COMPASSES FOCUS ON EXPO 2020

I am thrilled to share a preview of the next issue's index of Compasses focusing on the architecture of Expo 2020. It is an exciting collection of critical pieces edited by Anna Cornaro, Ivan Parati, and myself. I am looking forward to receiving the printed version !


OASES IN THE DESERT WORKSHOP @ AUD & EXPO ITALIAN PAVILION

The workshop organized through a synergy between UNIVPM and AUD ended with the students’ presentations at the Italian pavilion. The theme of agricultural communities and desert settlements in the UAE is more and more a relevant one. Students had the chance to interact with a different context and collaborate with their peers. A tremendous overall research and learning experience will continue through collaboration between the two universities.

URBAN RENAISSANCE WORKSHOP VIDEO

Fondazione Inarcassa has released a good video of the workshop I coordinated for them in Dubai last November

Dubai Walking Lectures for AIM - Associazione Interessi Metropolitani

A very interesting and fun group of people came to visit Dubai and the expo with a special interest on the Architecture and the urban history and transformation of the City. I led the group for two days and a smaller group also decided to extend the visit to the heritage area and the cultural buildings in the desert of Sharjah.

Lecture @ German University of Cairo

I am very thankful to Prof. Silvia Covarino for her kind invitation to present my students’ projects to the Urban Design Course at the German University of Cairo.

ADS1@ HERIOT-WATT FINAL REVIEWS

The semester ended with the final reviews of the Al Qudra project. As usual critics were recruited among the best professionals and academics in Dubai. Students enjoyed the informal format that demonstrated to be successful as it improved the quality of assessment and discussion. Thanks to those taking part especially to my teaching partner Raha Milani.

ARCHITECTURE MASTERPRIZE 2021 STUDENTS WINNING PROJECT

I am really pleased to announce that a group of my students at the Universita' Politecnica delle Marche are among the Architecture Masterprize 2021 - Mixed Use category winners. Last year another group I supervised at the American University of Sharjah won the same prestigious award with the “Requalification of Al Nasserya” project in Sharjah. This year's winning entry focuses on the redevelopment of the industrial area of the Mina Zayed area in Abu Dhabi. The course was held in collaboration with Gianluigi Mondaini

URBAN RENAISSANCE WORKSHOP @ ITALIAN PAVILION EXPO 2020

After three days of intense activities the workshop has ended with the final projects presentation at the Italian pavilion. I had the pleasure to work with super talented young architects and I wish them the best for their professional future.

Mediterrean Urban Design & Regeneration Event @ Italian Pavilion Expo 2020

Great discussion at the event organized by University of Pescara at the Italian Pavilion within the Urban and Rural development week activities. It was an excellent opportunity to meet again with Italian colleagues as well as professors and researchers from Abu Dhabi University, American University in Dubai, and Zayed University

WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL JUDGING

The two days of judging for the WAF were compelling and inspiring. The quality of projects was extremely high, and it wasn't easy to make a final choice. Let's hope the next edition will be as it used to be— in person and one of the most significant occasions to exchange ideas about architecture. (in the pictures, the first and the last mixed-use project with discussed in the session. With Ewan Jones, Carlotta Zucchini, Shop Architects, Woods Bagot, and Moshe Safdie Architects)

JUDGE @ WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL

I am delighted for the invitation to join the group of jurors at the 2021 World Architecture Festival. The award is possibly the most important globally and includes top academics and professionals substantially contributing to defining the characters of contemporary architecture's themes and expressions

LECTURES SEMINAR @ UNIVPM A-A 2021-2022

The course “Design for the enhancement and conservation of Architectural Heritage,” I am co-teaching at the Universita’ Politecnica delle Marche, will focus again this year on the re-qualification of the Mina Zayed area in Abu Dhabi. We already kicked off the activities with two fascinating lectures given by two good friends and colleagues Apostolos Kyriazis and Islam El Mashtooly.

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Islamic Heritage 2022 Conference / Abstract Accepted

I am happy to know that my abstract "The question of Al Seef in Dubai. A case of historicist architecture compared to the global principles of Architectural Heritage" was accepted and approved for a full paper to be presented at the Islamic Heritage 2022 Conference in Lisbon. It will be an excellent opportunity to hear the outcomes of research undertaken by esteemed colleagues on such an exciting topic.

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