Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Lluis Gene / AFP
Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Lluis Gene / AFP

Koolhaas’s verdict



Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what is right before one's eyes. For the UAE, that person was acclaimed architect Rem Koolhaas and his message was that Dubai's architecture had escaped from what he dubbed its "architectural caricature" era and now reflected sophistication and authenticity.

It is easy for those of us who live here, whether Emirati or expatriate, to stop noticing the extraordinary nature of the UAE’s cities. Mr Koolhaas’s lecture at the American University of Sharjah served as a reaffirmation of what has been achieved so far and the optimistic trajectory of architecture here.

He is best known for the CCTV building in Beijing but his biggest project would have been Waterfront City development near Jebel Ali, intended to be home to 1.5 million people before it fell prey to economics in the recession. With or without his fingerprints on ­Dubai's built environment, his words affirm its promising direction.

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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The specs
 
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Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)