RIBA Gulf April newsletter

1. APRIL 2018
Newsletter

2. THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
The committee was elected to serve and would love to hear what you have to say
or what you would like it to address. Contact them on our social media platforms:
RIBA Gulf Chapter RIBA Gulf @RIBAGulf RIBA_Gulf
Sumaya Dabbagh Dubai, UAE Honorary Chair
Jonathan French Dubai, UAE Honorary Secretary
Andrew Mowat Dubai, UAE Honorary Treasurer
Mohamad Al-Dah Dubai UAE Member
May Al Hinai Oman Magazine and Media Co-Editor
Dr. Hasim Altan Dubai, UAE Education Representative
Jonathan Ashmore Dubai, UAE Member
Mohammed El Arabi Dubai, UAE Social Media Coordinator
Kim Nielsen Dubai, UAE Events Planner
Mary Jane Rooney Dubai, UAE Education Representative
Paolo Testolini Dubai, UAE Events Coordinator
Sarah Abdulla Bahrain Chapter Representative – Bahrain
Jasbir Bhamra Qatar Chapter Representative- Qatar
Amy Lam Jeddah, KSA Chapter Representative - Jeddah, KSA
Magazine and Media Co-Editor
Shahad Al Azzaz Riyadh, KSA Chapter Representative - Riyadh, KSA
Natalia Naber Castillo Jordan Chapter Representative-Jordan
Ian Purser Kuwait Chapter Representative – Kuwait
Rohan Thotabaduge Oman Chapter Representative – Oman
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS2

3. Chair’s Note 4
PEOPLE One on One: Neil Kee 5
PROJECTS Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies 8
NEWS Marc Goodwin Photography 11
MAKKAH VS. MAKKAH 14
RECENT President’s Medal Exhibition Jeddah 16
EVENTS President’s Medal Exhibition, Riyadh 17
Qatar National Library Tour 18
RIBA Talks in BIG 5 20
Possible Architecture of The Dhow 21
Launch of Oman Professional Engineers Network 23
UPCOMING 24
EVENTS
CONTENTS
CONTENTS3

4. Dear Members,
I hope you all have had a
successful and productive start
to 2018. With an eventful first
quarter, it seems to have flown
by!
This year’s events programme
started with the RIBA Presidents
Medal Awards Exhibition taking
place for a second year running
due to its success and popularity
last year. The 2018 Tour was
launched in Saudi Arabia,
in January at Dar Al Hekma
University followed by Al Faisal
University, Riyadh in February.
It will continue in Universities
across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain
and Kuwait.
This is a Gulf-wide tour of
students’ exceptional work
globally. The RIBA awards the
President’s Medals annually as a
way to celebrate and promote
excellence in the study of
architecture. The Chapter would
like to thank and acknowledge
our Jeddah rep, Amy Lam, for her
tremendous effort in coordinating
the Exhibition tour, between all
the hosting universities, RIBA UK
and RIBA Gulf. We also would like
to welcome our newly appointed
Riyadh Rep Shahad Al Azzaz
who joined us in January and
represented RIBA Gulf in Riyadh
at Al Faisal University.
Stay tuned for further updates on
the next Exhibition taking place
near you.
The subject of our One on One
interview for this issue is Neil
Kee, Director of Design Studio at
Benoy’s Dubai Office. It is always
fascinating to get an insight
into other fellow architects’
professional life and to hear the
challenges and rewards they face
practicing in this region.
Similarly, Architecture
photographer Marc Goodwin
offers us a visual insight into
Architect’s offices in the UAE.
Marc is well known for his series
of photographic stories called
World Atlas of Architecture
Offices This is his most recent and
is being published for the first
time in this newsletter.
The articles featured here have
a religious theme. From the
Award winning, Mangera Yvars
Architects Islamic Studies Centre,
to an analysis of The Holy City of
Makkah’s unique urban condition
by Studio Bound.
We are very grateful to our
sponsors Mapei and Technal and
event partners for their continued
support to the Chapter.
Stay connected with us and
“like” us through our social
media platforms and keep up
to date with events and news.
We welcome your feedback,
suggestions and contribution to
the chapter. These are vital for our
continued growth and success.
Warm wishes,
Sumaya Dabbagh
Chair, RIBA Gulf Chapter
sumaya@dabbagharchitects.com
CHAIR’S
NOTE
CHAIR’S NOTE4

