Dubai, The Developer’s Guide to Kitsch

Dubai has become a playground for architects, a literal sandbox. Unfortunately, however, the demand for design is greater than the supply of good ideas. Therefore, the developers are relying on simple iconographic forms rather than well thought out, formal architecture that revels in its complexity.

Aerial Rendering of Dubai Waterfront
via designboom

In order to save these developers time, I have put together a checklist of tactics that have already been used. This should help speed up their pursuit for uniqueness and the ultimate kitsch paradise.


REPLICA - pyramid

Pyramid Building in Dubai
via designboom

LITERAL - flames by TVS

Flame Towers by TVS in Dubai
via designboom

METAPHOR - clouds by Atelier Hapsitus

Cloud Building in Dubai
via designboom

GIMMICK - rotating floors by David Fisher

Rotating Tower in Dubai
via designboom

RECORD - height by SOM

Burj Dubai Tower by SOM
via designboom

ODE TO STAR WARS - death star by Rem Koolhaas

RAK Convention Center
via designboom

‘WHAT THE HELL IS IT’ - no clue by Jean Nouvel

Dubai Watefall Building by Nouvel
via designboom

GUGGENHEIM COMPLEX - louvre museum by Jean Nouvel

Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi
via designboom

A ‘FRANK GEHRY’ - by the man himself

Dubai Guggenheim Museum
via designboom

This list is not intended to be comprehensive, that would just take too long.

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Comments

thank you, bro

[…] The Developer’s Guide to Kitsch Agents of Urbanism Posted 22 Jun, 2008 | Categories: archirecture , class war , […]

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