The Middle East is an exciting place for architecture, with some of the biggest and most adventurous designs in the world right here on our doorstep. Here is our offering of which buildings we think are the region’s best. Find out what is at number one below.
See our top 10 list of the worst examples of modern architecture in the Middle East.
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10. Living Wall mixed use development, Amman, Jordan
Foster + Partners, Buro Happold
Nestled in a rock bed and able to withstand seismic activity, this building is designed to mimic ancient caves found in the area.
9. Dubai Mosque, UAE
Aedas
This project redefines the way in which cubes, domes and minarets can be understood and used in mosques.
8. Aldar HQ, Abu Dhabi, UAE
MZ Architects
This project is a breathtaking illustration of cutting-edge design and engineering.
7. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Halcrow Group; Tractebel Al Khaleej
A brilliant use of colour and texture. It incorporates traditional arches, columns and domes in a very extravagant and modern way.
6. Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, KSA
Ellerbe Becket & Omrania
Sleek. Elegant. Iconic. A wonderful piece of modern architecture that has come to define the Riyadh skyline.
5. Massar Children’s Discovery Centre, Damascus, Syria
Henning Larsen Architects; Buro Happold
Besides its very unique design, Massar stands out because of its function. It aims to employ cutting-edge learning techniques to help educate and build a better future for Syrian children.
4. Bahrain World Trade Center, Bahrain Bay
Atkins
BWTC completely broke the mould for sustainable architecture. A true world-first and an icon for Bahrain.
3. Qatar Science & Technology Park, Doha, Qatar
Woods Bagot
WB successfully used inside-out design theory to create a group of buildings that are both aesthetically and functionally spectacular.
2. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar
IM Pei
An absolutely brilliant piece of modernist design. This building is austere in colour and material, understated in scale, restrained in design, perfect in geometry.
1. Emirates Towers, Dubai, UAE
RMJM; Norr Group
Clean lines. Classic form. Elegant interiors. Emirates Towers are a perfect example of architecture designed with a future context in mind. They are gorgeous on the Dubai skyline and absolutely timeless.
Jeff Roberts
Construction Week
See our top 10 list of the worst examples of modern architecture in the Middle East.
------------------------------------------------------------
10. Living Wall mixed use development, Amman, Jordan
Foster + Partners, Buro Happold
Nestled in a rock bed and able to withstand seismic activity, this building is designed to mimic ancient caves found in the area.
9. Dubai Mosque, UAE
Aedas
This project redefines the way in which cubes, domes and minarets can be understood and used in mosques.
8. Aldar HQ, Abu Dhabi, UAE
MZ Architects
This project is a breathtaking illustration of cutting-edge design and engineering.
7. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Halcrow Group; Tractebel Al Khaleej
A brilliant use of colour and texture. It incorporates traditional arches, columns and domes in a very extravagant and modern way.
6. Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, KSA
Ellerbe Becket & Omrania
Sleek. Elegant. Iconic. A wonderful piece of modern architecture that has come to define the Riyadh skyline.
5. Massar Children’s Discovery Centre, Damascus, Syria
Henning Larsen Architects; Buro Happold
Besides its very unique design, Massar stands out because of its function. It aims to employ cutting-edge learning techniques to help educate and build a better future for Syrian children.
4. Bahrain World Trade Center, Bahrain Bay
Atkins
BWTC completely broke the mould for sustainable architecture. A true world-first and an icon for Bahrain.
3. Qatar Science & Technology Park, Doha, Qatar
Woods Bagot
WB successfully used inside-out design theory to create a group of buildings that are both aesthetically and functionally spectacular.
2. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar
IM Pei
An absolutely brilliant piece of modernist design. This building is austere in colour and material, understated in scale, restrained in design, perfect in geometry.
1. Emirates Towers, Dubai, UAE
RMJM; Norr Group
Clean lines. Classic form. Elegant interiors. Emirates Towers are a perfect example of architecture designed with a future context in mind. They are gorgeous on the Dubai skyline and absolutely timeless.
Jeff Roberts
Construction Week
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