New awards to honour top architects at Cityscape 2003

The prestigious Architecture+Cityscape Awards 2003 are intended to recognise and promote excellence in architecture. They will be presented alongside Cityscape 2003, the international commercial architecture, property investment and development industry exhibition and conference, to be held in Dubai in October.

"By celebrating the very best in building design, these awards will contribute significantly to the debate about the future development of the built environment," said Christopher Hudson, Event Director, Institute for International Research (IIR), organiser of Cityscape 2003.

"It is our hope this unique initiative will encourage a new, sustainable style of architecture for the emerging world - one that will be a visible and permanent reflection of communities and their lifestyles in the 21st century.

"The awards will act as a catalyst, showcasing architects who develop alternative and creative solutions that improve the quality of the buildings we live, work and play in, for all users," said Hudson.

Instituted by IIR and Architecture+ magazine, the awards will honour leading architects in five categories - Offices, Retail and Commercial; Housing and Residential Developments; Public, Arts and Culture; Preservation and Conservation and Urban Design. There will also be awards for the year's Aspiring Architect, chosen from Schools of Architecture students, and a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising outstanding efforts by architects and non-architects in promoting architecture.

A distinguished international jury of judges will assess entries on how the project relates to its immediate context and locality; if it meets the client's requirements and its contribution to the advancement of ecologically sustainable design. The jury will also take into account the successful integration of the needs of disabled and elderly people and children; the project's contribution to the advancement of architecture and how it has contributed to long-term improvement in individual or community well-being.

The jury comprises: George Ferguson, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Chairman, Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects; Suha Ozkan, Secretary General, The Aga Khan Foundation; Professor William Alsop, Architect, Alsop Architects; Bernard Khoury, Architect, Bernard Khoury Architects; Bernado Fort-Brescia, Principal, Arquitectonica; Balkrishna Doshi, Architect, Vastu Shilpa Consultants and Ken Yeang, Architect, T R Hamzah and Yeang.

"The Architecture+Cityscape Awards are intended to be one of the most prestigious in the profession," said Rashi Taqui, Editor in Chief, Architecture+.

"With time they will encourage architects to grapple with their version of tradition and move from imitation of their forefathers to the crystallisation of a new style, blending their pre-occupations with the solutions appropriate to the new problems of today.

"These awards will significantly influence the architectural vocabulary exercised in Middle East, Subcontinent and Asian countries."

Cityscape 2003, to be held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai Conference Centre from October 18-20, will map out a blueprint for the future of Middle East cities by bringing together the world's leading architects, international and regional property investment and development experts and urban planners.

A leading industry event, Cityscape 2003, is officially supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority.

The Cityscape 2003 exhibition will be 40% bigger than last year. According to IIR, 80% of exhibition space has already been booked. Contracted companies include: RMJM; Philips Lighting; Ian Banham Associates; KEO International; Cassia Associates; The PHB Group; Hyder Consulting; Godwin Austin Johnson; Halcrow; WS Atkins and Partners Overseas; Core Architects; Michael Hopkins; Al Habtoor and Gensler.

The exhibition will be held in conjunction with the Cityscape Property Investment and Management Conference that, IIR says, will provide a window on how Middle East cities will develop as they strive to cope with rapidly rising populations and demand for more housing and infrastructure.

Platinum sponsors of Cityscape 2003 are Aqar Developments, Amoudia Real Estate Development, Nakheel and Jumeirah Beach Resort. The event's other sponsors are Al-Oula Development Company, Rikaz, Assa Abloy and Tabreed.