One of the ways of creating good buzz is by doing something different or coming up with some offbeat concept for advertising campaign. Emirates Holidays has managed to do both in their new campaign which comes with a tag tine – Change Your View.  They actually changed the views from the windows of Dubai’s busy business center by putting huge landscape scene on window cleaner and let it move across various windows, surprising the office people inside. Nice way of telling people to take a break from same boring view and routine days!

The campaign may seem highly localized, targeting business people inside that particular Dubai’s business center. But that’s what viral marketing is all about. Create a buzz locally and let it spread through word-of-mouth, media and of course Internet and New Media. One need not have to put up huge screaming bill boards standing tall over city landscapes. Also local advertising may even bring down the cost of advertising in the times of recession.

It is a nice and creative ad concept by the agency Impact, BBDO, Dubai. During the times of recession business people inside those glass offices are most stressed and they do need a change of view!

Via Invisible Red/ Ads of the World

Dubai, born of the dream to create a Middle Eastern Shangri-la, was ‘built from nothing in just a few wild decades on credit and ecocide, suppression and slavery.’ Today, there are half-finished buildings and new establishments that look plush and posh but with ceilings that leak rainwater and tiles falling off. Some of the infrastructure pieces are under collapse. The biggest showcase of Arab enterprise and western capitalism, where one can find artificial islands and air-conditioned beaches, has a decidedly dark side.

The seemingly sleek modern city is actually governed by some sort of medieval dictatorship. There is no political freedom in Dubai, the most populous of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Practically everything is political propaganda, beginning with its motto of ‘Open doors, open minds.’

The quick and vast growth of the metropolis is largely attributed to its royal leadership when the place was actually built by slaves, and continues to be built by modern slaves called overseas contract workers living in poor working conditions, dealing with worker abuse, and discovering fake worker’s contracts.

Like Singapore, Dubai is a city of malls. Consumerism is the name of the game. Like Singapore, Dubai’s economy is largely fueled by expats and tourists. It is an economic hub and melting pot of deep pockets and wallets full of credit cards.

Dubai citizens can hardly complain about the flooding of foreigners because these are the ones that have transformed an old desert place similar to any of those in barren Africa to an oasis of wealth where a typical per capita annual income is $120,000, enough to make a bunch of lazy and overweight people dependent on the so-called ‘servant class.’

In reality, Dubai is a ‘Creditopolis,’ a city built entirely on debt, owing 107 percent of its entire GDP. The royal family thinks they own the country and everyone is their servant. Dubai, the Middle East’s eye candy, does not export oil but hope.

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Via The Independent

Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina is back in limelight for wrong unfortunate reasons. It is claimed that her father tried to sell her to a Dubai based buyer for a huge sum. The father though has denied allegations. Rubina played the role of Latika (the lead female character of the film) as a child.

The baggage of being Oscar winning child artist is beginning to show. Rubina’s saga has become leading global news feed. Her abject poverty and fairy tale success is similar to the plot of Slumdog Millionaire itself. It is only more tragically real and shows the flip side of the success.

It must be really hard for little Rubina to make a sense of it all. Her success and Oscar did not really change life of her family struggling out in slums. It created more problems and greed maybe. It is very easy to be dream merchants on celluloid. But bailing out real life Rubinas from their daily existential crisis is too difficult. Rubina it seems made only Rs. 1,50000 from the film. Now her saga has become news fodder for all channels.

Via Timesonline/The First Post

Luxury Housing is seemed to be enticed by the glamorous trend of “Rotating House”, which may not be popular yet. Nevertheless, this idea is perhaps very thrilling and should be encouraged to develop. We had already covered this quirk of architecture a couple of days ago and there have been some new developments again. Buildings in St. Petersburg are seeing a return to the extravagance during the tsarist days and apartment blocks in Mexico City are a slap in the face for those who are affected by the global slowdown.

According to The Economist, this Jetsons-esque of living may attract a large number of people making it the next big thing in luxury housing. Market trends in architecture reveal that recession has driven architects to design more extravagant buildings, contrary to popular beliefs. This could be due to the fact that the global slowdown has left everyone weary and tired.

Nevertheless, these houses will consume more electric power. Apparently, the custom houses built in California use between 370 watts and 1kilowatt of power for every hour the house was rotating. If architecture can take such different directions, it would well be possible that one fine day we shall never know where we are living.

