Emirates Glass going global and promoting new investments in the European market

Held on September 4th in Berlin, Germany, the 2009 Emirates Glass LEAF awards received over 150 entries and brought together hundreds of practicing professionals in the industry.

For three consecutive years, Emirates Glass has been the title sponsor of the renowned worldwide event which allows entries from all companies, technologies and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of architecture and strive to set higher benchmarks for the buildings of tomorrow.

Commenting on EGL's monumental contribution to the event, Mr. Ziad Yazbeck, General Manager, Emirates Glass, said: "Our involvement with the Emirates Glass - LEAF Awards reflects our genuine interest in breaking through international markets and positioning Emirates Glass as a global glass processor of the highest calibre, and in turn cementing Dubai's position as a leading glass hub in the Middle East region. The Emirates Glass - LEAF Awards additionally provide us with an excellent platform to witness for ourselves the best in architectural design on a truly global scale."

Maya Zouein, Marketing Director, Emirates Glass, added that support for future LEAF awards can be expected from EGL, saying:

"Emirates Glass is intending to continue with the sponsorship of this important event for many years to come. We will be leveraging the completion of our Dhs175m expansion programme and the recent commencement of our new multimillion Euros glass coating machinery to broaden the markets of Emirates Glass and to be a more significant player and integrated component in the European market."

This year's event highlighted the keen international competition with many leading names in the architectural and design fields, and several new and lesser-known organisations vying for the coveted awards across the various categories. A total of 26 countries submitted their best and finest blueprints for future architectural marvels to the award which features 11 categories.

The 2009 Emirates Glass LEAF Awards honoured sophisticated projects from some of the world's most celebrated architects, with the winners including EAA-Emre Arolat Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Woods Bagot, and ATELIER BRÜCKNER GmbH. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of The Emirates Glass - LEAF Award by Ziad Yazbeck to Woods Bagot for their project, Qatar Science and Technology Park. The award was picked by the judges as the best overall project to be entered into this year's LEAF Awards.

Simona Kastly, LEAF Awards Director, commented; "Now in their sixth year, the Emirates Glass - LEAF Awards have rapidly become one of the most prestigious international prizes in the architectural calendar, recognising the outstanding contribution made by international architects and designers. This year's event was no exception with many entries of the highest calibre and an outstanding overall award winner in the Qatar Science and Technology Park."

Established in 2003 to recognise and reward excellence in the building design industry, the Emirates Glass LEAF Awards have been reputed as some of the world's most influential events in the international architectural calendar.