< PreviousA Night to Remember Vignettes from the vibrant Middle East Architect Awards evening, celebrating the year’s best buildings and spaces 2019 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 20 / MEA AWARDSMIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM MEA AWARDS / 21Iranian architect Behzad Atabaki bagged the prestigious award, recognising the region’s most celebrated and established architects. Nominations for the award acknowledged in- novation, timelessness, aesthetic significance and inspiration within the architect’s entire body of work. A wealth of projects, both built and designed, were necessary for consideration. Behzad Atabaki has been working as an archi- tect since 1999; he co-founded Atabaki-Qarego- zloo Architects in 2014 and is recognised for works in architecture, urban design, landscape architec- ture, also in art and design. He is founder-CEO at Bonnarq Architects since 2018. Together with Parshia Qaregozloo, he was the co-curator of the award-winning Iran Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2016. Believing in a multidisciplinary approach to architecture and urbanism, Atabaki has earned three master’s de- grees: in architecture (1998), urban design (2002) and landscape architecture (2006). Since 2010, he has been teaching architecture design. He has won awards in domestic and international architecture and urban design competitions. Atabaki’s award was accepted by his friend, who said, “Unfortunately Behzad could not come to ac- cept this honour, but it gives me great pride to ac- cept this award on the behalf of my best friend and a great architect.” ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR Winner: Behzad Atabaki, BonnArq Architects Highly commended: Michael Magill, RSP MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 22 / MEA AWARDS 2019The award for the year’s best commercial project was picked by Muscat firm Hoe- hler + alSalmy for the new German em- bassy in the Omani capital. A new land- mark of Muscat’s embassy district, the embassy complex includes a chancellery building, ambas- sador’s residence with external reception areas encompassing the traditional plantation of the Sultanate. The buildings are a combination of both con- temporary German and traditional Omani ele- ments whilst the structure is based on stringent proportional rules. This reflects on numerous local design language features: the use of vertical bands on windows or the mashrabia, a tradition- al ornamental shading screen, which is an essen- tial element of Omani architecture. The shading screen provides privacy, temperature, and light control. The purpose designed protruding verti- cal bands on the main facades provide an even further self-shading effect on the building as they are strategically adjusted according to the path of the sun – hence the southern facades are longer in depth, minimising the time of direct sun exposure. In order to cope with the rather high adjoining embassies, the facades seek to stretch vertically with an embedded parapet area into the main structure’s elevation. COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR Winner: German Embassy, Muscat by Hoehler + alSalmy Highly commended: One Central by Hopkins Architects & Dubai World Trade Centre MEA AWARDS / 23 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 2019Located in Shiraz, Iran, the 180 sq m space housing the Ho- narshahre Aftab Cineplex Office was awarded this year’s best community and cultural project. Nominations for this award category acknowledge projects or project designs that provide an environment that en- courages the exploration of cultural themes, such as museums, galleries or performance spaces. The Honarshahre Aftab Cineplex Office complex proved to be quite a challenge for Ashari Architects. The project sought to create a space to increase interaction between the clients and of- fice staff. The architects blurred the boundary between inside and out- side (office space and complex lobby), continuing movement of the outside form to inside with consistency in roof, ceiling and wall materials and colours. All visual obstacles between the interior spaces were eliminat- ed: solid walls converted to transparent walls and where feasible, windows eliminated to create a stronger visual connection. Furniture was used as objects for dynamic circulation and to add a whimsical touch to the space. Desks have been designed not only to give the staff privacy, but also organise the space. The design maintains the consistency in aesthetics of the of- fice space with other spaces within the complex. Easy access was created for the artists from the office space to the stage. The em- phasis on the entrance form of the salon is highlighted with ele- ments such as statement furniture to give the design cohesion. COMMUNITY & CULTURAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR Winner: Honar Shahre Aftab Cultural Center by Ashari Architects MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 24 / MEA AWARDS 2019CONCEPT DESIGN OF THE YEAR Khavarian Architects won the Concept Design of the Year for their design for a school, located in one of the villages around the historic city of Jiroft in the centre of Iran. The Concept Design category is aimed at recognising excellence, innovation and sustainability in an initial idea for a project. Agricultural activity in the area has been de- creasing considerably over the last decade, as migration to cities is one of the most important socio-economic issues. One of the needs of the region is familiarising people from an early age with agriculture and native occupations, so that the school can play an important role in this direction as a training unit in Jiroft and surrounding villages. Based on the climate of the area, the school building was placed in the lower part of one of the agricultural plots and a roof top farm created to engage stu- dents in practical economics and agriculture. This practice encourages students to retain the native achievements of the region and the coun- tryside, and preserves the villages as small cells that underpin the country’s economy and agri- culture. Accepting the award, Mohammad Khavarian, principle, Khavarian Architecture Studio, said: “I’m very happy to have won my second MEA Award. The last time, it was for Young Architect of the Year. It’s a very important recognition for me and I’m happy that knowledge of our work has extended outside of Iran.” Winner: Dehnou Agricultural School by Khavarian Architecture Studio Highly