ICONOGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURE AS SIGNS AND SYMBOLS IN DUBAI HARPREET SETH Ph.D. UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON 2013 i ICONOGRAPHIC ARCHITECTURE AS SIGNS AND SYMBOLS IN DUBAI By Harpreet Seth B.Arch., M.Arch. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhmapton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Technology (STECH) Department of Architecture and Design University of Wolverhampton February 2013 This work or any part thereof has not previously been presented in any form to the University or to any other body whether for the purpose of assessment, publication or for any other purpose (unless otherwise indicated). Save for any express acknowledgements, references and/or bibliographies cited in the work, I confirm that the intellectual content of the work is the result of my own efforts and no other person. The right of Harpreet Seth to be identified as the author of this work is asserted in accordance with ss.77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. At this date copyright is owned by the author. Signature (Harpreet Seth) Date 16 / 03/ 2013 Mrs. Harpreet Seth (M.Arch.) Iconic Architecture in Dubai as Signs and Symbols February 2013 ii Abstract This study seeks to investigate the impact of architectural icons on the cities that they are built in, especially those in Dubai to understand the perceptions and associations of ordinary people with these icons, thus analysing their impact on the quality of life in the city. This is an important study with the advent of ‘iconism’ in architecture that has a growing acceptance and demand, wherein the status of a piece of architecture is predetermined as an icon by the media and not necessarily by the people. There is no denying that the fastest means of appearing on the world map is through icons, which Dubai evidently achieved, and there are many supporters of this phenomenon as a means of progress and development, the bonus being instant fame and status. But the symbolism employed in these icons, specifically for this part of the world, many argue may not be relevant to the people or the region, thus leading to a loss of identity and sense of belonging that is a vital component in the overall sense of pride. This study thus evaluates architecture as a service industry that is not only to satisfy the personal egos of the architects or the clients. It has an important role to leave a mark on the end users and not only on the glossy architectural journals. The study presents views on what really leaves a mark on the people’s memory, addressing the scale, the grandness, the location, the size, the technology and the materials that may or may not contribute to the iconic status of an architectural project from the people’s perspective. Further the study investigates if an icon is one that could be a forced landmark or it is one that people associate with, relate to and one that gives them the sense of belonging and pride, binding them together. The expressive iconic forms with the metaphors emerging, may or may not add to the quality of a place, create places of spaces or it may result in more of form accommodating functions.Thus it is imperative to understand that though today Dubai with its multiple icons that are jewels in the crown of Dubai, reflecting awe and splendor, what does this architecture do for the people and thus in leaving an imprint on the peoples mind collectively. The study analyzes the dimensions that make certain kind of architecture stand out. Some of these dimensions are physical and others are difficult to measure, thus it addresses the tangible and intangible factors that result in the icon and the associated symbolism with it. The relevance and meaning of these symbols will have to stand the test of time to leave an ever-lasting impression on generations to come. Mrs. Harpreet Seth (M.Arch.) Iconic Architecture in Dubai as Signs and Symbols February 2013 iii The literature review was the first part of the study and the theoretical studies were divided into three pivot areas in this thesis: evolution of architecture as signs and symbols, international iconic architecture and its impact, architecture as identity through symbolism. The study also focusses on Dubai as an emerging iconic city concentrating on the needs of people and impact of these icons on people specifically, further highlighting the issues of legibility, context and identity in Dubai. The empirical study examines this argument about iconic architecture through questionnaires and interviews. A comparison is drawn between different segments of people in the community, one set of samples being those who are closely associated with these icons through the process of decision making or building, the others who have very minimal knowledge and association with these icons. The findings thus indicate both the well-established criteria for awarding an iconic status and also the intangible often ignored aspects in iconic image building. Thus, the study suggests a paradigm that could provide more human based elements in the iconic architecture and the selected symbols in representing these icons. Certain recommendations supporting the perception of people towards icons, their needs and local considerations are further made to make cities more liveable and joyful for the people they are intended for. Mrs. Harpreet Seth (M.Arch.) Iconic Architecture in Dubai as Signs and Symbols February 2013 iv Acknowledgements Bringing the thesis to completion has been possible only with the unrelenting faith and support of the many who constantly believed in me. Many a days it seemed like an insurmountable task, and at that very moment I was encouraged and guided into taking that one small step towards completion. The journey though tedious at times was worth the effort and in the process I personally and professionally evolved. Today I hold all PhD holders in great esteem and respect. As my mentor and thesis guide recently mentioned to me, “Life is not the same after PhD.” Foremost I would like to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to him as my advisor and friend, Prof. Sabah Mushatat. He gently cajoled me into starting the research, and then followed by his continuous support in the course of the study. I accomplished the results that I aspired for through his patience and motivation, especially when I needed it most. A very important person in my life is my husband and my best friend, Manupriam. His positive outlook to everything in life never ceases to amaze me. And it was this very attitude that has been the pillar of my strength and confidence. Sometimes when I was confused and lost, he listened; he quietly advised and made very constructive suggestions that were to be most beneficial to the overall structure of the PhD. His constant encouragement as a friend and architect instilled the confidence that what I was about to un-layer was important and essential. The ideas and thoughts no longer remained crazy diversions, but situations that called for further analysis and testing. With him, the unknown territories in architecture and beyond, which I explored, became adventurous and exciting. My dad, Kuljit Singh Narula believed that learning is a continuous process. His support in my endeavour to do my PhD studies meant a lot to me. I sensed a feeling of pride, every time I spoke to him about my research. My deadlines sometimes flustered him, and being the engineer that he is, he never could fathom why his architect daughter missed deadlines, fell back. But always his enthusiastic reaction to these situations was ‘then what are we waiting for, get into action and get going.’ I am so grateful to him for understanding me, thus allowing me to spiritually grow and become who I am today. Mrs. Harpreet Seth (M.Arch.) Iconic Architecture in Dubai as Signs and Symbols February 2013 v My mother, Satnam Kaur Narula is my ‘Rani of Jhansi.’ Impossible does not appear in her dictionary. It is to her that I owe my fighter spirit. She instilled in her children that sky is the limit and all is within reach. She stood by me, sometimes maybe wondering where I was heading for; nevertheless she kept the faith that I would emerge the winner. My son, Chandeep, cajoled me gently to keep focus. Many a time when I would take up the motherly role, he would remind me that it was a distraction from the research work that needed completion. Waking up each morning, he would walk into my room, checking where I had reached. Ashdeep, my daughter was the silent observer, taking it upon her not to disturb dear mom and attempting to be the grown up she wants to be. She inspires me with her expansive, never depleting energy thorough the day. This journey definitely became more enriching with my dearest children. I would also like to thank the rest of my thesis committee: Dr. Anthony Felton, Dr. David Heesom for their encouragement, insightful comments, and genuine input. I thank my fellow colleagues at Ajman University for the stimulating discussions, especially Ms. Neveen Bendary and Dr. Bouzid Boudaif. A special thanks to all my dear friends who have encouraged and supported me in this research. Their names are far too many to be mentioned, but I am sure they all know. With gratitude I thank all those who at some point in my life have touched it and made a difference. Mrs. Harpreet Seth (M.Arch.) Iconic Architecture in Dubai as Signs and Symbols February 2013 vi Dedication This study is dedicated to the common people who give life to the cities we architects design for them to live and breathe in.