Global conference on architecture opens

"Contemporary Architecture, Arts and Design in the Gulf" provides a rare opportunity for world-class architects and designers to present their projects at a public forum for professionals from the Gulf region, said an architectural expert yesterday.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday opened the two-day conference organised by the American University in Dubai (AUD).

Dr John Alexander Smith, the conference chairman and Professor of Interior Design at the university, said: "This conference is a rare opportunity to see, hear and meet world class architects, artists and designers presenting their work in the Gulf region. It promises to be a visual feast for the visitors to the AUD.

Stressing the need for an architectural conference and its relevance, Dr Lance de Masi, President and Chief Academic Officer of AUD, noted: "Where knowledge and awareness of a subject are lacking, exposure and dialogue help remedy the darkness.

"The conference will surely succeed in bringing the world to the Middle East and the Middle East to the world, very simply because all of us, whether academics, practitioners or laymen, are consumers of art, architecture and design.

"These proceedings by virtue of the calibre of participants and the subjects treated promise to be nothing less than inspiring. So all participants aren't here to attend the conference but to change the world," he added.

Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Assistant Director-General for Roads and General Projects Affairs of Dubai Municipality, said: "As we see, culture is the reaction of mankind with nature and architecture is the most important product of civilisation that represents the culture and retains the memory of history.

"I believe that the development of architecture is a result of mankind's need to survive and its continual survival with today's sophisticated life style. Dubai with its rapid growth has gathered multi-cultures and has absorbed and applied different views and ideas.

"Top international architects are now working together with Dubai Municipality and other developers to create innovative and exciting designs for today's buildings."

Al Tayer observed: "From an architectural point, Dubai Municipality is playing a leading role in achieving a balance between society's increasing demands whilst enhancing the visual image of the emirate of Dubai.

"Taking this fundamental concept, Dubai Municipality has carried out many distinguished projects that have been designed and constructed using different architectural skills and concepts to satisfy the society's demand."

He listed a group of landmarks of contemporary architecture such as the Municipality Building, Children's City, museums, recreational parks, government buildings, and many other public buildings and facilities.

"I believe that the conference offers, with this unique assembly of architecture experts both from different backgrounds and orientations, an ideal opportunity for researchers and students to learn, to analyse and to understand the potential of the Arabian Gulf contemporary architecture together with our history of art and design, in order to ensure a bright future for the architecture of the Gulf region."

International personalities from the fields of architecture and design who delivered lectures and presentations on during the first day included Sir Michael Hopkins on the new parliament building in London; Yves Monnot on reasonable architecture; Dr Salim El Wazani on measured survey and photography-based architectural documentation; Dr Nader Ardalan on eternal simplicity; Shahrouz A. Mahdavi on cosmopolitan community in Dubai and how to create social interaction through architecture and urban design; Adel Mumin on sustainability of sunken courtyards in the hot desert climate; Dr Mashary Al Naim and Dr Ahmad Al Mansouri, on architecture in Dubai and identification.

Today, Rashed Bukhash will talk on heritage and architecture, Mohammed Alabbar, from Emaar, on the new development undertaken by Emaar, in addition to other speakers such as Rasem Badran from Jordan, Farhad Ahmadi on his project in Iran, Kimberley Lund on perception of people through photo in the Middle East, Arata Isozaki from Japan, and Jonathan Speirs from the UK.