As 2017 President of the American Institute of Architect's Middle East Chapter, it is with great appreciation that I write to you today to thank you for your continued support of AIA Middle East and for being a member of our chapter.
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you our plans for 2017. A year in which we plan to focus on empowering our members who are committed to this region and to provide more benefits through events and workshops that will emphasize empowerment, inspiration and knowledge sharing.
Our ambitious plan for AIA Middle East 2017 builds-on and expands our presence through multiple avenues:
COLLABORATION
We have the distinction of being the largest chapter outside of the USA with over 500 members. Our large and growing membership base opens up possibilities to explore different platforms for collaboration. We will engage with other professionals, industry bodies and non-profit foundations to share resources and expertise including publications, joint seminars and training programs. Events are being planned at venues in each of our representative countries to encourage exchange of knowledge and resources.
EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES
This year’s goals include improving benefits we offer our members. Access to exclusive events that are focused on opportunities. Site visits to the latest projects in the region, providing insights into aspiring and creative designs. A great speaker line-up is being curated for talks and presentations throughout the year. The calendar will also include occasions to unwind and get to know one another socially.
REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Our annual conference will be held in Sharjah on the theme of ‘Design: Identity, Inspiration & Innovation’. Sharjah provides the ideal backdrop to this event given its rich history of culture and art while not shying away from embracing technology and innovation in propelling it in to the future.
We will work closely with Sharjah Investment and Development Authority - Shurooq and the Sharjah Art Foundation to host a remarkable event focused on advancing the discussion and debate around the intersection of Architecture, Art, Sustainability and Technology.
ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT
We aim at bridging the gap between academia and the profession. An event will be planned for senior students and recent graduates of the various American schools of architecture across the region, to meet with established firms and professionals for dialogue, insight and support. Research and internship opportunities can also be explored mutually benefitting both communities.
PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP
Member gatherings are also planned to foster dialogue regarding pressing issues we face as practicing architects in the region. We will look to create platforms to offer one-to-one and group support for our members, facilitating mentorship and guidance regardless of where each one is in their career.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2017 AIA Middle East Board of Directors:
President, Raya Ani, AIA, LEED AP
Past President, Sherif Anis, AIA, RIBA
Vice President / President Elect 2018, Paul McKeever, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Secretary, Daniel Henderer, AIA
Treasurer, Chris Laack, AIA
Fundraising Director, Joe Fazio, AIA
Membership Director, David Lessard, Assoc. AIA
Events Director, Christian Vasquez, Intl Assoc AIA
Continuing Education Director, Heather Yanusas, AIA
Communications Director, Tannar Whitney, AIA, LEED AP
Fellowship Director, Thierry Paret, FAIA, MRIAI, ARB, LEED AP
Director at Large, Steven Miller, FAIA, RIBA
Executive Director, Loay Quota, AIA, RIBA, LEED AP
Country representative-Qatar, Jumana Hassan Abdel Jawad, Intl Assoc AIA
Country representative-Bahrain and Social-Media Director, Ali Lari, Assoc AIA
Country representative-Jordan, Farouk Tadros, AIA
Country representative- Egypt, Ihab Habbak, Intl. Assoc. AIA
Country representative- Lebanon, Roger Skaff, AIA
Country representative-Kuwait, Fajer Al Hendi, Assoc AIA
Country representative-Oman, Maryam Al Balushi, Assoc AIA
Education Liaison, Gregory Spaw, AIA (American University Sharjah)
Education Liaison, Tiago Costa, Assoc AIA (American University Dubai)
Education Liaison, Khaled Tarabieh, Assoc AIA (American University Cairo)
I request your support for our new leadership and ask that you get involved in chapter activities by contributing your time and efforts when and where possible.Follow the activities of AIA Middle East on our website and other platforms to receive the latest updates on events and opportunities. Your engagement, enthusiasm and support for the chapter makes what we do more meaningful and fruitful for all of us.
Looking forward to an exciting year ahead!
RAYA ANI, AIA, LEED AP
2017 President
AIA Middle East
As the 2017 President of the American Institute of Architect’s Middle East Chapter, it is with great appreciation that I write to you to thank you for your support of AIA Middle East in 2017.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you what we have done together during 2017.
We had two official launches this year, Oman Launch on May 24th at Oman tourism college, and we ended the year with Jordan Launch on November 18th at Jordan National Gallery of Art.
We had educational events with continuing education credits in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Riyadh, Qatar and Dubai. We had our first American University of Dubai and American University of Sharjah students’ event at Dubai Design District to prepare architectural students entering professional life. We also had two social events, Top Architects social event on March 29th followed with another social event on October 4th in collaboration with the council of Tall Building and Urban Habitat, Dubai.
