A day road trip to Abu Dhabi, the opulent capital city of the United Arab Emirates, that has often been elevated not only in terms of being a global business hub but as an eminent area of architectural design was conducted on 9th December.
The MGB Students kicked off their trip with a view of the stunning skyline boasting some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world and innovative buildings pushing the limits of architectural imagination. The buildings visited were The Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, Aldar Headquarters and Abu Dhabi’s Capital Gate, few of the most innovative buildings in the city.
Another key component of the visit was the cultural immersion that included a visit to the Heritage Village, Emirates Heritage Club, the reconstruction of a traditional oasis village, which provided an interesting glimpse into the emirate's past. This was followed by a visit to Marina Mall, one of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi along the breakwater on Corniche Road. However, the highlight of any Abu Dhabi trip is a visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques with a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers. Set in a majestic landscape, the hub of worship for the country and a scene of much prayer and spirituality, is the final resting place of the first president of the United Arab Emirates. Students received a tour that described the intricate details of what makes the mosque an inspirational masterpiece of contemporary design with a dome layout and floorplan inspired by the Badshahi Mosque and by Persian, Mughal and Moorish styles.