Building Identity

The United Arab Emirates is often associated with numerous modern marvels such as the Burj Khalifa, but few if any stop to consider its modern architectural heritage.  

Architects from across the globe have left their marks in all seven emirates, where many of their structures still survive today and are regarded by citizens, residents and visitors alike as an integral part of modern Emirati identity. Fifty years since its founding, the UAE can be seen as a microcosm of architectural practices from across the region and can act as a base for scholarship of these practices. For instance, British architect John Harris, who is renowned for his World Trade Centre Tower in Dubai, worked extensively in other Gulf countries including Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, where he designed hospitals and government buildings.  

Modern architecture has played a significant role in the formation of the identity of two generations of Emiratis. Even less-renowned buildings and public monuments such as those scattered on roundabouts across the country have now become part of the visual identity of Emiratis. For instance, the Sharjah Central Souq and Flying Saucer structures, both dating back to the 1970s, are now reproduced on t-shirts and artworks alike. There is also a growing sense of ownership that is forming amongst the younger generation of Emiratis who have started social media pages dedicated to modern architecture while others have incorporated these buildings into their company logos. 

 
It is my hope that visitors to Building Identity: Modern Architectural Heritage of the Emirates will leave with a greater understanding of UAE modernism which has often been overlooked. They will have learned that modernism in the UAE is still very much part and parcel of our everyday lives. 

Written by Sultan Al Qassimi