VIÑOLY Museum Design Conversation at NYU Abu Dhabi
AIA Middle East Supports VIÑOLY Museum Design Conversation at NYU Abu Dhabi
On 16 September night, AIA Middle East co-hosted Built to Inspire: The Making of a Museum - A Conversation with VIÑOLY, an evening discussion held at the Blue Hall of The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Co-hosted by the AIA Middle East, RIBA Gulf Chapter and NYU Abu Dhabi, the program brought together architects, students, and members of the wider design community for a conversation on the role of museums as both architectural works and civic institutions.
Román Viñoly, Bassam Komati, AIA who are partners at VIÑOLY, and Cory Crowley, Executive Vice President of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, discussed the firm’s approach to museum design through built work across multiple countries. Moderated by Stephanie Kinnick, AIA, 2027 Vice President of AIA International and AIA Middle East Board Member, the conversation examined how a design idea develops from an institutional vision into a meaningful public experience.
The discussion considered the origins of a museum design concept, the visitor’s experience of architecture, and the complexities involved in delivering projects that must meet demanding technical, operational, and civic expectations. Through architectural photography, drawings, models, and film, the speakers illustrated how museums can extend beyond their physical boundaries to support memory, education, and public life.
AIA Middle East was pleased to support this exchange between international practice, academic audiences, and the regional design community. The event reflects the section’s continuing commitment to creating opportunities for members and emerging professionals to engage with leading voices in architecture and explore the ideas shaping practice across the Middle East.
By Li Ren, AIA
AIA International Emerging Professionals Committee
AIA Middle East 2025 President
Regenerate Cities: Design for What Comes Next
10 October 2026 | SADA, Doha Design District, Doha, Qatar
AIA International and AIA Middle East was proud to partner with Msheireb Properties and Doha Design District for Regenerate Cities, a full-day dialogue exploring the future of architecture, AI, and sustainability. The event brought together leading voices from around the world — including speakers from John McAslan + Partners, UNStudio, and Cundall — alongside HBKU academia and prominent Qatari architects, for a day of keynotes, technical sessions, and panel discussions on how technology and sustainable design are reshaping our cities.
The day closed with a panel on"Regenerating Doha: Identity, Memory and the Future of the Existing City," featuring Eng. Ibrahim M. Al-Jaidah (Arab Engineering Bureau), Dr. Moza Ghorab, Dana Al-Naama (NZL Design Studio), and Jabor Al-Dosari (Qatar Museums), moderated by Salman Al Sulaiti.
By Megha Arjun
Int’l Assoc. AIA
RISE SUMMIT
14 October 2026 | Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE
AIA Middle East was proud to be the official Architecture Partner for RISE Summit 2026, taking place 14 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. As the region’s premier platform connecting global capital with the future of urban development, RISE Summit unites $15T+ in AUM, 250+ institutional investors, and 5,000+ decision-makers to translate Dubai’s D33 vision into tangible investment.
Through this partnership, AIA Middle East brings architectural leadership, design excellence, and sustainable urban vision to the center of global real estate and infrastructure development.
Assoc. AIA
cAIAro 2026 : Layers of Civilization
11-14 November 2026 | AUC Tahrir Square + Cairo Citywide, Cairo, Egypt
As we approach November, momentum is building for the 2026 AIA International Conference hosted by AIA Middle East in Cairo! Registrations are now live, offering young and emerging professionals an extraordinary platform to connect, engage in hands-on mentorship, and shape the future of our practice in the region. Secure your registration today and join us in Cairo this November.
By AIA ME Cairo Conference Committee
For the latest news, updates and activities from AIA Middle East, visit our newly redesigned website: AIA Middle East – Visit our website
