khaimah are emerging as credible hosts for global design experimentation, driven by clients like Richmind who are willing to invest in culturally enriching developments and champion visionary architecture."

To find out more about the Oystra development, visit Richmind's website.

The imagery is courtesy of Richmind.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Richmind & Dewan Architects + Engineers as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Zaha Hadid Architects brings Richmind's vision to life for sculptural Oystra development appeared first on Dezeen.