UAE : 5 Stunning Attractions For The Lovers Of Architecture
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Bowled over by architecture in the UAE
Get ready to be bowled over by the marvelous pieces of architecture in the UAE, for the Emirates have it all. From stunning mosques and towering skyscrapers to awe-striking museums and some of the smartest designs you would have ever seen.
Here’s a look at our favourite five. Which one is yours?
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Burj Khalifa
At a staggering 829.8 m, this towering skyscraper in one of the prime attractions in Dubai. It is also the tallest building in the world, and houses elevator that has the longest travel distance in the world. It is designed by Adrian Smith, and is made with a cladding system that battles Dubai’s scorching heat. It has a whopping number of elevators and escalators, at 57 and 8.
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Sheikh Zayed Mosque
This beautiful mosque is set in Abu Dhabi, and is a sight to behold. One can see influences of Pakistan’s Badshahi Mosque and Egypt’s Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque. Its famous minarets are some of the finest examples of classical Arabic designs. A lot of natural materials, such as marble, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics were used in its construction.
A massive structure, it can hold 40,000 people at a time.
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Emirates Palace
This one is a luxury, 5-star hotel in Abu Dhabi, and is designed by John Elliott and Reza Rehmanian. More than a hotel, it is a very fine example of Islamic architecture; its exterior colours portray different shades of sand that is found in the Arabian Desert.
It is also tagged as the third most expensive hotel ever built!
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Etihad Towers
Etihad Towers are a cluster of five towers, and even the shortest one measures a staggering 218 m. The tallest one measures 305 m and has 74 floors. The towers are located right opposite the Emirates Palace and were constructed at a cost of 2.5 bn Dirhams, and are spread over 4,60,000 sq m.
The towers are one of the prime attractions for tourists and the lovers of architecture, and are also home to the famous hotel, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula, with its galleries spread over 8000 sq m! It’s a dome-shaped structure and lets sunlight pour in through the roof. It is built to represent sunlight poring over trees in an oasis. Its basement has tidal pools and to make its visitors feel like visiting a “museum in the sea”; it was specially designer by water engineers and a group of specialists.
