Five hundred steps, 25 stories, and 100 meters of height make up the Dubai Steps, as well as what appears to be a steely reflective outer casing with circular perforations. An aesthetic cross between the spinal column of a terminator and the euphoric ascendance of MVRDV's Rotterdam stair installation, the Dubai Steps appear to terminate in a large open-air platform from which climbers can take in the rapid development of the desert city that surrounds them.

Elaborately patterned lattices host vegetation and what appear to be shaded alcoves on each landing, which should hopefully mitigate what will undoubtedly be a physically exhausting climb in one of the world's hottest climates. It's prime real estate for bottled water vendors...

Dubai's latest design additions: