Apparently, all the Empire had to do to take over the universe was wait long enough for designers to realize that their fascistic design was stylish enough to bring into the mainstream. But architect Rem Koolhaus' planned Waterfront City in Dubai, above, isn't the only example of the real world mirroring the Star Wars aesthetic. We've got some more examples for you under the jump.

As it turns out, Koolhaus isn't the only person using the Death Star as an example of the real-world potential of Imperial engineering - A firm called Heerim Architects are planning to recreate the Emperor's pride and joy in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, as well:

It's not just the Death Star that brings out the excitement in modern designers, however; AT-ATs have inspired tables and student projects have been produced based solely on the dreams of the young and the power of George Lucas' imagination. Hell, if you've got no taste, you could even have a table made out of Han Solo.

So what is the reason for this rash of Star Wars-inspired design? Perhaps it's a generational thing, as the children who were brought up on the movies find themselves looking to their youth for inspiration. Or perhaps it's the result of karma for the Millennium Falcon's design being accidentally ripped off architect Otto Wagner's 1880 design for the central offices of the Vienna Giro und Kassenverein competition:

Whatever the reason, we're just happy that this trend brings us one step closer to what must be everyone's secret design dream: A car that looks just like an X-Wing Fighter.

Send an email to Graeme McMillan, the author of this post, at graeme@io9.com.