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.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')
Fulham 0
Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
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)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
How it works
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The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
