Dubai attracts 4.75 million tourists in the first quarter of 2019. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai attracts 4.75 million tourists in the first quarter of 2019. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai attracts 4.75 million tourists in the first quarter of 2019. Jeff Topping / The National
Dubai attracts 4.75 million tourists in the first quarter of 2019. Jeff Topping / The National

Exclusive: Royal Institute of British Architects scouts UAE office in global expansion


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The Royal Institute of British Architects, a UK-based membership body of around 44,000 architects, plans to open an office in the UAE as part of an expansion to increase its influence and standard-setting worldwide.

"There is a need for RIBA to establish a physical presence here, which would give it teeth to lobby for higher standards of architectural practice and education in the region," Sumaya Dabbagh, founder of Dubai-based Dabbagh Architects and head of RIBA's Arabian Gulf chapter, an informal network of RIBA-chartered architects in the GCC, told The National in an interview.

RIBA, which was founded in 1834 and this week awarded the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi with an honorary fellowship, is in the process of expanding its operations and looking at potential locations for branches overseas, its president Ben Derbyshire confirmed in a statement.

“Opening an office in the UAE – something we are considering in the near future – will help us to work more closely with the industry to promote quality, sustainable architecture and provide additional support to our growing number of members.”

RIBA is a professional body that charters architects and their firms according to different levels of training. It also accredits architecture courses run by academic institutions worldwide – including several in the UAE – and works with governments, real estate developers and others to promote high-quality architecture. Most architecture courses in the UK are accredited by RIBA, and the institute is working with Abu Dhabi University, the American University of Sharjah, and others in the UAE, to validate courses and give graduates a professional edge.

Already, there are around 350 RIBA-chartered architects in the Arabian Gulf, according to Ms Dabbagh. However, this figure is not reflective of the total, as often members register using home addresses even if they have been working abroad for years. Others are contracted on a project-by-project basis.

RIBA’s industry exams award architects with different levels of qualification, from Part I to Part III, and also require education in ethics and how to run a practice.

This is important, said Ms Sabbagh, “because architects have a responsibility to improve people’s lives, and good architecture really can improve the way we live.”

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One element of architectural design that is often overlooked is public space, that is, what is in between buildings – which is just as important as the buildings themselves, she added. The Burj Khalifa, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and the surrounding Downtown Dubai area is an example of a well-considered scheme that comprises a striking building with high-quality common space.

However, in other developments across the region, commercial considerations too often usurp quality of design, she added.

While standards of designing buildings in the Middle East have improved over the years as markets mature, the practice is not as advanced as it could be, Ms Dabbagh said.

With a diverse population representing hundreds of nationalities, the level of training of GCC-based architects can vary dramatically. “In many countries, you only need an [architecture] degree to practice – there are no professional exams like in the UK and other markets.

“As a result, there are huge differences in training and disparities between the fees different architects charge because their services are so different,” she said.

RIBA has no powers or remit to lobby GCC governments to promote higher standards of architecture, but a regional hub in the UAE or elsewhere would give it more clout.

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The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

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Nick's journey in numbers

Countries so far: 85

Flights: 149

Steps: 3.78 million

Calories: 220,000

Floors climbed: 2,000

Donations: GPB37,300

Prostate checks: 5

Blisters: 15

Bumps on the head: 2

Dog bites: 1

match info

Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')

Liverpool 0

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Rain Management

Year started: 2017

Based: Bahrain

Employees: 100-120

Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

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The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic

Power: 445bhp

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Price: Dh474,600

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Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience

by David Gilmour

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