5. ONE ON ONE:
NEIL KEE
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN STUDIO, DUBAI, BENOY
Neil has a truly international project portfolio spanning several
countries which include UK, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, China,
Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. Neil has been extensively
involved in all stages of the design and construction process. His
most recent major project experiences include delivering the
Concept Design for Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 in Singapore and
also the Detail Design and construction stages of Ferrari World,
Abu Dhabi.
Neil is passionate about the whole life cycle of the design process
and is focused on ensuring that his ideas are translated into
reality through fluid concepts, fine detailing and architectural
management. Neil is currently focussing his architectural skills on
the delivery of Changi’s new Terminal 4 in Singapore which is due
for completion in 2016.
PEOPLE 5

6. Q1: What drives you in your work?
A1: The drive for my work and design comes from
4 main elements;
• My passion for architecture and design
• Pushing the boundaries and innovative thinking
• Delivering high quality buildings that enhance
communities and spaces
I was always told by my mentor when I first started
in architecture that you need to have passion for
what you do, and this enables you to enjoy what
you do. I take this approach to all aspects of my
life and I am lucky enough to be in an industry that
allows me to express my passion and ultimately
enjoy my work. It is thoroughly rewarding to see
both individuals and a community to engage and
enjoy a space in which I’ve designed.
Q2: How would you label your design approach?
A2: My approach to design can be classed as user-
focused with strong links to the context in which
my projects sit. At the start of every project I like
to spend time walking the site to get a feel of the
environment and begin to imagine the full potential
of the space. Once I have this physical understanding
of the location, I can then begin to focus on creating
an innovative and experiential-focused design for
all that will experience my project.
I am currently working on a beach and waterfront
celebration scheme and I have followed this exact
approach. The initial site walk allowed for clear
understanding of the location, and an additional
visit over the weekend allowed me to understand
the dynamics of the people who will enjoy the
beach scheme when complete.
PEOPLE 6

7. Q3: Who are your Architectural heroes?
A3: I would say the Architect that I hold the highest
admiration for would be Kengo Kuma. His approach
to design is very much focused on allowing the
building to sink into the context in which it sits.
This can take many forms - community context/
commercial context but more often than not it’s a
natural context.
Kengo’s designs both seamlessly merge with nature
but at the same time elevate the users experience of
the space. I am also fascinated by the construction
methods used in his buildings, a lot of which take
strong reference from Japanese heritage. I would
say that Kengo’s buildings are crafted rather than
built and a lot of thought and love goes into every
detail.
Q4: What makes a project most rewarding for
you?
A4: For me, the most rewarding part of a project
is watching the reactions of the users when one
of my buildings first opens its doors to the public.
As I mentioned, my first focus when designing is
to fully consider the requirements of the users
within the building. If I manage to get a smile or
the engagement that was initially planned, then I
am happy.
Q5: What is your greatest architectural
achievement to date?
A5: Within the architecture I would say that the
completion of Changi Terminal 4 in Singapore
is my greatest achievement to date. I worked on
this project from the competition stage right the
way through to the first flight taking off. Terminal
4 moved beyond design and delivery for me and
became a labour of love! I worked on this project
every day for nearly 4 years and either designed
or detailed every aspect from the fire extinguisher
housing, heritage flagship toilets to overall volumes
whilst coordinating a vast number of functional
aviation constraints and optimising the passenger
experience!
I was extremely pleased when I read and heard
that a number highly respected figures within the
aviation industry classed Terminal 4 as “The Future
of Airports”. Very proud!
Q6: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
What do you wish for in the future?
A6:IhavebeenwithBenoyfor14yearsnowandhave
having gained experience in their global studios, I
have recently relocated to the Dubai Office to head
the Design Studio. This is a big achievement for
me and my goal for the next 5 years is to lead the
Dubai studio, building relationships with existing
and new clients and delivering even more fantastic
projects. My wish for the future is that sustainability
within the built environment becomes intrinsic to
all designs. It’s also encouraging to see the current
pace of innovation and I will continue to help push
new design and construction techniques.
PEOPLE 7

