Architecture College Trip to Dubai

Designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, revered for her inventive approach to architecture, The Opus stands out in Downtown’s Business Bay district for its striking design. Housing the first ME by Melia design hotel in the region, the building is crafted in the form of a cube with two separate towers that merge together – from the bottom at the atrium level, and from a bridge 71m above the ground. The middle is given the illusion of being ‘carved’ out, creating iconic curves. With the opening of ME by Melia hotel, The Opus features 12 restaurants and a rooftop lounge, along with a variety of luxe residences.

One of the city’s original five-star properties, Jumeirah Beach Hotel has maintained its legacy of luxury since it first opened in 1997. Inspired by the shape of a cresting wave, the building definitely stands out along the city’s pristine shoreline of Jumeirah Beach, and it's within walking distance to another Dubai icon, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel. Guests will notice that even the corridors within the hotel are curved, guaranteeing perfect sunset views from every angle.

A sleek example of modern vision, Emirates Towers is one of Dubai’s most recognisable skyscrapers. It is located along the famed Sheikh Zayed Road, which features other leading architectural structures including the record-breaking Burj Khalifa. With equilateral triangular facades, the towers are inspired by traditional Islamic themes. Inside, you'll find a hotel block and an office tower that houses the Prime Minister’s Office, among other prestigious names. Both towers are connected by a central podium – The Boulevard, a leading retail and dining destination in the city.

A one-of-a-kind structure, Dubai Frame is literally that – a supersized picture frame that presents 360-degree views of the city from a height of 150m. To the north, visitors can view Old Dubai, the dhow-studded Dubai Creek and its surrounding souks, including its historical heritage district and the pearl diving ports that once supported the city’s economic rise. The south meanwhile offers a splendid view of the glistening New Dubai skyline. The contrasting views seamlessly connect the emirate's past with its present, making this an important attraction for tourists.

Burj Al Arab is one of the tallest hotels in the world. This luxurious hotel is shaped like the sail of a ship. Designed by architect Tom Wright of WKK Architects, the construction of the hotel was completed in the year 1999. An artificial island was created especially for the hotel to rest on, making this quite an extraordinary project.

Perhaps one of the world’s most iconic hotels, Atlantis, The Palm stands out thanks to its eye-catching pink sandcastle design, glamorous interiors and prime position on the apex of one of Dubai's other structural landmarks, Palm Jumeirah island. While only guests are privy to the luxurious resort, everyone can take that bucket list selfie in front of the hotel’s memorable turrets and towers from the adjacent Palm Boardwalk. Alternatively, book a table at the resort’s celebrity-led restaurants, including Nobu by Michelin-starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay.

The shimmering silver Cayan Tower is not your typical skyscraper. This clever example of engineering twists 90 degrees as it rises. Each of the 75 floors in this luxury apartment building is rotated by 1.2 degrees to create its distinctive helix shape. It was designed by the same architectural firm behind Burj Khalifa, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, in collaboration with local specialists Khatib & Alami Dubai. Here's a tip straight from local photographers: you'll get the best views of the striking structure in its entirety across the water at Marina Walk. Head over at sunset for that inimitable golden glow.

The Green Planet is a marvel both inside and out. Home to a lush indoor rainforest and over 3,000 plants and animals, this innovative attraction brings tropical ecosystems in a controlled environment to the desert. The forest is enclosed in a glass-case cylinder featuring the world's largest manmade tree at its heart, while surrounding the bio-dome is an origami-style cube sporting contemporary Arabic calligraphy designs. It's an award-winning structure that breathes new life to the city.

These unique palm-tree shaped islands are the largest artificial islands in the world. The Palm Islands comprise of 3 islands in total. These islands house some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, glamorous beachfront homes, and various other entertainment and leisure activities. Construction of these islands commenced in 2001, but as of yet only one island, the Palm Jumeirah has been fully completed.