United Arab Emirates

Architecture in the United Arab ­Emirates boasts a great diversity of design pos­sibilities. In addition to famous record-breaking buildings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as the neo-traditional edifices found in Sharjah, sophisticated constructions and trendsetting projects can also be found in the smaller emirates. Furthermore, there are numerous examples of a new ­generation of Emirati architecture, whose focus lies on sustainability and the preservation of ­diverse ­building traditions. Presented in this architectural guide are more than 200 buildings and projects in this still young country which, owing to its rich oil ­reserves, has been catapulted within three generations from austere Bedouin culture into the era of the Burj Khalifa. ­Examined is ­everything from spectacular ­high-tech ­structures to Islamic-Arab projects. The ­depiction is ­complemented by interviews with international and ­local architects, ­well-informed articles and ­knowledgeable essays related to culture and history. The joint authors of Hendrik Bohle and Jan Dimog cast a critical and well-informed eye on the multi-faceted architecture and visionary construction projects in the United Arab Emirates. This title thus presents a complex portrait of this ever-evolving land.