The idea of turning water into land has fascinated humanity for centuries. The Netherlands, for example, as one of the pioneers in the subject, have about 20% of their territory reclaimed from the sea or lakes using dikes as methods to stop the water and dry the surfaces. Technological development over time, however, has made this practice increasingly popular. Today, China is one of the countries leading the ranking, as well as urban centers in the global south, highlighting cities in West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East. These megalomaniacal landfills are mainly created in places where there is an extensive coast, but not enough land to meet their needs. The uses accommodated in the new area are diverse, ranging from the creation of luxury residences to an entertainment archipelago with hotels, restaurants, theaters, and shops. Despite the significant gains in the commercial and tourism sector, the environmental degradation of this scale of intervention is constantly being discussed, with damages ranging from gentrification, expulsion of native communities, and annulment of their means of subsistence, to the destruction of entire ecosystems. This situation has guided cities in the search for less aggressive solutions for their expansion needs, such as the development of what is now called "aquatic urbanism." In it, circular and zero-waste systems, as well as closed-loop water systems, net-zero energy, innovative mobility, and regeneration of coastal habitats are integrated. As technology advances in the same proportion as environmental concern and climate change increase, iconic landfills built in recent decades are important examples that can guide strategies on what to do and, above all, what not to do in new land expansions over the sea. Bearing this in mind, check out some of the most striking examples below. **Palm Jumeirah, Dubai** Talking about megalomaniacal landfill projects and not mentioning the "palm tree" of Dubai is impossible. The project took nine years to build, starting in 2001. Its area covers 31 km2 including the main trunk, 17 branches, and a semicircular wall with side openings. The extension houses luxurious residences on the "leaves" and a hotel at the seafront, all connected by a surface train generating a landscape worthy of a science fiction movie. The project cost approximately US$12 billion, and with the amount of stone and sand used in it, it would be possible to build a 2-meter wall that would encircle the Earth three times. Among many impacts on the ecosystem, the most commented is how the project hindered the circulation of seawater, altering the marine ecosystem and generating bad odor. **Eko Atlantic City, Nigeria** Nigeria seems poised to surpass South Africa and become the largest economy on the continent thanks to oil. However, the country faces many common problems in our era: rising sea levels, swells, and devastating floods. In this context, Eko Atlantic is a multibillion-dollar project that promises to protect against marine erosion. With 10 km2, the idea of the project, which is still under construction, is to offer housing for 250,000 people and employment for more than 150,000 distributed among parks and other services. The project advances full of criticisms, with scholars affirming that the nearly 3km wall, nicknamed the "Great Wall of Lagos," will serve to contain the advance of water in the same proportion as it will segregate the space, creating a closed and financially accessible city that will only "save" those living in it from the floods. **Marina Bay, Singapore** Singapore's history is marked by numerous territorial expansion interventions that seek to deal with an interesting paradox: surplus money and limited land. In total, the country, currently 700 km2, has already managed to increase 25% of its territory. There is a public policy of "land reclamation," which makes the island advance 40 cm per year into the sea, according to local journalists (the number is contested by the government, which cites an annual average of 2 cm). This has led Indonesia and Malaysia, the most affected countries, to temporarily ban the import of sand to Singapore. Within this controversial context, Marina Bay, started in 1969, is an icon of the country. Built on a 3.6 km2 landfill, the region has become one of the country's main destinations in terms of restaurants, hotels, and attractions, materializing an investment of S$4.5 billion. The bold urban design was combined with iconic architectures, such as the Marina Bay Sands and the world's largest infinity pool, elevated to 200 meters, designed by Safdie Architects. However, plans for territorial expansion over the sea still continue. **Parque do Flamengo, Brazil** Inaugurated in 1965 in Rio de Janeiro, the popularly known Aterro do Flamengo, with 1.3 km2, was built on the sea with material from the dismantling of a nearby hill. Both the park and the intervention in the hill were part of a municipal plan to solve the city's traffic problem, avoiding the high cost of expropriations necessary to widen the main roads in the area. Its construction marked the modernization of Rio de Janeiro and represents an interesting example of large-scale landfill that assumes a public and cultural vocation. In addition to the roads that cross its extension, the area is also marked by large vegetated masses - a project by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx - cut by curved walkways that lead to the sea. Among them, cultural buildings and sports facilities are spread out. In 2012, the park received the title of World Heritage in the category "Urban Cultural Landscape," granted by UNESCO.
Dubai: The Latest Architecture and News
Building the Future: The Rise of Modular Construction in the Middle East
Modular construction is a process in which a building is constructed away from its actual site, within controlled factory settings, using identical materials, and adhering to a set of codes and regulations. The methodology was first introduced as a solution in the search for efficient, quality-controlled, and cost-effective building systems. The industrialized building method evolved to meet historical demands and has recently been met with renewed interest. These “modules” are then transported to the construction site and assembled into the final structure, adhering to the same building standards as conventionally built facilities. With potential benefits in terms of waste reduction, energy efficiency, emergency responses, and fast-tracked development, the methodology is gaining traction worldwide.
In recent years, modular construction has emerged as a game-changer in the construction industry, particularly in the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With a growing embrace of innovative solutions to address the region’s evolving needs, modular construction has emerged as a compelling alternative. As awareness increases and technological advancements increase, modular construction may offer a viable alternative to traditional building practices in the GCC region.
One At Palm Residential Building / SOMA
One Za’abeel Tower / Nikken Sekkei
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Architects: Nikken Sekkei
- Area: 530700 m²
- Year: 2023
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Professionals: ALEC ENGINEERING AND CONTRACTING, WSP MIDDLE EAST, Inhabit, LIMAH, MCTS, +4
Does Size Really Matter? Debunking the Obsession with Super Tall Buildings
The future Saudi tower designed by Foster + Partners is expected to reach a staggering height of two kilometers. This multibillion-dollar project, towering twice as high as the current record holder, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, will dominate the skyline of Riyadh, accommodating offices, residences, and entertainment spaces. It forms part of a development program led by Saudi Arabia, driven by the vision of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to establish the country's presence through ambitious, large-scale projects. While these super-tall towers symbolize visibility and global recognition, they face criticism for their extravagant construction costs and environmental impact.
Foster + Partners Unveils Pair of Residential Towers in Dubai, UAE
Foster + Partners has just unveiled the designs of two neighboring residential towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Named VELA and VELA VIENO, the two towers offer waterfront living, providing direct access to the promenade and the marina. Situated in Dubai’s Marasi Bay with a direct view of the Burj Khalifa, the developments are “characterized by a horizontal rhythm, emphasized structure, and strategic voids in the massing.”
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.
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.
Villa M / Studio Shizen
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Architects: Studio Shizen
- Area: 800 m²
- Year: 2023
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Manufacturers: FLOS, KAHRS Nordic Homeworx, KARMAN, MIRAGE, Oryx, +1
The H Residence / Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp
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Architects: Tariq Khayyat Design Partners - tkdp
- Area: 18000 m²
- Year: 2024
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Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Guardian, Schuco, Unesia
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Professionals: JLL, Francis Landscapes, Dana Najar, Delta Lighting Solutions, Dewan Engineering, +5
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.
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.
Dutch Pavilion Dubai / V8 Architects
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Architects: V8 Architects
- Area: 3727 m²
- 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.