Not all architectural structures are made equal.
At times, they need to be practical, functional and a little banal to serve their purpose. At others, a visionary architect and innovative engineering firm will create something to engage, inspire and embody man’s ingenuity and imagination.
Featuring smooth lines, reflective surfaces, complicated construction and unexpected influences, creating a monument to elevate a city’s skyline and leave a lasting impression for generations to come is no easy feat.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia unveiled plans for another awe-inspiring example of this type of innovation: the 170-kilometre-long Mirror Line skyscraper as part of the $500 billion Neom project.
Here, The National rounds up other visionary structures, which seemed impossible to execute at first but today are part of the elite architectural wonders of the world.
Linked Hybrid, Beijing
Architects: Steven Holl Architects
Location: Beijing, China
Year: 2009
Known as an “open city within a city” the Linked Hybrid was constructed adjacent to the site of the old city wall of Beijing. The stunning visual structure aims to recreate the idea of urban living.
The complex is a 3D space, where structures underground, on the ground and above ground are connected and fused together. Eight towers are linked by wide, open passages connecting pedestrians to a number of spaces both public and private which include gardens, shops, schools and dining.
The Linked Hybrid, one of the largest green residential projects in the world thanks to the cleverly designed geothermal wells, was created to cool the development in the summer and provide heating in winter.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Location: Dubai, UAE
Year: 2010
A beacon in the desert, 162 floors, 828 metres high — Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.
However, it is more than just a record-breaking tower. The stunning visual has become a landmark, not only in the UAE but around the globe.
Constructed from reinforced concrete and clad in glass, its sleek design, both futuristic and timeless, is accentuated thanks to the illusion of glass wrapping around the structure.
The design of the building drew its inspiration from the geometry of the hymenocallis spider lily, a regional desert flower, along with the intricate patterning systems of Islamic architecture.
As the tower pierces the sky, setbacks create an upward spiral. This not only decreases the structure's mass but creates an impressive aesthetic impression.
Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou
Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects
Location: Guangzhou, China
Year: 2010
The eye-catching opera house consists of two fluid-form structures designed to sit perfectly in harmony against the riverside.
The larger 1,800-seat auditorium was constructed with the best acoustic technology of the time, while the smaller 400-seat multi-function auditorium was designed for performance art, opera and concerts.
Dramatic exterior and interior lines define different areas and sections in the building while also allowing for natural light to penetrate deep into the interior spaces. The fluidity and sleek exterior design is extended in the interior through the use of custom-made glass fibre reinforced gypsum units.
The Guangzhou Opera House was also influenced by how the river valleys are transformed over time by erosion.
Metropol Parasol, Seville
Location: Seville, Spain
Architects: Jurgen Mayer
Year: 2011
Located in the old quarter of Seville, Spain, the Metropol Parasol is currently the largest wooden structure in the world, as well being the biggest to be held together primarily by glue.
Measuring up to 150 metres long, 70 metres wide and 26 metres high, the structure consists of six parasols in the shape of a giant mushroom. It's constructed using a square waffle-grid system of interlocking timber fastened with steel connectors and high-strength glue.
This design was inspired by the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville and the ficus trees situated in the nearby Plaza del Cristo de Burgos.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Architects: Henning Larsen Architects and Batteriio Architects
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Year: 2011
The stunning concert hall and arts centre set on the Icelandic capital’s harbour is a mesmerising feat. The exterior was constructed using a steel framework clad with geometric-shaped glass panels of different colours, giving the impression of a gem-like moving exterior.
Conceived by large-scale installation artist Olafur Eliasson, the kaleidoscope exterior of multicolour glass reflects light from the surface of the water and the sky is also a prominent feature at night.
Harpa, which houses the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the offices of the Icelandic Opera, was the setting of an episode of the Netflix series Sense8 and appeared in the Black Mirror episode Crocodile.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Architects: Grant Associates
Location: Singapore
Year: 2012
Reminiscent of a scene from a utopian sci-fi film, glass and steel are intertwined with nature in Gardens by the Bay, the botanical garden in the Marina Bay district in Singapore.
One of the largest garden projects in the world, the site stretches across 101 hectares encompassing three gardens, Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden, which fuse nature and technology.
There are 18 “supertrees”, ranging between 25 to 30 meters in height, which act as vertical gardens. Constructed to harness solar energy and innovative water technologies, the trees have multiple functions including working as environmental engines for the gardens. They also help mediate the temperature in the Cooled Conservatories, the world’s largest climate-controlled conservatory, situated in the Bay South Garden.
The Supertree Grove in the park was featured in the box office hit Crazy Rich Asians and was the source of inspiration for planet of Xandar in the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
Architects: Morphosis
Location: Dallas, USA
Year: 2012
Bold and striking, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science consists of a five-storey cube, constructed of 700 individually moulded panels of textured concrete. The cube sits on a sweeping plinth and piercing through it is a glass-enclosed escalator.
A daring design, Morphosis’s aim was to break the traditional notion of a museum being a neutral space for exhibitions and learning, but instead encompass the idea of science and the future to entice visitors before they walk into the space.
Absolute World, Ontario
Location: Ontario, Canada
Architects: MAD Architects
Year: 2012
Known as the Marilyn Monroe towers by local residents, the Absolute Towers’ voluptuous, twisting forms have made them a unique part of Toronto’s largest suburb.
Creators MAD Architects overlooked traditional vertical edges and lines in favour of the fluidity found in nature. They emphasised horizontal, winding, smooth lines accentuated by unbroken wraparound balconies.
The 50 and 56-storey skyscrapers appear to move on their own axis while giving residents unique views of the city.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Architects: Jean Nouvel
Location: Abu Dhabi
Year: 2017
Designed to be a "museum city" in the sea, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a calm, almost serene presence despite its beautifully complex design and structure.
A safe haven for art from the region and collections from across the world, the museum's design was influenced by traditional Arabic architectural culture.
The double dome is 180 metres in diameter, offering a horizontal geometric shape created from perforated woven material, which provides both shade as well as bursts of light.
In total, 55 individual buildings, including 23 galleries, make up Louvre Abu Dhabi with the facades made of 3,900 panels of ultra-high performance fibre concrete.
National Museum of Qatar, Doha
Architects: Jean Nouvel
Location: Qatar
Year: 2019
The National Museum of Qatar’s design was inspired by the desert rose crystal, a unique rock consisting of interlocking disks formed when minerals crystallise in soil just below the surface of a shallow salt basin.
While the influence of the "desert rose" was taken quite literally, the result is breathtaking.
The building is composed of 539 large spherical interlocking disks, in varying diameters and vertical and horizontal curvatures. The interior also twists and turns, seamlessly echoing the aesthetic, with a colour palate of neutrals where walls are coated in stuc pierre, or stone stucco, traditional gypsum and lime-blended plaster to give a continuous stone look.
Scroll the gallery below to see renderings of Saudi Arabia's plans for a record-setting 120km-long skyscraper called the Mirror Line.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
LIKELY TEAMS
South Africa
Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.
India (from)
Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wkt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Apple product price list
iPad Pro
11" - $799 (64GB)
12.9" - $999 (64GB)
MacBook Air
$1,199
Mac Mini
$799
Company%C2%A0profile
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
BRIEF SCORES
England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23
India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46
England won by nine runs
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
%3Cp%3E(Premier%20League%20only)%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Salah%20129%3Cbr%3ERobbie%20Fowler%20128%3Cbr%3ESteven%20Gerrard%20120%3Cbr%3EMichael%20Owen%20118%3Cbr%3ESadio%20Mane%2090%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
Read more from Johann Chacko
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
