Abu Dhabi & Dubai: 2023 Architecture Edition
Exploring the architecture of UAE in 2023: Landing in United Arab Emirates, I am surrounded by a landscape of brown, encased in the Persian Gulf, and dotted with every man made architectural marvel you can imagine. The tallest building, the biggest waterpark, the largest engineered islands; UAE showcases the ingenuity of humanity, funded by big dreams and oil. Despite these achievements, nature is fighting back, laying claim to the man made wonders that have put the country on the map.
We traveled over winter break, witness to the biggest fireworks display bringing in the New Year, 2023, no doubt it was impressive, but what is unbelievable about this small country, is how quickly it has grown, architecturally and as a tourist destination, in a relatively short period of time.
The seven emirates that make up UAE, became united under the first president, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, after the British left in the 1960s. Since then, it has become the object of big dreams, designed to draw tourists and business to this desert nation. The two biggest Emirati, are Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and they showcase much of what UAE has to offer outsiders.
Best Architecture Feats:
The morning of my visit had been fraught with tension, as I sought to rearrange my day to address a later than expected arrival of a friend, but this was easily done on the mosque website. Admission is free, and all that is required of visitors, is to adhere to the dress code, which is clearly stated in their communications, and booking a free reservation.
The marvel and majesty of this building is not only in it’s scale, 82 domes and space for 40,000 worshippers, but also in the artistry of the materials. For more detailed information, I recommend a perusal of this document, but essentially, no cost was spared on this building, and it’s adornments.
It, of course, includes the largest hand-knotted rug in the world (weighing 35 tonnes and made in Iran), one of the largest chandeliers in the world (measuring 33 feet wide by 49 feet tall) made in Germany with Swarovski crystals, wall ornamentation of countless types of marble, an intricate lighting scheme, both inside and out, mimicking the phases of the moon and is reflected in the pools that surround the mosque…
It truly is a sight to behold. And despite this majesty, it is somehow calming and peaceful.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Not far from the Grand Mosque, is Louvre Abu Dhabi, a Silver LEED building designed by Parisian architect, Jean Nouvel. He was inspired by the “Star” shape and it is replicated over 7,850 times in varying sizes and 8 layers to create the steel roof of the museum.
The beauty of it is in the way it filters sunlight like a palm tree, protecting it’s visitors in the process. The setting itself is transformative, as it sits over the water, which feels very calming, hypothetically allowing patrons to visit the museum via boat or car.
Back in Dubai, days were filled with the Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis, a visit to Old Town Dubai, where you can find the gold market, and tickets to the top of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, attached to the largest mall. Believe me when I say there is something for everyone in Dubai, as long as you don’t mind the crowds.
