Sarah Al-Lababidi
Front view of the Sahara Shade bus shelter: wavy roof, glass front, RTA signage, palms and a bus

04 — Design IV, Fall 2024

Sahara Shade

Bus Shelter Design

Software Revit, Lumion, Photoshop

Modern Bus Shelter Design

Project overview

Sahara Shade is a culturally responsive and tech-integrated bus shelter designed for Abu Dhabi. It emphasizes comfort, safety, and user interaction in a compact public space.

Design intent

The shelter reimagines waiting as an experience—merging traditional shading ideas with smart systems to support sustainability, digital access, and user well-being.

Design consideration

  • Accessibility

    Incorporating accessible design principles to ensure that my work meets the needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes features that enhance usability and inclusivity for all users.

  • Security & safety

    Awareness of the continual requirement for safety and oversight at bus stops.

  • Circulation

    Provision of ample circulation despite the limited area for movement.

  • Innovation

    Application of up-to-date technology that caters to sustenance.

Around the shelter

Front, perspective, back, inside

Digital sketch, front view of the shelter with the wavy canopy and seated figures

Front view

Digital sketch, perspective view of the shelter

Perspective view

Digital sketch, back view of the shelter with the undulating canopy

Back view

Digital sketch, interior view with the curved glazed wall, slatted ceiling and seated figures

Interior view

Back side of the shelter: wavy GRC roof over grooved end walls, with an open overhang sheltering an outdoor bench

Back side: the wavy GRC roof and the open overhang

Interior of the shelter: ribbed ceiling, curved glazed wall, bench with seated passengers and a wheelchair user

Interior: ribbed ceiling, curved glazing and the bench

Floor plan of the shelter with 2.5 m, 10 m and 15 m dimensions, sliding door, bench and wheelchair turning circle
Floor plan: 2.5 m deep, 10 m long, under a 15 m roof outline

Facilities

Smart systems in a compact space

Assembly

Fourteen parts, one shelter

Labelled exploded axonometric of the shelter: GRC roof, steel beams, HVAC, finishing material, walls, glazing, bench, sliding door, columns and floor
GRC roof, steel beams, HVAC, finishing material, advertisement wall, roof support, exterior wall, toughened double glazing, steel frames, concrete chair, double-glazed sliding door, mullions, columns and floor finishing
Exploded axonometric of the bus shelter with its layers separated vertically
The same assembly without labels