Via: Economist

This balloon had to go bust too. Dubai real-estate’s decline is a stale story by now.

But till last year, Dubai also boasted of some of the world’s most expensive hotel room rates averaging $370 in October 2008. For a city that relies on tourism for nearly one fifth of its overall revenue, Dubai Tourism should have reacted more quickly. In spite of decelerating tourist arrivals in the last few months, hotels in Dubai started to slash down rates only in the last fortnight or so (some by nearly 30%).  Egypt was quicker to take concrete steps and at the end of 2008, suspended a tourism tax on hotels and cut landing charges and ground handling fees for airlines.

But Dubai is learning. Its Department of Tourism is working on reducing food and drink prices by 25 percent and focusing more on the core markets closer to home, like the UK and other GCC states. After all, people will look for vacations closer to home this summer.

So go ahead. What with Emirates cutting down fares and fuel surcharges too, there is no time like now to plan that dream vacation that you wanted in Dubai!

Via MEED

The luxurious, hot and happening place on the globe is in news again. This time, its the world shattering refrigerated beach next to the new Palazzo Versace hotel due to open late next year or early 2010. Dubai’s scorching 40-50C heat never disheartened the filthy rich holidaymakers from taking pleasure in its sands.  Soheil Abedian, president of Palazzo Versace figured out an alluring way to compliment it!

The beach would feature an array of heat-absorbing pipes under its sands, gigantic wind blowers, and a cooled swimming pool, all of which are under the control of thermostats linked to computers. However, the sumptuous project has triggered speculation from Tourism Concern officials, who claim that the city always ignored the on-going climate change all over the world and people still continue with their destructive lifestyles. Nevertheless, Versace backs the project saying that it would be environmentally sustainable.

The 10-storey hotel supervised by a British firm, Hyder Consulting is expecting to catch the attention of at least some of the 800,000 Brits who visit Dubai every year. Versace is planning a chain of fifteen similar hotels, probably around the world. Though the commons like most of us might not even see one of them, the wealthy supple-footers would definitely have a blast in the beach!

Source: DailyMail

Green Architecture is the direction towards which every architect and designer is heading and it is no surprise that many of the modern cities of the world are now becoming sandboxes for these green architects to experiment and express themselves. Eco-friendly construction is reaching new heights that are in fact becoming structures far more attractive and ergonomic compared to the traditional form of construction. Here is a collection of 10 such skyscrapers that r\are defying convention and defining green norms. From the marvelous to the incredulous, from the crazy to the sensational; they sport it all…

1. MAD Green Creation with Webstar:

MAD is a design firm that often lives up to its acronym and there creations are often perceived as green architecture that is a touch eccentric. But the design of Webstar is really a revolutionary concept for future green cities. This giant floating star can camp above any city in the world and can house a perfect green city of 15,000 people. With its own ability to produce power, utilize resources by recycling them and even a digital cemetery, the Webstar seems too good and green to be real. Simple sensational indeed!

2. Rotating Wind Towers of Dubai:

By now everyone in the world and even beyond knows about the spectacular wind-powered rotating skyscraper designed by Dr. David Fisher. The structure twirls around and uses wind and solar energy to produce power that is sufficient to power another 5 skyscrapers along with power to supports its own residents’ energy needs. This is almost like a giant swiveling structure on a beam at center. To say that this is amazing would be an understatement.

3. Sky Village by MVRDV Architects:

This new and unique structure is a model that can be considered as a blueprint for many eco-structures in the future. Created to perfection by MVRDV Architects, it takes the shape of many blocks called ‘pixels’ being put together like green hubs. The best part of the design is that the building can expand strategically without occupying too much space at the base. Green parks put up in the sky, a concept that could do great for every edifice in future.

4. Precinct 4 by Putrajaya Waterfront:

The Precinct 4 Project by Putrajaya Waterfront in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is more like a city of delightful eco-friendly structures that stand like beacons of green architecture and amazing design. The design is special with green features like terraces, sunshades, natural ventilation and integrated green space and amazing architectural splendor inspired by marine life.

5. Fog Tower:

There is no green structure that in sheer concepts stands singularly alone as this Fog Tower does on the edge of the Atacama Desert. While just a concept for now, this gigantic tower in pristine while aims to harvest land that is barren in the desert by tapping into the fog on the land. The giant screw design progressively collects and condenses fog into water and supplies it down for irrigation. Alberto Fernandez and Susana Ortega have designed a magical white-green tower!

