Zaha Hadid named UNESCO Artist for Peace

Zaha Hadid, the renowned Iraqi-born British architect, is named UNESCO Artist for Peace in a ceremony at Organization Headquarters today.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova will designate the Pritzker Prize laureate “in recognition of her efforts to raise public awareness of intercultural dialogue, to promote excellence in design and creativity, and her dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.”

Born in Baghdad in 1950, Ms Hadid graduated in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before enrolling at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London (UK).

A ground-breaking thinker and creator, Ms Hadid’s innovative buildings in Europe, Asia and America have been the centre of passionate debate. She has also designed clothes, furniture and even a three-wheeled automobile called ZCar. Read more

Dubai Industrial City Animated Visualisation

Jumeriah Garden City by Meraas Development

• Meraas Development launched Dh350 Billion Jumeirah Gardens
• Meraas Development scales back Jumeira Gardens

Emirates Green Building Council’s ‘Focus Day’ to Feature Best Industry Practices

The Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) will host a special ‘Focus Day’ to highlight the latest pilot and development studies on best practices at the inaugural Green Building Middle East Summit in Abu Dhabi, organizers of Arabian Construction Week (ACW) announced today.

Designed to address the misconceptions associated with the issue of additional cost associated with green building, the Emirates GBC Focus Day include seven in-depth workshops covering different aspects of green construction, including regional councils, regulations, codes and guidelines, materials and products, new designs, existing buildings and services, impact and rewards of green building as well as green building education.

To be held on 26 May, the Emirates GBC Focus Day will be part of the Arabian Construction Week that will run from 24 – 26 May at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Read more

55 Degree Time Dubai

Amazing Architecture and Interior Design

RMJM Middle East appoints Ali Uzun to lead Global Health and Science Studio

The Dubai office of the international architectural firm RMJM has appointed Associate, Ali Uzun, to lead RMJM’s Middle East division of their Global Health and Science Studio.

Ali Uzun comes to RMJM with over 16 years of international and regional, architectural experience in the healthcare, science and higher education sectors. Ali’s past experience includes notable projects such as; ‘Biologikum’ Microbiology & Genetic Research Centre, Germany; Manchester Joint Hospitals, UK; Al Saleh Medical City, Yemen; Etlik & Bilkent Health Cities, Turkey; Dubai Mall Medical Centre and Harvard Medical School, UAE.

As head of the Middle East’s Health and Science studio Ali will be responsible for the ongoing development of RMJM’s health and science division in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. In this role Ali will be committed to ensuring that the latest technologies in environmental and sustainable design resonate through all RMJM’s healthcare and science projects and reflect the advanced and pioneering work that goes on inside. Read more

RMJM Middle East appoints new CEO

Nick Haston prepares to lead growth of RMJM in the Middle East

RMJM, a UK-based international firm of architects with offices throughout the UK, Asia, the Middle East and the USA, today announced the promotion of former Emerging Markets Director Nick Haston to CEO for the Middle East and Turkey. A move which will ensure further expansion of RMJM’s Dubai based operation into the emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

Appointed to RMJM’s Middle East operations in May 2009, Nick who is based in Abu Dhabi, has already achieved outstanding success in building RMJM’s growth across emerging markets. In the past year alone expansion has included new offices in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Turkey. Other projects underway in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Oman may lead further expansion into these regions. Read more

Godwin Austen Johnson expands design team following growth of regional contracts

Leading architecture practice eyes opportunities in Middle East and North Africa

Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), one of the largest and longest-established UK architectural and design practices in the UAE, has announced a 10 per cent increase in staffing to support new contracts across the Middle East and North Africa.

In line with the firm’s business development strategy GAJ has expanded into Tunisia and Libya after securing a number of architectural and design projects. GAJ has also won additional contracts within its largest project Sharm Al Sheikh City Stars – a phased 15-year commercial, residential, retail and leisure development in Egypt which, when complete, will be the size of Wales and will contain the world’s largest swimming pool. Read more

Greater Knowledge Transfer on Sustainability in Construction Industry

Sustainability cannot be generalized, but should integrate histories, geographies and traditions, including contemporary building aspects, and Dubai is a perfect example for these trends that professionals need to emulate and share at all practical levels, according to Elizabeth O’Donell, Associate Dean, Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, US.

O’Donell’s remarks came during her address at The Dubai Forum on Architecture for Sustainable Societies’, held on 5 January under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Read more

Burj Dubai Interiors

A fountain on the 157th floor

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