The chapter celebrated this significant milestone representing achievements, impactful collaborations, and the continuing contributions of RIBA Gulf Chapter in advancing and advocating architecture excellence in the region. This event was sponsored by MSA Safety, Armourcoat, and ceEntek
The event included speeches by:
- Dr. Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, Chief Executive Officer, RIBA
- Alison Hall, Deputy Consul General Dubai at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Peter Jackson FRIBA, Architect Advisor in HH the Ruler's office Sharjah
- Shaikha Dr. Nahla Al Qasimi, Vice President of the Society of Engineers UAE (SOEUAE)
- Eng. Rashad Bukhash, Chairman of the Architectural Heritage Society UAE and General Secretary, Society of Engineers UAE (SOEUAE)
- Andy Shaw, RIBA Gulf Chapter Chair
The evening reception celebrating 15 years of British architectural projects in the UAE and highlighting their significant contribution to the region's built environment was opened by Andy Shaw, Chair of the RIBA Gulf Chapter, and Sandra Woodall FRIBA, UAE Representative for the RIBA Gulf Chapter. Additionally, the evening served as a platform to promote RIBA Gulf Chapter's exhibition Sustainability: Past, Present, and Future, which underscores the chapter’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices in architecture while reflecting on its journey and vision for the future.
During their welcome speech, RIBA CEO, Dr. Valerie Vaughan-Dick said:
"The Gulf region and its chapter are of great strategic importance to RIBA, which is why we opened our first international office here in Sharjah, UAE in 2019. RIBA Gulf Chapter is one of the most active and engaged RIBA Member groups, with a growing network of over 500 members across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Given the global recognition and respect of our brand, we have been able to establish numerous important partnerships in the Gulf, such as the partnership between RIBA and SOEUAE to champion and celebrate architectural excellence in the region.
RIBA chapters and members on the ground are critical to the success of RIBA. Through its presence and activity, the Gulf Chapter provides a wealth of benefits to the wider membership, providing engagement, networks, advocacy, and insight. I would like to thank all our members, especially the Gulf Chapter committee, who have given their time to support the institute since it launched in 2009 and especially the current committee."
His Majesty’s Deputy General Consul, Alison Hall said “Looking at the past and present, and indeed the future, RIBA and British architects, including many here tonight, have played a significant role in developing the landscape of the UAE and of countries across the Gulf – not just in the 15 years since RIBA Gulf Chapter was formed, but dating right back to the 1960s – and I’m sure you will continue to do so for years to come.
Here in the UAE, the work of British architects can be seen in projects large and small, and across all seven Emirates. These include flagship projects and landmarks which have become much-loved parts of skylines across the country, such as the World Trade Centre, which is so central to Dubai’s trade and economy, and the Abrahamic Family House, which brings together three religions for the first time in Abu Dhabi. You are also playing a role in innovating and adapting our built environment to play its part in the transition to net zero, for example in Masdar City, and the stunning headquarters for the BEEAH Group in Sharjah.”
The Society of Engineers UAE (SOEUAE) Vice President, Shaikha Dr. Nahla Al Qasimi also gave their remarks on the celebration. “On behalf of the Society of Engineers UAE, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to RIBA and to everyone who has contributed to this remarkable journey. RIBA Gulf Chapter has been a prominent leader in advancing architectural excellence across our region. At SOE, we share this commitment to elevating standards and fostering emerging talent.
Today, we are thrilled to announce a new chapter in our collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding between SOE and RIBA. This partnership will enable us to create valuable opportunities for our members and make a lasting impact on the built environment throughout the Gulf region and I am genuinely excited about the possibilities this partnership holds. Through joint events, workshops, and collaborative programmes, I am confident that together we can achieve significant advancements.”
To conclude the speeches, Peter Jackson FRIBA, Architect Advisor in HH the Ruler's Office, Sharjah who was instrumental in the formal establishment of RIBA Gulf Chapter delivered a heartfelt speech on the history of the chapter and their own role in it. Peter said
“In my role in the Sharjah Ruler’s Office I was able to approach HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad al Qasimi. Even before I had finished my request for support for the proposed RIBA Chapter to be based in Sharjah, the Ruler had understood its potential benefits, and stated they would issue a Decree - immediately referring me to the Legal Department. Their Highness, Dr Sheikh Sultan signed an Emiri Decree bringing into being RIBA Gulf Chapter as a branch of RIBA Holdings Ltd, under the local sponsorship of the American University of Sharjah.
In February 2019, HH Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi was formally made an Honorary fellow of RIBA at 66 Portland Place, London for their significant contribution to architecture in Sharjah Emirate in December 2020, RIBA’s first office outside the UK opened at Al Qasba in Sharjah. Since 2020, the Chapter has been under the dynamic stewardship of Andy Shaw, with increasingly regular activities, lectures, building visits, conference presentations, and social gatherings organised across the Emirates as well as across the GCC.
I would like to think that our establishment of the Gulf Chapter has much to offer RIBA as a model for establishing similar Chapters in those regions where there is no similar structure in place. I believe we can now build on the strength of this foundation to positively address the serious global challenges of achieving true environmental sustainability within a high-quality built environment, that is available and accessible to everyone. These are the challenges that face RIBA, our Chapter membership, and us all, to be considered and urgently addressed over the next 15 years, and beyond. ”
