44 Examples of Iranovation and Dubaichitecture


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In terms of world-class innovation in the Middle East, most people probably think of Dubai before they’d think of Iran. However, Iran has produced and fostered incredibly talented individuals that shake up tradition, just as Dubai has done with its freewheeling, ultra-luxury architecture. As with any culture, Iran’s counterculture is a force to contend with. Ashkan Sahihi’s ‘Kiss Kiss’ photography project, in which he is photographed kissing men and women with an open mouth, is certainly not something conservative Iranians would approve of. And in Tehran, fashion-savvy men sporting Western rocker hair must contend with the Basij religious police for their extreme hairstyles. All the while, however, there is change. Its most impressive form lies in architecture like Azadi (Shahyad) Square in Tehran or Kish Island, dubbed the “Dubai of Iran.” Dubai is the world’s heavyweight champion when it comes to luxurious excesses. Some Dubai architects are so frustrated with the limitations of the naturally-created landscape that they seek to build their own. The Universe and Isla Moda are two such examples of ultra-exclusive manmade islands. It will be awhile before Iran reaches this height of opulent splendor--and perhaps that’s part of Iran’s appeal. Via: trendhunter |
$25,000 Hotel Rooms (GALLERY)
Atlantis The Palm Hotel in DubaiDefying the current credit crunch, people with mega-money are paying $25,000 per night to stay at the decadent Dubai hotel Atlantis The Palm. The $25,000-per-night 3-bedroom suites come complete with…
Peace Through Art (GALLERY)
Seattle-Tehran Poster Show Unites Iran and USAArt has brought Iran and the United States closer together in The Seattle-Tehran Poster Show which opened last month at the Bumbershoot music and arts festival in Seattle, USA. Who knew that posters…
Screaming Photography (GALLERY)
Scream by Ashkan SahihiTrend Hunter previously featured the unique photography of Ashkan Sahihi from Iran, which captured him kissing strangers. But in addition to making out with strangers, Sahihi, who was born in Tehran,…
Cultural Fashion Invasions (GALLERY)
Mango Invades Iran & IraqReady or not, Iran and Iraq are getting a taste of hip western fashion as Spanish clothing retailer Mango is set to open stores in the cities of Tehran and Erbil by the end of 2008. Mango, which has more…
$25 Million Mega-Parties (GALLERY)
Dubai Soiree Will Be Viewable from SpaceThe grand opening of the Atlantis The Palm in Dubai is set for later this month. Billionaire tycoon Sol Kerzner is planning a $25 million party that will supposedly be viewable from space. The London…
$35 Million Parties (GALLERY)
Kylie Minogue Gets $4.4 at Dubai SoireeSuperstar Kylie Minogue is getting paid $4.4 Million to perform at the opening of the Atlantis Hotel on the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah. Not content with setting all kinds of records for tallest buildings,…
Wireless Mesh Phone Networks for Skyscrapers
Burj Dubai Gets Firetide MeshOops! Somebody forgot that walkie talkies have a limited range, including upward! The worker bees on the 2,275 foot Burj Dubai monster transformer discovered their bosses and coworkers couldn't hear their…
Iranian Rocker Hair (GALLERY)
Kids Fight to Keep Their Hair StylesThe Rocker Hair trend has invaded the Middle East, where it is being met with much less enthusiasm than here in the States. Rebellious rocker teens in Iran are sporting faux hawks, spikes and pompadours,…
Celebrity Architects (GALLERY)
Pamela Anderson's Eco-Friendly Dubai HotelFormer Baywatch babe, eco-friendly Malibu mom and PETA spokesperson, Pamela Anderson has added herself to the list of celebrities including Brad Pitt, Michael Schumacher and Boris Becker, who are teaming…
Beijing Olympic Controversies (GALLERY)
Iran To Broadcast Female Competitors from China?Ali Asghar Purmohammadi, the man responsible for broadcasting sports programs on Iran’s state-run television, has said he is trying to convince Iranian authorities to give special permission to broadcast…
Kissing Strangers as Art (GALLERY)
Iranian Ashkan Sahihi Explores Sexuality with PhotographyIranian photographer Ashkan Sahihi is well known for his unorthodox and pretty controversial photography projects. For example, his Drug Series captures the facial expressions of clean and sober people…
