Was ThyssenKrupp award a wasted opportunity?

Fernando Donis’ Dubai Frame chosen as winner of the ThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award 2009.

One could have heard a pin drop as the award-winning proposals were read out to a room of journalists and officials from Dubai Municipality (DM). It seemed clear to the critical thinkers in the room that the jury wasn’t dissuaded by entries that seemed to only add to Dubai’s architectural hodgepodge.

“The jury’s decision was disappointing. This was a lost opportunity,” said Dubai architect, Misha Stefan. “The winning projects were all very gimmicky. The jury clearly wasn’t asked to look for something that was contextual or appropriate for Dubai.” In fact, several people in the room questioned whether the jury chose the winning projects for their architectural merit or to massage egos.

As ‘Contemporary Gulf’ architecture becomes more and more popular in cities throughout the region, the idea of modernity coexisting alongside Arabian tradition, history and culture once again seems to have stopped at Dubai’s city limits.

While the Dubai Frame is clearly modern, nothing about it says ‘Gulf’, which begs a host of questions: “What about the Dubai Frame is site-specific?” asked an incredulous Stefan. “What about it is locally appropriate? What has it got to do with Dubai? What has it got to do with the Gulf?”

In a strange twist, a surprise came out of the press conference. The entire process was turned on its head when H.E. Hussein Nasser Lootah, director general of DM, announced that despite the rigour of the jury process, an “internal committee” would ultimately choose the form of the final project.

When asked directly whether another project would be chosen, His Excellency explained that the jury’s 13 months of scrutiny and decision-making will be considered, but that the final decision will rest with those inside Dubai Municipality.

“It’s just a shame,” reiterated Stefan. “This process is a disappointing illustration of what could have been achieved, but wasn’t.”