Overview

Majid Al Futtaim reached out to me with a clear goal: they wanted to bring Tesla charging stations into their mall parking zones across the UAE and Oman. But they didn’t want just a piece of hardware. They wanted something that felt designed—something intentional, seamless, and aligned with the premium vibe of their malls.

This wasn’t about just installing a charger. It was about creating a product experience within a physical space. I came on board to design a freestanding charging unit that looked sleek, met Tesla’s strict technical requirements, and worked within existing infrastructure limitations.

Challange

From the beginning, it was clear that this wasn’t a plug-and-play situation.

• The parking layout didn’t allow for wall-mounted units. That meant no side fixings or visible cabling. Everything had to be freestanding and cable-fed from underground.

• Tesla’s device came with its own set of specs and tolerances, which had to be followed precisely.

• The unit needed to feel premium, yet be easy to maintain over time.

• Branding flexibility was important—Tesla today, but potentially a broader EV setup tomorrow.

• Internally, the unit needed to be ventilated and sturdy enough to house electrical components safely.

Solution

I designed a stand-alone structure that took cues from Tesla’s form language—elegant, modern, and confidently minimal.

• The core shell was built from powder-coated aluminum, with a white (RAL 9003) base, gray (RAL 9023) side curves, and red accents (RAL 3003) for branding.

• I created a hollow-core structure that allowed cables to be routed cleanly from the ground up. It also ensured heat could escape naturally, which helped avoid the need for extra ventilation systems.

• The unit was framed internally with a solid support structure, bolted into a concrete foundation for long-term stability.

• For branding, I used screen-printed aluminum panels instead of cut-outs, making it easier to swap or update the logo depending on usage.

• The form itself was designed to blend in, but still stand tall and be easy to spot for EV users entering the parking space.

Outcome

The final design was installed across several Majid Al Futtaim malls in Dubai and Oman. It now supports both Tesla and other electric vehicles with dedicated parking spots and smooth charging access.

For customers, it’s a quick, frictionless experience. For the client, it’s a powerful brand statement—a nod to innovation and sustainability that fits right into the everyday environment.

For me, this project was a full-circle moment. I got to take an idea from sketch to street-ready product, all while solving for real-world limitations. It’s a small piece of infrastructure, but one that speaks volumes in design.