
Dubai Exiles Rugby Clubhouse
Dubai Exiles Rugby Club commissioned the design of a new clubhouse that would reflect the club’s more than 50-year history and identity. The brief called for a space that acknowledged heritage while supporting contemporary use during matches, events, and social gatherings.
edge Architects was appointed as Interior Design Consultant, responsible for developing the interior concept, material language, and spatial organisation of the clubhouse.
Location: Dubai, UAE | Year: 2017 | Client: Dubai Exiles Rugby Club | Status: Completed


The clubhouse was designed with a vintage industrial character. A dark, high ceiling, exposed structural elements, painted brick walls, and concrete flooring contribute to a barn-like aesthetic that reinforces strength, history, and authenticity.
A central lounge forms the focal point of the space, defined by a steel cage structure suspended above it. Seating is arranged in groups around this central zone, encouraging social interaction. Trophies, memorabilia, and club merchandise are displayed throughout the clubhouse within steel cages and antique-finish frames, integrating the club’s legacy into the interior environment.
Large folding and sectional doors allow the interior to open directly onto external terraces overlooking the playing fields. This flexibility enables the space to expand and accommodate larger crowds, particularly during game screenings and major sporting events.
The history of the club is expressed throughout the clubhouse through carefully curated memorabilia and merchandise displays. These elements are integrated into the overall design language while remaining visually prominent. A short corridor is treated as a gallery-like space, allowing visitors to experience the club’s heritage through archival photographs, honour boards, and the display of the club’s first jersey.
The material palette emphasises strength and durability, with steel, concrete, and wood forming the foundation of the design. Finishes were selected to reinforce a rugged, industrial character. Elements such as extruded steel mesh, exposed air-conditioning ductwork, sectional garage-style doors, timber planks, and industrial bulkhead lighting contribute to the overall aesthetic and sense of authenticity.

