Dubai is located on the northern tip of the United Arab Emerites on the Persian Gulf. It has been ruled by the Al Maktoum Dynasty since 1833 and has existed in its modern state since 1971. the current ruler is Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who is also the prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates.
The rather small city has a population of 1.6 million people and a $37 billion USD economy based largely on trade, manufacturing and financial services. contrary to popular belief petrol and natural gas only make up a small percentage of revenues. The city has gained world-wide attention in the past few years because of its booming economy and ambitious architectural projects. Here are 18 proposed projects destined to change the face of global architecture.
With a focus on business and tourism, the city is ramping up construction on an unprecedented level. in fact, Dubai is said to be home to 15% to 25% of the world’s 125,000 construction cranes. Don’t think that the architectural expansion is over, because a slew of new project are on the table and in the works as we speak.
1.) Zaha Hadid’ Dancing Towers are planned to be located in Dubai’s business bay development area. the plan consists of three buildings which rise up from the ground bending and intertwining with each other to create fluid animation of the forms.
2.) ‘Dubai Pearl’ was originally conceived by the Omnix Group in 2002 but has since been taken over by a consortium of investors led by the Al Fahim group. The $3 billion USD project overlooks the Pal Jumeriah and covers 1.4 million square meters of the Dubai media and technology free zone.
3.) Architect David Fisher is the designer of the ‘DaVinci Rotating Tower’, one of the most innovative an unique buildings to be built in Dubai. The 250 meter tower will allow each floor to rotate freely allowing the building to shift its shape. In between each floor horizontal wind turbines will allow the building to produce energy.
4.) Dubai Opera House – Jean Nouvel submitted this proposal for the Dubai Opera House. The futuristic building is meant to differentiate itself from ‘the vulgar hotels and office buildings’ of Dubai. Its design resembles a cliff face
or a waterfall and is capped with a giant dome featuring a semi-permeable skin.
5.) ‘Dubai Promenade’ is a project developed by Nakheel. Located in between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, this wheel shaped five star hotel is built on a man-made peninsula. it will be accompanied by a series of sister towers that will create 2,000 residential units.
6.) Trump Hotel – Real estate mogul Donald Trump is also part of the architectural plans of Dubai, along with Nakheel Hotels he plans to build a 255 meter ‘Trump Hotel’ on a man-made island in Dubai. With 60 stories, the 5 star hotel will also house some luxury apartments. the building has been designed by Atkins Architects.
7.) The ‘0-14 Tower’ was designed by Resier and Umemoto and Rur Architecture PC along with Dubai Developer, Shahab Lutfi. The building was designed for Dubai’s business bay and features 22 floors covered in a double skin facade that’s outermost skin is constructed from 40c, thick perforated concrete. The one meter space between the skins creates a chimney effect, cooling the building.
8.) ‘The Arabian Blade’ is a mixed-use tower designed by Claudio Catalano. The building was inspired by plant forms and combines several volumes into one unit. It will contain residences, a hotel and commercial space.
9.) The design for Abu Dhabi’s Performing Arts Center was conceived of by Zaha Hadid. the building is meant to house music, theatre and dance, located on Saadiyat Island along with the New Louvre and Guggenheim Museum’s. the Island was intended to be a ‘beacon for cultural experience and exchange’ by Abu Dhabi’s ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.
10.) ‘Dubai Renaissance’ was designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Fernando Donis of OMA for the business bay development competition. Their entry lost to Hadid’s Dancing Towers and is looking at other possible sites.
11.) ‘Dubai Towers’ is the centerpiece for the large ‘Lagoons’ development. the buildings and the development were all conceived of by TVS. The four towers range in size from 54 to 97 floors and were inspired by the flames and movement of candlelight.
12.) The Opus – ‘Opus’ is another Dubai building designed by British Architect Zaha Hadid. the 235 million GBP development was designed for the business bay for Omniyat Properties. It stands at 20 stories located next to the towering Burj Dubai. Hadid’s concept was to have the building open onto the city, framing the views. It is currently underdevelopment and is planned to be completed by 2010.
13.) ‘The Apeiron Hotel’ will be a 7-star hotel built on an island off of Dubai. The arched 185 meter tall hotel will cost $500 million USD. It will have 350 luxury suites that will only be accessible by yacht and helicopter. Designed by Sybarite UK, the hotel features its own lagoon, beaches, cinemas and at gallery.
14.) Architect Andrew Bromberg designed this 120 floor building while at Aedas Architects. measuring 516 meters, the ‘Pentominium’ is a residential only building which will be one of the highest towers in Dubai’s Marian, when it is complete. The slender building is covered in glass with a series of tiered balconies on one side.
15.) Located in the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah, ‘Jebel al Jais Mountain Resort’ is a tourist resort designed by Rem Koolhaas of OMA Architects. the project features an inhabited dam, bridge and vertical village built right into the cliff.
16.) ‘The Infinity Tower’ is designed by skidmore owings and merrill and is located directly on Dubai’s Waterfront. when complete it will be the world’s tallest tower to feature a 90-degree twist. It will be used for luxury apartments and services, with all sides of the building featuring optimal views. The building’s interior structure will feature a a concrete column, shaped like a helix. Each floor has a slight 1.2 degree twist to compose the full 90 degrees.
17.) Aatkins Architects has designed ‘the lighthouse‘ a new tower located in the middle of Dubai’s financial center. The 400 meter tall office tower which hopes to set a new standard for sustainability among dubai’s towers. it plans to reduce its total energy consumption by 65% and its water consumption by up to 40%.
18.) ‘The Cloud’ is a speculative design for a resort city elevated 300 meters in the air above Dubai and supported on slanting legs resembling rain. It is designed by Nadim Karam of Lebanese Architect Atelier Hapsitus. It is a horizontal presence on an elevated platform, an antithesis to the sum of skyscrapers spreading over the entire region.