In an effort to strengthen our members’ efforts within the region, we launched empowering architects series, members’ only event, to give our members access to the advice of experienced local professionals as well as private one-on-one discussion with the panelists. Round one of empowering architects session was launched on July 12th with the idea of each session to be planned around a theme proposed by members on topics that are important to them.
Most notable we ended the year on high note with our fifth AIA Middle East Annual conference "10,958 Days into the Future”, held at Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Hamriya Studios in Sharjah.
Today, we can envision possibilities because we have more tools, program, technologies that allow us to do things we were not able to do 30 years back and we are excited, intrigued by what is possible 30 years into the future; a future that we want our next generation to be ready for! A future that we hope it will brighter, more prosperous and more balanced. It is important to recognize that new technologies create a cultural shift as much as a technological shift. With that comes a risk as well as an opportunity! Focusing on these new design ecosystems that shape our contemporary reality, the speakers covered subjects that ranged from the challenge of Change to AI and the future of Cities to Future Systems of Sustainability – Environmental, Social and Economic on day one while day two covered subjects ranging from Innovation Economies, collective Thinking with a wrap-up session titled 10,958 Days into the Future.
We were extremely pleased to have had an exceptional line of speakers from Patrik Schumacher, Principal, Zaha Hadid Architect, Caroline Bos, Co-Founder, UNStudio, Claudia Pasquero, Director EcoLogic Studio, Rachel Armstrong, Professor, Newcastle University, Ali
Rahim, Professor University of Pennsylvania, Robert Neumayr, Assistant Professor, University of Applied Arts Vienna to Laila Kuznezov, Economist, Michel Pasquier, Associate Professor of AI at American University of Sharjah.
Those attending the first day of the conference enjoyed a private tour of Al Mleiha Centre by Dabbagh Architects. Then Bee’ah project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, followed by a presentation of the Office of the Future by Killa Design.
On the second day, we had the AIA Middle East's Design Awards presentation. The Awards Jury was comprised of Peter Exley as the Jury Chairperson with Jury members: Robert Neumayr, Nóra Demeter, Matthew Dumich and Claudia Pasquero. Projects were recognized in Architecture and Urban design both built and unbuilt as well as Student Graduation Projects.
I would like to thank all the speakers and the awards jury who offered their time and shared their knowledge on the future of Architecture. I would also like to thank our conference committee: Heather Yanusas, Churci Haddad and Christian Vasquez. Special Thanks to Bhakti More and the student volunteers from Manipal University.
A word of thanks is due to all of our sponsors and Dar Al-Handasah who sponsored our year-end conference this year.
Beyond the success of our annual conference, the chapter continued its unparalleled growth and we look forward to formally launch in other countries and to continue to grow and serve our membership. With our chapter expanding, we are looking for more of our members to get involved in leading the chapter. I am confident that our next board will take us to greater levels of success. Please contact the executive board or your country representative to express interest in getting involved or in being part of organizing events in your locale.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2018 AIA Middle East Board:
2018 Executive Committee:
President: Daniel Henderer, AIA Vice President: Chucri Haddad, AIA Secretary: Heather Yanusas, AIA Treasurer: Scott Weinhoff, AIA Past President: Raya Ani, AIA Executive Director: Sherif Anis, AIA
2018 Board:
Communications Director: Muhammad Habsah, Intl Assoc. AIA
Continuing Education Director: Osama Kordia, Int Assoc AIA
Director at Large: Steven Miller, FAIA
Events Director: Christian Vasquez, Intl Assoc. AIA
Fellowship Director: Thierry Paret, FAIA
Membership Director: Farouk Tadros, Assoc. AIA
Regional Director: Loay Quota, AIA
Sponsorship Director: Roger Skaff, AIA
Country Representative, Bahrain: Ali Lari, Assoc. AIA
Country Representative, Egypt: Ihab El Habbak, Assoc. AIA
Country Representative, Jordan: Nezar Faqeh, AIA
Country Representative, KSA: Loay Quota, AIA
Country Representative, Kuwait: Fajer Al Hendi, Assoc. AIA
Country Representative, Lebanon: Roger Skaff, AIA
Country Representative, Oman: Maryam Balushi, Assoc AIA
Country Representative, Qatar: Reema Abu Hassan, Assoc AIA
It has been a true honor to serve as President and I wish you and your loved ones a healthy and prosperous 2018.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the AIA, to design excellence and to future of Architecture.
With gratitude,
RAYA ANI, AIA, LEED AP
2017 President