The UAE’s ever-transforming skyline evolves at an almost unbelievable rate, showcasing impressive towers, landmarks and new neighbourhoods. With such rapid and constant development, there is an increasing appetite to create standout structures that are different from the norm.
Enter some of the world’s most creative and innovative architects, who are continuously striving to be one step ahead in this thriving market. Where the demand for unique properties and structures is so great, it is no surprise there is a creative pool of home-grown minds behind some of the country’s most popular buildings.
The Emirates are home to some of the world’s most photographed structures. In Dubai, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa have long been two of the most famous buildings in the world, not to mention the recent addition of the Museum of the Future. In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is celebrated for showcasing the history of Islam, as well as Islamic arts and architecture. On Saadiyat Island, architects have been tasked with creating striking cultural attractions, notably French architect Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi and Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, scheduled to be complete in 2025.
However, this is merely the beginning of a trajectory set by the country’s visionary leadership, foreseeing extensive development across all sectors in the coming decades. The opportunities for the design and architecture industry to grow and develop further are immense, especially in line with the government’s goals towards sustainability and innovation.
Mohammed Adib, managing director of Spanish interior design and architecture firm Intercon and chief design officer at Dewan Architects and Engineers, reflects on the unprecedented growth in the UAE’s design industry, noting a significant shift towards elevated standards and client demands. “We are witnessing the most exciting times in the design industry in the UAE, at least in all my 30-plus years of involvement.
“Not only is the situation booming in the UAE, but the country has developed into the design hub of the region. [Notably] Saudi Arabia, with all its mega projects, is dependent on the talent here. The quality of design has improved, and the requirements and exigencies of the clients are more stringent,” Adib tells Luxury.
The industry has, it seems, matured over the past 10 years; architects and design firms are looking to hone in on their methods, developing unique styles that not only define their artistic prowess, but also encapsulate the narrative and style that is becoming synonymous with the Emirates. Entwined in this narrative is a thought for tomorrow and the impact the industry can have on our planet. We are seeing a shift towards more sustainable designs that are built to last for generations.
“This is a welcome new wave that considers more humane scales of architecture,” explains Jonathan Ashmore, founding principal of Anarchitect, “[Such as] the inclusion of adaptive reuse of existing buildings, or sustainably conscious new design using proven passive design principles to limit energy consumption and increase longevity and durability, using higher-quality and suitable materials and specifying local sources where possible.”
The shift to sourcing local materials was accelerated by the global pandemic. Unable to source materials from around the world in a way they had been used to in the past, architects and construction companies were forced to look close to home for solutions.
“There is a realisation that reliance on imported resources and expertise is totally unsustainable from an economic, as well as a cultural and social perspective. What this means for the industry is that there is a shift from global to local,” explains Sumaya Dabbagh, principal at Dabbagh Architects, whose projects have included the Mleiha Archaeology Centre in Sharjah, completed in 2016, and Dubai’s Gargash Mosque, completed in 2021. “I see that this will have a huge impact on identity and belonging as design and fabrication becomes more culturally sensitive and locally sourced.”
This environmental focus is underpinned by the country’s government suitability targets, including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which includes reducing building sector energy consumption by 40 per cent and water use by 20 per cent by 2050, and recycling 50 per cent of construction waste among its initiatives. However, amid this focus on sustainability, the delicate balance between productivity and design is acknowledged. While reducing carbon footprint remains paramount, the emphasis on creating aesthetically beautiful designs underscores the UAE’s commitment to setting itself apart in the global architectural arena.
“We thrive on engaging with new contexts, viewing each project as an opportunity to explore uncharted territories. Complex building programmes are not perceived as challenges, but rather as catalysts for innovation, prompting the architects at Anarchitect to devise solutions that transcend traditional boundaries,” says Ashmore, whose unique architectural style works in synergy with the surrounding area to create buildings that become part of their environment.
Using the surrounding rural or urban landscape is not a new approach. Gehry’s 2014 Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris is a perfect example, where the architect carefully fuses the glass structure into the green surroundings, mimicking a classic greenhouse and highlighting the beauty of the Bois de Boulogne garden. Closer to home, Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi features a stainless steel and aluminium structure that captures light and seamlessly blends with the surrounding waters. The dome acts as an environmental micro-climate, which encourages passive cooling and works to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
A beacon of success in this dynamic landscape is real estate developer Matthews Southwest. The Texas-founded company, which now has an office in Dubai, looks to have a holistic approach to its projects, which so far include Dubai’s Museum of the Future and the Beeah Headquarters, which was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, as well as several more ground-breaking projects worldwide. The company’s commitment to lasting partnerships and sustainability goals sets a precedent for the industry.
“We are more of a socially aware developer; we like to leave the places where we work in a better position than when we got there,” explains Jay Robson French, chief executive of Matthews Southwest EMEA. “We like to work with legacy projects, and we like to think that we are holistic in our thought process on legacy building for the cities and communities that we choose to work in. And we like to work in a symbiotic partnership with the cities, the councils and the politicians where we operate.”
Matthews Southwest is particular about the projects it takes on, looking for more than just financial outcomes, be it philanthropic, achieving sustainability goals or providing a solution for the city in a particular area. The company works closely with teams of architects and construction firms and considers building lasting partnerships with the cities in order to achieve long-term goals and help to carve out a niche in each destination.
Speaking on the Museum of the Future project, Robson French explains that finding the right teams who worked in the right way was key to making it successful. “It was an incredibly complex challenge from a scientific engineering, architectural point of view because it’s never been done before, as well as technology-wise, it was pushing the boundaries on everything within our industry,” he says. “What I think set that apart was the ability of all the partners to come together. We were able to help drive a culture of co-operation and of being able to do things in the right way, on the right timescales, with the right talent.” He explains that many projects, especially on this scale, see people thrown together, and without the synergy between teams of the right kind of management, projects can lack this seamless, hybrid approach that the company is building on.
Honing in on the long-term goal for Dubai, Robson French seeks to explore new potential areas that are driving the industry in the UAE forward. “I think Dubai has such a diverse architectural language, that it’s still growing and still trying to figure out what a Dubai building is and what a Dubai narrative is. What’s interesting is the creativity that you see with the towers, the laissez-faire type of approach to architecture, where you could have the juxtaposition of a Burj Khalifa next to a Vida hotel. I think that will always be there, but I think the next phase would be something we would love to be a part of, retrofitting.”
Retrofitting is essentially giving new life to a building through upgraded technology and making it more sustainable and energy efficient. It means combining old and new to create a unique aesthetic through renovation and upgrades, a sector that has already been significantly explored in Europe and the US. “Deira is a great example of where this could work. Taking older buildings and giving them new life or purpose. New facades, new zoning, new energy,” explains Robson French, who sees no reason why Dubai can’t have its own equivalent of New York’s meatpacking district or London’s Shoreditch. It may be a significantly younger city than its Western counterparts; however, there’s undeniably some food for thought and undoubtedly the hunger and ambition from creative talents in the region to take the country’s architectural landscape to new levels.
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
Match info
Uefa Nations League A Group 4
England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')
Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
More on Quran memorisation:
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars
Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.
Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.
After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.
Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.
It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
