How many records can one city break? Ah, Dubai: the post-modern city springing forth from ancient desert with the greatest this, the tallest that, the biggest brightest and shiniest everything!!
Be it Mall (biggest – the Dubai Mall), or Tower (tallest – Burj Khalifa), Fountain (widest – the Dubai Fountain), Airline (highest earning – Emirates) or Hotel ( 7* – Burj Al Arab), this Gulf Emirate, one of seven which make up the UAE, does urban living very, very well.
Astounding what human endeavour can achieve from sand and oil in a 48 degree centigrade landscape when humans are given carte blanche by those who can pay for the vision of a seductive future…
Burj Al Arab & Jumiera Beach Hotel, Dubai f/10; Exposure 1/400sec; ISO-100
Completed in 1999, the Burj Al Arab (on the left, above) was the first of the city’s buildings that drew global admiration, and put Dubai on the architectural map of the world. This extraordinary building stand 300m out to sea on a man made island. Designed in the shape of a giant sail on a triangular plan, it takes its place amongst the likes of Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower as symbols of their countries.
Jumeira Beach Hotel, Dubai: f/4.5; Exposure 1/750sec
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel was opened in 1997. Designed in the shape of a breaking wave to reflect Dubai’s seafaring heritage, a real sweet spot was struck in its execution as it compliments the reflective blue of the Arabian Gulf.
From seafarers to skyscrapers, the heights have been scaled in Dubai; doubtless shall continue so. What is next for the new-generation of urban designers, architects and engineers for this country? I plan to watch it unfold…
