HWKN uses AI to Shape the Future of Sharjah's Urban Fabric

In central Sharjah, a bold new precinct by New York-based architects HWKN is poised to redefine what a workplace district can be.

Commissioned by Al Marwan Real Estate Development Group, District 11 will be the UAE’s first AI-planned urban neighbourhood—an integrated precinct that includes offices, cafés, a mosque, and childcare and healthcare facilities.

GALLERY  

Responding to Sharjah’s historical imbalance—rich in cultural and residential institutions but lacking cohesive commercial hubs—District 11 sets out to fill a vital urban gap. Positioned between established residential zones and landmarks like the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the development aims to serve as connective tissue in the city’s evolving fabric.

Each of the masterplan’s eleven buildings has been shaped by AI-generated prompts based on HWKN’s research into the region’s climate, cultural identity and urban morphology. From building massing and shading strategies to walkability and thermal comfort, AI was used to simulate design outcomes before any sketches were drawn, compressing research cycles and creating a more responsive environment.

HWKN founding principal Matthias Hollwich, known for his research into ageing and workplace design, describes the approach as “reverse engineering”—using AI to generate architectural form from desired social and environmental outcomes. The firm’s “Work Resort” philosophy, previously piloted in London’s Canada Water, is taken to a new scale here, transforming the commercial office block into a walkable, integrated district designed for collaboration and long-term adaptability.

At the heart of the plan is a canyon-like central boulevard flanked by shaded courtyards and porous public edges. A network of side alleys and green spaces weaves the district together, reflecting the Gulf’s social values while introducing a new typology—one where professional, leisure, and communal life co-exist.

With its blend of technological innovation and cultural sensitivity, District 11 sets a new benchmark for AI-assisted masterplanning—one that rethinks how cities in the Gulf might grow more inclusive, sustainable, and socially engaged

Images courtesy of HWKN via Designboom

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