The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been a hub for architectural innovation over the last decades, blending tradition with cutting-edge design. Futuristic scenery for Dubai, Al Riyadh, Doha and other major cities stand as the region's testament to novelty and farsightedness.
Furthermore, architectural advancement is not only about the facades but also about tech behind them. Over the past decade, the region has seen an explosion of futuristic architectural projects, leveraging new approaches like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Digital Twins to push the boundaries of modern development and make Leap into a world of sustainable urban development
At Archis Studio, we specialise in urban tech and digitised approach to architecture, and we are excited to highlight some of the most remarkable projects that showcase the region's architectural prowess.
Here is our selection of architectural marvels, which inspire us.
1. The Museum of the Future, Dubai, UAE
Project Overview: Opened in 2022, the Museum of the Future in Dubai is a beacon of innovation and sustainability. The building's torus-shaped structure is adorned with Arabic calligraphy, representing quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about the future he envisioned for the United Arab Emirates and their spotlight place in the world, which ended up to be a realuty.
The museum’s story is of course about the future and what it has for us, which may seem unconventional, given that usually museums are All about the past and barely speak about the future. But aren’t all innovative ideas?
This building is truly an example of the region's commitment to modernization.
Technological Innovations:
- BIM Integration: The entire construction process utilised BIM to manage complex geometries and intricate details.
- Digital Twins: A digital replica was created to monitor the building’s performance and optimise energy use in real-time.
2. King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Project Overview: The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) is a massive urban development project aimed at creating a world-class financial hub. The district comprises over 95 buildings, 61 towers with a total floor area of more than 1.6 million square metres, 62,000 parking spaces, and accommodation for 12,000 residents.
Technological Innovations:
- BIM and Virtual Design Construction (VDC): These were employed for coordination among various stakeholders, reducing errors and streamlining construction. Simply put, these tools allowed creators to map out the massive project in advance, as well as to manage all risks properly and create energy efficient construction. Both BIM and VDC help developers to create proper, informative models, and test them to make the building safe.
- Smart Infrastructure: Incorporates IoT and AI to create an intelligent and responsive urban environment. Due to its scale, this project will be a real powerhouse for testing IoT + AI solutions.
3. New Administrative Capital (NAC), Cairo, Egypt
Project Overview: Egypt's New Administrative Capital is designed to alleviate congestion in Cairo and serve as the country's new political and administrative centre. The project takes up to 714 square kilometres and features government buildings, residential areas (for as many as 6.5 million people), and cultural landmarks.
Technological Innovations:
- BIM for Master Planning: BIM was crucial in planning the extensive infrastructure, ensuring efficient resource management and urban planning.
- Digital Twins: Used for continuous monitoring and maintenance of the city's infrastructure, enhancing sustainability and resilience.
4. The Red Sea Project, Saudi Arabia
Project Overview: The Red Sea Project is a luxury tourism development aiming to establish Saudi Arabia as a top tourist destination. Created by the country’s leader in eco-friendly plans, NEOM, The Red Sea Project is set to transform the northwest seashore for Saudi Arabia’s residents into a futuristic universe. With planned completion in 2030, the area includes 22 artificial islands, with 50 hotels and resorts, hosting up to 8,000 rooms, and an international airport, covering an area of 28,000 square kilometres.
Technological Innovations:
- Sustainable Design: Leveraging BIM to integrate renewable energy solutions and sustainable construction practices.
- Digital Twins: Used to simulate environmental impacts and optimise resource use, ensuring minimal ecological footprint.
5. Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Project Overview: Al Qana, situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi along 2.4 kilometres of waterfront, is the perfect escape from the city's hustle and bustle, offering a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere. Connected by four bridges, visitors can leisurely stroll along the boulevard, enjoying top-notch dining, entertainment, retail, wellness, and adventure options.
Al Qana is divided into 11 destinations, creating an energetic and fun-filled environment for the whole family. It features a variety of immersive experiences, including water shows, live performances, concerts, interactive gaming hubs, an esports arena, and underwater aquarium adventures, positioning it to become Abu Dhabi’s favourite destination.
Technological Innovations:
- BIM for Coordination: Ensured seamless integration of various facilities and services within the complex.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Used in the design phase to visualise spaces and enhance customer experiences.
6. The Jeddah Tower, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Project Overview: Jeddah Tower is set to be the world's first building to surpass 1000 metres in height, slightly taller than the current tallest building. Although the exact height is still undisclosed, it will be revealed upon completion, as was with the Burj Khalifa.
The tower will feature residential units, hotels, offices, and the highest observation deck in the world, 2000 feet above ground. It will have 59 elevators designed to move more slowly to prevent nausea. With 252 stories, it will also hold the record for the highest number of stories, with the top floor at 668 metres.
Jeddah Tower will revolutionise skyscraper construction, potentially paving the way for more buildings exceeding 1000 metres. Both Jeddah Tower and Burj Khalifa are built on weak desert soils, necessitating deeper foundations and larger gross floor areas. Considering both — the landscape features and the scale of the project — the technological approach like BIM is crucial here.
Technological Innovations:
- Advanced BIM: Facilitated the complex structural engineering required for such a tall building, enhancing precision and safety.
- Digital Twins: Employed to monitor structural health and optimise maintenance schedules.
These cases show that in the modern world, a contemporary home doesn’t only mean a pretty one, but the one that is tech-savvy, produced from eco-friendly materials with as little energy consumption as possible.
Technological approach to construction enables creators to master buildings of any complexity and scale and in any place in the world, no matter the soil. Tech-savviness of modern architecture and engineering allows people to not only craft marvellous buildings, but also to manage them with the least CO2 emissions, reducing the waste on the go.
The MENA region continues to lead in architectural innovation, driven by ambitious visions and the adoption of advanced technologies like BIM and Digital Twins.
At Archis Studio, we are proud to contribute to this landscape, providing cutting-edge solutions that push the boundaries of modern development. These projects not only exemplify architectural excellence but also highlight the region's commitment to sustainability and smart infrastructure. We believe in modern architecture being more than just a pretty facade.
As we look to the future, the integration of BIM and Digital Twins will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the urban environments of tomorrow, making the MENA region a global leader in architectural and technological advancement.
