AIA Middle East

AIA Middle East
The Home of the Middle East Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
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Join the largest, most influential network of
Architects
and Design Professionals. AIA’s 100,000+ member community shares your passion for design, a desire to change the world, and a commitment to the highest standards of practice. Our Middle East chapter covers 16 countries and we would love to have you join the conversation!
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Upcoming Events
Our Past Events
Call for 2026 AIA Middle East Leadership Nominations is Now Open!
Deadline: December 12, 2025
We are excited to invite AIA members across the region to step forward and help shape the future of the AIA Middle East Chapter.
We are now accepting nominations for the following leadership roles:
2026 Vice President
/ 2027 President-elect (3-year leadership commitment)
2026 Secretary
(1-year leadership commitment)
2026 Treasurer
(1-year leadership commitment)
Serving on the AIA ME Executive Board means leading regional initiatives, supporting AIA members, and strengthening the voice of architecture across the Middle East.
Ideal candidates should:
✔ Be a full AIA member in good standing
✔ Demonstrate strong leadership and professional integrity
✔ Be committed to advancing the AIA ME mission
✔ Have a respected reputation in the field and willingness to serve the community
How to Apply:
Please email the following to the election committee:
info@aiamiddleeast.org
✔ Your resume
✔ Headshot photo
✔ Statement (300 words) on why you are interested
✔ AIA membership number
As our region grows rapidly and new members join the design profession, we need leaders who can inspire, collaborate, and build a stronger architectural community across the Middle East.
Reimagining Environmental Identity
Join us for an inspiring lecture by -Ping Jiang- founder of Atelier
Ping Jiang
, as he shares recent works that challenge conventional design and celebrate cultural and environmental sensitivity. From high-rises to civic spaces, discover how architecture can forge a unique sense of place
📅 Wednesday, Nov 26
🕐 1:00–2:00PM
📍 American University in Dubai, Building EMBA, Room 115
Hosted by AIA Middle East &
American University of Dubai
AIA Middle East Year-End Conference & Design Awards 2025
Amman Jordan . 21 - 22 November 2025
Save the Date!
AIA Middle East Year-End Conference 2025
We’re thrilled to invite you to the
AIA Middle East Year-End Conference
(YEC), happening
November 21–22, 2025
in the vibrant city of
Amman, Jordan
. This premier event will unite architects, designers, and thought leaders from across the region to exchange ideas, spark innovation, and shape the future of the architecture in the Middle East.
What to Expect at YEC 2025:
Be part of the
most anticipated architecture event
in the Middle East
Connect with
like-minded professionals
and industry pioneers
Discover
cutting-edge projects
transforming the region
Celebrate excellence at the
2025 AIA Middle East Design Awards
Experience
exclusive guided architecture tours
Dive into
insightful panel discussions
on the future of design
Expand your network with
regional and international architects
Amman awaits, mark your calendar and
join us
for two unforgettable days of learning, collaboration, and celebration.
*Special rates for AIA Members*
CALL FOR ENTRIES!!!
AIA Middle East 2025 Design Awards
Amman, Jordan
Are you ready to showcase your brilliance in the world of architecture in the Middle East? we are celebrating design excellence and innovation across a diverse range of categories:
- Architecture (Built)
- Architecture (Unbuilt)
- Interior Architecture
- Innovation and Sustainability
- Urban Design and Planning
- Cultural and Historical Heritage
- Student Graduation Project.
This prestigious award celebrates innovation, creativity, and excellence across the built environment, open exclusively to all the designers in Middle East
Key Deadlines:
Entry Form & Payment Deadline: October 25, 2025, before 11:59 PM (Gulf Standard Time)
Submission Upload Deadline: October 31, 2025, before 11:59 PM (Gulf Standard Time)
For submission inquiries, reach out to:
awards@aiamiddleeast.org
AIA International Conference 2025 Sri Lanka
The Art within Architecture
9 - 11 October 2025
Event Description
Step into a world where creativity meets legacy at the AIA International Conference 2025, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sri Lanka—the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
From the ancient grandeur of Sigiriya Rock Fortress to the refined simplicity of Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism, Sri Lanka showcases centuries of architectural brilliance. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a rich landscape teeming with wildlife, the island is a haven for architecture enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.
