Dubai the city of an emerging skyline, a city of dancing cranes and pirouetting buildings all merged into a display of the unstoppable desire of man to live amongst the clouds.
Nothing on earth shows the thirst for building a modern aged metropolis than Dubai. Some may disagree but none of Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai can match the desire in Dubai to change the way the world understands city development, living space, architectural design, and building construction. Not a single day goes by without someone, somewhere in this desert retreat thinking “What if we built it like this?”.
Dubai isn’t at the cutting edge of 21st Century construction, NO it has far surpassed it and is now defining a new era of boundary shattering design with projects such as the Burj Dubai, Infinity Tower, Burj al Alam and many others.
Trying to get an industry insiders view on these exciting times TheDubaiLife.com spoke to Steven Miller of Fxfowle Architects a twenty-eight year old architectural, interior design, planning and urban design firm which has offices in both Dubai and New York City.
[The Dubai Life] : Tell us a little about FXFOWLE and their work in Dubai?
[Steven Miller] : FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS is working on an exciting new master plan of 40ha. at the Business Bay development. Our plan is designed to create a high-performance, highly sustainable and “green” commercial development punctuated by three-star hotels and related services. We expect to shortly be designing new sustainable office and residential towers in Business Bay, DIFC, and along the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor for some of the most important developers in the city. As a result of the many new financial services requirements in Dubai, we have been asked by one of the major developers for proposals to design very unique international trading floor interiors. All of these projects are within our specialties of design.
[DL]: You have been an architect for many years. Can you give a brief overview of your career and any key events that shaped it?
[SM]: I have been an American Expat since 1974; for the last 32 years I have worked in 51 counties and have been some form of resident of 18 of them. Because of my travels, I also qualified as a professional architect in the UK which supports my professional work in the EU. I worked on the first international hotel in China in Beijing in 1986 and the first renovation of a historically listed building in Prague in 1994 (for which I won awards from MIPIM and Urban Land Institute). I also renovated a 14th century building in Prague (which won an American Institute of Architect (AIA) award), and in Milan I converted an early 19th Century bank building into a new Park Hyatt Hotel in 9 months when I was told it would take over 2 years. I had a similar experience in the City of London. The AIA awarded me Fellowship, in recognition of my accomplishments, which is a great source of pride for me.
[DL]: How have things changed in the years you have been in the industry?
[SM]: When I first began practicing architecture, the world seemed like a much bigger place. My first projects were in KSA and the Middle East starting in 1974 with the first oil crisis and “sustainable design” wasn’t on the table. Practicing architecture overseas in those days was still very provincial. It was more of an engineering task then a design task - and certainly less of a global culture than it is today. Now, the differences in how an architect practices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Prague, Milan, Dubai, or in Beijing are minor. So much can be attributed to the electronic age of communication.
[DL]: In your opinion what is it that makes a great architectural design?
[SM]: I have always felt that great architecture is based in great planning. How a building works within its site and within the urban context determines how successful it will be. Formal notions regarding proportion and the expression of structure and function are very important. In addition, my experience in historical renovation has given me a profound respect for the relationship a project has to the past in the context of the city, the site, and the adjacent structures.
[DL]: Dubai the great work in progress. How would you describe from an architects point of view what is happening in Dubai? Does it excite you to see a metropolis rising from the desert?
[SM]: I am very excited to see how a new modern city can blossom. In Dubai, it is happening because the government is willing to put the funds in place for the extension of the infrastructure. That is what will make it successful. I do have a problem with the quality of some of the new developments. The large developers such as Dubai Properties, Emaar, Nakheel and others understand and value design, but so many of the smaller developers are still learning the importance of design to create a successful, lasting development.
[DL]: Some of Dubai’s new building designs seem to be influenced by buildings from other cities in the world. Do you think Dubai will one day be influencing the world in a similar manner?
[SM]: Absolutely! There is some incredible work being designed for Dubai now – and this new work pushes the issues of sustainability and technological innovation that will surely catch the eye of other cities.
[DL]: As an architect which projects in Dubai really inspire you?
[SM]: I have been enjoying some of the building on Emaar’s part of the Marina, and the buildings that have been designed for the DIFC. I am also excited by some of the designs that I know will be coming up at Burj Dubai, at the waterfront by Nakheel, the simple new Park Hyatt Hotel in Diera at the Creek Golf Course, the Shangri-La hotel, and Capricorn Towers.
[DL]: How important are environmental factors when creating an architectural design? Is being “Green” the way forward?
[SM]: Buildings account for a larger portion of our energy usage than most people realize. In the U.S. and now even in Dubai, more and more clients and municipalities are realizing that it pays to go green. FXFOWLE has been involved in environmentally responsible architecture, or “green” design, for decades. A well-designed building is a green building – but it does much more than just save energy. Buildings can and should conserve water, reduce the heat island effect, and even generate their own power. In addition, studies have shown how important indoor environmental quality is to productivity and well-being.
[DL]: In a crowded market like Dubai how does an architect maintain a sense of uniqueness and individuality?
[SM]: At FXFOWLE, we believe that buildings should be designed to relate to their environment. This attitude about climate and context allows us to create innovative, provocative buildings that have individuality, but still within the context of their neighbours, that are unique.
[DL]: With the vast number of residential developments in Dubai being cloud touching skyscrapers is it important to try and introduce a sense of community to the building’s design via communal spaces?
[SM]: A high-rise residential building must look compelling in the skyline, but it should also be a hospitable home. Community spaces are imperative and can take the form of traditional amenities such as heath clubs, spas, restaurants, and other retail outlets, as well as green roofs. We always encourage our clients to consider including retail or a restaurant in their developments to add a sense of vitality to the property.
[DL]: There seems to be a notion in some circles that taller is better and some say there is a race on to design and build the first 1KM high building what do you think of this ?
[SM]: As an architect it is hard not to be attracted to and compelled by tall buildings. In general, tall buildings are better than sprawling building because they contribute to a vibrant urban condition and use less energy each day. But there is a technical and logistical limit to building heights that is quickly being met. Above a certain height, a building looses its efficiency and demands a very large premium. This is especially true in Dubai, a world of concrete structure, where steel frames are still only being talked about.
[DL]: What do you see as the great challenges facing designers in the next 10 years?
[SM]: The greatest challenge will be to embrace alternative designs for your client to choose from, with rationales for each scheme, within the context of the site, with respect for the surrounding buildings, an understanding of the culture of the city, the site and the environment. Successful architectural firms will have to have multiple international offices to expedite the design schedule, efficiency, and production costs. We will also be required to consider alternative delivery concepts such as “design-build” in order to meet the aggressive project schedules.
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