The panel talk discussed contemporary cultural infrastructure and their relation with heritage and built environment in the GCC.

This talk was broadcasted on the d3 Architecture Festival website on 12 November, Thursday 1pm.

Moderated by Khawla Al Hashimi

About the Speakers:

Khawla Al Hashimi
Director of Project Development, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, Sharjah UAE
As a passionate Architect and mother of three, Khawla started her journey at the American University of Sharjah where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. She then started her career in Dubai where a lot of her drive and direction has been forged. Being driven by shaping the face of Sharjah's urban fabric, Khawla then joined Shurooq where she started as an Architect, Design Development Manager and finally Director of Project Development. In the span of 10 years she has forged the path towards creating the backbone of Shurooq's project team, who are now responsible for a large number of exceptional and award-winning projects.

Sumaya Dabbagh
Principal and founder DABBAGH ARCHITECTS. Dubai UAE
Sumaya Dabbagh is the founder of Dabbagh Architects. She is Saudi Architect educated in the UK. Her practice has set out to create contemporary Architecture that is rooted in place. Dabbagh’s design approach is culturally and environmentally sensitive and aims to create a timeless Architecture that is generative and has a positive impact on the planet.

Paolo Rossi
Associate Director of Architecture PACE Kuwait City, Kuwait
In his role as Associate Director of Architecture, Paolo Rossi directs and supports all functions related to architectural design at Pace. His exceptional work with the project management team and other complementing disciplines has time and again delivered projects successfully within very specific time frames and according to the highest international industry standards; outcomes that have become synonymous with the Pace model.

Wael Al Awar
Principal Architect / Founding Partner WAIWAI, Dubai UAE
Wael Al Awar founded Waiwai (formerly known as ibda design) in 2009. Wael has a multi-disciplinary approach to design, always looking to challenge the conventional processes. His projects layer his individual design sensibilities into an architecture of natural light, time, structure and landscape. By aligning with natural phenomena, the spaces that emerge are site-specific provocations that encourage unexpected experiences.

Islam El Mashtooly
Design Director, Croquis design studio Dubai UAE
Islam El Mashtooly is an architect, urbanist, and educator, who embraces a design philosophy which has the human condition at its heart. He is committed to architecture that supports and enhances communities, with a philosophy emphasizing harmony within context, alongside the climate, culture, and traditions of the MENA region.