Architecture

United Arab Emirates is emerging as one of the most respected

architectural sites in the world owing to its renowned structures and
remarkable designs. However, it must be understood that the
buildings represent more than just the physical.

Architecture in UAE is an affirmation of its distinct multicultural

composition but in the wake of all this modernization, its inhabitants
have sought to maintain their cultural heritage. Through this analysis,
it shall be seen how certain buildings in Dubai are indicative of; the
need to have a sense of belonging, a reaction to the changes in the
society and an attempt to maintain pride and national identity.

The architecture of the United Arab Emirates has undergone dramatic

transformation in recent decades, from operating as a collection of
fishing villages to a global business hub known for its innovation and
dynamism. Between the 1960s and 1970s, architecture in the United
Arab Emirates remained solely traditional, with narrow alleys
and wind tower houses still in use, reflective of a
strong Bedouin heritage. Architecture is influenced by elements
of Islamic, Arabian and Persian culture.

Early construction after the expansion of Dubai as a global city paid

little attention to traditional Islamic architecture and concerns for the
environment were not considered. In the late 1980s and early 1990s,
glass towers became prominent in the city of Dubai, all of which
required enormous amounts of electricity to keep cool. Recently,
builders and architects have become aware of both Arabic heritage
and environmental concerns, leading to more harmonious
development overseen by Dubai’s rulers in the last 20 years. Efficient
heat resistant materials are increasingly used in construction,
combined with traditional Arabic designs. This can be seen in the
buildings for which Dubai has attracted worldwide attention for,
including the Burj Khalifa and Burj AL Arab.

The Burj Khalifa was inaugurated in January 2010, unveiled as the

world’s tallest freestanding structure at 829.8 m (2.722 ft.). The
structure is host to several mixed facilities, including commercial
shops, offices, entertainment venues and residential sectors. In
designing the building, the lead architect Adrian Smith undertook
elements of traditional Islamic architecture, which uses stepped
ascending spirals.This reflected elements of Islamic design while
creating a strategic shape to ensure the mass of the building reduces
with height, allowing for a stronger and more fortified structure. The
building supposedly ascends from a flower shaped based, imitating
that a white lily native to the surrounding desert.

The Burj Al Arab was designed by architect Tom Wright

to resemble a J-class yacht. The structure is made of a steel frame
exterior wrapped around a concrete tower, with
white Teflon encased fibre glass forming the ‘sail’. The Burj Al Arab
stands on an artificial island 280 m (918.6 ft.) from Jumeirah Beach.
The architect claimed that "the client wanted a building that would
become a symbolic statement for Dubai, similar to Sydney with
its Opera House, London with Big Ben or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It
needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the
name of the city. The building opened in 1999 after five years of
construction.

They have not copied everything from the past but have used
influences from the rich cultural heritage of the UAE to create a new
and refreshing identity for their way of life. In other words, this is still
cultural resistance albeit a milder, less radical and effective way of
resisting western cultural domination.
The main difference between Art and Architecture is that the Art is a
process of creating things of extrinsic value through emotional or
aesthetic appeal and Architecture is a both the process and product of
planning, designing and construction.

A look at some of the architectural designs in Dubai reflects a need to

capture past values in stone or concrete. Many buildings have been
inspired from the past while others have been preserved throughout
history. These conscious efforts may be seen as a way of curving out a
cultural and national identity.

On the other hand, they maybe a form of cultural resistance since

Dubai has been invaded by numerous external cultures. On the other
hand, since natives represent such a small portion of the population
of the emirate then architectural cultural identity may be used to
reinforce a sense of belonging among its natives who may feel
invisible to the foreigners in their land.