Dubai Design District to organise architecture festival in November

Dubai Design District (d3) have announced that it will organise the emirate’s first architecture festival, called d3 Architecture Festival, from November 11-13.

Organised in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects Gulf Chapter (RIBA Gulf Chapter) and held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the festival will “showcase regional architecture, urbanism and sustainable development”, said a statement by d3.

The festival will be curated with Juan Roldan, associate professor in the College of Architecture, Art & Design at the American University of Sharjah under the theme ‘Identity, Context and Placemaking in the Gulf’.

The list of schools and firms participating include Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster+Partners, T.ZED Architects and Heriot-Watt University Dubai, among others.

The festival will begin with an opening reception at Building 6, d3, on November 11 and will subsequently include talks and sessions which will be open to architects, designers and the general public too.

.@d3Dubai launches the inaugural “d3 Architecture Festival” in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects Gulf Chapter, establishing the emirate’s first platform to showcase regional architecture, urbanism, and sustainable development.https://t.co/AkJUtV5sgP pic.twitter.com/WRKr3RCwLz

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 8, 2020

“While offering a platform for critical reflection on social, cultural and economic issues, it will also provide opportunities for new talent and bring the design community together to champion Dubai and the UAE as a hub for knowledge, creativity and innovation,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, executive director of d3.

Andy Shaw RIBA Gulf chapter chair and managing partner of AMA, added: “The exhibition will feature models, drawings and projects from the most exciting architects working in the Gulf, such as Binchy and Binchy and ANARCHITECT who are founded by RIBA members. This event is a celebration of what has been achieved by architects in the region and, more importantly, what is to come from the emerging generation of local companies and graduating students.”