Until two Centuries ago, the UAE was once an open featureless landscape, that was mainly populated by tribesmen and nomadic Arabs for the pearling and trading industry that was recognized in the region. Years later the discovery of the oil field in the country drastically improved its economy, transforming it into the financial hub that it is today, starting by developing and urbanizing the country to match the unparalleled population growth the country faced. The urban composition in the UAE started to rise from the local vernacular that highlights the country’s identity to the sleek modern skyscrapers, all starting with the influential architects in the United Arab Emirates that helped the country to flourish to what it is today. From creating utopian cities with a city to hi-tech sustainable architectural approaches, here are 15 of the influential masterminds from the UAE to be looked out for…
1.Dewan Architects + Engineers | UAE Architects
The Architect: Ammar Al Assam, CEO
This architecture practice is one of the largest in the and top firms in the UAE, that worked on various types of projects, from commercial to mixed use and residential projects. Originally established in Abu Dhabi, only to be growing and developing in the region and expanding to Dubai and countries in Africa and SouthEast Asia. Lead by Ammar Al Assam an CEO of Dewan that became an essential part of the firm’s growth, as the mastermind accomplished to control and lead the integration of modern, hi-tech architecture with sustainable solution designs in the practice. Resulting to the firm becoming BIM compatible and behind many of UAE’s structures.
- Notable Projects: Riverland, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Dar Al Wasl, Lapita Hotel, Battuta Mall
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://www.dewan-architects.com/
2. La Casa
The Architect: Mohammad Sirhan, Executive Director. Projects
La Casa is an architectural firm with many aspiring architects to look out for, and their different types of projects and structures that includes: accommodation, retailing and commercial. It was initiated in Dubai only to be expanding to other neighboring GCC countries. It continued to grow, with Mohammad Sirhan as a project director being behind this development and integration of MEP and structural systems, with sustainable solutions in La Casa’s work.
- Notable Projects: Ajman Free Zone Tower, Royal Atlantis, Madinat Badr Phase 2 (Zone4), School of Research Science, Residence 1451
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://www.lacasa.ae/
3. X-Architects | UAE Architects
The Architect: Farid Esmaeil, Founding Partner
X Architects is a strong architectural studio in Dubai, that translates Arab-Islamic culture into contemporary designs with sustainable solutions. Farid Esmaeil is one of the main masterminds behind this practice, with international recognition over a diverse type of work. He creates a harmony between the existing environment and the contextual through his designs and architecture. His reputation continued to evolve through expressing contemporary society and urban identity in his work, as he managed to win a competition to design a masterplan to the holiest city of Muslims, Makkah.
Notable Projects: Louisiana Museum Exhibition, TBT Showroom, Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, O De Squisito House Boat, Esmaeil Villa
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://x-architects.com/en
4. Edge Architects
The Architect: Farah Mudhefer, Senior Architect
Being an award winning architectural studio in the biggest emirates in the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. EDGE is a new firm in comparison to others in the country that is doing , founded in 2009. Most of their projects are based on environmental, project type and budget management. With Farah Mudhefer being the senior architect in the firm having a woman leading the projects ever since the establishment of the practice.
- Notable Projects: 17 Icon Bay, Tomini Classics Showroom, Ain Dubai Blue Water Plaza Enhancement, Culture Village Bridges
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://www.edgedesign.ae/
5. Archidentity | UAE Architects
The Architect: Ahmed Bukhash, Chief architect and founder
Ahmed Bukhash, the Emirati architect that managed to build his own architectural practice : Archidentity, in 2009. He had the goal of illustrating his Emirati culture and identity onto his work, although his entrance to the UAE architecture practice world a bit later, he managed to have completed various projects that reflects on culture and modernism, keeping the UAE identity alive in his work even though most of his completed work are residential villas .