8. Prizes / Awards
MEED Award Best Overall GCC Project
MEED Prize, Best Social Infrastructure Project
World Architect Festival Prize
American Architecture Prize Best Community Architecture
American Architecture Prize Best Cultural Architecture
American Architecture Prize Best Educational Architecture
Shortlist RIBA International Prize
Client Qatar Foundation
Firm Location London, United Kingdom
Company Mangera Yvars Architects
Lead Designer Mangera Yvars Architects
Design Team Ove Arup
The Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies and Education City is part
of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation’s homegrown
graduate university. The building is located on the Education City
Campus in Doha, Qatar, and is the world’s first contemporary
Islamic university that integrates academic space with spiritual/
prayer space. Uniquely for the Muslim world, it provides equality
for male/female students through co-educational learning. The
site has become a focal for the campus and wider neighborhood,
providing opportunities for social interaction. Based on the Islamic
‘Kulliyya’ or ‘place where all knowledge is sought’, it accommodates
theological research within the campus mosque. The Kulliyya implies
that knowledge and faith are interwoven and this relationship is
expressed through the infinite spiral plan and multiple routes
that bind faculty to mosque. The scheme rekindles a high point
of Islamic civilization, where architecture had a central role. Using
new pedagogies, the university seeks to counter the pejorative
image of Islamic education. For self-shading/sustainability, the large
mosque is at the south, with the library, classrooms, and offices in
the middle, culminating with two minarets symbolizing ¨knowledge
and light¨. The mosque’s structure rests on five large columns that
represent the five pillars of Islam, with each featuring a verse drawn
from the Holy Qur’an. Teaching accommodation is both formal and
informal, including corridors, lounges, and learning in the Islamic
garden. This informal approach provides areas for inter-faculty
encounters.
The Education City Faculty of Islamic Studies & Campus Mosque
is the world’s first contemporary Islamic university that integrates
academic space with spiritual/prayer space.
The building is located on the Education City Campus in Doha,
Qatar & uniquely for the Muslim world, it provides equality for
male/female students through co-educational learning.
The scheme rekindles a high point of Islamic civilization, where
architecture had a central role. Using new pedagogies, the university
seeks to counter the pejorative image of Islamic education.
PROJECTS:
QATAR FACULTY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES,
MANGERA YVARS ARCHITECTS
PROJECTS8

9. PROJECTS9

10. PROJECTS10

11. PROJECTS:
MARC GOODWIN
PHOTOGRAPHY
PROJECTS11
ANARCHITECT T.ZED Architects Dabbagh Architects
Marc Goodwin is an architectural photographer, writer and teacher based in London and currently divide his time between
Northern Europe and Asia. He founded the company Archmospheres, providing his clients with the images they require,
and meeting the professional standard of the architectural press. They specialise in creating unique atmosphere of each
architectural work they shoot. Marc’s work has been published in five architecture books and architectural press. Marc
graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCSD where he studied English and Photography. He received an MA in Image and
Communication from Goldsmiths University and a Doctorate from Aalto University. His recently published doctoral thesis
- Architecture’s Discursive Space, Photography - opposes conventional architectural photography to one that focuses on
a system of atmospheres. In this issue of RIBA Gulf newsletter, Marc shares with us his research and work on ‘An Atlas of
architectural studios around the world’ and in this issue we have brought to you his work in Dubai.