Join eminent architects, thought leaders, and peers from around the world gathering in Colombo from 9 to 11 October to explore the theme:
‘The Art Within Architecture’.
Beyond the conference hall, you will set out on
specially
curated architectural tours
to discover some of Colombo’s highlights; you will also have the opportunity to venture further afield from 12 October onwards to encounter the architectural wonders and scenic splendour of Sri Lanka.
Register here
The Art within Architecture
When
: Thursday 9 October - Saturday 11 October 2025 (Extension tours: 8 October & 12 October onwards)
Where:
Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan AIA Members and Friends can now register for discounted tickets here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491361685949/?discount=SLmember
You will then receive an invoice to send payment in LKR.
NB
: your registration will only be complete once payment is received.
Further details can be found on our Eventbrite. If you have queries about these discounted tickets, please contact
aiainternationconference@gmail.com
MEAEC BuildTechXchange
Riyadh: June 17, 2025
Dubai: June 19, 2025
30+ Top Speakers | Case Studies from 15+ Companies
Join us at
MEAEC BuildTechXchange
2025
, the premier construction conference where industry leaders, innovators, and professionals come together to explore the latest advancements in construction technology, sustainable building solutions, and industry best practices.
Dubai
Thursday
19th June 2025
Conrad Dubai, UAE
Riyadh
Tuesday
17th June 2025
Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, KS
Register for 17th June, Riyadh
Register for 19th June, Dubai
Event Features:
Cutting-edge discussions on emerging construction trends
Networking with top industry experts and professionals
Experience the Future of the Built Environment: Innovation, Insights, and Impact!
Explore the latest tools & technology
Riyadh Speakers: June 17, 2025
Dubai Speakers: June 19, 2025
The
MEAEC BTX
is the ideal platform to network and interact with over 200+ AECO regional stakeholders including government, project owners, operators, infrastructure specialists, consultants, contractors and technology companies. professionals and leaders.
AIA PANEL: RENDERING REALITY - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN VISION AND BUILD
May 29, 2025
AIA Middle East hosted a
thought-provoking panel discussion
at
@indexdubai
This panel dove deep into how
ethical visualization
can foster trust, enhance collaboration, and ensure creative integrity throughout the design process.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Renderings are the
starting point
, not a
promise
—clear communication helps align client expectations with real-world challenges. ✔ Ethical visualization
strengthens trust
—by using renderings as collaborative tools, designers can navigate complexity while maintaining integrity.
Panelists:
Stephanie Kinnick, AIA, LEED AP BDC, RIBA
– AIA International Secretary | AIA Middle East Regional Director
Alan Crystal
– Design Technology Manager – @gensler_design
Henrique Dias
– Middle East Hospitality Director – @dlr_group
Mark Ruppert
– Director Architecture of Design – Mawarid Holding Investment @mawaridh
Rama Khalaf
– Design Manager – @darglobalofficial
Date:
Tomorrow,
29 May 2025
Event
Time:
3:15 - 4:00 pm
Location:
INDEX Design Talks stage, Hall 7,
Dubai World Trade Centre
Drawing Cities with Many Hands: Mixing Skills to Make Places
May29, 2025
Join us TOMORROW for an inspiring online webinar: Drawing Cities with Many Hands: Mixing Skills to Make Places
This seminar explores How collaborative design approaches and interdisciplinary tools are shaping new directions in urban design practice.
Drawing from recent urban design and research explorations, the lecture showcases student-generated work that applies advanced design tools and technologies to propose more adaptive and inclusive urban environments. The lecture also touches on questions of agency, who contributes to, and who ultimately governs, the shaping of the city.
