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STUDY OF DUBAI CREEK IN VIEW OF THE INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST FOR THE UNESCO, FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE DEPARTMENT OF DUBAI MUNICIPALITY, 2012
Consultant to provide technical assistance for the preparation of the Nomination File in view of the inscription of Dubai Creek on the World Heritage List for the UNESCO, for the Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality.
The output of the consultancy was a series of research papers detailing three distinct aspects relating to the history and heritage of Dubai and of Dubai Creek: Life along the Creek, Boats and boat owners and seafarers, A comparative review of the Gulf cities and their commercial role from the late 19th century to the present.
SHEIKH SAEED HOUSE, HISTORICAL PRESERVATION FOR DUBAI MUNICIPALITY, 1981-1987
Project Manager, Senior Architect. Along with Makiya Associates, studied, designed and supervised the reconstruction project, which involved the building's conversion into the Historical Documentation and Photographs Museum. This project is the recipient of an award from the Arab Cities Organization in Lahore as an example of the revitalization of traditional buildings and vernacular architecture in the Gulf. The house was the former residential quarters of His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The building is located along the Dubai Creek in the locality of Al Shindagha area. It was established around 1896 as the seat of the Al Maktoum family. The building is now a museum that contains artifacts and images of the old town of Dubai. The displays are distributed in nine wings: The History of Saeed Al Maktoum House, Al Maktoum Family, Old Dubai, Marine Life, Views from Dubai, Social Life in Dubai, Coins and Stamps, Historic Documents and Maps. The total area of building is 3,600 square meters.
OLD AL AHMADIYA SCHOOL STUDY, FOR DUBAI MUNICIPALITY, AL RAS, DEIRA, DUBAI, 1983-1984
INTERIOR FIT-OUT AND EDUCATION VIDEOS, AL RAS, DEIRA, DUBAI, 1994-1995
Project Manager, Senior Architect. Along with Jafar Tukan and Partners Associates, studied the building for restoration. As part of Total Design, completed the interior fit-out and produced documentary videos. Popularly known as ‘Umm al Madaares’ (Mother of Schools), it is Dubai’s first and oldest seat of learning. It was built in 1912 by Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk, who also was one of the leading pearl merchants of the area. The school attracted many scientists and scholars from other Arab countries and was used until 1958. In 1994 the building was restored and transformed into a historical museum. The school building is typically Islamic-Arabic in design and concept, with a courtyard in the middle bordered by rooms and a continuous corridor. The building is surrounded by 'sikkas' (narrow alleyways) which is another typical feature. Three ‘sikkas’ are very narrow while the fourth, in front of the Dalmouki House, is comparatively wide. The beautifully designed arches area a means of ventilation the designs are typically Islamic - made up of radial, geometrical, diagonal and floral patterns carved into the plaster. There are several writings of the Holy Quran found amidst the decoration. It is intended to preserve the character of the building while restoring it. Some of the school's former students include His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, who initially started building Dubai.
HERITAGE HOUSE, DUBAI, UAE
Located in one of the oldest urban sites in Dubai, the Heritage House was established by Mr. Matar Saeed bin Mazina in 1890, to provide a comprehensive description of the nature of local traditional housing with its content, values and the approaches created by man to tackle everyday life, in addition to dealing with conditions of the desert environment. The house consists of two floors and was built of coral, stone, plaster, teakwood, chantal wood, and the fronds and trunks of palm trees. Visitors will experience and discover many household tools and utensils, furniture, clothes, jewellery, cosmetics and historical toys. Visitors will also be able to experience elements of historical heritage houses, with their rooms, divans (grand halls) and windtowers (barajeel).
DUBAI MUSEUM (FAHIDI FORT), HISTORICAL PRESERVATION FOR DUBAI MUNICIPALITY, DUBAI, 1995
Since 1971, Al Fahidi Fort has been home to Dubai Museum, the main museum in Dubai. The museum was opened by the Ruler of Dubai, with the aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai. The Museum houses artifacts which give a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the region. The materials used to construct the fort were the coral rock for walls, sand for infill and hardwood mangrove poles. Palm leaf matting was used to span the joists and covered with lime and stone slurry to give a hard finish. Al Fahidi Fort was built in 1787 and is the oldest existing building in Dubai. The fort was used to guard the landward approaches to the town from the raids of either ruler's palace, a garrison, and a prison.
HATTA OLD VILLAGE, HATTA, UAE
The dedication of this restoration aim is to return this mighty fortress to its original glory. The project restored the fort and its surrounding area to create a typical Arab Islamic village which would have, as its backdrop, mountains and watchtowers making it not only a picturesque but a very symbolic historical environment for locals and tourists alike.
RESTORATION OF MAJLIS ART GALLERY, BASTAKIYAH OF AL FAHIDI DISTRICT, DUBAI
Helped with the study, plan and restoration. A beautifully restored traditional wind tower courtyard building, Formerly a house, it is now an art gallery. The art gallery's mission is to promote the works of artists known the world over and to become a meeting place for creative people. The gallery is now one of Dubai’s leading fine art galleries. Majlis in Arabic means, "common ground" or "meeting place". One of the gallery's co-owners, Alison Collins, came to Dubai in 1976 to work as an interior designer. She fell in love with the UAE, especially with the architecture and ambiance of the old windtower houses in Bastakiyah. In 1978, with the help of two tea importers and an Egyptian curtain maker, Alison and her husband secured the lease on villa number 19 in Bastakiyah, and the rest is history. Alison once said, regarding building an art collection: "Building an art collection is not the same as buying art as an investment. The latter demands an objective approach, the former is totally subjective and should be a joy."
ALI QOLI AGHA MOSQUE & BATHHOUSE COMPLEX, ISFAHAN, 1979
Took part in the restoration of a historical mosque and bathhouse complex.
FEZ OLD CITY RESTORATION, FOR UNESCO, MOROCCO, 1978-1979
Took part in the restoration of the medina (historical walled city section) of the city of Fez in Morocco. The medina of Fez was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and is one of the world's largest urban pedestrian zones. The medina was originally constructed between the 8th and 13th centuries. The medina contains the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the oldest university in the world, and the Royal Palace, one of the official residences of the Moroccan monarchy.
FUJAIRAH FORT RESTORATION, FUJAIRAH, UAE, 1996
Studied and proposed the restoration of Fujairah Fort in Fujairah, UAE. The fort dates back to the 16th century and is one of the oldest and largest forts in the UAE. The fort is located about 2 km from central modern Fujairah in the old Fujairah region, on a small rocky hill which reaches 20 meters high. It is around 1 km away from the coast.
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