In 2024, the Middle East is witnessing an architectural renaissance, with visionary architects and designers leading some of the region's most groundbreaking projects. CityscapeWIRE explores the work of five top professionals who are redefining the architectural landscape. From Lina Ghotmeh's sustainable museum design in AlUla to Sandra Woodhall's futuristic healthcare concepts, these innovators are blending tradition with cutting-edge technology, and setting new standards in eco-friendly and culturally significant architecture.
Lina Ghotmeh
Founding Principal of Parisian-based Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, Lina Ghotmeh is one of the world’s most influential architects and is renowned for her distinctive traditional building techniques and use of natural materials. Drawing on sustainability and informed by historical and environmental research, the Lebanese-born architect has a notable list of projects under her belt, including France’s first low-carbon workshops building. Last year, the Kingdom’s Royal Commission for AlUla appointed Ghotmeh as one of the lead architects for two upcoming museums in the country’s north-west region. Ghotmeh will be designing a contemporary museum that will act as a space to connect artists from the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. The museum will be built as an archipelago with various galleries spread out.
Sandra Woodall
Dubai-based architect, urbanist, researcher and environmentalist, Sandra Woodall heads tangramGulf’s MENA region studio. Renowned for her passion for eco-friendly designs, Woodall is also the RIBA Regional Ambassador for sustainability and is the recipient of six international sustainable design awards. In 2016, she became the 30th Fellow of the RIBA and was the first one in the Gulf. While her accolades in sustainable design are numerous, she’s still on a strong trajectory as she is currently designing the Hospital of the Future, a prototype that utilises AI and the metaverse as it looks at a hospital without walls which will revolutionise the very concept of healthcare for both patients and staff.
LISTEN: CityscapeWIRE's exclusive podcast interview with Sandra Woodall
Dilara Ajun
A rapidly rising star in the world of architecture, Dilara Ajun is the Creative Director of ATI Consultants, Architects and Engineers and nabbed the Young Talent of the Year Award in 2021 at the Architecture Leader Awards. Her talent and unique style have seen her create architecturally defining master-plans regionally and across the globe. She is currently designing a spectrum of real estate projects, from residential towers, master-planned communities, to a mixed-use harbour and marina in Europe and several schools and universities in Bahrain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Devaganga H.M
A Member of the Council of Architects, India, Devaganga H.M. is the Projects Director of OBMI, based in Dubai. With more than 20-years’ experience in leading and mentoring teams, she has managed a portfolio of projects ranging from hospitality, retail, residential, and education across the Middle East and India. Among her numerous projects that she is currently working on, she is helping with the restoration of Saudi Arabia’s Al Hamra Palace, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to transform several cultural and historical palaces into ultra-luxury boutique hotels.
Mariana Wehbe
Founder of We Design Beirut, Mariana Wehbe is renowned for her ability to identify and hone talent, while producing world-class projects. Spearheading We Design Beirut, which took place from May 23-26 2024 in the Lebanese capital, Wehbe and her team celebrated and promoted design and creativity of the country’s local artists. Through installations, talks and workshops in interior design, architecture, and furniture design, the festival offered local designers to enter into a discourse, learn, and connect with the country’s finest designers and architects. Despite the turmoil in the surrounding region, the festival forged ahead determined to create a space Beirut’s creative industries.
PSLab - bench by Georges Mohasseb x Minjara | Image: Walid Rashid
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