Dubai Architecture
Dubai boasts some of the most stunning architecture in the world. The city is packed with both traditional Arabic buildings alongside modern space age skyscrapers, a combo that is astonishing to the eye. The best way to see the city's buildings is to take a boat ride down the creek, so that the city can be laid out before you with all of its buildings in clear view.

The traditional buildings in Dubai were built with the environmental constraints, the teachings of Islam and the social structure of the city in mind. Most are built out of Coral and Gypsum, materials that are readily available in this part of the world. Many of the buildings in Dubai are built extremely close together: this is to protect the inhabitants of the city from the glaring sun, as the building's shade provides shelter from the heat.

A common traditional building found in the city is the Windtower, an old, non-electrical form of air conditioning that channels cool air down the tower and into the lower rooms. Mosques are another building often seen in Dubai. These are usually simple structures, although many are very intricately styled.

Dubai has seen a lot of growth as of late, and the city's building population has increased dramatically in past years. Due to the fact that this is an extremely wealthy nation, the city has been able to hire the most cutting edge and respected of architects to design its newer buildings, a feat that few cities can afford to do. Unfortunately, the heat and humidity that the city experiences throughout the year results in buildings only having a lifespan of around 25 years, so architects and building firms are finding themselves in a constant struggle against the elements to find new ways to lengthen the lives of their masterpieces.

The National Bank of Dubai Building is one of the city's most outstanding. This golden, shimmering high rise is perched on the shore of the creek, and has become a recognizable symbol of Dubai. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry building is entirely covered in sheets of blue glass, and is built in a startling triangular shape. A breaking wave was the inspiration behind the lovely Jumeira Beach Hotel, located on one of the famous Palm Islands. The Etisalat Telecommunications building cannot be missed, as it has the shape of a giant golf ball perched on its rooftop.