23 April 2025

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

Habtoor Grand, JBR / Dubai / United Arab Emirates

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 opens with networking over coffee and breakfast refreshments.

+

Introduction

09:30

Event Introduction

The host opens, introduces the event, outlines the day’s agenda, and welcomes the attendees

+

Welcome

09:45

Welcome Address

The Head of Content and producer discusses the agenda and topics, thanks the speakers and sponsors, setting the event’s tone.

+

Panel Discussion

10:00

Panel Discussion One

Panel discussion featuring key industry speaker, moderated to explore key topics and insights

+


Presentation

11:00

Presentation One

Presentation by a leading player in the key vertical, sharing research findings and key insights.

+

Networking

11:20

Coffee & Networking

Coffee, refreshment and networking break

+

Interview

11:35

On Stage Interview

Fireside chat hosted by the head of content, featuring industry expert sharing valuable knowledge

+

Panel Discussion

12:15

Panel Discussion Two

Panel discussion featuring key industry speaker, moderated to explore key topics and insights

+


Networking

13:00

Lunch

Buffet lunch and networking.

+

Networking

13:45

On Stage Interview Two

Fireside chat hosted by the head of content, featuring industry expert sharing valuable knowledge

+

Panel Discussion

14:15

Panel Discussion Three

Panel discussion featuring key industry speaker, moderated to explore key topics and insights

+

Networking

15:00

Closing Remarks

Closing remarks from the Head of Content and the MC

+

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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College of Architecture, Art, and Design Ajman University, UAE

Dr. Dalia Hafiz

Assistant Professor
College of Architecture, Art, and Design Ajman University, UAE

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

Regional Practice Lead
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

More speakers to be confirmed

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



Complimentary

Register now




Conference



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  • Total

    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

    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