Robot Soccer (GALLERY)
Iran Wins Big in RoboCup 2008, Germany & China DominateIran has won nine medals at the RoboCup 2008, which was held in China’s Suzhou city from July 14 to 20, but it was Germany who dominated the event. Iran’s three gold medals came from the 3D Competition…
Fashion in Iran (GALLERY)
Masih DesignsIran born fashion designer Masih Zad may be in his early twenties, but his youthful designs don't neglect his Persian culture. In fact, they honor some of the best cultural art traditions of Iran, including…
Eco Activism in Iran (GALLERY)
Bloggers Try to Save WetlandsEnvironmental activists in Iran are upset because some of the most beautiful wetlands in the northern part of Iran are being destroyed. Among those seeking heightened conservation for the wetland ecosystems,…
Awesome Architecture in Iran (GALLERY)
Incredible Buildings You Never Knew AboutIran has a lot of fascinating architecture, and many of these unique buildings are overlooked by the rest of the world. Iran has a lot to offer in terms of design, as we pointed out in an earlier article…
Iran Pop Culture Fashion (GALLERY)
NimanyNimany is a handmade fashion line launched by two friends who grew up in Tehran, Iran. Their brand, geared at men and women, is now gaining global recognition, including in New York City where the line…
Governmental Fun with Photoshop (GALLERY)
More Iran Tech Pix RevealedIran got busted last week photoshopping some missile launches to make them look more successful than they really were. Now it has (NOT) been revealed that Iran has a Department of Homeland Photoshop to…
Green Hollywood Architects
Brad Pitt Designs Eco Hotel in DubaiBrad Pitt has publicly shared that, while acting is his career, his true passion lies in architecture. Angelina Jolie's husband is now busy designing his first major construction project in Dubai. The…
Kids Fashion Week (GALLERY)
Dubai Puts Children on the CatwalkFashion week isn't just to showcase new looks for adults; we've seen shows for pets, so the fact that Dubai held a Kids Fashion Week doesn't really come as much of a shock. The event was part of the week-long…
50 Story Water Fountains (GALLERY)
Dubai To Blow Water into the Desert AirPerhaps its time to declare Dubai Building Debauchery as dumb. The latest in “we want the biggest and we want it now” structure is a large fountain to be the centerpiece of the Downtown Burj project.…
Multi-Cultural Projects in Dubai (GALLERY)
Museum of Middle East Modern ArtTaking a break from ridiculously tall buildings, Dubai has unveiled the region’s first Museum of Middle East Modern Art. The impressive project was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid…
Dune Shaped Buildings (GALLERY)
Zaha Hadid Dubai Opera House and Culture CenterA design from Zaha Hadid Architects for an opera house and cultural center in the Seven Pearls district of Dubai has been revealed. Set to be built on an island in Dubai Creek connected to mainland Greater…
Champagne Inspired Buildings (GALLERY)
The Bubble Windows of Dubai's Pixel TowerWhere else but Dubai would you get a champagne inspired tower? The 18-story Pixel Tower by James Law Cybertecture, which is planned for Dubai's Waterfront, is inspired by the moving bubbles in a champagne…
Living Inside an iPod (GALLERY)
The Shuffle Tower in DubaiCybertecture brings you another marvel, The Shuffle Tower in Dubai, set to open in 2010. The tower is a mixed use development designed on the "shuffling" of music on a MP3 player. Set on the Dubai waterfront,…
Future Dubai Cybertecture
Du TowerSome things have to be seen to be believed. This 38 story tower in Dubai is named the Du Tower and will function as a symbol of the young, high-tech telecommunications company, Du. "This 115-metre tower…
Female Cadets in the Middle East (VIDEO)
Iran After the Islamic RevolutionMost women in religious conservative Iran dress in the traditional burqa, and generally speaking occupy roles that were assigned to them hundreds of years ago. But the female police officers who began…
Dubai Again At Forefront of Lavish Design (GALLERY)
The Wave TowerThe Wave Tower is the newest high rise building to be built in the city that has too much money. A-cero Architects are incorporating the waves of the oceanfront property into the overall design of the…
Dreamworks Joins Dubailand (GALLERY)
