Situated on an island within The World development off the coast of Dubai, a self-sustaining approach is paramount. Carapace embodies an off-grid approach and self-sustained ecosystem once fully constructed.

Designed as an aggregation of tightly woven shell structures that dynamically power the resort by means of a variety of strategies, Carapace can effectively sustain off-grid occupancy. The internal volumes that house the various programs float above the landscape, allowing for strategic structural footprints without the need for large on grade foundations and flora to grow across the island uninterrupted and enhance the structural integrity of the reclaimed sand island.

The vaulted roof shells are clad with white BIPVs that provide several thousand square meters of electricity production area that feed the requirements of the resort. The roof shells also serve as stack ventilation plenums with cooler air being pulled in from the shaded spaces beneath the hung programmed spaces and vented to the plenum space that separates the roof and occupied volumes. Water filtration and distillation is achieved via a hydronic system that boils the water in the heated roof plenum spaces producing potable water.