12. PROJECTS12
Design Worldwide Partnership DMCC Foster and Partners Godwin Austen Johnson

13. PROJECTS13
Ibda Design RMJM Fz Llc SVENM Architecture & Design
Gensler & Associates International Ltd Grimshaw
Hopkins Architects Dubai Limited

14. 2015 saw the launch of the AA Jeddah Visiting School: Makkah vs.
Makkah, a research platform that studies and documents Makkah in
partnership with Studio Bound and The Architectural Association School
of Architecture in London. The mission of the program is to explore the
socio-urban dynamics of Makkah and the historical transformation of the
city through recording and mapping the visible and invisible landscapes
of the city as it undergoes its seminal period of rapid construction and
transformation. In an aim to better understand the city and paint a more
relevant picture of the city.
Makkah has long been a melting pot of cultures; a gathering space of
different backgrounds. This eclecticism is most seen in its people whose
qualities are conveyed through the sometimes bold and sometimes
nuanced gestures of architectural, spatial expression and daily life rituals.
To bring forth such assertions, the AA Jeddah visiting school first pursues
a historical trajectory of research to contextualize the urban context of
each of the areas explored. In doing so, we aim to formulate precise
evaluations that will help steer our assessment into the radical or subtle
transformations of space and reuse of spaces and their evolution. To
contextualize the status quo, we equip ourselves with an arsenal to help
engineer the framework of our output.
In the past three years the output of Makkah vs. Makkah research
platform has conducted field studies within the holy city, focusing on
particular regions within Makkah and inviting historians, artists, architects
and developers to take part of the conversation to get a well rounded
understanding of the city through the many lenses of its different
inhabitants view of the city. A series of archive books have been developed
that are seen as live documents constantly under progress documenting
the constant changes of the city. In order to present an analytical medium
we standardize the microscope through which we witness and study these
areas, as means to establish a common denominator for evaluation. A
repetitive and rigorous research method is applied to the scope of the
areas urban makeup, which is divided into four categories of research:
materiality, fenestration, social groups and inhabitation. Plotting a grid
across the maps, a graphic and digital skeleton retains a structural order
for the data collected from descriptive text, recordings, photographs,
diagrams and drawings. It is through the uniformity of our method that
the diversity of Makkah is understood.
The output of the 2017 workshop is charted across three vignettes that
simultaneously operate as maps, drawings, collages and info graphic
representations of embedded intelligence and research findings. The
drawings take in material beyond the typical technical architectural
drawings, where the coupling between everyday conduct and
architectural organization becomes evidence of a way of life, capturing
the essence of a city and its inhabitants that is not solely defined by its built
form. Therefore, the vignettes portray strata of data at multiple scales to
render impressions of Makkah that are either instant or long lasting. The
vignettes are both a construction and deconstruction of the city, enabling
to decipher the blueprints of Makkah as a collective whole. They present
an experience, bridging the visible and invisible landscapes of the city.
NEWS: MAKKAH VS. MAKKAH
A PROGRAM CURATED BY STUDIO BOUND IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL
ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, LONDON
NEWS14

15. Layer by layer, the presented scenes across the different areas of Makkah
are microscopes through which the city can be read and understood.
We present info-graphic charts that map the differences and similarities
through a city that exists well beyond the boundaries of the Grand
Mosque. Makkah is explored through the life of the people that come
to inhabit it from the pilgrim, to the blue collared worker and the Hejazi
native.
The vignettes collapse different mediums and scales of information,
supplementing an archival manuscript of data and recordings. They are a
synthesis, a contemplative canvas to critically put into question Makkah’s
status quo, and to start assembling a hypothesis into what Makkah will
become.
The Jeddah visiting school offers a rare opportunity for participants
to enter Saudi Arabia and also study the holiest and most sacred city
in Islam. A contentious topic in the region, the workshop presents an
academic platform for discussion and debate amongst locals, foreigners,
artists, planners, architects and many more.
Written by Studio Bound
Studio Bound: Basmah Kaki, Hessa Al Bader and Hussam Dakkak
Contacts
Instagram: @studio_bound & @aajeddah
email: info@studio-bound.com & jeddah@aaschool.ac.uk
website: www.aaschool.ac.uk/jeddah & www.studio-bound.com
NEWS15