commended: Kamyaran School City by CAAT Studio MEA AWARDS / 25 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 2019INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR FOR UAE-BASED ARCHITECTURE FIRMS pre-certification. Green coverage at the rooftop farm and fitness area serves to encourage oc- cupants to embrace a low-carbon and mindful lifestyle. The rooftop will also be installed with a wind turbine and solar photovoltaic thermal panels (PVT) to partially support the building’s energy consumption. Accepting the award, Stefan Frantzen, de- sign director, Dubai office, P&T said: “ P&T has probably won more awards than any other firm, because it has been around for so long (it cel- ebrated its 150th anniversary last year). But every award is welcome and means a lot for us, not the least for the staff that worked so hard to achieve these accomplishments. However, I always say the best award is when people that use the building love it. And they are going to love this building. We think it’s outstanding and are happy the jury felt the same way.” Winner: K11 Atelier King’s Road, Hong Kong by P&T Architects and Engineers Highly commended: The Tawila Island by JT+Partners K11 Atelier King’s Road was recognised as the best international project designed by a UAE-based firm in the past year. Nomina- tions for this category acknowledged the project’s sustainable el- ements, as well as its consideration of its context, end users and client needs. K11 Atelier King’s Road addresses some of the common issues of of- fice buildings, such as sub-par indoor environmental quality for human health, isolation from the local community, and underutilisation of space during non-working hours. The project is the world’s first building to have achieved the WELL Building Standard’s (core and shell) Platinum level (the highest level) MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 26 / MEA AWARDS 2019This award recognises those firms with more than 50 employees that have made the most significant impact on the GCC region through their work throughout the year, whatever be their area of specialisation. Nominations for the award demonstrated a large body of work from across the region, and special consideration was given to firms incorporating unprecedented design, innova- tive materials, striking forms and eco-friendliness. In 2019, under the design leadership of Ignacio Gomez, Aedas Middle East office has created uniquely innovative de- signs for masterplans in KSA, lifestyle retail and residential projects in Abu Dhabi as well as ongoing Dubai Metro Route 2020 and Metro Enhancement projects, SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences tower, Vida Hotel and Residences and Dubai ENOC Futuristic Retail – EXPO2020, so continuing to con- tribute to the dynamic cityscape within the region. Since being established in 2004, Aedas has delivered world class designs in the region for numerous sectors including masterplanning, commercial, infrastructure, residential, ho- tel and leisure sectors, including numerous iconic towers, and the original Dubai Metro Phase 1 comprising 45 stations and two depots. With an impressive record of credentials and awards, Ae- das operates from a network of 39 offices spanning four con- tinents. This global network offers clients the benefits of a locally based, personal service, backed by a global network of skills and resources. Aedas operates across a broad range of sectors including civic and cultural, sports and leisure, com- mercial and residential, education, healthcare, retail and transportation. LARGE MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECTURE FIRM OF THE YEAR Winner: Aedas Highly commended: Woods Bagot MEA AWARDS / 27 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 2019Winning their second honour of the night, Studio Toggle won the award for the year’s most environmentally sensitive project. Nominations for the award acknowledge projects that embody a commitment to energy-efficiency and environ- mental responsibility. UNIT+ was a temporary installation designed by Studio Toggle and Hessa Althuwaikh, that calls attention to the massive amount of con- struction waste generated during construction activities. The pavilion was constructed from 100% recycled timber obtained as donated con- struction waste from the upcoming Kuwait In- ternational Airport T2 development. The timber, mostly used as formwork for con- crete casting, was collected from the T2 con- struction site and cleaned to remove cement and other debris. It was then cut into uniform pieces to define modular units, developing a language that could eventually grow into multiple con- figurations and forms. The interlocking modules combine in various axes to create combinations of varying complexities. This facilitated a modu- lar assembly and disassembly which was crucial for its installation in Al-Shaheed Park. It evolves into a rhythmic composition of the interlocking units generating a porous vaulted space. UNIT+ was designed by Studio Toggle in collaboration with Hessa Althuwaikh and constructed by Al Daleel Trading and Contracting Company as part of their corporate sustainability initiatives. SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR Winner: UNIT+ by Studio Toggle Highly commended: 5 + 1 Residence by RooyDaad Architects MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 28 / MEA AWARDS 2019Recognising projects that provide excel- lent facilities for hotels and restaurants, entertainment facilities or sports cen- tres, this year’s top homour went to Ho- tel Indigo by Norr Group. Located in Business Bay, the four-star, 240- key Indigo Hotel has a simple form, and an in- ventive façade window system design, which uses a combination of glass and folded metal panels. Integrated facade lighting within the panels picks up on a red-accented inner face, creating a striking, yet elegant appearance after dark. Accepting the award, Robert El Habre, Direc- tor, architecture at Norr Group consultants said: “It’s very important to feel recognised in this business. Our clients appreciate any awards won for their projects. It helps marketing efforts, and the hype definitely improves the environment at the office!” LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR Winner: Hotel Indigo by Norr Group Highly commended: 25hours Hotel Dubai/One Central by Dubai World Trade Centre MEA AWARDS / 29 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 01.20 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 2019Next >