IAPA Wins Dubai 2100 Competition with a Bold Vision

At Creathlon Competitions, we seek to ignite the imagination of architects and designers around the globe, challenging them to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. Our Dubai 2100 Ideas Competition invited visionaries to imagine what Dubai might look like a century from now, blending the city’s rich cultural heritage with a futuristic urban fabric. The result? A winning project from the IAPA Design Team that perfectly encapsulates this balance—combining tradition, technology, and a bold glimpse into the future of urban living.

We sat down with the IAPA team to dive into their process, their vision, and the innovative steps they took to bring their design concept to life.

A Platform for Visionaries: The Motivation Behind IAPA's Entry

From the outset, IAPA saw the competition as more than just a challenge—it was an opportunity to showcase their innovative approach to global architecture.

"This competition gave us a rare chance to present our ideas on an international stage," the team shared.

"It wasn't just about solving an architectural problem; it was about reimagining Dubai’s urban identity in a way that reflects its past while paving the way for a visionary future."

IAPA Team

For IAPA, this project was personal. They wanted to create a design that would resonate with Dubai’s evolution—a city that has transformed from a modest trading port into a global metropolis. “We wanted to create something that embraces the cultural richness of Dubai, but at the same time, anticipates its needs a century ahead," they added. The team’s design philosophy centered around sustainability, innovation, and heritage—a combination they believe is key to the city’s future success.

Inspiration AI Generated

The Creative Process: Blending Culture and Cutting-Edge Technology

From the moment they began working on their design, the IAPA team knew that the essence of Dubai had to be the core of their concept. "Our process began with deep, immersive research," they explained. "We explored Dubai’s unique cultural landscape—its traditions, religion, social structure, and even its political influences. All of these layers contribute to the distinct identity of the city."

This thorough understanding of Dubai’s past and present gave the team a solid foundation on which to build their futuristic vision. But it wasn’t enough to simply look back—they needed to create something bold that embraced cutting-edge technologies.

"We wanted to create a design that speaks to both the future and the past, to harmonize the architectural language of tomorrow with the cultural soul of Dubai,"

IAPA Team

Their design process was a blend of collaborative creativity and meticulous experimentation. "Our brainstorming sessions were dynamic—every team member brought something different to the table, whether it was through hand sketches, 3D models, or digital tools," they said. Each iteration brought them closer to a solution that felt not only innovative but deeply rooted in Dubai’s unique character. "We repeatedly scrutinized and refined every aspect of the design, pushing ourselves to find the right balance between tradition and modernity" they continued.

Process Sketch - Plan

Hand Sketch

Facing the Future: How AI Helped Shape Their Vision

The future is notoriously difficult to predict, but for IAPA, this uncertainty became a driving force behind their design. "Envisioning Dubai in 2100 was a challenge, but also an exciting opportunity," the team noted. To tackle the unknown, they combined in-depth research on urban trends with more unconventional sources of inspiration. "We didn’t just look at academic papers and forecasts—we also explored films, CGI, and speculative works that imagine futuristic cities."

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of their design process was their use of artificial intelligence (AI). "AI became a key tool for us," the team explained. "It allowed us to generate creative visuals and explore architectural ideas that we might not have arrived at through traditional methods." By inputting detailed prompts into AI tools, the team was able to quickly generate a vast array of possibilities, enriching their concept with futuristic, yet feasible, design elements.

"AI helped us think outside the box, it sped up our process, provided new perspectives, and ultimately allowed us to push the boundaries of our design in ways we hadn’t anticipated. The combination of human creativity and AI-driven insights was one of the most exciting parts of this project."

IAPA Team

A Vision for Tomorrow: The Impact of the Dubai 2100 Competition

Winning the Dubai 2100 Ideas Competition has been more than just a professional milestone for the IAPA team—it has reshaped their approach to design. "This competition has not only enhanced our design capabilities but also deepened our understanding of how architecture can influence the future of cities," they said.

"It was a profound experience that made us think differently about how we can integrate sustainability, technology, and cultural respect into everything we do."

IAPA Team

The team is confident that this competition is just the beginning of a new chapter in their design journey. "We’ve gained insights that will shape our approach for years to come," they explained. "We’re excited to take what we’ve learned here and continue exploring, innovating, and contributing to the cities of the future."

Celebrating Innovation: The Future of Architecture

The IAPA team’s winning design isn’t just a glimpse into Dubai’s future—it’s a blueprint for how cities around the world can balance innovation and heritage. Their work proves that future-forward architecture can still be deeply rooted in the past, creating spaces that are as meaningful as they are functional.

Below, we’re proud to share exclusive process images, from early concept sketches to final AI-aided images. You can also meet the team behind this visionary project through a group photo that highlights the collaborative spirit that brought this design to life.

Congratulations to the IAPA Design Team for their inspiring achievement! At Creathlon Competitions, we can’t wait to see how they—and future participants—will continue to redefine what’s possible in the world of architecture.

Interior Design Process Render

Process Sketch - Elevation

Process Sketch - Aerial

Process Sketch Model - Section

Interior Design Process Sketch