16. RECENT EVENTS:
PRESIDENT’S MEDAL EXHIBITION
JEDDAH
RECENT EVENTS16
The President’s Medals Tour exhibition kicked off on
7th January 2018 with Dar Al Hekma University in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with a short speech given by
our Jeddah representative Amy Lam on the RIBA
President’s Medals Tour exhibition and the importance
and opportunities being part of the international
competition. The RIBA Gulf would like to thank the
continual support of Dar Al Hekma Unversity in
Jeddah for a 2nd year running of the President’s
medals tour exhibition in the Kingdom.

17. RECENT EVENTS17 RECENT EVENTS17
RECENT EVENTS:
PRESIDENT’S MEDAL
EXHIBITION,
ALFAISALUNIVERSITY,
RIYADH
Team of Al Faisal Exhibition Volunteers
Sumaya with Riyadh Rep Shahad Al Azzaz DAUI
Official Exhibition - Al Faisal Sumaya with Dr. Tarek Mokhtar (right) Dr. Muhammad Anan (left)
RIBA President’s Medal Exhibition was successfully launched in
Riyadh on the 8th of February 2018 in partnership with Dar Al
Uloom (DAU) initiative -a platform under Ubdulrahman Al Sudairy
Cultural Centre (AACC) - aiming to support the engagement
of young architects and encourage exchange of architectural
principles. Other entities were also present as collaborators such
as MIT, Dar Al Hekma University, Alfaisal University, Banafsajeel
and Minhaaj.
The DAU initiative under the title of: ARCHITECTURE FOR THE
FUTURE: EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, took place
over a three day event in Alfaisal University. Multiple key speakers
and practitioners were invited to share an insight on the topic.
Sumaya Dabbagh , Riba Gulf Chair, gave a presentation on the
early days of her career, the main challenges of operating a
practice in the region and future prospects for Architecture.
The preparation of the exhibition with the assistance of the hosting
venue, Alfaisal University created a very successful dialogue
between RIBA and a local educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
Images below are from the launch of the exhibition with students
of Alfaisal University and RIBA’s representative in Riyadh, Shahad
Alazzaz.

18. Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of the Qatar Foundation
for Education, Science, and Community Development, acts as
a steward of Qatar’s national heritage by collecting, preserving
and making available the country’s recorded history. In its role
as a research library with a preeminent heritage library, QNL
fosters and promotes greater global insight into the history
and culture of the Gulf region. As a public library, QNL provides
equal access for all Qatari residents to an environment that
supports creativity, independent decision-making, and cultural
development. Through all its functions, QNL provides leadership
to the country’s library and cultural heritage sector.
QNL also supports Qatar’s transition from a reliance on natural
resources to become a diversified and sustainable economy
by providing support to students, researchers, and the public
to promote life-long learning and empower individuals and
communities for a better future.
In addition to full-text online resources, QNL currently has more
than 800,000 books on its shelves and more than 500,000
eBooks, periodicals and newspapers, and special collections.
RIBA coordinated a building tour of Qatar National Library in
Feb 2018. The tour consisted of two parts – General tour of the
library and the Heritage Library.
RECENT EVENTS:
QATAR NATIONAL
LIBRARY TOUR
RECENT EVENTS18 RECENT EVENTS18

