4,651 architects from 108 countries competing in ThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award

The Competition is held by ThyssenKrupp Elevator in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, under the auspices of the International Union of Architects.

The registration process for the ThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award has confirmed the outstanding interest in this competition to propose a new Tall Emblem Structure in Za'abeel Park, to symbolize the new face of Dubai, while promoting tourism and other recreational, scientific and cultural activities. A total of 4,651 architects in 2,967 teams, from 108 countries, have been qualified to compete in this year's award, based on the requirements of the competition brief.

The top five countries for participation are Spain, France, Italy, United States and China, with over 100 teams registered each, while UAE and Egypt are in the top 10, with 85 and 94 teams, respectively.

"We are extremely pleased with the record number of registrations that the ThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award has attracted this year," commented Javier del Pozo, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Southern Europe, Africa & Middle East and President of the Jury of the Award. "We are thrilled with working with Dubai Municipality and hosting the competition in this city. We knew immediately that the distinct international reputation of Dubai would fuel this Architecture Award."

"Launching an international competition is a successful way of attracting international talents and adds on world class design ideas for the city of Dubai", commented His Excellency Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality. "It is important for us to continue promoting public awareness of good design and show what architects can do for our community. This competition stimulated enormous interest and we are looking forward to the exciting and creative design solutions it will offer."

The deadline for posting the submissions to Dubai was January 31, 2009. Following this, a jury of renowned architects from seven countries and business professionals will review the proposals submitted and select the best winning Designs for awards. The winners are expected to be announced in May 2009.

The Architecture Award was established in 1988 by ThyssenKrupp Elevator as a way to engage professionals in producing outstanding commercial, corporate, institutional, and community architectural design work at international scale. The 11th edition is held for the first time in the Middle East, previous editions were hosted in major cities in Europe.