6. Fusionopolis:

Fusionopolis will be Singapore’s most eco-friendly building, what makes it so green is a vertical spine of planting that rises up through the 15-storey building. The building overcomes with its design the challenges that come with growing a fabulous green landscape at that level along with water and irrigation issues. The structure that is to take shape in Singapore will add a new green tinge to the already fabulous skyline of the city.

7. Sinosteel International Plaza:

Once again a project that is designed by MAD Architects, the Sinosteel International Plaza is a project that is far more real, yet as green as the Webstar created by the same designers. The design is modern, eccentric and still green with ample ventilation and sustainable features that are integrated fashionably into the design and form. Construction is underway in Tinajin, China and its impeccable design makes sure that there is no extra energy wasted on insulation.

8. Carbon Neutral Pyramid of Dubai:

A merger in architecture of Ancient Egyptian pyramids and Middle Eastern ziggurats along with modern green features makes these Carbon Neutral Pyramids that are to take shape in Dubai, one of the best green structures in the world. The pyramid shaped structures run on solar power and are completely carbon neutral. They can sustain an entire community of a million people in them and all with nothing but green energy! If the prototype works, then they could well be the cities of the future.

9. Bahrain World Trade Center with Integrated Turbines:

Being the world’s first skyscraper to go for integrated wind turbines, the Bahrain World Trade Center makes on to the list for being the pioneer in green technology and energy. The integrated giant turbines are expected to generate 11 to 15 percent of the whole structure’s power. The three 29m-diameter turbine blades on Bahrain’s iconic landmark are expected to operate approximately 50% of the time. One must never forget the roots of the revolution and for green architecture, this was a big beginning.

10. Municipal Pool Cover Soto del Real in Madrid:

This giant Carbon Neutral green-structure was built in the heart of Madrid to give a sustainable ecosystem to the growing urban community. Designed by Lorenzo Alonso Architects, this green facility is filled with plants and acts as a community center as it purifies air and provides meeting space.

Green architecture is about the judicious blend of form with function and hopefully we have done the same with our list of ten. Every one has a different favorite, but irrespective of personal tastes, each and every one of the buildings in this list and many more that silently spread the green wave and eco-friendly revolution go a long way in making our planet a better place both for us and the future generations!

The architecture in Dubai will never cease to surprise us, whether it is the traditional or the ultra modern. The latest addition is the brainchild of British firm Atkins called Anar Tower. We know that Atkins has previously given Dubai the 400-meter green lighthouse and Iris Bay. Signature emirati Tameer plays sponsor for the project that starts 2009.

Info on Anar Tower reveals that the multi-use building will make space for offices, shops, a luxury hotel with 250 rooms, 300 apartments and an art gallery for exhibitions and auctions. By the way, the building will also house an apartment with a private swimming pool and exclusive elevator; it is touted as the most expensive in Dubai.

Greenery is also being kept in mind as
ll 27 floors will be marked by lush gardens, which will be located on a large platform between the two nuclei of the tower. A large empty circle will top the building. You will find an impressive restaurant here plus gorgeous views of the city over the Sheik Zayed Road.

Anar Tower may not be able to match Burj Tower in Dubai, but it will definitely offer some healthy competition!

Via urbanity & buildinguk

If driving luxury cars and leching at super cool sports cars are a little passé, then you might be looking for something special. We have seen and driven many of these ’special’ cars, which look ghastly enough to turn Amy Winehouse’s face red.

However, if you want a car that stands out in the crowd, is a luxury car, and yet isn’t an assault on the senses. You must probably book a flight to Dubai and check out the fully chromed Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which can be found at a certain parking lot in the obscenely lavish city. Well, the car may definitely look weird if you plan to drive it in the middle of Ohio, but well who cares! I find the car rather more futuristic than luxurious.

Perhaps it is a ploy by the Mercedes-Benz to make sure the bling factor stays with the company and not go out to the rivals like Volkswagen, who have tried their hands at such blinged out versions of their luxury sedans too. Don’t want the same one found in Dubai? Call up the guys at Mercedes-Benz and custom order a titanium-covered car instead. Sweet revenge you know!