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Presented by: Dr. Maryam Shafiei & Dr. Nabyl Chenaf
Brought to you by:
American University of Dubai
Webinar Link
AIA - From Vision to Reality: Delivering Design Excellence at Scale
May22, 2025
Join us on May 22 to Downtown Design in Riyadh,
The leading fair for contemporary & quality design in the Middle East.
20 - 23 May 2025 | Jax district Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This panel explores how design excellence is delivered, not just imagined, in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving built environment. From navigating procurement and approvals to managing timelines and stakeholder complexity, we examine how global and local teams collaborate to translate bold national visions into built realities that are grounded, contextual and enduring.
Speakers:
Sherif Anis (KAFD), Jason Holland (Studio DOHO), Chucri Haddad (Dar)
Moderator:
Shaikha Al Otaibi, ROSHN
AIA Middle East would like to announce that we are an Architecture Partner at both INDEX and WORKSPACE this year
May 27 -29, 2025
INDEX is the meeting place for the global interior design industry.
Situated in one of the most accessible locations in the world - Dubai, INDEX provides a central hub for buyers from across the Middle East and Northern Africa to connect with global brands at scale. Nowhere else can buyers have as much selection of premium products and innovative solutions from a range of global suppliers and manufacturers.  The sheer breadth and scale of INDEX provides one space to network, do business and learn the latest trends.
Register for index
Date:
27 -29 May 2025
Venue:
Hall 2-8 I Trade Centre Arena, Dubai World Trade Centre
Time:
10:00AM – 18:00PM
Website:
www.indexexhibition.com
WORKSPACE is the central hub for the Workspace community.
WORKSPACE is the ultimate hub for the workspace community. Held in the highly accessible city of Dubai, this destination event showcases the latest and greatest in global products, design, and technology, all under one roof. Buyers can explore an unmatched selection of products, from high volume to premium assortments. Transform your workspace with cutting-edge innovation, design, and technology.
Register for WORKSPACE
Date:
27 -29 May 2025
Venue
: Hall 1; Dubai World Trade Centre
Time:
10:00AM – 18:00PM
Website:
www.workspaceexhibition.com/
Open Spaces - Design, Performance, and Sustainability: Webinar by Epic Metals
March 25, 2025
Dubai, United Arab Emirates ‎(UTC+4)
Join us on
March 25th
at
8:00 PM
for a webinar by Epic Metals titled "
Open Spaces - Design, Performance, and Sustainability
" by John Heinly, Western Regional Manager of Epic Metals Corporation.
EPIC Metals steel roof and floor deck ceiling systems have been installed in many United States landmark buildings over the past 50 years. These award-winning systems are located in both high profile and modest buildings across the U.S., North America, and the world.
EPIC systems enables a designer to create unique, visually open public spaces with responsible materials and unmatched acoustics.
Big 5 Construct Saudi
February 24 - 27, 2025
Big 5 Construct Saudi 2025: Pioneering the Future of Construction in the Kingdom
The
Big 5 Construct Saudi 2025
is set to take place this
February 2025
, marking a transformative moment for Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. As the
largest and most specialized construction event in the Kingdom
, this groundbreaking two-week event will bring together
industry leaders, cutting-edge innovations, and specialized solutions
spanning every key sector of the built environment.
Why Attend?
As an architect or industry professional in the Middle East, this event offers an unparalleled platform to:
Engage with top-tier professionals and decision-makers
from the global construction industry.
Experience the latest technological advancements
powering the
Saudi Vision 2030
Gain insights from transformative content
and expert-led discussions.
Explore cutting-edge solutions
that will define the future of construction.
