RECLAIMED ARCHIPELAGO

WONDER: Palm Jumeirah LOCATION: Dubai, UAE

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Branching from Dubai’s shoreline into its turquoise waters, the Palm Jumeirah islands represent the shape of a palm tree within an incomplete circle. This artwork isn’t a formation of nature, but part of an artificial archipelago known as the Palm Islands. The foundations for these islands came from the surrounding sand and rock. First, 7 million tonnes of rock was exported to the site from the nearby Hajar Mountains to form a strong base from giant rock slabs. Next, a huge 92 million cubic metres of sand was dredged from the bottom of the ocean of the Persian Gulf and sprayed into place to form the island’s unique shape. The result of this six-year effort was an extra 50 miles of coastline added to Dubai.

On the trunk of the island are mostly apartments and shops, while hotels and resorts surround them on the outer crescent. The crescent is divided into three sections in order for the circulation of seawater not to be disrupted. Only a few years after the island was completed, by 2017 more than 10,000 people called Palm Jumeirah home. There are two additional palm islands – Palm Deira and Palm Jebel Ali – but Palm Jumeirah remains the only finished project of the three.

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A DNA molecule is a source of life. It carries all the information for the development and proper function of living organisms. It’s apt that this molecule is the inspiration for the shape of the Agora Garden. This is a residential tower designed to restore life to our planet through eco-friendly technology and carbon-reducing lifestyles. Designed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut and completed in 2018, this 93-metretall building combines urban life with natural habitats so that the two can not just coexist, but support each other. The height of the tower limits the occupied ground space, while plenty of plants serve as a carbon-absorbing city ecosystem for wildlife. Residents of this tower block have balconies packed with plants, including vegetable gardens and fruit trees. This encourages residents to grow their own food, and all their biodegradable waste is composted.

With a luxury swimming pool, gym facilities and a rooftop clubhouse, this modern tower demonstrates how achieving low energy consumption and following a climate-conscious way of life doesn’t necessarily require a simple lifestyle. In his design proposal, architect Callebaut made his goals clear: “In the heart of Taipei, after having built the city on the landscape, after having then built the city on the city, it is now time for the landscape to rebuild itself on the city.”

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Shah Jahan, the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire which ruled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries, had many wives. But it was his third wife, Persian princess Mumtaz Mahal, who was his favourite. Following her death, the emperor built the Taj Mahal for her to be her final resting place on the southern bank of the Yamuna river. The total build included the work of 22,000 labourers and continued for 22 years. Since it was declared complete in 1653, the Taj Mahal’s sheer size, impressive symmetry and spectacular detail have mesmerised visitors.

Each palm tree branch has a sandy beach perimeter

The people on the upper level show the scale of the golden mass tuned damper

2 GREEN MOUNTAIN An area of around 6,000 square metres is covered by plants, making the total green coverage of the building’s floor space 246 per cent. 3 3 OPEN-AIR GARDENS The 21 floors twist around the central column by 90 degrees, providing open-air space above every balcony. 5 PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF At a height of 100 metres, this 1,000 square metre platform uses sunlight to produce electricity for residents. 7 LIGHT DISTRIBUTION A circular central lightwell allows daylight to reach lower levels of the building. 2 5 6 SKY GARDEN Rainwater is filtered and purified here to be used within the building. 7 4 1 6 1 FIXED CENTRE The structure is a cross between a single tower and twin towers. The Agora Garden is locally known as Tao Zhu Yin Yuan 4 CAR ELEVATOR Four high-speed elevators and one car elevator carry people and their vehicles to every level.

MINARET Calls to prayer are recited from these four pillars, called minarets. The caller climbs spiral stairs to project sound from the top. FINIAL The central bronze spire is a crescent Moon shape, with the pointed edges facing heavenward. Until the 1800s the finial was made of gold. ARCHWAY The Taj Mahal entrances are framed with interlaced floral patterns and Quran inscriptions. PRECIOUS STONES 43 types of precious stones from across India were used for decoration, including sapphires, bloodstones and topaz. TOMBS The graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are one level below ground. CENTRAL DOME The double-layered main dome is around 35 metres tall and symbolises unity. CHATTRI The bases of these domes are open, serving as gateways for sunlight into the building. CENOTAPH The main central room displays empty tombs to replicate those below ground.

Cars cannot drive within a 500-metre radius of the Taj Mahal to limit pollutants