I am honored to be invited for the second year to serve as a juror in the Landscape Middle East Awards. Thanks to the organizers, I am really looking forward to reviewing the submissions.
XXXIV Seminario internazionale e Premio di Architettura e Cultura Urbana
I once again had the privilege of presenting my research to the participants of the prestigious seminar on architecture and urban culture in Camerino. Now, in its 34th edition, the event remains one of the most prestigious architectural culture events in Italy. Thanks to the organizers for the kind invitation!
JUDGE @ WAF 2024
I am glad to announce that I have been assigned to the Future Projects - Residential category at the next WAF in Singapore. I look forward to meeting Kathy Basheva and Dr. Jeremy Smith, who will be my partners on the panel.
Workshop Blue Gulf @ 2024 Gulf Research Meeting
Yesterday's session at the GRM in Cambridge was fantastic. I had the opportunity to present my paper, "Urban Hydrosystems: The Interplay of Water and Design in UAE City Development." Today, I am eager to hear from esteemed colleagues and learn from their multidisciplinary contributions.
JUDGE @ APIDA
I am honored to be invited as a judge for this year's Asia Pacific Interior Design Award. Organized by the Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA) since 1992, this prestigious award celebrates its 32nd year of promoting professional standards and ethics in interior design while recognizing exceptional projects and designers in the field.
Invitation to Gulf Research Meeting 2024
I am thrilled to accept the invitation to participate and deliver a paper at the esteemed Gulf Research Meeting 2024. My presentation, titled "Urban Hydrosystems: Exploring the Relationship Between Water and Design in City Development," will showcase a range of projects designed by my students aimed at understanding the significance of water in shaping the growth of Arabian cities in the Gulf region.
(in the picture “Green Lagoon” by Tigran Kostandyan)
ARCH222 FINAL REVIEWS @ P&T ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS
My ARCH222 students had the incredible opportunity to receive valuable feedback on their final work during the reviews hosted at P&T Architects and Engineers Ltd in Dubai. A special thanks goes to Mahmoud Shahin for organizing the meeting. His competent and straightforward comments on the work enhanced students' awareness of their design process. We also would like to extend our appreciation to Effat (Ahmed-Effat) M. and Tommaso Calistri for joining us on this occasion. Students were positively impressed by their design knowledge, which was expressed through highly critical contributions.
COMPASSES ARTICLE ON LINE
Thanks to Compasses for publishing online the article I wrote about the KSA pavilion at the Expo.
LECTURE @ ABU DHABI UNIVERSITY AL AIN
I appreciate Prof. Apostolos Kyriazis for extending the invitation to discuss our research on urban regeneration in urban contexts across the UAE. I eagerly anticipate meeting the students at ADU and engaging in dialogue on this crucial topic.
PUBLICATION OF A NEW BOOK CHAPTER
I'm delighted to announce the publication of “The Routledge Companion to the Philosophy of Architectural Reconstruction” edited By Zoltán Somhegyi and Lisa Giombini. I contributed with a chapter, “The question of Al Seef in Dubai. A case of historicist architecture compared to the global principles of architectural heritage.” It scrutinizes the reconfiguration of the Al Seef precinct along the Creek in Dubai and its discerning portrayal of historical formal and spatial values.
DOCTORATE IN Architectural and Urban design @ UNIVPM
With immense pride, I am pleased to announce the achievement of a significant milestone in my educational journey. I have successfully completed the Ph.D. Program (D.M.45/2013) in Civil, Environmental, and Building Engineering and Architecture, specializing in the Scientific Disciplinary Sector ICAR/14 Architectural and Urban Design. I extend heartfelt gratitude to my mentors, the university, and all colleagues and friends who have provided unwavering support and collaboration throughout the rigorous four-year research endeavor.
ARCH 222 Mid Term reviews at P&T Architects and Engineers
Engaging architecture students with professional practice is essential for gaining insight into the dynamics and processes of contemporary architectural design. Therefore, my ARCH222 course students had an additional chance to engage with some of Dubai's top designers. The mid-term review occurred at the premises of P&T Architects and Engineers. We express heartfelt gratitude to the P&T leadership, Mahmoud Shahin, and the participating architects for their gracious hospitality and professionalism.
JUROR @ WAF 24 SINGAPORE
For the fourth consecutive year, I have the privilege of serving as a juror for the World Architecture Festival 2024 alongside distinguished designers and scholars in architecture. I eagerly anticipate reviewing this year’s submissions and engaging in meaningful exchanges of ideas during the event in Singapore.
DESIGN REVIEWS @ OBMI
During the spring semester, I persist in collaboration with the same group of students I engaged with during the fall. The initial task in the ARCH 222 course entails generating volumetric options for the designated project. Towards the conclusion of this segment of the semester, we were afforded an exceptional opportunity to showcase our work and receive constructive feedback from OBMI's designers in Dubai. Our gratitude extends to the firm's leadership, the architects who participated, and, notably, Islam El Mashtooly for his gracious hospitality and the proficiency of his insights into the students' projects.
DOUBLE WINNING @ ARCHITECTURE MASTERPRIZE 2023
Congratulations to my ARCH521_F22 students Linda Ibrahim and Mustafa Mohmedalhassn for winning in two categories (Architecture - Mixed Use and Landscape - Urban Design) at the Architecture Masterprize 2023. The project proposes an innovative approach to the sustainable development of desert settlements in the UAE. Full project here
JUROR @ WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL IN SINGAPORE
In this year's WAF edition in Singapore, I was assigned to judge the INSIDE / Education. The session I shared with the other judges, Yue Tezuka and Vincent de Graaf, was fascinating. The days spent attending the project presentations were also an occasion to meet with colleagues, both old and new friends.
ARCH 221 FINAL JURY @ GENSLER
The second year students of ARCH221, after the mid jury in October, had the chance to go back to Gensler in Dubai for the final jury of the fall semester. Senior designers and external guests provided valuable feedback to students’ designs.
INVITED SPEAKER @ FORUM IN JEDDAH November 26-27, 2023
I am deeply honored to speak at the esteemed event, "The Future of Architecture and Urbanism Towards Improving the Quality of Life." Distinguished entities, including the Saudi Umran Society and the Association of Arab Architects, organize this prestigious gathering. Such an opportunity represents a significant acknowledgment of my dedicated long-term research into the Arabian Gulf's contemporary architectural and urban dynamics. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for extending this thoughtful invitation.
SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP @ GERMAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
The weekend at the German University in Cairo proved to be both engaging and intense, offering another valuable opportunity to delve into discussions surrounding the architecture of desert regions. The designated site for the students' project is the Siwa settlement—a location that intertwines history, natural landscape, and the imperative to bridge the past with modernity. This location necessitates a meticulous analysis and subsequent delicate approach to urban and architectural design solutions. Good luck to the students for the continuation of the semester and thanks to GUC faculty for the kind invitation.
TOWARD THE NEXT PUBLICATION
I am very happy to announce that after more than 4 years of research and 3 years of writing my doctoral thesis is completed. It will become a very nice book very soon!
