Iconic architecture and sustainability as a tool to attract the global attention

Abstract

The development of sustainable iconic projects is becoming a global phenomenon in recent years. These projects are producing attractive and convincing environmental images which serve globalization goals. Sustainable iconic projects are oriented to become an ecologically friendly tool that supports economy investments and tourism, by using the potential of the cultural, aesthetical and moral meanings. This paper investigates the emergence of a remarkable style of architecture which starts out from purely image-obsession, it emphasizes the importance of symbolic form as well as the use of renewable energies in the world and particularly in Arab Gulf cities (and first local try). The research problem is (The question of sustainability as a strategy that has helped in certain ways to create an iconic building and if so, is this are an advantage or disadvantage for the built environment). The paper suggests that: the implementation of sustainability in these buildings have drawn a false image which is far away from the goals of sustainability in conserving the resources. Also, the paper argues that cooperation among sustainable concepts, iconic designs, and attractive images has a wide acceptance and economic profits which may stay as a trend in the 21st century and in time will more and more be frequent and tend to be ordinary.