Shortlist announced for the Cityscape Awards 2011
The shortlist for the Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets has been released. Projects from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, India, and China have all made the cut.
Winners are set to be announced at a glamorous ceremony on 27 September at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. The Cityscape Awards were founded as a platform to reward excellence in architecture and design from emerging regions of the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan, New Zealand and Australia) as well as to recognise projects that have shown outstanding design, performance, vision and achievement in key areas of architecture.
There were over 300 entries from 32 countries, with an internationally acclaimed panel of judges, including Rashad M. Bukhash, B. Arch. M. Phil. Arch, director of the Architectural Heritage Department, Dubai Municipality; Dr. Sadek Owainati co-founder and board member of Emirates Green Building Council; Lee Sang-Leem, president of the Federation of Institutes of Korean Architects and the Korean Institute of Architects.
One of the UAE based judges, Nadine Al Bitar, advisor to Abu Dhabi Municipality, said, “Architecture is gaining ground in the emerging markets because developers and master real estate companies are realising the importance of high quality design. The increasing exposure of the consulting industry to alternative architectural visions and the support of visionary public environment are going to further push the traditional boundaries of design disciplines. At the same time, lack of funding will contribute to innovative solutions that will maximise the design quality while minimising its cost effects.”
“Most of the award entries shared an understanding of the importance of functional design and a serious attempt to efficiently minimise resources needed. The use of innovative building technologies proved that efficiency and functionality is creative because of the unusual solutions it leads to in terms of volumetric play and façade architectural elements. The Cityscape Awards are an essential component in raising awareness about the importance of architecture to the development community. It is also an occasion to celebrate creativity, design, innovation and the values it brings to the urban space and the society that uses it.”
Chris Speller, group exhibition director of Cityscape, added, “The awards have become a staple of Cityscape events and have grown in popularity and reputation year-on-year. The nominations submitted this year were of outstanding level, making it a challenging job for our judges to whittle down the shortlist.
“The objective of the awards is to acknowledge the significant developments in architecture across the emerging world as well as to recognise the exciting and innovative projects that are underway. We are looking forward to crowning winners next month.”
Cityscape Global 2011 is celebrating its 10th year in Dubai, providing a platform for the international real estate industry to meet, discuss and do business. Organised by Informa Exhibitions, this year’s event will encompass the real estate exhibition, showcasing the latest developments and investments from across the world, as well as the Global Real Estate Seminars, Retail City Conference, World Architecture Congress and Future Cities, all taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 27 - 29 September.