World's First Dreamworks Theme ParkAs the new Trend Hunter resident Arab, I am proud to announce that Dubailand, billed as the biggest tourism, leisure and entertainment complex in the world, just landed an important partner, DreamWorks.…
All Wonders of the World in Dubai (VIDEO)
Pyramid, Taj Mahal and More in Falcon City of WondersThe biggest pyramid in the world will no longer be in Egypt; rather, it will be in Dubai. As part of a new project called Falcon City, Dubailand will be adding replicas of the world's wonders that will,…
World's Longest Arch Bridge
667 Meter Bridge in DubaiOn why Dubai would want the longest arch bridge in the world and spend lots of money on it, I wouldn't know. The most publicized emirate in the UAE has already chosen the New York architectural firm FXFOWLE…
Dubai's Next Man Made Island
The UniverseSeeming trying to prove that too much is not nearly enough the Dubai developer of “The World” has just announced plans to build the “The Universe” which they will squeeze in between “The World”…
Wheel Shaped Hotel (GALLERY)
Dubai PromenadeDubai property developer Nakheel announced the construction of the world's first wheel-shaped hotel this week. The Dubai Promenade is a new waterfront community in development, and one of these buildings…
Dubai Builds Fashion Island
Isla ModaDubai Infinity Holdings is doing it again. They have announced a mixed use development to establish Dubai as a global "fashion hub." Isla Moda will combine super style and ultra luxury to attract only…
Dubai Sky Photos (GALLERY)
View From 85th Floor of Burj DubaiNow this is cool! Although it really looks like it, this incredible photo wasn't taken from a plane; believe it or not, it was taken from the 85th floor of the Burj Dubai. To date, it is the world's tallest…
Billion Dollar Robotic Jurassic Park (VIDEO)
Restless Planet in DubaiTake your wildest idea to Dubai and there's a good probability somebody will build it. Restless Planet is a new billion dollar theme park coming to Dubai. Over 100 robotic dinosaurs from 40 different species…
Luxury Underwater Hotel in Dubai (GALLERY)
Hydropolis to Open This MonthPeople have long been attracted to the mysteries of marine life, and fascination with aquariums is seen world wide. Scheduled to open this month is the Hydropolis Dubai, a much anticipated luxury underwater…
Dancing Dubaichitecture (VIDEO)
Self-Powered Dynamic Eco-ArchitectureThis is unbelievable; no one could watch this clip without being utterly blown away. Those on top of architectural trends probably won’t be surprised to hear that these self-powered "dancing" green buildings…
Unethical Foreign Labor (VIDEO)
Dubai Construction, Gap ClothingClothing retailer Gap had to "forcefully reiterate" its prohibition on child labor after a British newspaper very inconveniently found children as young as 10 working at a sweatshop in New Delhi, making…
5 Acre Dubai Real Estate Sign
World's Biggest AdThe world's largest banner ad for a Dubai real estate company is also one of the most viral. The five acre ad for Sorough Real Estate made it to the Guinness Book of Records, "Now here’s the cool part—…
Solar-Powered Hotel (GALLERY)
Grand Hyatt DubaiHyatt is proving that the hotel chain is taking climate change seriously, and is taking concrete action to save the environment. Grand Hyatt Dubai had its main water heating system converted from diesel…
Luxury Hotel Boom (GALLERY)
6 Sumptuous Dubai ResortsDubai is the millionaire's playground. Consequently, Dubai is going through a luxury hotel boom. Each hotel spares no expense to outdo the other. The Burg Al Arab started it all, with its wind sail shape…
Iranian Fashion (VIDEO)
Haniyeh Abedi Leads IndustryMost of us living in the worlds of Guess, Abercrombie, Louis Vuitton and Chanel have never heard of Persian designers like Haniyeh Abedi. If the continued trend towards global fashion continues in the…
Iran Claims Herbal Cure for Aids
IMODIranian scientists claim to have found an safe and effective cure for the dreaded virus, AIDS. This medicine made up of herbal and chemical components is said to work to build immunity and enhance the…
Kenny G banned in Iran
I wouldn’t allow him to play either. “Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has banned Western music from Iran’s radio and TV stations, reviving one of the harshest cultural decrees from the early…
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