19. RECENT EVENTS19 RECENT EVENTS19
Attended by Architects and design professionals working in
Qatar, the tour provided valuable insight into library’s resources,
state-of-the-art facilities and a general overview of the building’s
architecture.
Opened in Nov 2017, the 45,000 square meters state-of-the-
art library building is designed to encourage library visitors
to explore the progression of knowledge from the past to the
present. It is designed by OMA to achieve balance between
content availability and accessibility, on the one hand, and
content preservation and security, on the other.
To achieve that, the building houses the following:
• Secured and humidity-controlled display cases that are
well-distributed in the Heritage Library area, as well as on
the bridge to showcase the collection and draw visitors’
attention
• Conservation Laboratory used to conserve and restore the
collection for future generations
• Digitization Laboratory as the National Digitization Center
that uses state-of-the-art technology for digital preservation
of the collection
• Cutting-edge technology is a prominent part of the building.
This cutting-edge technology includes the following:
• The “Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) book sorter
system enables the library visitors to use self-check-in/out
stations for a faster and more convenient use of the library
collection. It also provides good functions of the library
management such as security and better collection and
inventory management.
• The “People Mover” system provides a platform to transport
library users in the tiers area providing convenience (barrier-
free access) as well as a pleasant experience to the visitors.
• A wide range of computer systems, tablets, interactive
screens, and audiovisual equipment is provided and are
well-distributed in different areas of the building to fit
different users’ needs and improve their experience.
The building also has facilities for individual and group study and
research. These facilities are suitable for different age groups and
demographic features of the Qatar community. This includes:
• Assistive technology area with all equipment and specialized
software applications to enhance the experience of users
with special needs
• 686 square meters children’s section
• Dedicated area for teens and young adults
• 6 instruction/tutoring rooms
• 21 various size individual and group study rooms
• 27 student and faculty carrels in different locations in the
building
• 2 multimedia rooms
• Auditorium with about 120 seats

20. RECENT EVENTS20 RECENT EVENTS20
RECENT
EVENTS:
RIBA TALKS IN BIG 5
Professor Hasim Altan (Chairman of
Architectural Engineering Department -
University of Sharjah) delivered a talk as
part of RIBA Architecture Talks series in
the Big 5 Dubai, the largest construction
event in the Middle East, on the 29th
November 2017. The talk was about
‘The Art of Implementing Sustainable
Design and Architecture to Fix the
Current Environmental Challenges’,
which received high number interest and
generated a lot of discussions around
the direction of sustainability in the in
UAE and the wider region (MENA).

