Hygge Hotel redefines hospitality in Dubai by translating the Nordic philosophy of hygge—comfort, happiness, and connection—into a fully immersive architectural experience. Conceived through a creative collaboration with AI, the project moves beyond brand playbooks, instead grounding itself in cultural and experiential research that shapes every design decision. The facade features fluted, glazed terracotta columns that rise from the ground floor and flare outward in a tree-like gesture, evoking a landscaped allée. Warm red-brown hues and porcelain bands in muted tones frame expansive terraces, while a dramatic rooftop glass pool connects all the City Hotels, offering a shared space for reflection and relaxation. The vertical rhythm of the architecture creates a journey from earth to sky, combining tactility with aspiration.
Inside, a sculptural, multi-level lobby serves as the hotel’s social heart, flowing upward through the building and linking guest rooms with shared spaces designed for dinners, conversations, and community. Hygge here is not a style—it’s a lived experience, woven into the flow of the architecture to make every stay feel personal and human. AI played a central role from the outset, informing visioning, material selection, and the cultural translation of hygge into architectural form. This integration allowed HWKN to push beyond conventional design processes, delivering a hospitality environment that is emotionally resonant, contextually rooted, and distinctly human in scale.
Set within The World—Dubai’s European-style island chain—the Hygge Hotel stands apart in a landscape dominated by spectacle. Its human-scale density, nature-inspired design, and community-driven spaces create a true sense of belonging for travelers from around the world.
