Region's first-ever Emaar design competition to boost architectural creativity among youth

The fresh initiative, part of Emaar's strategy to identify and nurture regional talent, invites participants to design a modern single-family home, which is innovative, suits the local environment and is based on sustainable design principles. Three student architects will stand to win total prize money of AED 30,000.

Robert Booth, Executive Director, Emaar Properties, said: "As a property developer focused on 'Shaping the Future. Today' with its numerous master planned projects, Emaar wants to identify the architects of tomorrow. The Emaar Design Competition aims at enhancing the knowledge and expertise of young architects and engineers from the UAE and GCC region by giving them a platform to explore new design concepts and develop their creative potential to the maximum."

The competition design brief asks participants to provide standard block combination(s) to achieve variant unit areas, optimum use of the view, community park with tennis court, swimming pool and landscaped areas, covered parking areas to accommodate one car for small units and two for the larger unit and sufficient uncovered parking areas to accommodate visitors and extra cars.

"The architectural style should a modern interpretation of Mediterranean architecture without being ornate or overbearing," Booth added.

Students can enter the contest through registrations made by their respective faculty sponsors by October 1. Design submissions have to be completed and handed over to Emaar by October 30. There is no registration or submission fee to participate in the competition.

A panel of jury will select the winning designs on the basis of ingenuity of concept and adaptability to local environment. Winners stand to claim AED 15,000, AED 10,000 and AED 5,000 respectively. All entries will receive a certificate of appreciation.