Architecture Archives - Design & Lifestyle Blog

Apple Dubai Mall With One of the Largest Kinetic Art Installations in the World Opens to Visitors

Apple Dubai Mall is reinventing the traditional introverted idea of mall-based retail as a more outward looking experience that engages with the spectacle of urban life. Its design is a highly innovative response to the culture and climate of the Emirates, while also demonstrating Apple’s pioneering ambition to create inspirational civic spaces for all.

Located in Dubai Mall – one of the most visited urban centres in the world, attracting over 80 million visitors every year since 2014 – the new Apple Dubai Mall occupies the most pivotal position in the city, alongside the iconic Burj Khalifa and overlooking the famous Dubai Fountains. Spanning over two floors, it embraces the theatre of the fountains with a sweeping 186-foot (56.6 metre) wide and 18-foot (5.5 metre) deep terrace – a first for any Apple Store – with unparalleled views of the spectacular setting and the incredible choreographed display.
Continue reading “Apple Dubai Mall With One of the Largest Kinetic Art Installations in the World Opens to Visitors”

9 Apr ’1714 Sep ’23

Beirut Terraces by Herzog and DeMeuron | Architecture

A project we have been monitoring for some time now, Beirut Terraces by the world renowned architects Herzog & DeMeuron, is finally completed. The project was initiated in 2009. More details below:

Description by the architects:

The city of Beirut lies in the heart of the developing Middle East. Having always been a cosmopolitan city, it is a focal point of the region as a cultural and geographical link between Europe and the Middle East. The history of Beirut could hardly be more diverse; remains of Phoenician, Roman, Mamluk, Ottoman and Colonial rule have shaped the city and its buildings. The design of Beirut Terraces was quite literally influenced by the layers of the city’s rich and tumultuous history.It is a history now also marked by inescapable traces of an eventful present. For generations to come, the people of Beirut will remember the assassination in 2005 of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, when a car bomb detonated in front of St. Georges Hotel. The resultant devastation is still visible as a daily reminder. Despite a scarred history, there is a clear vision to rehabilitate the area, with a master plan well under way that aims to rebuild and revitalise this part of Beirut. The site of Beirut Terraces is in a portion of the master plan dedicated to office and residential high-rise buildings, in the vicinity of a new yacht marina.

Continue reading “Beirut Terraces by Herzog and DeMeuron | Architecture”

2 Mar ’171 Mar ’17

Marcel Wanders Designs the New Mondrian in Doha | Hospitality

And he’s back. One of my favorite designers , Marcel Wanders, designed the latest addition to the Mondrian hotels, the Mondrian Doha in Qatar.

sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, announced that they will open itsfirst hotel in the Middle East with the launch of Mondrian Doha, Qatar in spring (quarter two), 2017. The lavish 270-room hotel has been designed in collaboration with world-renowned Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, along with South West Architecture – the architectural company of record for Mondrian Doha, responsible for the design of the building.

Continue reading “Marcel Wanders Designs the New Mondrian in Doha | Hospitality”

27 Feb ’1717 May ’23

SSH Designs the Largest Children Hospital Project of its Kind in the World | Architecture

In 2016, SSH, one of the leading master planning, infrastructure, building design, construction supervision and project management firms in the Middle East, was appointed by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Works to provide a study and design for the new children’s hospital on a design-award-construct basis. The design was revealed by the Ministry of Public Works for the first time during the Arab Health Conference, with the project being undertaken by SSH in association with global architects HKS and engineering firm WSP.

Kuwait’s newest tertiary children’s hospital will be the largest hospital of its kind in the world. It features a total of 792 beds that will suit all medical needs and methods of treatment. It has also dedicated a whole department for training nurses through https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/how-to-become/dental-assistant/. The 300,000 sqm hospital is located within the Al Sabah Specialty Medical Area, in Al-Shuwaikh.

Continue reading “SSH Designs the Largest Children Hospital Project of its Kind in the World | Architecture”

31 Jan ’1730 Jan ’17

Apartment in Beirut by Platau | Interiors

This lovely home is located in Wadi Abu Jamil in Downtown Beirut designed by Lebanese architecture firm Platau. The main feature of the apartment is the wood enveloping the house and the contrasting white featured in the walls, handrail, and other finishes. The penthouse was designed for a family of four. Doors are all built in within the wooden walls.

Continue reading “Apartment in Beirut by Platau | Interiors”

30 Jan ’17

Foster + Partners wins Jabal Omar Development Project competition in Saudi Arabia

As shared by Foster + Partners:

Foster + Partners’ competition winning scheme for a new luxury hotel and serviced apartments in the heart of Makkah has been revealed. Inspired by traditional Arab architecture, it’s design reinterprets the traditional dense building clusters, creating a new contemporary vernacular that respects its sacred location. Following the mountainous terrain, its cascading vertical elements form a new topography. The new mixed-use development will create a new gateway along the route to the Grand Mosque for pilgrims from the world over.

Continue reading “Foster + Partners wins Jabal Omar Development Project competition in Saudi Arabia”

14 Apr ’1631 Aug ’23

The New Dubai Landmark Tower for Expo 2020 Revealed | Architecture

For the 2020 Expo in Dubai, the plans for a new icon to be built have just been revealed. This icon will be considered as the main landmark just as the Eiffel Tower to Paris is. During their presentation, Emaar announced that it will be taller than Burj Khalifa but still the exact height is not decided upon. Th project will be around 6 sq. km.

The project is designed by Spanish architect Calatrava and estimated to cost $1 Billion. Calatrava however is known for projects that cost much more than the anticipated budget. This is according to the Full Calatrava website which lists every single project and its budget.

Emaar Properties will attempt to deliver the new Dubai Creek tower and a linked “mega-retail district” at the same time so that they are both open by the time Dubai’s Expo 2020 event begins .

“There’s no doubt that the Eiffel Tower has inspired over 100 years,” said Mr Calatrava. “It represents a city, a whole nation. It still today is a monument. I feel so proud to be part of a team that aims to obtain a similar achievement.”

Mr Calatrava’s design was chosen by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in February following an international competition between five of the world’s top practices.

The Dubai Creek tower will mainly serve as an architectural tower than a working building, but there will be between 18 and 20 upper floors used for a hotel with restaurants, function rooms, an interior garden space and an observation deck.

Continue reading “The New Dubai Landmark Tower for Expo 2020 Revealed | Architecture”

14 Jan ’1613 Jan ’16

Movie Director Michael Bay Bel Air Breathtaking Villa| Residential Design

Director Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) commissioned this stunning 30,000 SF three-story Los Angeles residence, which was originally conceived by architect Chad Oppenheim and realized by the architecture firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios and interior designer Lorraine Letendre, with additional work by decorator Lynda Murray.

ed8fae6e5dfd3ab7442762c10a5d4b6a

Continue reading “Movie Director Michael Bay Bel Air Breathtaking Villa| Residential Design”

Category: Architecture