21. RECENT EVENTS:
MAWANE HOLDS A WORKSHOP TITLED WINTER
ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL
POSSIBLE ARCHITECTURE OF THE DHOW
DEC 16 – DEC 27
Mawane, a non-profit organization for architecture and urban collaboration,
held a 10-day intensive workshop titled Winter Architecture School, in
cooperation with the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” as a strategic partner. The
workshop aimed at exploring ideas of parametric design, digital design, and
fabrication.
The Workshop was conducted by Zayad Motlib (head of Amorphous
Studio, UAE and founder of DNAT - Dubai network for Art, Architecture, and
Technology) and Riyad Joucka director of MEAL (Middle East Architecture
Laboratory).
As part of the workshop program, the idea of the Dhow has been discussed,
looking into its traditional history in Bahrain as a driving source of inspiration for
the program, and covered its structure, materiality, and function.
Architecture students, fresh graduates and working professional’s took part in
the workshop, where they participated in the studio - Beit Khalaf, Manama, to
enable interaction with each other to create a multi-dimensional environment.
This was then followed up with a visit to the shipyard getting insight into the
ship building craft from the local craftsmen and hence driving inspiration from
the idea of ship making.
The training also centered on gaining inspiration from ship making process
and hence how the forms can be further explored for new possibilities in
terms of their materials, joineries and their craftsmanship.
The Winter Architecture School is a unique educational platform that binds on
the frame of educating the participants on computational softwares such as
grasshopper and rhino as well as hands on experimentation with materials to
produce physical models that reflect their design.
The educating morning sessions and the hands on afternoon sessions
included the participation and contribution of highly experienced and skilled
professionals such as Anne Holtrop, Ammar Basheir, Noora Fraidoon, and
Lucia Gomez, who were invited to talk about their practice and the idea of
design and materials according to their perspective.
Throughout the program, esteemed professionals from Bahrain like Mr.
Thamer Sallahuddin, Khulood Akbari, Ahmed Taleb, Ahmed Aljowder and
Ali Karimi were also invited to visit the students giving feedback on their
designs and how they could further develop. In addition to the review board
members who were invited to give feedback to the participants on the last
day, which consisted of academics and practitioners. The academics included
University of Bahrain Dr. Ranjith Dayaratne, Associate Professor and Head
of Architecture and Interior Design Department at the University of Bahrain
and Dr. Sherif Mohamed El-Wageeh, Assistant Professor and Chairman
of Architecture Engineering. Practicing designers are anan Habib, founder
of Habib Associates, Samah Hussain, founder of White Architects, Sara
Abdullah, RIBA Gulf Bahrain Representative, Kondylia Orfanidou, Architect
at Terna Contracting and Adel Mohamed Ali Hasan, Engineering Officer and
shipbuilder.
The Winter Architecture School is supported by Tamkeen, Sheikh Ibrahim
Center, Dadabai Travels, American Institute of Architects Middle East Chapter
(AIA ME) and the Royal Institute of British Architects Gulf Chapter (RIBA Gulf).
Venue: Memory of Manama Khalaf House “Memory of the place for Manama
pearl merchants one of the unique traditional houses of Manama presented
by Khalaf family to be used as a branch of Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed
Al Khalifa Centre for Culture & Research. The venue is provided for by Shiekh
Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research.
Date and time: Dec 16th – Dec 27th 2017
The Winter Architecture School was directed by Isa Ebrahim, Khushboo Shah,
Maryam Aljomairi, Nada Alaradi, Narjes Bukannan and Suha Babikir Hasan.
ABOUT MAWANE
Mawane, an independent, non-profit initiative, which mounts thought-
provoking exhibitions, talks and workshops in various locations along the
Bahraini coastline, in a critical attempt to engage with a wider audience
through contemporary art. Promoting collaboration and discussion, it
was proactively founded as a small-scale platform for experimental and
participatory urban research.
For more information, please contact: info@mawane.org
Visit our website at http://www.mawane.org
Instagram: @mawane_bh Twitter: @mawane_bh Facebook page: Mawane_bh
RECENT EVENTS21 RECENT EVENTS21

22. RECENT EVENTS22 RECENT EVENTS22

23. The British Embassy in Muscat hosted the launch of the Oman Professional Engineers
Network, OPEN on the 25 February 2018.
The reception provided an excellent opportunity for engineers, surveyors and architects
to network.
Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Oman, Hamish Cowell, formally launching the network, said.
“The Oman Professional Engineers Network (OPEN) is an excellent initiative and one we at
the British Embassy Muscat, are delighted to be able to support and bring UK professional
institutions together and further engineering excellence in Oman. 2018 is the Year of
Engineering in the UK and we feel that supporting OPEN fits in well with this by promoting
engineering as a subject, the promotion of working to international standards and the
sharing of best practice and bringing the UK PIs together.”
Following the opening speeches, OPEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Oman Society of Engineers, OSE, to advance the practice of engineering in Oman.
RIBA in collaboration with the IME, IET, IChemE, ICE, IstructE and RICS are supporting
the OPEN network to support young architects, engineers and surveyors to achieve
globally recognised professional registration and to provide knowledge sharing events and
networking to those working in Oman.
Rohan Thotabaduge, RIBA Oman Country Representative said, “The RIBA Oman group
worked very closely with the founding members of OPEN, which led to forming a
collaboration agreement between both parties. RIBA view OPEN as an important initiative
to channel the efforts of various professional institutions in order to raise the profile of
architecture and engineering in Oman. We are looking forward to be an active partner of
OPEN in organising events and development initiatives. RIBA is confident that, by working
together, a higher level of engagement and efficiency could be achieved with regards to
achievement of our common goals.”
On the 26 February, a constructive round table discussion by representatives from each
of the institutions was held to discuss how the institutions can work together with OPEN.
Ideas included :
• developing strong links with universities in Oman
• increasing the engagement with industry to grow membership in Oman
• providing events and training that meet the industry needs.
OPEN’s Vision: To enable engineers, architects & quantity surveyors living in Oman to
achieve professional competence and excellence through acquiring internationally
recognized professional qualifications (PQs) or attain a comparable level of competence
and excellence.
Oman Society of Engineers (OSE): The only professional engineering body recognized by
the Government of Oman to represent engineers, architects and quantity surveyors living
in Oman. It was formed in 2001 with a current membership of circa 3,000
RECENT EVENTS:
LAUNCH OF OMAN
PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS
NETWORK (OPEN)
RECENT EVENTS23 RECENT EVENTS23

