AIA Middle East got off to a good start and held two events in 2020. In early March, just as planning got underway for the 8th annual Year End Conference (YEC) and Design Awards to be held in Dubai this November as a joint conference and Awards program with the International Region, it became clear that the chapter’s third event, “Waltzing with Chaos” planned in Beirut Lebanon was going to need to be postponed. As many if not all of the countries represented by the Chapter went into partial or complete lockdowns due to the COVID-19 virus, it became clear that the AIAME-IR Conference would need to be postponed to 2021.
The Board are doing their best to maintain a positive business outlook for 2020 as a Chapter and are all in effect “Waltzing with Chaos” as many MENA region projects and companies are suffering impacts due to the corresponding financial crisis which seems to be following the pandemic at a global scale. AIA Middle East is planning programs to be held live and online during the course of 2020 as markets slowly return back to normal.
January
Building from the Ground Up “Contemporary Earthen Architecture” - Oman
Presented by Wayne Switzer of the German University of Technology
Tuesday 28 January 2020
In collaboration with Mashru' Meem, AIA ME Oman continued its long-awaited AIA ME Talks series featuring Architects and Designers in Oman, the GCC and the world. Wayne Switzer of the German University of Technology focused on the relevance of contemporary earthen architecture in the Sultanate, the presentation described the key cultural, constructive and climatic benefits embodied in earthen building. Attendees learned about the potential for prefabrication and automation to reduce unsustainable
dependencies and create a high-skill, high-efficiency industry.
Mr. Switzer also touched on the initiative related to the
creation of a platform by the German University of Technology for advancing
contemporary earth-based architecture in the Sultanate of Oman and beyond.
February
Why Sustainable Cities Matter - Bahrain
Presented by Mohammed N. Alkhalifa
Tuesday 25 February 2020
This talk focused on how Cities & metropolises grow & expand as populations increase within an urban space, and cities are responsible for maintaining & upholding efficient & sustainable modes of mobility. A community that lacks infrastructure for mobility is not
sustainable, limiting the steady flow of people & goods needed for a city to survive & thrive.
A well-designed, built & sturdy transportation infrastructure sustains citizenry with the availability of alternative transportation systems, brings economic benefits to a metropolis and with mobility a healthier standard of living. The talk will be led by Mohammed N. Alkhalifa, an urban planner based in Bahr
April
On a positive note, AIA Middle East renewed their sponsorship with Technal-ME and Hydro Systems for 2020. In support together launched Episode 2 of their Webinar Series
“Sustainable Facades and Circular Economy” to be held on 20 April. The goal of the webinar is to highlight the construction of sustainable building envelopes, in compressed urban spaces.
Register here to hear more from:
