Architecture firm HWKN is redefining urban development in the heart of Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates’ third-largest city, with an ambitious project that blends cutting-edge artificial intelligence and innovative design principles. Commissioned by Al Marwan Real Estate, the District 11 project promises to transform a key part of the city’s center into a thriving commercial and community hub—one thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of professionals, residents, and visitors alike.
Situated along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (311), District 11 enjoys an enviable location just five minutes from Sharjah International Airport and Sharjah University City. Its proximity to the bustling Al Zahia city center and neighboring residential areas makes it a natural focal point for work, leisure, and social interaction. Spanning a massive 3 million square feet, this new development will feature 11 architecturally distinct buildings housing 200 commercial units. The mix includes office spaces, retail shops, cafés, childcare and healthcare facilities, professional institutions, and a mosque — reflecting the diverse social fabric of Sharjah.
What makes District 11 stand out is HWKN’s revolutionary use of artificial intelligence in its design and planning phases. Rather than relying solely on traditional methods, the architects employed a sophisticated “reverse engineering” process where AI-generated concepts undergo iterative refinement, moving through exploration, expression, and visualization stages. This AI-driven workflow allowed HWKN to simulate numerous environmental, cultural, and functional variables before settling on a design that harmonizes form and purpose.
The layout is organized on a strict grid, but the interior layouts vary significantly from building to building. Some feature expansive American-style open floor plans encouraging collaboration and flexibility; others lean towards compact European dimensions optimizing space efficiency. Several buildings are designed with adaptable structures to serve as hotels or coworking centers, responding to the dynamic needs of the modern workforce. This versatility is critical in a region where professional and social life often intersect fluidly.
A defining feature of the design is a central, east-to-west public corridor that stitches the entire district together, connecting the mosque to nearby residential zones and fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the office. This corridor invites pedestrians to traverse the space comfortably, encouraging social interaction, casual meetings, and even moments of quiet reflection amid a bustling cityscape.
The AI’s influence extended beyond spatial arrangement into climate-responsive design choices. Sharjah’s hot desert climate posed a significant challenge, and the AI incorporated local climatic data to optimize building massing, orientation, and shading strategies. These decisions help mitigate heat gain and improve outdoor comfort, crucial for creating a walkable, human-centered environment in a region where temperature extremes can limit outdoor activity.
Cultural identity also played a pivotal role in guiding the design. HWKN’s research delved deeply into Sharjah’s urban morphology, heritage, and religious traditions, embedding these elements into the planning process. For example, the inclusion and placement of the mosque were carefully integrated to respect local customs and foster spiritual community ties, demonstrating how AI can be tuned to honor context and tradition rather than ignore it.
District 11 stands as an example of how technology and human creativity can merge to rethink urbanism in rapidly growing cities. By leveraging AI not just as a design tool but as a research partner, HWKN has proposed a new model for commercial districts—one that balances efficiency with livability, modernity with cultural authenticity, and professional demands with social needs.
This project is part of a larger wave of forward-thinking urban design initiatives worldwide. Similar innovative efforts include MAST’s floating community concept for Rotterdam’s abandoned Spoorweghaven docks, BIG and Dencityworks’ mixed-use waterfront towers in Brooklyn, and Third Nature’s regenerative masterplan for Greater Copenhagen. Closer to home, Foster + Partners recently reimagined Manchester’s Old Trafford district with new stadium designs, while RIOS and Field Operations unveiled a transformative plan for Chicago’s West Side and United Center area.
As cities around the globe grapple with population growth, climate change, and shifting work patterns, projects like Sharjah’s District 11 offer a glimpse of the future—where artificial intelligence helps architects and planners create vibrant, adaptable, and sustainable urban environments tailored to the needs of their communities.