24. U P C O M I N G
E VE NTS
RIBA President’s Medal 2017 Tour Exhibition
25 April to 10 May 2018 (TBC)
Qatar University, Qatar
15 April to 15 June 2018
Kuwait University, Kuwait
7 May 2018 (TBC)
German Jordan University , Jordan
13 May 2018
Abu Dhabi University College of Engineering, U.A.E
August 2018 (Tentative)
Heriot Watt University Dubai, U.A.E
23 September 2018
American University of Sharjah (AUS) , U.A.E
UPCOMING EVENTS24

25. 25
Doha is an architectural arena where modernism meets tradition, mirroring the society in which
it is built. Despite the very rapid changes over the last half century, including the rapid expansion
of modern Doha around its old core since the 1950s, and the emergence of the high rise district
of West Bay since the 2000s, the ancient traditions of the region have been retained in surviving
districts of vernacular architecture, and in the architectural language of new generations of
architects who have been inspired by the past.
This panel will discuss the influence of traditional Qatari architecture on the urban fabric of Doha
today, and explore how it will continue to shape the future of the city.
Prof. Robert Carter
Professor of Arabian & Middle Eastern Archaeology, UCL Qatar
Ali Mangera
co-founder of MYAA (Mangera Yvars Architects)
Mohammed Ali Abdullah
Private Engineering Office of the Amiri Diwan
Nur Alah Valdeolmillos
Senior Architect at Qatar Foundation, Capital Projects Directorate
28Reception
REG
ISTER
Talk
March
17:30
18:00
Msheireb
Enrichment
Centre, Doha
In collaboration, British Council and RIBA Gulf would be organizing a Panel
discussion titled: Streets of Doha between the Future and the Past, with key
individuals involved on projects in Qatar.
Doha is an architectural arena where modernism meets tradition, mirroring
the society in which it is built. Despite the very rapid changes over the last
half century, including the rapid expansion of modern Doha around its old
core since the 1950s, and the emergence of the high rise district of West
Bay since the 2000s, the ancient traditions of the region have been retained
in surviving districts of vernacular architecture, and in the architectural
language of new generations of architects who have been inspired by the
past. This panel will discuss the influence of traditional Qatari architecture
on the urban fabric of Doha today, and explore how it will continue to
shape the future of the city.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
STREETS OF DOHA BETWEEN THE FUTURE AND THE PAST
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH QATAR MUSEUMS, MSHEIREB PROPERTIES,
UCL QATAR, RIBA QATAR AS PART OF ‘MARCHITECTURE’ INITIATIVE
UPCOMING EVENTS

26. THA NK YOU
RIBA Gulf would like to thank our sponsor Mapei
and technal, and collaborators for their support.
These include:
• The British Council
• The Big 5 Architecture Talks
• Cityscape Global
• Department of International Trade
• Design MENA Summit
• Institution of Structural Engineers
• Mawane, Bahrain
• Technal Middle East