French photographer Etienne Malapert first traveled to the city of Masdar in 2014 and returned a year later. He describes his experience photographing the ‘city of possibilities’: “When I went to Masdar, there were still very few images of the city out there. I did a lot of research but it was still difficult to find pictures. So I saw some of the buildings, but I didn’t really know what to expect.”
Captivating Vistas and Architectural Wonders
From a distance, the city looks like a big boat, dropped in the middle of the ocean, except on the sand.The exteriors around the city are essentially almost all desert.When I entered the city, I was quite surprised because the buildings are quite low, which means that you aren’t really suffocated by a big mass of imposing architecture.
Blending Tradition with Modernity
What struck me first, from a visual point of view, was that the buildings are a mix of contemporary architecture and one that is imbued by local culture.
Experiencing the City
I found the little side streets very pretty, filled with greenery and fountains, contributing to the city’s elegance.A field of solar panels that looks a little like Star Wars took around 45 minutes to set up, requiring a balance between the sky, the ground, and the panels.
Unique Discoveries
I saw these fences, a kind of square, and didn’t know what it was. I attempted to capture it from above, catching a glimpse of curiosity.This impressive building houses the library and prayer room, enhancing Masdar’s architectural allure.The building itself is quite complicated to photograph, resembling a dome or a nearly half-circle shell, entirely finished in metal.
