sodic west

desert INK were engaged by leading Egyptian developer SODIC to re-envision this existing road into a vibrant streetscape forming the spine of their mixed-use development. Applying shared streetscape principles to the right of way not only served to calm traffic, but also transformed a vehicle-dominated corridor into a unified linear plaza, safely accommodating pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists alike. desert INK’s approach unlocked the huge value present in spaces previously cut-off or occupied solely by traffic. Roundabouts are transformed into parklets and plazas, and unoccupiable ornamental landscapes into community spaces, playgrounds and exercise stations. The streetscape is redesigned with adaptability in mind. Such adaptability allows the street to thrive with daily community activity, yet also delivers the capability to host seasonal events through controlled traffic diversions. On such occasions, the carriageway areas are occupied by pedestrians, markets, sports, carnivals and performers. desert INK’s role as lead designer developed the scheme through from visioning until Schematic Design, with a local landscape architect responsible for delivering the Detailed Design under desert INK’s design guardianship.