- Notable Projects: FZ House, The Art of Dining Bentley, FO House, JT House
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://www.archidentity.ae/home/
6. Ardh Architects
The Architect: Omran Alowais, Chief architect and founder
This architectural practice is founded by the Emirati Architect Omran Alowais. The name of the studio refers to the word ‘land’ in Arabic, showcasing all design disciplines, including architecture, interior and landscaping. Although this Emirati architect illustrates contemporary environmental friendly ideas with Arab-Islamic architecture in his work even though most of his projects are for private clients.
- Notable Projects: Private Fitness and Wellness, Private Majlis, Nahil Farm House, Al Azra private Residence
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://www.ardh.ae/
7. Loci Architecture + Design
The Architect: Hani Fallaha, Architect Partner
Loci Architecture is an architectural practice with culturally integrated designs onto different various projects from pavilions to commercial and residential. Led by RIBA Award winning president Hani Fallaha, his practice works with local and earth materials making long-term designs.
- Notable Projects: Motor City Community Center, Villa Lima, Abwab Pavilion, Yas Island Beach Club
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://loci.ae/#home
8. Ga Architects And Engineers | UAE Architects
The Architect: Ghazi Awad, Founder Architect
Founded by Ghazi Awad, GA Architects became one of the leading architecture practices in the UAE. The wide range of projects, from hospitality to high-rise buildings Awad’s practice managed buildings that made importance in the country. His 45 years of experience is shown in his sleek modernist buildings.
- Notable Projects: Holiday Center, Mangrove Village, Najmat Abu Dhabi Mosque, Kahlidiya Arjaan by Rotana
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://www.gaae.com/
9. Bayaty Architects
The Architect: Dr.Muthanna Jamal Abdullah Al-Bayati , Managing Director
Led by the mastermind, Dr. Muthana Al Bayati, his practice managed most of the important buildings in the UAE from governmental to religious projects, he produced designs that are socially and economically contextual with environmental solutions.
- Notable Projects: City Land Mall, Ajman Court Complex, Forensic Warehouse, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque.
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://bayatyarchitects.com/
10. Granada Architecture | UAE Architects
The Architect: Bassam Bahry ,Project Manager
Led by Bahry, He managed the practice making it flourish in the UAE, most of their work is residental and private villas.
- Notable Projects: Maggies Caring Center, Zoo Park, Jungle House, Society Housing
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://granada-gulf.com/
11. Makan
The Architect: Mohammed Alwan, CEO / PARTNER
Co-founded by Mohamed Alwan, ‘Makan’ is an architectural firm in AbuDhabi that grew ever since 2005. Expanding to different middle eastern countries, Alwam’s background and experience in architecture of over 2 decades is shown through the sleek work of Makan making contemporary sleek architecture work .
- Notable Projects: Sama Towers, Manhal Gate Tower, Al Ain University, Khalifa Mosque
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://makan.ae/
12. Al Emaar Engineering Consultants | UAE Architects
The Architect: Hamad Sultan Al Owais, Partner
This firm is different from other architectural studios in the UAE, the firm constructed up-scale residential and commercial buildings, with Hamad Alowais being behind this development, he managed to show the importance of socio-economic architecture in the field in hand with an empowering women architect which is not often in the field: Preethi Sethumadhavan.
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://aeecarch.com/
13. Archcorp
Founded ever since 2005, this architectural studio started in Dubai, and started expanding to different emirates in the country. The office offers not only architectural designs but sustainable and structural making it MEP and BIM compatible, hence the development of the practice making it expand to different projects in different countries.
To check more of their work and firm find more at: https://www.archcorp.biz/#
Notable Projects: Al Juraina Shopping Mall, Atarfil factory and offices, Jama Mosque, Al Waha residence, Sustainable house
14. Shape Architecture Practice And Research | UAE Architects
Architect : Abdulla Al-Shamsi, Managing director
This architectural practice offers all types of engineering and urban designs. Shape shows interest in technological and environmental designs. Founded in 2007 by Abdulla Al Shamasi ,illustrating the importance of digital designs in the country and the middle east as a whole making of himself as an example.
- Notable Projects: 72 hotel
To check more of their work and firm find more at: http://www.shape.ae/
