A look at the architects whose creativity is giving life to Abu Dhabi's skyline.
One way that a city can distinguish itself is through its buildings and the architects who design these iconic structures. Abu Dhabi's already impressive skyline is about to be changed by some of the world's best known architects, who are bringing their ambitious and unique design talent to the emirate, to help create a spectacularly designed city of the future.
One of the most significant architectural projects is being spearheaded by the Tourism, Development and Investment Company (TDIC) which plans to transform Saadiyat Island into the new cultural district for the city. Not only have big name institutions like the Guggenheim and Louvre been signed up to have a presence here, but the buildings themselves which will house these museums will be equally impressive and creative as the art that is displayed inside them as they are designed by a quartet of leading architects.
Frank Gehry, architect for the world famous Guggenheim in Bilbao (which helped transform the sleepy Spanish town) has been challenged to come up with something even more impressive for the world's largest Guggenheim museum in Abu Dhabi.
His cubist inspired design interconnects prisms, cones and cylinders with cuboids which jut out into the water in what seems like a random fashion. When you look closely though the design makes sense — based around a central courtyard the galleries span out in rings getting gradually bigger and as they near the outer edge. This will allow the classic contemporary art to be housed in temperature and light controlled more conventional gallery space, whilst the outer industrial sized raw spaces can be used for grand scale art installations assembled on site which could not be housed in more conventional museums.
The Desert Louvre is designed by French architect Jean Nouvel as a series of one-row buildings along a leisurely promenade to create a micro city. This city is covered by a translucent dome to let light in and reflect the water which is integral to the design. The water is also used to control the microclimate of the museum by following the best traditions of Arabian architecture where water is used to cool wind.
Zaha Hadid's bold futuristic design for a huge complex for performing arts will also dominate the new skyline of Saadiyat Island. At 62 meters (203 feet) tall it will seat 6,300 and includes two concert halls, an opera house and two theatres. Reminiscent of the bow of a ship the centre will offer dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf and the city skyline.
The fourth architect creating the cultural district is Japan's Tadao Ando, who celebrates Abu Dhabi's traditional links with the sea in his design for the Maritime Museum. Traditional dhows are incorporated into the interior whilst the exteriors reflective surface visually merges the sea and the land.
Elsewhere there are other distinct designs which will define areas of the expanding city. Foster and Partners commissioned by Aldar have designed three soaring towers as a part of the redesign for Central Market which will dramatically alter the current Abu Dhabi Skyline.
Meanwhile Sorouh's 83-storey mixed use Sky Tower designed by Arquitectonica will dominate the entrance to their master planned community, Shams Abu Dhabi on Reem Island. Also within Shams is Empire International Investments residential Empire Tower —designed by Aedas the building curves gracefully as it rises to its full 57-storey height. It will create a landmark to complement the adjacent Quad Building and will be seen from Central Park and the North East coast of Reem Island.
Many of the iconic architectural projects like Sky Tower and Empire Tower will be located within the investment areas designated as suitable for investment for all nationalities. This means that not only can you now invest in a home here, but you can buy a property in a building that will be come a future landmark of the city.
— The writer is Business Development Director, LLJ Property.
