MIDDLE CLASS

LUXURY MEETS SUSTAINABILITY IN SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS OPENING IN 2023

WORDS BOGOSI MAKHENE

WITH THE CONTINUED ARCHITECTURAL development of the Middle East, it’s no surprise that the region is known for its unique structures. Beyond being home to some of the world’s tallest buildings, the ‘bigger-is-better’ approach has also started to factor in sustainability as part of the region’s architectural ethos. This year brings with it the opening of some of the United Arab Emirates’ most standout (and highly anticipated) buildings, including an incredibly ambitious tourist development and an interfaith complex.

Here are three developments that, beyond their architectural marvel credentials, also create statements around ethical design in both form and function.

LOW-ENERGY LUXURY

In 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) opened up several of its historic, architectural and natural landmarks to leisure travellers for the first time in its history. Since then, KSA has taken strides towards becoming a top destination for tourists. Enter Kengo Kuma, widely considered the most critically acclaimed Japanese architect. Along with his firm Kengo Kuma & Associates, he has designed a futuristic luxury resort, comprising villas built both on land and overwater. The project seamlessly combines luxury and sustainability, superseding conventional design and construction with its zero waste-to-landfill industrial processes, low-impact design and the use of renewable energy. In fact, the resort will form part of the biggest tourism destination powered by renewable energy. Located on Ummahat Al Shaykh Island, the design mimics the natural surroundings of the island’s topography. Conceptualised around a sustainability imperative, it employs minimum excavation that integrates pre-fabricated components. Think salt-resistant accolade wood, clay plaster that has been made from unfired mud brick, and roofs made from cedar-wood shingles, achieving an architecture that is an integral part of the environment. Kengo has also followed the concept of critical regionalism with the use of local materials and skills.

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Desert Jewel

The Red Sea Project, which was announced in 2017, is one of the most ambitious developments to date. Comprised of several developments, including hyper-luxury hotels and lifestyle amenities, the project is set to attract numerous tourists to the Red Sea coast. One of the key structures forming part of the project is the Red Sea International Airport. Inspired by the colours and textures of the desert landscape, the airport, located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, will exclusively serve tourists visiting the Red Sea tourist development. The building, designed by British architects Foster + Partners, is iconic on all levels. A first of its kind, it will only be powered by renewable energy and, during times of low demand, certain parts of the airport will be shut down to reduce energy use. With forms mimetic of sand dunes, it is set to have a mirage-like effect. The airport will also feature spas, restaurants and lounges with extensive landscaped greenery. Parallel to the 3 700-metre-long main runway, the airport will also feature a sea-plane runway.

Holy Trinity

Historically, architecture has been used to influence the social imagination, and renowned Ghanaian-British architect, David Adjaye, uses this convention to communicate alternative narratives in his latest design, the Abrahamic Family House, in Abu Dhabi. The interfaith complex on Saadiyat Island, off the coast of the UAE’s capital city, is appropriately positioned in the new cultural district. It consists of three temples which represent the main Abrahamic faiths: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The buildings have been designed neutrally and in cubic form, collapsing the known structural forms associated with the three religions – the mosque, church and synagogue. In an interview with Architectural Digest, David aptly stated: “I believe architecture should work to enshrine the kind of world we want to live in”. Spatially, the temples revisit sacred and ritual architecture in orientation, material design and technology through the use of traditional decorative elements, highlighting the message of universality. The design further promotes similarities between the different religions in its landscaping, with a public garden between the three structures forming the proverbial middle ground. ■

IN KEEPING WITH THE NOTION OF ‘TIME’ as the theme of the 10th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF), we've compiled a guide to the fair for anyone with limited time to better orientate themselves over the weekend of 17 – 19 February. And who better to guide us than Laura Vincenti, the ICTAF director? Laura joined the ICTAF team in 2015, taking hold of the reins as director in 2017, and has been at the helm while the fair has enjoyed a period of massive growth and popularity.

WHAT’S THE BEST DAY TO VISIT THE FAIR?

Every day is special! On Friday and Sunday there will be different walkabouts led by local and international curators, as well as talks at the speaker’s corner. Saturday is the talks programme, and some performance art will take place (details to be confirmed. Check the programme at investeccapetownartfair.co.za).

TELL US ABOUT THE GUIDED WALKABOUTS...

We’ll have local and international curators leading the walkabouts, and these will be on a first come, first served basis. There will be around eight to 10 walkabouts on Friday and Sunday.

FOR VISITORS WHO LOVE PRINTS, WHICH GALLERIES WILL BE SHOWCASING THESE AT THE FAIR?

For prints I would visit South Atlantic Press, Artist Proof Studio and Dale Sargent Fine Art.