7 Must-See Architectural Marvels

Check out some of Dubai’s most stunning architectural landmarks and learn about what makes them so special

Museum of the Future (2020) by Saj ShafiqueDubai Culture & Arts Authority

1. Museum of the Future

A new landmark and torus-shaped structure, with stainless steel cladding encasing 30,000 sqm of exhibition space for the Emirate’s technological innovations in various industries. It is intended as both a symbol and a vessel for the future of the UAE.

Cayan Tower (2020) by Carlvic LimDubai Culture & Arts Authority

2. Cayan Tower

A skyscraper with sea and marina views perfectly vantaged through its design, intended to give every apartment a view. It’s design is achieved by rotating each floor plate 1.2 degrees around a cylindrical core, making a 90-degree rotation from bottom to top. 

Binghatti Building (2021) by Sherrin GeorgeDubai Culture & Arts Authority

3. Binghatti Pearls

Situated at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the Binghatti Pearls Building is designed as a tribute to Dubai's pearl diving history, with a facade emulating pearl shells. Its two-toned color palette and unpredictable geometric patterns that never look the same way twice in photos. 

Burj Al Arab (2020) by Cedric DhaenensDubai Culture & Arts Authority

4. Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is an older landmark of Dubai, constructed in the late 90’s. It took 5 years to build with the island and iconic sail-shaped structure, which houses the world’s only 7-star hotel, with its helipad towering 210m above the ground 

Burj Khalifa (2019) by Kent TupasDubai Culture & Arts Authority

5. Burj Khalifa

The building that needs no introduction, the Burj Khalifa peaks over the clouds at a staggering 2,716 ft. Laid end-to-end, it’s components would stretch over a quarter of the way around the world. Its tip is seen from 95 km away and its observation deck stands on the 124th floor.

The Opus (2020) by Ismail NoorDubai Culture & Arts Authority

6. The Opus by Zaha Hadid

The Opus is the first and only hotel to have both its interiors and exteriors designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid. The otherworldly building appears as an enormous cube with an amorphous hole pushing through its core, though it’s actually a pair of connected twin buildings.

O-14 Tower (2020) by Ismail NoorDubai Culture & Arts Authority

7. O-14 Tower (Swiss Cheese Tower)

The O-14 Tower is endearingly known as the Swiss cheese building because of its thick exoskeleton of 1,300 holes that veils it from the direct heat and glare of the sun. It borrows from the principles of traditional Emirati architecture with this natural cooling system. 

Credits: Story

This collaboration is made possible by with the support of Gulf Photo Plus, a Dubai-based photography center championing regional photographers and their remarkable perspectives, cultivating this community’s roots over a number of years through exhibitions, educational workshops, free art programs, community events, state-of-the-art services and specialized resources, creating points of mutuality and connection. 

The artists involved in the project are:


Saj Shafique | @saj_theworldaroundme
Carlvic Lim 
Sherrin George | @shegeoo
Cedric Dhaenens | @cedricdhaenens
Kent Tupas | @kent.tupas
Ismail Noor | @ismailnoor

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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