Burning Man 2022: 10 architectures raising from the Nevada desert

Burning Man 2022, Paradisium by Dave Keane & Folly Builders - Photo via IG, follow @davekeane.

Burning Man 2022 explores the transformative power of dreams with mesmerizing architecture and design. Am ‘empyrean temple, a grove of geometric trees, space cats, an afro-futuristic shrine and more.

Desert X AlUla 2022: the Saudi desert blooms with landscape art installations inspired by mirage and oasis

Dana Awartani's installation @ Desert X AlUla 2022, photo by Lance Gerber.

Desert X AlUla 2022: until March 30, the second edition of the free and open to all exhibition places politically-charged contemporary artworks by 15 Saudi and international artists.

Tanween 2021: 4 design, science and material innovation projects inspired by the UAE

Tanween 2021 - The Kapok series by Tasnim Tinawi - Courtesy of Tanween.

A Biosand cabinet, a tech-crafted ottoman with river tamarind leather-like fabric, ghaf tree lamps and desert cotton upholstery. With the Tanween 2021 program, Tashkeel platform for the UAE design scene presents the work of four emerging female designers who teamed up with local botanists, scientists, engineers and manufacturers to develop innovative materials and create bespoke furniture and lighting collections.

The ‘Nature in Motion’ pavilion by Ahmed El-Sharabassy is inspired by the UAE moving desert

ABWAB, Nature in Motion by Ahmed El-Sharabassy - Courtesy of Dubai Design Week 2021.

At Dubai Design Week 2021, Ahmed El-Sharabassy has created the NATURE IN MOTION pavilion inspired by shapeshifting dune landscapes in the UAE. Made of sustainable and recyclable materials, the sinuous lightweight architecture provides multi-functional and multi-purpose public spaces and hosts an exhibition exploring compostable building materials and structures made of paper pulp.

‘Wetlands,’ the UAE pavilion wins Golden Lion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2021

WETLANDS, UAE exhibition at Venice Biennale 2021 - Photo by Andrea Avezzù, courtesy of La Biennale 2021.

The ‘Wetlands’ exhibition explores the fragile link between waste and production with forward-thinking, innovative and responsible solutions. The United Arab Emirates win the Golden Lion for best National pavilion at the 17th Biennale Architettura di Venezia.

Desert X 2021: 5 landscape art installations in the Coachella Valley exploring the desert as both a place and idea

Alicja Kwade @ Desert X 2021 - Photo by Lance Gerber.

Desert X 2021: a wishing-well addressing access to potable water in Africa, a crafted maze exploring the desert as a cross-cultural border space, and an architectural installation questioning relativity and time between terrestrial land and outer space are among the best landscape art installations on show.

The Line: Saudi Arabia unveils the masterplan for a 170km long smart city without cars

THE LINE project @ NEOM, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced THE LINE, a 170km urban belt of hyper-connected future communities, without cars and roads and built around nature. Breaking ground in the first half of 2021, the smart city is a direct response to some of the most pressing challenges such as legacy infrastructure, pollution, traffic, and human congestion.

Burning Man 2019: 10 architectures diving into the metamorphosis and beyond

Burning Man 2019 - Photo via IG by @me_lana_

A timber shrine inspired by Japanese ‘torii’ gates and a path of stones floating above the earth but also gigantic mirrored shards emerging from the sand and a Finnish sauna heating up desert party-goers. Burning Man 2019 focuses on transformation and transience with ephemeral architectures.