After four years, the O-14 is finally complete, and is as righteous as it is “holey.” Dubai has been eclipsed recently by a host of exciting developments in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup. In part, this is because the splashy Emirate was forced to adopt a […]
The Azouri brothers and architect Keren Yedvub leave no stone unturned. Their 20-storey “eco-tower” overturns the old n’ ugly world order with a building that is bold, beautiful, and deeply sustainable. The Azouri Brothers’ eco-tower is growing greener and greener by the day. Already featuring a whole host of attributes that make their 20 storey office building as livable […]
Moshe Safdie exports his pixelated design concept to Qinhuangdao, China Israeli-born architect Moshe Safdie is famous for his “Habitat 67” design created for that year’s Montreal World Fair. And though his “Safdie Plan” for Jerusalem was somewhat controversial, his talent has since gathered in strength and now features throughout the world. The most recent commission […]
This beautiful table designed to evoke the genie in the lamp was carved out of layers of biodegradable, corrugated cardboard. Sanserif Creatius is not the first designer to notice the jewels that comprise ancient Arabic art, design, and architecture. Mey and Boaz Khan made these lovely ecoolers that mimic ancient Arabic detail and ecological awareness, […]
Rising oil prices as a result of Middle East unrest could send Americans back to the drawing board. The last time the United States saw their oil prices soar, really soar, was during the three month Arab oil embargo in the early 1970s. Prices hit nearly $12 a gallon and Americans sat in line for […]
Qatar will secure 70% food security in the country by exploiting the latest technology to make its barren land arable. Roughly as large as Connecticut, Qatar relies almost exclusively on imports for food with only 10% of the country’s edibles produced within its own borders. Unlike other Gulf countries that are usurping African land to […]
SDE Energy has been given the go-ahead by Kenya’s Energy Ministry to develop a wave energy plant on its coast. The Israeli firm SDE Energy has defied the larger wave energy corporations with its sleek wave energy designs. Suited for places that aren’t on the list of top wave-producers such as China, India, and Israel, […]
Who knew? Now you can get sushi and organic food delivered to your home, from Masdar City. But there is a caveat. When we think of Masdar City, we think of solar power and funky space-buildings. We think of desert and withering heat. And perhaps we dream that one day this city will be completed […]
Nabito Architects in Barcelona are negotiating with Abu Dhabi engineers to build these stunning sustainable skyscrapers. Dubai’s skyline is going to look increasingly dull compared to what is planned for Abu Dhabi. In addition to Masdar City and the Lunar Cubit energy-generating pyramids that won the Land Art Generator Initiative’s 2010 design competition, a new […]
The Jordanian Renewable Energy Society is adding solar-cooling to their Eco-House project. While Jordanians argue over whether enviro Queen Rania is entitled to throw lavish birthday parties at the expense of the populace, the business of achieving Jordan’s renewable energy goals continues apace. The Jordanian Renewable Energy Society (JRES) and a Spanish firm have made […]
Green Sheik and Michael Braungart at green event in Abu Dhabi. One of the most respected environmental activists in the Middle East, no sustainability conference is complete without H.H. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi’s stamp of approval. So it is an enormous compliment that the “Green Sheikh” attended an event co-hosted by Abu Dhabi’s leading […]
Qatar has chosen a building that is both shaped and acts like a cactus as their latest superstar project. With an area of less than 12,000 km2, Qatar bounced onto the world scene when FIFA announced its decision to award the 2022 World Cup to that country. Because it is exceptionally hot during the summer […]
Considered a huge upset in the architecture world, Ehrlich firm wins bid to build the new UAE Parliament Building. Foster & Partners have a solid footing in the Middle East, with Masdar City and other popular projects under their belt. And Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid is a celebrity who inspires red-carpet treatment wherever she goes. […]
The municipality in Abu Dhabi is sponsoring 500 solar-paneled recycling containers. A whole host of constructive ideas are being generated in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. A pair of cousins on segways educate visitors to the Corniche about waste management, and the municipality’s turn-it-off campaign encourages moderate energy and water use. The most recent plan, […]
If Mirdif City Center Mall is “green,” the emperor must have been wearing clothes. Given the choice between a LEED certified building and one without, we’d be nuts to take the first. Issued by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification and its equivalent in the Middle East – such as the Qatar […]