23 April 2025

Welcome to the premier conference
and awards ceremony for the MENA
Architectural industry

Habtoor Grand, JBR / Dubai / United Arab Emirates

Nominations for the Awards are now closed! Please contact Paul Godfrey if you have any questions.


About The

Event

Honouring today’s change-makers who break traditions to create tomorrow’s environments.
A standout day with a summit in the day and a glittering evening awards gala. The event aims to explore tomorrow’s urban innovations, technologies, and building trends, and honour the champions leading the way.

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About The

Summit

Focusing on the themes of Creativity, Leadership and ‘Building Beyond Borders’, the Summit will feature provocative debate from curated industry champions. Ambitiously, it aims to set new working protocols and highlight the opportunities of real relevance to audience members and their aspirations.

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About The

Awards

Objectively judged, the Awards are designed to celebrate not only the leading household-name firms, but also the smaller, boutique businesses whose specialisations and skillsets are pushing boundaries and changing the ‘status quo’.

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How to

Participate

Exhibit, attend workshops, panel discussions, or demonstrations at the summit to connect with regional decision-makers and industry leaders. Explore sponsorship opportunities to ensure visibility and engagement, maximising your impact to a captive audience.

Get In Touch

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2025

Awards Categories

The categories reflect the key facets of the Architectural & Design universe, and honour not only the innovators and trendsetters but the professionals whose painstaking project delivery is at the core of the industry. The diversity of these categories also reflects important industry trends and the changing practices they imply.


Award Category

Architect

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Young Architect (below 30)

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Landscape Project

of the Year

Nominate




Award Category

Super-Tall Structure

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Lighting Installation

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Residential Project

of the Year

Nominate




Award Category

Civic & Public Sector Project

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Cultural & Heritage Project

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

People of Determination Access Project

of the Year

Nominate




Award Category

Urban Planning & Infrastructure Project

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Sustainable Design Champion

of the Year

Nominate


Award Category

Re-purposed Project

of the Year

Nominate




Award Category

Outstanding Achievement

of the Year

Nominate



The Event

Agenda + Schedule


CREATIVITY

Is there scope for creative design?

To what extent are architects today actively encouraged to be creative? Is the pursuit of cost-cutting, coupled with the rise of stereotypical preferences like sustainability, squeezing the creative spark out of the profession? Are factors like sustainability becoming more important than actual design, as they become new off-world, future communities?

+

LEADERSHIP

Inspiration from role models

The history of architecture often revolves around colourful, ‘guru’ figures. However, to what extent are individuals still influential in shaping the built environment in the GCC? Are trends now led by committees, new off-world communities, and the meticulous planning of urban grids?

+

BEYOND BORDERS

Extra-terrestrial architecture

Will today’s advancements in architecture and the integration of AI enable successful construction of new off-world, futuristic communities? What are the opportunities and constraints that extraterrestrial expansion presents to architects, and when will these become feasible for large-scale implementation?

+

MATERIALS

Using Bio-organics

The new generation of bio-organic materials promises sustainable, lighter, and interactive structures. However, is the technology truly sustainable, lighter, and also interactive? Is it sufficiently advanced yet, and when will the slow pace of progress align with commercial demands?

+


Networking

08:30

Registration and Networking

Registration and snacks/networking outside the main hall at the Habtoor Grand Resort, JBR, Dubai.

+

Introduction & Welcome

09:30

Event Introduction

Paul Godfrey introduces the critical themes of the day’s forthcoming debates, and their social, economic and architectural significance.

+

Anastasia Prosina

09:45

Keynote Address

Will today’s advancements in space architecture create competitive advantage for Earth-based firms?

+

Multi Speakers

10:15

Fireside Chat

Anastasia Prosina
Paul Godfrey

+


Presentation One

10:45

How AI is shaping the industry and empowering the quest for Biophilia

+

Panel Discussion one

11:15

Skillsets – what are the key skills that today’s newcomers to the profession must have?

+

Presentation Two

12:00

How new materials and evolving construction techniques are opening the door to tomorrow’s built environment

+

Panel Discussion Two

12:30

Bio-Materials – is the science really ready yet?

+


Presentation Three

13:15

How AI is leveraging quantum change in design practice and project delivery

+

Networking

13:45

Lunch

Buffet lunch and networking.

+

Multi Speakers

14:15

Fireside Chat

Kevin Offin
Paul Godfrey

+

Presentation Four

14:45

Light – the fourth dimension of architectural form

+


Panel Discussion Three

15:15

Innovations – steps towards the future

+

Wrap-up

15:45

Event Close

+

Engage

With Experts and Peers

This event offers networking opportunities with regional stakeholders, including government, project owners, multidiscipline architects, consultants, and technology companies. Several networking breaks and lunch are scheduled to facilitate one-on-one interactions and networking.

Empowering

Future Leaders

Empowering future leaders by connecting minds and equipping the industry with essential knowledge, insights, and tools to drive innovation and transform architectural designs for a sustainable future.

Building Architects

Interior Architects

Urban Architects

Architectural Engineers

Design/Project Managers

Other
2025

Speakers

Our speakers play a vital role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the event, positioning it as a benchmark for the regional market. These industry experts provide valuable knowledge, insights, and address key challenges facing the sector.

If you are interested in contributing to the discussions and sharing your expertise, please reach out to paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com to get involved and be part.


