Ibn Battuta Mall

Overview

Ibn Battuta Mall marked Dewan Architects + Engineers' first major retail project and a significant milestone in the practice's evolution. Named after the 14th-century Maghrebi explorer and scholar, the 1.5-kilometre-long development was one of the world's longest themed shopping centres when it opened. Designed in association with CallisonRTKL, the mall traces the journeys of Ibn Battuta through a series of themed environments inspired by the art, architecture and culture of the regions he visited. International artists, sculptors and artisans collaborated on the exterior and interior design to recreate the distinct character of Morocco, Andalusia, China, Tunisia, Persia, Egypt and India.

Project Vision

The mall is organised as a sequence of themed courts, each reflecting the architecture and cultural identity of one of the regions visited by Ibn Battuta. Together, these spaces create a continuous journey through different architectural traditions while forming a unified retail destination.

Key Design Strategies:

• A 1.5-kilometre retail destination inspired by the journeys of Ibn Battuta
• Themed courts representing Morocco, Andalusia, China, Tunisia, Persia, Egypt and India
• Collaboration with international artists, sculptors and artisans
• Architecture and interiors developed as an integrated cultural narrative

Experience of Place

Visitors progress through a sequence of architecturally distinct courts, each expressing the materials, ornament and spatial character of a different region. The changing environments transform the shopping experience into a journey through the cultures that shaped Ibn Battuta's travels.

Performance and Impact

As Dewan's first major retail project, Ibn Battuta Mall established the practice's credentials in the retail sector while delivering one of the region's most recognisable themed shopping destinations. The project remains an important milestone in Dewan's portfolio, demonstrating its ability to deliver large-scale, experience-led developments in collaboration with international design partners.

Key project outcomes:

• Dewan's first major retail project and a defining milestone for the practice
• One of the world's longest themed shopping centres when completed
• A retail destination inspired by the travels of Ibn Battuta through seven themed architectural environments
• Delivered in association with CallisonRTKL

Project Facts

The following information outlines the key details of the project.

• Client: Nakheel
• Location: Karbala, Iraq
• Size: 350,000 m²
• Scope: Lead Design Consultant
• Design Partner: CallisonRTKL
• Status: Completed
• Sector: Education