Renovation & restoration projects by Dubai Municipality in Shindagha, Bastakia & Deira create historic three-way tie for premier real estate award
Dubai Municipality was honoured at the Cityscape Dubai 2008 awards, for its outstanding renovation work on the mosques of historic Shingadha and its restoration work of Dubai's Old Souq and historic Bastakia.
Celebrating excellence under the theme 'Design for an Emerging World' the prestigious awards took place last night, (Monday 6 October) during a lavish dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai.
Supported by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and The Architectural Association of the UAE, the Cityscape Dubai judging panel, short-listed all three of Dubai Municipality's entries in the Islamic Architecture category and declared a three-way tie for the first time since the awards inception in 2004.
Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director, Cityscape said, "Dubai in many quarters is perhaps better known for its futuristic steel and glass designs. However the projects submitted by Dubai Municipality characterised both Islamic and traditional Arabic architecture, preserving the historical and cultural assets of Dubai. They were all exceptional in their integrity, we couldn't separate them. "
Dubai Municipality was honoured for projects in Shindagha, Bastakia & Deira. In Shindagha, six mosques had been identified for restoration and preservation, to revitalise the historic city of Dubai. The mosques named Shiyookh, Otaibat, Al Mulla, Bin Zayed, Al Murr Bin Huraiz and Bin Harib, represented true expression of cultural and civic life at the turn of the twentieth century.
The defining architectural concept was one of simplicity, a single storey with a rectilinear plan providing a place for prayer and communal affairs. The renovation project succeeded to protect a record of social history, a period when Dubai was considered as the most important trading hub in the Gulf.
In the early 1900s Dubai contained the largest market in the Gulf with 350 shops in Deira's souqs. The aim of the Municipality project was to sustain and revive the traditional commercial life that had once existed. After consulting with the shop owners work began on a very sympathetic programme, restoring the shop fronts and installing a carved wooden roof.
The outcome was a return to its earlier vibrancy, allowing tourists a snapshot of authentic souq life as well as sustaining a collective expression of an urban experience.
The dilapidated Al Bastakia district of Dubai was at one stage under the threat of demolition. However a revitalisation project was initiated to revive its historic fabric and restore the traditional courthouses complete with iconic wind towers along Dubai creek. Today 62 houses have been completely restored turning the area into a tourist hot spot whilst raising public awareness of the value of historic buildings.
Another special award "Young Architect Award" which was presented by exclusive associate sponsor Meraas Development was claimed by local student May Barber for her creative designs for labour accommodation.
"This economical design was an aesthetically beautiful architecture of form, contrast, space and harmony with a social-friendly manner. Our lasting impression was that this design would not only improve the quality of life for labourers but it would also raise their hopes and aspirations for the chance of a better tomorrow," added Marwaha.
The Cityscape Architectural Awards has attracted headline sponsors such as; American Breeze, Bose, Dalkia, Etisalat, Gaggenau, LAB 23, RAK Ceramics and Smart Box.
A full list of the winners is attached.
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For more information log on to www.cityscape.ae
For more information, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
PO Box 502701
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 50 4576525
Fax: +971 4 4278703
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com
© Press Release 2008
