Compasses #39 is underway and will be available as a printed version soon. Meanwhile, here is a sneak peek of the pages focusing on the Urban Renaissance workshop organized by Fondazione Inarcassa in Dubai. The outcomes are published together with interesting critical essays on the urban re-qualification of recently developed metropolis, an emerging and very relevant theme .
INVITATION TO WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL CHINA
I am very excited about the invitation to participate in the jury panel of WAF China. Unfortunately the country is still under severe restrictions due to the pandemic, and physical participation is impossible. Nevertheless, it will still be an excellent opportunity to discuss the outstanding quality of contemporary Chinese architecture with its designers.
ISLAMIC HERITAGE 2022 CONFERENCE
The unfortunate online format that does not allow physical attendance is still required in these difficult times. The value and interest of the experience, though, were not diminished. It was my first time participating in an Islamic Heritage conference, and I had the chance to interact with great peers and learn new things about such an exciting topic. The research is only begun. I am looking forward to continuing to explore this topic. Thanks to the organizers and other participants.
FINAL REVIEWS @ GERMAN UNIVERSITY OF CAIRO
Many thanks for the invitation to be part of the final reviews of this interesting course. The contended site of Varosha in Northern Cyprus is a great opportunity for design exercises seeking to be a valuable contribution to the political and environmental status of these problematic areas.
JURY @ 2022 ARCHITIZER PRODUCT AWARDS
Thanks to Architizer for including me in the group of key architects invited as jurors for this award.
Jury @ 2acaa
“2ACAA is that series of Architecture Awards that have been designed to recognize the significant Architectural contributions of various organizations and individuals worldwide”. Thanks to the organizers for this kind invitation. I look forward to taking part in the judging activities.
JUDGE @ WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2022
From the WAF website: “Now in its 15th year, the annual World Architecture Festival (WAF) is the most prestigious architectural prize in the world and judged by the biggest names in architecture. It is the ONLY global architectural prize where shortlisted entrants present their projects live to the jury in front of an audience of peers.”
It is with great pleasure that I receive again the invitation to be part of this stellar panel of academics and professionals. See you in Lisbon!
https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/live/en/page/judges
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.
INTERVIEW @ "IN CONVERSATION" / MAUD - GSD HARVARD
Thanks to the Master in Urban Design students at GSD for the interview. I enjoyed their enthusiasm and curiosity! It was an excellent opportunity to discuss architecture and urbanism in the Gulf.
Jury Member @ Rethinking The Future Awards 2022
It is a great opportunity to be part of this esteemed group of professionals and academics.
Thanks for the invitation!!
"AL QUDRA POD" FIRST YEAR STUDENT PROJECT PUBLISHED ON IDENTITY.AE
Great news! The project “Casa di Pietra” designed by Sarah Monti in Year 1 Fall 2021 has been published on Identity.ae. Congratulations! It is never too early for good architecture! The full project is here
JUROR @ ARCHITIZER A+ AWARDS 2022
I am delighted to be a juror for the A+ Awards 2022. The jury comprises several protagonists of the international architecture scene.
URBAN RENAISSANCE WORKSHOP VIDEO
Fondazione Inarcassa has released a good video of the workshop I coordinated for them in Dubai last November
"Balkrishna Doshi and the extinction of modernity." Article published on Identity.ae
My article "Balkrishna Doshi and the extinction of modernity" is published on identity.ae
Read it here: https://issuu.com/motivatepublishing/docs/id_january_2022_magzter_edition1
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
LECTURE @ ASSOCIAZIONE INTERESSI METROPOLITANI - MILAN
It was an interesting experience and I am thankful for the invitation to give a lecture about Dubai and its architecture by AIM.
The lecture is on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVzFS-tOcGs