1. Burj Al Arab
Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. The architect, Tom Wright said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai.
2. Dubai Towers
A “dramatic, sophisticated, innovative, creative, inspired, cutting-edge, bold, exceptional, landmark”
inspired by the movement of candlelight
The towers twist, wave and taper. All at the same time. Note that the twisting is hardly visible, it is really subtle. Swiss Re merely suggested the twisting, Dubai Towers does it. And the effect is enormous. It is for the first time in architecture history, these three parameters are combined in reality. Dubai Towers take architectural form to a new level.
3. Taipei 101
The repeated segments simultaneously recall the rhythms of an Asian pagoda, a stalk of bamboo (an icon of learning and growth).
The main tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each. In Chinese-speaking cultures the number eight is associated with abundance, prosperity and good fortune. In cultures that observe a seven-day week the number eight symbolizes a renewal of time (7+1). In cultures where seven is the lucky number, 8 represents 1 better than 'lucky seven'.