YARA x GALLERY

Thoughts

UAE’s Modernist Architecture

1960-1980s

Between the 1960s and 1980s, the UAE saw a major architectural transformation, blending modernist styles with local influences. While iconic structures like the Dubai World Trade Centre are well-known, several lesser-known modernist buildings from that period shaped the urban landscape. On top of my list is Deira Tower.

The sun setting through a dense forest.
Wind turbines standing on a grassy plain, against a blue sky.
The sun shining over a ridge leading down into the shore. In the distance, a car drives down a road.

Notable Modernist Buildings in Dubai

Al Khuloud Nursery Building (1980s) – A modernist educational building emphasizing simplicity and functionality.

Deira Tower (1980s) – A landmark in Deira, this mixed-use building features a distinctive modernist design, characterized by clean lines and geometric forms.

Dubai Petroleum Company Building (1970s) – A functional, modernist structure that reflects the design trends of the era.

Rashid Hospital (1973) – A key healthcare facility with a minimalist and functional design.

Dubai Central Post Office (Late 1970s) – Characterized by clean lines and simplicity, embodying modernist principles.


Notable Modernist Buildings in Dubai

  1. Deira Tower (1980s) – A landmark in Deira, this mixed-use building features a distinctive modernist design, characterized by clean lines and geometric forms.
  2. Dubai Petroleum Company Building (1970s) – A functional, modernist structure that reflects the design trends of the era.
  3. Rashid Hospital (1973) – A key healthcare facility with a minimalist and functional design.
  4. Dubai Central Post Office (Late 1970s) – Characterized by clean lines and simplicity, embodying modernist principles.
  5. Al Khuloud Nursery Building (1980s) – A modernist educational building emphasizing simplicity and functionality.


Modernist Buildings in Abu Dhabi

  1. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Tower (Late 1970s) – A modernist skyscraper contributing to the city’s evolving skyline.
  2. National Bank of Abu Dhabi Headquarters (Early 1980s) – Known for its clean lines and functional form.
  3. Hilton Baynunah Tower (1994) – A 143-meter-tall skyscraper with a modernist design.
  4. Etisalat Headquarters (2007) – Notable for its spherical structure, reflecting innovative modernist design.


Cultural and Public Spaces in Abu Dhabi

  1. Abu Dhabi Public Library and Cultural Center (1981) – A blend of modern construction and traditional elements, serving as a cultural hub.
  2. Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry – A functional modernist structure from the era.
  3. Al Ibrahimi Building (1980s) – A 16-story modernist residential and commercial building.


Modernist Landmarks in Sharjah

  1. Sharjah’s Mid-Century Modernist Structures (1960s–1970s) – Buildings that combine traditional and modernist design elements.
  2. The Flying Saucer (1974–1978) – A Brutalist-style building featuring a star-shaped canopy and dome, now a cultural space.

These buildings highlight the UAE’s architectural shift toward modernism, reflecting the country’s rapid urban development and blending of functional, aesthetic, and cultural values.