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Dubai: The Latest Architecture and News

Reimagining The Mashrabiya: Functionality and Symbolism in Contemporary Architecture

For centuries, arid environments have solved the problem of light, privacy, and heat through a statement architectural feature of Islamic and Arab architecture, the mashrabiya. Crafted from geometric patterns traditionally made from short lengths of turned wood, the mashrabiya features lattice-like patterns that form large areas. Traditionally, it was used to catch wind and offer passive cooling in the dry Middle Eastern desert heat. Frequently used on the side street of a built structure, water jars, and basins were placed inside it to activate evaporative cooling. The cool air from the street would pass through the wooden screen, providing air movement for the occupants.

Similar to the Indian jali, the vernacular language also offers a playful experience with daylight while still maintaining a certain degree of privacy. Traced back to Ottoman origins, the perforated screens protected occupants’ from the sun while simultaneously letting daylight through in calculated doses. Although the mashrabiya was a statement in arab and Islamic architecture languages, it wasn’t until 1987 that the archetypal element began appearing with a revised contemporary application.

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Projects by Female Architects from the Global South for Women's Day 2024

In our exploration of architectural endeavors, it is essential to recognize the persistent influence of women, particularly from the Global South, in shaping our built environment, especially the contributions of women who serve as catalysts for social change and cultural celebration. As we delve further into their narratives, it becomes evident that the architects’ lived experiences inform their creative processes, resulting in spaces that resonate with their users and surroundings. Architects like Sumaya Dabbagh, Mariam Issoufou, Tosin Oshinowo, and Marina Tabassum embody this enduring spirit of innovation and resilience.

This curated collection unfolds the narratives of some of the most compelling architectural projects by women from the Global South. From the unique streets of Dubai to the rural landscapes of Niger, each project serves as a testament to the power of architecture to transcend gender boundaries and create meaningful designs that connect people and their surroundings.

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Villa M / Studio Shizen

Villa M / Studio Shizen - Interior Photography, Decoration & Ornament, Kitchen, TableVilla M / Studio Shizen - Interior Photography, Decoration & Ornament, Kitchen, Table, ChairVilla M / Studio Shizen - Interior Photography, Decoration & Ornament, Table, ChairVilla M / Studio Shizen - Interior Photography, Decoration & OrnamentVilla M / Studio Shizen - More Images+ 17

  • Architects: Studio Shizen
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  800
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  FLOS, KAHRS Nordic Homeworx, KARMAN, MIRAGE, Oryx, +1

The H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp

The H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp - Interior Photography, Commercial Architecture, Facade, DoorThe H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp - Exterior Photography, Commercial Architecture, Garden, FacadeThe H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp - Interior Photography, Commercial Architecture, Facade, DoorThe H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp - Exterior Photography, Commercial Architecture, FacadeThe H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp - More Images+ 24

Cakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff

Cakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff - Interior Photography, Coffee Shop, FacadeCakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff - Interior Photography, Coffee Shop, Kitchen, Table, Countertop, ChairCakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff - Coffee Shop, FacadeCakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff - Interior Photography, Coffee Shop, Kitchen, Door, FacadeCakeology Cafe and Bakery / Tee Vee Eff - More Images+ 10

  • Architects: Tee Vee Eff
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  65
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  FAINA Collection, Miniforms

Spiritual Journeys: Religious Architecture in the Global South

Religious architecture has always had a unique power to transcend the physical realm, transporting visitors to a spiritual journey. In many belief systems, it serves as a space between the earthly and the universal divine. This designed experience can often be facilitated through different choices, where light, form, materiality, and circulation play essential roles. Furthermore, architecture and design hold the power to have a profound impact on one’s lived spiritual experience.

This exploration of religious architecture in the global south showcases the integration of tradition and contemporary innovation. Whether it’s the Omani Mosque, where heritage and Islamic tradition are honored, or the Abrahamic Family House that features a mosque, a church, and a synagogue in dialogue and coexistence. Form and public access are explored through a design in Brazil, while a monastery in Uganda expands its size to serve guests and novitiate.

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Nikken Sekkei Completes World's Longest Cantilever Skyscraper in Dubai

Japanese design firm Nikken Sekkei has just completed a new building in Dubai’s central financial district, encompassing the “World’s Longest Cantilever,” which floats 100m above ground. Compromising two towers connected by an enclosed horizontal bridge, “One Za’abeel” acts as a new point of entry into the city. Designed to be a symbol of Dubai’s growth and expansion, the project offers easy access to the downtown region. The scheme features restaurants, retail spaces, workspaces, and urban hotel accommodations.

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Dutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects

Dutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects - Interior Photography, Pavilion, Facade, Arcade, BeamDutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects - Exterior Photography, Pavilion, Garden, Facade, Beam, BenchDutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects - Exterior Photography, Pavilion, ChairDutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects - Interior Photography, Pavilion, Table, ChairDutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: V8 Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  3727
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021

URB Study Reveals Vision for Dubai Cycle City 2040

URB has released a study for “Dubai Cycle City 2040,” envisioning diverse cycling infrastructure in the Emirate. The initiative aims to revolutionize transportation in Dubai, allowing residents quick access to critical services and locations by cycling or walking. In a city where cars have reigned supreme as a transportation mode, plans are underway to transform urban mobility.

Bill McKibben on COP28, Maintaining Hope, and Walking in the Woods

This article was originally published on Common Edge.

The biennale UN climate conference, COP28, concluded in Dubai this week with a commitment to the eventual “phasing out” of fossil fuels. It was a classic glass-half-empty/glass-half-full gesture. Yes, as optimists pointed out, it was the first time any reference to moving away from fossil fuels had made it into the text of the final communique. But, like previous COPs, this resolution, too, is nonbinding and was reached over howls of protest from both oil-producing countries and developing countries reliant on existing energy supply chains for future growth. The tortuous nature of the outcome, watered down and officially toothless, left me feeling glum. If we can’t agree on the nature of the problem, it will be exceptionally difficult to fix it.

To offer perspective, I reached out to longtime activist Bill McKibben. A professor at Middlebury College, he has published 20 books; his first, The End of Nature, appeared in 1989. He was, along with Dr. James Hansen, one of the first to sound the climate alarm. McKibbin is a contributing writer to the New Yorker, and a founder of Third Act, which organizes people over the age of 60 to work on climate and racial justice. In collaboration with seven Middlebury students, he founded 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign.

Navigating COP28: Key Takeaways for Architects from the Dubai Summit

COP28, or the 2023 United Nations Conference of the Parties, was held in Dubai between November 30 and December 13. The annual meeting gathers representatives from 198 countries, as well as industry leaders to discuss and establish strategies to limit the extent of climate change and its adverse effects. The ultimate goal of these meetings is to find ways to limit the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. At the moment, the global temperature rise is already at 1.2 degrees Celsius. As the construction industry at large accounts for 39% of global emissions, architects and planners have a shared interest in the results of thee international summit, Read on to discover some of the key takeaways of COP28.

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Of Palm Pavilion / MULA Design Studio

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