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KEO

Delvene Lee

Head of Interior Design
KEO

Delvene Lee

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Ajman University

Dr. Dalia Hafiz

Assistant Professor
Ajman University

Dr. Dalia Hafiz




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OBM International

Drew Gilbert

Lead Design Architect
OBM International

Drew Gilbert

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Summertown Interiors

Nicola Trivett

General Manager
Summertown Interiors

Nicola Trivett

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Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai

Dr Bhakti More

Chairperson & Professor, School of Design & Architecture
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai

Dr Bhakti More

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AtkinsRéalis

Maxwell Connop

Design Director
AtkinsRéalis

Maxwell Connop




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AtkinsRéalis

Ed McIntosh

Design Director
AtkinsRéalis

Ed McIntosh

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The Visual Poetry

Dipali Shirsat

Founder
The Visual Poetry

Dipali Shirsat

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HLB Lighting Design FZ-LLC

Maria B. Dautant

Senior Associate
HLB Lighting Design FZ-LLC

Maria B. Dautant

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Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Dr. Rana El-Dabaa

Assistant Professor at the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS)
Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Dr. Rana El-Dabaa




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U+A, part of Egis Group

Sam Kumar

Principal Studio Operations
U+A, part of Egis Group

Sam Kumar

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U+A, part of Egis Group

Tiago Sampaio

Design Principal
U+A, part of Egis Group

Tiago Sampaio

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HKR

Jerry Ryan

Founder and Executive Chairman
HKR

Jerry Ryan

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Stellar Amenities

Anastasia Prosina

Space Architect, Founder & CEO
Stellar Amenities

Anastasia Prosina




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Thin Line Architects & Interiors

Mustafa M. Sherif

Design manager
Thin Line Architects & Interiors

Mustafa M. Sherif

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Graphite

Kevin Offin

Founding Principal
Graphite

Kevin Offin

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STUDIOI

Nima Shoja

Senior Director – Technical Design
STUDIOI

Nima Shoja

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TBH

Anil Ipekci

Principal
TBH

Anil Ipekci




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ARUP Gulf Limited

Ayah Rahmoun

Graduate Engineer
ARUP Gulf Limited

Ayah Rahmoun

The

2024 Winners

Congratulations to all our winners and shortlisted nominees.

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Young Architect of the Year

Pankti Adani, Godwin Austen Johnson

Young Architect of the Year

Pankti Adani, Godwin Austen Johnson


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Civic & Public Sector Project of the Year

Entertainment City Doha, Trust Engineering Consultancy

Civic & Public Sector Project of the Year

Entertainment City Doha, Trust Engineering Consultancy


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Cultural Heritage Project of the Year

Al Rayan Mall, Matrix Engineering Consultancy

Cultural Heritage Project of the Year

Al Rayan Mall, Matrix Engineering Consultancy


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Residential Project of the Year

Sobha One, PNC Architects, Sobha Realty

Residential Project of the Year

Sobha One, PNC Architects, Sobha Realty


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Landscape Project of the Year

Creek Vistas Heights, PNC Architects, Sobha Realty

Landscape Project of the Year

Creek Vistas Heights, PNC Architects, Sobha Realty


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Urban Planning Infrastructure Project of the Year

U+A

Urban Planning Infrastructure Project of the Year

U+A


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Sustainable Design Champion of the Year

Senna Sabir, AtkinsRealis

Sustainable Design Champion of the Year

Senna Sabir, AtkinsRealis


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Re-Purposed Project of the Year

Jawaan School Rehabilitation, Trust Engineering Consultancy

Re-Purposed Project of the Year

Jawaan School Rehabilitation, Trust Engineering Consultancy


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Outstanding Achievement of the Year

King Salman Grand Mosque, FSK & Partners

Outstanding Achievement of the Year

King Salman Grand Mosque, FSK & Partners


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Architect of the Year

Michel Abboud, SOMA

Architect of the Year

Michel Abboud, SOMA


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Initiative of the Year

U+A

Initiative of the Year

U+A



Now Closed

Registrations


For any further enquiries please contact:

Paul Godfrey
paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com


How it works?


Step 1

Select event


Step 2

Select the event and industry sector


Step 3

Fill in your details


Step 4

Verify your registration


Event Sponsors



Gold Partner

AtkinsRéalis




Strategic Partner

KEO




Silver Partner

Graphite Architects




Supporting Partner

Compass Project Consulting




Supporting Partner

DesertBoard




Supporting Partner

JLL




Supporting Partner

TBH




meconsultant12DMODEL


PRESENTED BY

Big Project ME




PRESENTED BY

ME Construction News




ORGANISED BY

CPI Trade Media



How to

Participate

Participate in this conference through exhibiting, workshops, panel discussions, or presentations; a prime platform to connect with future business potential and more. Engage with industry leaders shaping purchasing and specification decisions and explore tailored sponsorship opportunities to your KPIs and business objectives.

Contact us to learn more of all the possibilities


Free

Entry

Entrance to the summit is free of charge for industry professionals.

Summit

Date & Time

23 April 2025, 9am – 3pm

Summit

Venue

Habtoor Grand, JBR, Dubai

Get In Touch

Contact us


Content / Award Nomination Enquiries

Paul Godfrey
Head of Content
+971 55 472 9717
paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com

Priyanka Raina
Associate Editor
+971 4 375 5475
priyanka.raina@cpitrademedia.com


Table Booking & Sponsorship

Andy Pitois
Publishing Director
+971 4 375 5473
andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com


Marketing

Phinson Mathew George
Director of Marketing & Media Operations
+971 4 375 5476
phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com

Lakshmy Manoj
Marketing Executive
+971 4 375 5476
lakshmy.manoj@cpitrademedia.com