A Hub for Growth, Collaboration, and Innovation
Big 5 Construct Saudi 2025 isn’t just an event—it’s a movement towards revolutionizing the construction industry. Whether you are looking to network, gain knowledge, or experience
first-hand the innovations shaping tomorrow
, this is your opportunity to be part of a
historic transformation
Secure Your Spot
Don't miss out on this
exclusive opportunity
to be at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s
dynamic architecture sector
For more information and to register, visit
Big 5 Construct Saudi l 15-18 Feb 2025 (First week) 24-27 Feb 2025 (Second week)
AIA Middle East has partnered with
Big 5 Construct Saudi 2025
to bring you an exciting line-up of keynotes and panel discussions. We hope you join us and be a part of the conversation!
2025 International Women’s Day
February27, 2025
AIA Middle East
and
RIBA
are collaborating to host a student-led conversation in celebration of
International Women’s Day
. This insightful event will take place
on February 27, 2025
at
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
in Academic City, Dubai at 3:30pm. The discussion will bring together seven universities from across the United Arab Emirates to highlight the aspirations, challenges, and outlook of our future generation of women in the industry.
Our keynote speaker is
Pallavi Dean
, Founder and Creative Director of the multi-award winning studio
Roar
. A series of Pecha Kucha presentations will follow that discuss empowered women in the industry from the perspective of architecture and design students from
Abu Dhabi University
American University in Dubai
American University of Sharjah
Canadian University Dubai
De Montfort University Dubai
Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Campus
and
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
In addition,
AIAS
Middle East will join us to help celebrate the students achievements!
AIA Middle East Year End Conference 2024
November 22 - 23, 2024
Our annual conference took place in
Doha, Qatar
from
November 22nd to 23rd
. Join our yearly Year End conferences to a transformative gathering of architects, designers, and industry leaders from around the world! This year’s conference will focus on innovation, sustainability, and the future of architecture in the Middle East.
Open Office - CLEAR Engineering Consultants
NCARB & You: AXP, ARE & Certification
November 07, 2024
Alien Intelligence: AI and the Future of Architecture
Everyone is talking about AI these days. But what exactly is it? How did it evolve? And what potential does it have to influence the future? This lecture takes you on a roller coaster ride looking at the extraordinary – but often somewhat terrifying – potential of what is arguably the most significant invention of humankind. The lecture concludes that we are about to face a radically different form of intelligence – an ‘alien intelligence’ – that will far exceed human intelligence, and completely transform the discipline of architecture.
Join us online or live and in-person at the American University Dubai, EMBA Room 115. Please register either way via the link below.
Climate Change 2023
December 10, 2023
AIA Middle East & Technal Middle East
AIA National and AIA Middle East is proud to collaborate with
United Architects in the Philippines UAP
Technal Middle East
to organize the
Climate Change Conference
on Sunday December 10th, 2023.
Title: Climate Change Conference 2023
Date: December 10, 2023
Location: Dubai Commer City,
Umm Ramool,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
About the conference:
The "Climate Change Conference 2023" brought together global leaders, architects, sustainability leaders, and environmental advocates to address the pressing issue of climate change. Hosted in the vibrant city of Dubai, this conference aimed to foster international collaboration and drive actionable solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on a global scale.
The conference resulted in a collective commitment to actionable steps and collaborative efforts to combat climate change. Attended by over 100 architects in Dubai, including AIA members, UAP members with special guest and key speaker AIA National 2023 President
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA
who spoke about the power of leadership and the importance of embracing leadership characteristics in each individual when it comes to climate change.
AIA Middle East President
John Robertson
and Past President
Stephanie Kinnick, AIA LEED AP BDC
shared their gratitude towards the conference and announced the collaboration with UAE ByDesign for the new series in 2024 to cover the Architecture of UAE.
The "Climate Change Conference 2023" served as a catalyst for meaningful change, inspiring a global community to work together towards a more sustainable and resilient future. Everyone shared an understanding of the urgency of the climate crisis and a renewed determination to implement sustainable practices in their respective domains.
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Portfolio 101 - to architecture student at American University in Dubai
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Oct 16, 2024
ArchGlass Design Symposium @ ME Dubai
Oct 16, 2024
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