December 06, 2006
Cityscape Architectural Review Awards winners announced
Cityscape Dubai 2006 got off to a glittering start when the winners of the Cityscape Dubai 2006 Architectural Review Awards were announced during a gala dinner, held at the Nad Al Sheba Club in Dubai.
The prize-giving ceremony was the culmination of months of debate and consideration by an international panel of judges, who named the final twelve award winners.
‘The winners exemplified a commitment to quality of design and architecture that was both sensitive and complementary to culture and the environment in the developing world,’ said Paul Finch, Editor, Architectural Review.
Eligible entries for the awards ceremony were separated into two broad categories. Firstly, buildings which have already been completed and secondly, projects that are incomplete or may be even still on the drawing board. The actual awards themselves were subsequently split into five distinct categories: commercial/mixed-use, community, which includes religious and public buildings, leisure, residential and transport.
In addition a number of special awards were bestowed by the judges which included The Environmental Award, handed to the one completed project that above all others, embraced specific environmental issues. The Islamic Architecture Award was awarded to the project that showed particular empathy and understanding for Islamic values. The Master Planning Award was dedicated to the scheme that the judges feel is the best master-planned community.
A distinguished panel of judges, who had previously met in October to draw up a shortlist of candidates, was represented by Paul Finch, Editor, The Architectural Review UK; Dr. Sultan Ozkan, Secretary General Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Switzerland; Jack Pringle, President Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA), UK; Dr Fathi Rifki, Dean of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah, UAE; Raj Rewal, Raj Rewal Associates, India; Ken Yeang, Llewellyn Davies Yeang, Malaysia.
‘The awards celebrate exceptional works of distinction that can be used as blue-prints for the future. The judges had a very difficult task, so many entries excelled with invention and imagination, respect for humanity and environmental awareness,’ said Rohan Marwaha, Group Development Director, Cityscape Dubai.
The Cityscape Architectural Review Awards which is now firmly established as a significant annual event on the global architectural calendar was sponsored by Swarovski, Pacific Controls, Eurolever, Martin Architectural, Hard Precast and Crystal Arc.
Ismailimail 