Advocate for a Sustainable Oasis

AIA Middle East chapter (AIA|ME) is a international chapter serving AIA members in the Middle East. The chapter has been actively advocating for sustainable design practices in the region since its establishment in 2010. AIA|ME has developed four core groups, including a platform, a database, an incubator, and a laboratory, to provide a comprehensive framework for architects and developers in the Middle East to incorporate sustainable design strategies into their projects. The platform serves as a forum for knowledge sharing and networking, while the database compiles information on sustainable building practices, technologies, and materials. The incubator fosters collaboration between architects, developers, and other stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for the region’s unique challenges. Finally, the laboratory provides a space for testing and experimentation with innovative sustainable design concepts.

Platform:

AIA|ME is a prominent platform for architecture professionals, hosting sustainable design presentations and lectures every year and encouraging professionals from diverse backgrounds to share their knowledge. This year, the AIA Middle East chapter has been organizing a series of events focused on two key themes: sustainability and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

The past events have covered a wide range of related topics, including designing for intellectual disability, architecture’s capacity, and the path to net-zero. In early February 2023, the Big5 Saudi panel discussion on the path to net-zero provided valuable insights into how technology and sustainability can unite to achieve this goal. Young Saudi designers also presented their perspective on sustainability and how they can contribute to the Kingdom’s net-zero target, which is crucial for empowering future generations.

Database:

At the same time, AIA|ME is dedicated to sharing the best sustainable design examples, educational resources, and inspiring stories in the field. The chapter’s annual design award, the Environmental Innovation Award, showcases a strong commitment to environmentally sensitive design, sustainability, and conservation of energy and resources. This award has gained significant recognition throughout the Middle East and North Africa’s design industry. Additionally, many Middle East architects frequently refer to AIA’s COTE Top Ten Awards and other popular resources. In terms of sustainable education resources, AIA|ME has made available a range of informative U.S. education resources on its website, including GreenCE, CBES, and the Hanleywood Resources Center, which have become a critical source of knowledge for the Middle East architecture market.

Laboratory:

The Middle East is a hub for the global economy, offering numerous opportunities for architects to engage in research and practice, particularly in sustainable design and energy conservation. For instance, Dubai’s Urban Master Plan 2040 encourages sustainable mobility research and practice, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to achieve sustainable growth and maximize sustainable returns for the national economy. As a leading professional organization in the field of architecture, AIA|ME collaborates with local businesses such as COVE Tool and TECHNAL to provide architects with support in advanced sustainable design competitions and lectures that facilitate knowledge-sharing on design experience and business opportunities. In mid-February, Brooks + Scarpa, a Californiabased architecture team, presented their sustainable design approach in a talk titled “Ordinary and Extraordinary” at the new Technal showroom in Dubai. Working alongside the American University of Sharjah and the United Architects of the Philippines

Dubai chapter, the event drew a large crowd and showcased the firm’s innovative use of conventional materials in unique ways.

Incubator:

The AIA|ME places great emphasis on education and supporting emerging professionals, as it is a core part of their mission. To achieve this, the AIA|ME maintains a close relationship with local universities and architecture schools in the Middle East to promote sustainable design practices to students. The organization frequently showcases exemplary graduation projects, such as “A Future Living Factory” by Bourj from Lebanese American University, which proposes sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for future residential challenges. Furthermore, the AIA|ME is actively seeking new ways to collaborate with US architecture firms and local universities to celebrate the work of students and emerging professionals based on the AIA Framework of Design Excellence. The organization aims to provide necessary support for the career development of these professionals.

Final Words

As an AIA international chapter, AIA|ME has been constantly exploring the best ways to serve its local members while simultaneously pursuing the creation of a sustainable oasis in the Middle East. As stated by stephanie kinnick, AIA, Past-President “The chapter has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion, which highlights the critical role that architects play in shaping the built environment and creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for everyone” (by Stephanie Kinnick, AIA, Past President). By prioritizing sustainability, AIA|ME encourages architects and developers to incorporate sustainable design practices into their projects, helping to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and create a better, more livable world. This focus on sustainability extends beyond environmental impact to encompass social sustainability, achieved through the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the design of spaces and buildings.

Li Ren, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Ren is a specialist in hospitality and sustainable design as a project architect at Perkins Eastman in Dubai, UAE. Additionally, he is a member of the AIA Global Practice Committee and the NCARB International Qualifications Evaluation Work Group.