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Abu Dhabi: The Latest Architecture and News

Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades

The delicate mashrabiya has offered effective protection against intense sunlight in the Middle East for several centuries. However, nowadays this traditional Islamic window element with its characteristic latticework is used to cover entire buildings as an oriental ornament, providing local identity and a sun-shading device for cooling. In fact, designers have even transformed the vernacular wooden structure into high-tech responsive daylight systems. 

Jean Nouvel is one of the leading architects who has strongly influenced the debate about modern mashrabiyas. His Institut du monde arabe in Paris was only the precedent to two buildings he designed for the harsh sun of the Middle East: The Doha Tower, which is completely wrapped with a re-interpretation of the mashrabiya, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum with its luminous dome.

More mashrabiyas, after the break...

Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades - Image 1 of 4Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades - Image 2 of 4Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades - Image 5 of 4Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades - Image 3 of 4Light Matters: Mashrabiyas - Translating Tradition into Dynamic Facades - More Images+ 23

Timelapse Captures 2.5 Year Transformation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Humanity’s ability to construct and change an urban landscape is incredible, but rarely do we get to see that interaction at full scale. Beno Saradzic’s "BEYOND: Memoirs in a Timelapse" captures just that. Taken from more than two years of footage from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this film showcases hourly transformations wrought on some of the city’s most famous buildings, such as the Al Bahar Towers and Burj Khalifa.

Heatherwick Tapped to Design “Sunken Oasis” in Abu Dhabi

Thomas Heatherwick has been commissioned to transform a 125,000 square meter park in the heart of Abu Dhabi into a multifunctional “sunken oasis.” Inspired by “fractured desert crust,” the park is designed as a series of fragmented canopies that rise to form a three-dimensional landscape across the site. Beneath the cracked surface will be a series of interconnected public spaces cooled by lush vegetation that provide organic produce to local restaurants and space for community gardens.

VIDEO: Jean Nouvel on Arabic Architecture, Context and Culture

In this powerful interview, Jean Nouvel explains his relationship to Arabic architecture. Discussing his various projects in Arabic countries - such as his office tower in Doha or the Louvre Abu Dhabi - Nouvel discusses how he is influenced by and integrates the abstraction and geometry of traditional Islamic architecture into his modern designs. He also espouses a strong opinion on the understanding of context in architecture, saying: "I'm a contextual architect, but for me the context isn't only the site. It's above all a wider historical context - a cultural context... each time, building is trying to continue a history, and to take part in this history." His architecture, he says, is about listening: "The architect is not meant to impose his own values or his own sensitivities on such general plans." Video via Louisiana.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects

Rosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects - Hotels, Facade, CityscapeRosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects - Hotels, FacadeRosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects - Hotels, Facade, CityscapeRosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects - Hotels, Facade, Arch, CityscapeRosewood Abu Dhabi / Handel Architects - More Images+ 16

Hotels
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sowwah Square / Goettsch Partners

Sowwah Square / Goettsch Partners - Commercial Architecture, Garden, Facade, Arch, LightingSowwah Square / Goettsch Partners - Commercial Architecture, Facade, CityscapeSowwah Square / Goettsch Partners - Commercial Architecture, Facade, LightingSowwah Square / Goettsch Partners - Commercial Architecture, Facade, Door, StairsSowwah Square / Goettsch Partners - More Images+ 26

Commercial Architecture
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • Architects: Goettsch Partners
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  529400 m²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Novotech

Sheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects

Becoming a destination in itself and potential catalyst in the future urban growth of Abu Dhabi, the Zaha Hadid designed Sheikh Zayed Bridge was conceived in a highly mobile society that requires a new route around the Gulf south shore, connecting the three Emirates together. Hufton+Crow shared with us their photos as they capture the many viewpoints of this sinusoidal waveform structure. A complete gallery of images after the break.

Bulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects

Bulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects - Pavilion, Facade, Arch, Arcade, LightingBulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects - Pavilion, TableBulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects - Pavilion, Garden, Facade, ArchBulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects - Pavilion, Arch, Arcade, Facade, LightingBulgari Pavilion / Not a Number Architects - More Images+ 38

Pavilion
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum / Ateliers Jean Nouvel

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum / Ateliers Jean Nouvel - Image 13 of 4
Courtesy of Ateliers Jean Nouvel

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, aims at creating a welcoming world which associates lights and shadows as well as shimmers and calm places in a serene atmosphere. Its objective is to belong to its country, to its history, to its geography, avoiding being either a dull translation of this reality or a pleonasm meaning boredom and convention. It also aims at emphasizing the fascination generated by rare encounters. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR - Clinic, Facade Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR - Clinic, Facade, Cityscape Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR - Clinic, Facade Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR - Clinic, Facade, Fence, Cityscape Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi / HDR - More Images+ 4

  • Architects

    HDR Architecture

  • Location

    Abu Dhabi, UAE

  • Project Year

    2013

  • Photographs

    Courtesy of HDR Architecture

Al Bahar Towers Responsive Facade / Aedas

A quick glimpse at the upcoming weather for Abu Dhabi will show a week of intense sunshine, temperatures steadily above 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 0% chance of rain. In such extreme weather conditions, even architects listing environmental design as their top priority are up against a tough battle. Never mind that the sand can compromise the structural integrity of the building, the intense heat and glare can render a comfortable indoor environment relatively impossible if not properly addressed. For Abu Dhabi’s newest pair of towers, Aedas Architects have designed a responsive facade which takes cultural cues from the “mashrabiya”, a traditional Islamic lattice shading device.

More about the towers’ shading system after the break.

Mafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec

Mafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec - Medical Facilities, Facade, Table, ChairMafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec - Medical Facilities, FacadeMafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec - Medical Facilities, Facade, BeamMafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec - Medical Facilities, Chair, TableMafraq Dialysis Center / Stantec - More Images+ 7

medical facilities
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • Architects: Stantec
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  75000 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2012

Guardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress

Guardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress - Mixed Use Architecture, Facade, CityscapeGuardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress - Mixed Use Architecture, Facade, Door, HandrailGuardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress - Mixed Use Architecture, FacadeGuardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress - Mixed Use Architecture, Facade, CityscapeGuardian Towers / LAB Architecture Studio + ERGA Progress - More Images+ 11

Mixed Use Architecture
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Al Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects

Al Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects - Institutional Buildings, FacadeAl Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects - Institutional Buildings, Facade, ArchAl Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects - Institutional Buildings, FacadeAl Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects - Institutional Buildings, Facade, CityscapeAl Dar Headquarters / MZ Architects - More Images+ 8

Institutional buildings
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - Image 20 of 4
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City © SOM

Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA), has unveiled plans for the new three-million-square-foot, 838-bed Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). The new complex, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in a joint venture with ICME and Tilke, will replace the existing Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and provide expanded medical, pediatric, and trauma care for the residents of Abu Dhabi.

Mustafa K. Abadan, Design Partner for the project, says “The new Sheikh Khalifa Medical City balances the technical demands of a world-class medical center with the psychological well being of its visitors. The design allows for the flexible integration of next generation medical technologies, while the incorporation of amenities, such as trees and hanging gardens coupled with restaurants and retail, provides tranquility, relief and a sense of normalcy for patients and their families.”

Continue reading for more images and the architect’s description.

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - Image 13 of 4Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - Image 12 of 4Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - Image 8 of 4Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - Image 6 of 4Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi / SOM - More Images+ 19

Sheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects

Sheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects - Vehicular BridgeSheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects - Vehicular Bridge, FacadeSheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects - Vehicular BridgeSheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects - Vehicular Bridge, FacadeSheikh Zayed Bridge / Zaha Hadid Architects - More Images+ 15

Vehicular bridge
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi International Airport / KPF

Abu Dhabi International Airport / KPF - Featured Image
Courtesy of KPF

The new Midfield Terminal Complex at Abu Dhabi International Airport was just approved by the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi. Within master plan, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), the terminal is conceived as a gateway to the city. The design creates large, unimpeded internal zones that will enhance the passenger experience, and can accommodate long‐term adaptability to industry demands. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Infinite Free Iraqi Constitution Proposal, designed by CAP

How can you condense more than ten thousand years of civilization into a single project that faithfully tells the story of a great nation? The answer is in the winning design of a prestigious architectural competition, to design the new compound for the General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers in Baghdad. Zaha Hadid and more than 30 other international architects participated in this competition, won by the architecture firm CAP.