AMO - ARCHIS PRESS RELEASE

Release of ‘AL MANAKH’, analysis of developments along the Gulf: ‘A Guide, a Survey, an Agenda’

“The world is running out of places where it can start over.” Rem Koolhaas



AMO / Archis / Moutamarat release the book ‘Al Manakh’, the first ever comprehensive analysis of the development of The Gulf – a special issue of VOLUME Magazine.

Al Manakh offers a detailed analysis of the history, culture and architecture of The Gulf region including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and discusses the implications of the rapid development of these territories for the rest of the world.

This is the first time that the unprecedented urban condition of this region has been comprehensively documented from diverse viewpoints and communicated to outside the region. Voices of architects, intellectuals and developers making the Gulf happen are represented in the numerous essays and interviews that accompany this richly illustrated study. Key figures such as, Rem Koolhaas, Ole Bouman, and Thomas Krens give their take on the current situation in The Gulf, along with their predictions for the future of this ‘ultimate tabula rasa’.


Fatih A.Rifki, AmerA. Moustafa: Madinat Jumeirah

Al Manakh is divided into three sections:

I.The Dubai Guide: This opening chapter edited by MOUTAMARAT considers current projects, productions, plans and ideas happening specifically in Dubai. Highlights include essays by George Katodrytis, Elie Domit and Nadim Karam.

II. Gulf Survey: This sizable section presents the in-depth research on The Gulf region carried out by AMO, the creative think tank of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). In this survey individual social, cultural and urban histories are presented for seven territories along The Gulf coast. Detailed statistics offer new insight into the architecture and urban ambitions of the Gulf and the social, economic and cultural consequences that the new urban condition can have on a society. A collection of essays reveals some of the most cogent aspects of The Gulf now, such as The World man-made islands off the coast of Dubai or the construction workers’ cities. Writings by Rem Koolhaas, Reinier de Graaf and Todd Reisz offer vital insight into the significance of the phenomena of The Gulf in the contemporary global context. At the end of this section a comprehensive overview of all the current urban and resort developments in The Gulf is offered. This is the first list of its kind that acts as an invaluable resource providing detailed information on projects taking shape today.

III. The Global Agenda: The last section edited by ARCHIS reflects concepts and strategies for design to provide shelter, security, sustainability, fairness and dialogue. Authors and artists like Nader Ardalan, Stefano Boeri, CRIT, Ricardo Devesa, Emiliano Gandolfi, Jiang Jun, Jeroen Mensink, Bas Princen, Ilka & Andreas Ruby, Urban Think Tank and others reflect on ‘what can be the mission for design today’. Thirteen ‘Creative Design Agendas’ are compiled as a design manual for the greater good.


'Rem Koolhaas: Burj Dubai'

With impressive graphics, a mirage of images and ground breaking new discoveries Al Manakh will be the most instrumental and immediately useful tool on The Gulf for architects, planners, designers, developers, decision makers and academics alike.

Al Manakh was unveiled at the first International Design Forum in Dubai (May 27-29) and will be globally available in bookshops as of August 2007.

Al Manakh Facts: Editors: Rem Koolhaas, Mitra Khoubrou, Ole Bouman Managing editor: Arjen Oosterman Design: Irma Boom, Natasha Chandani, Sonja Haller Format: 24x17, 500 pages Publisher: Archis Foundation Distribution: Europe, Asia and USA by Idea Books, IPS Pressevertrieb

Price: €29.90 ISBN: 978-90-77966-12-9

AMO is a research and design studio that applies architectural thinking to disciplines beyond the borders of architecture and urbanism. AMO operates in tandem with its companion company, the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.


'Rem Koolhaas: Dubai'

ARCHIS archis is the editorial engine behind VOLUME. Archis publisher, Archis Intervention and Archis Tools are dedicated to the architectural dimesion of space and culture. The volume project is a collaboration of ARCHIS (Amsterdam) + AMO (Rotterdam) + C-Lab (Columbia University)

Moutamarat is a joint venture between Tatweer LLC, Dubai Holding Company, and Saudi Research and Publishing Company. Moutamarat is a high-profile pan-Arab business initiative seeking to create business knowledge for the Arab world. It develops unique knowledge agendas in partnership with leading regional and international corporations, experts and knowledge centers, and unveils these agendas through a prestigious portfolio of conferences, where it gathers the most relevant decision-makers. www.moutamarat.com

Information and images from ARCHIS / AMO/OMA Rotterdam Aug 2007



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