Optimizing visitor comfort and accessibility for one of the first contemporary arts institutions in Dubai
Jameel Arts Centre is one of the first contemporary arts institutions in Dubai, aiming to be a leading institution in this field for the UAE, the Middle East, and South Asia. It’s a space dedicated to exhibitions, research, learning, and cultural engagement.
Located at Jaddaf Waterfront in Dubai and founded by Art Jameel, the center combines galleries, research spaces, commissions areas, a public library, a writer’s studio, retail, and hospitality functions within a highly accessible cultural destination.
Due to the nature and location of the arts institution, the project required a carefully designed visitor circulation strategy capable of supporting cultural engagement, operational efficiency, and spatial comfort simultaneously.
Systematica oversaw a comprehensive pedestrian flow assessment for the Jameel Arts Centre, supporting the optimization of circulation systems and visitor comfort throughout the building.
Our work provided scientific validation of the project’s spatial organization and pedestrian performance, informing key design decisions related to circulation, accessibility, and exhibition visibility.
Systematica developed an advanced analytical framework combining pedestrian simulation and spatial analysis tools.
The study included:
- Micro-dynamic pedestrian traffic simulations using Legion® software
- Throughput capacity analysis for vertical and horizontal connections
- Visitor demand and occupancy estimation through Level of Service (LOS) assessment
- Space syntax analysis for visibility and spatial integration
- Visual pull and accessibility mapping
The combination of pedestrian modelling and spatial analytics enabled a detailed understanding of how visitors interact with galleries, public spaces, and circulation systems under different operational conditions.
Based on the analysis, Systematica developed targeted recommendations to improve the performance of key spaces, including adjustments to circulation corridors, optimization of under-dimensioned areas, and strategic positioning of artworks and wall-mounted installations to maximize visibility and visitor engagement.
Opened to the public in 2018, the Jameel Arts Centre now operates as one of the region’s leading cultural destinations.
