AE faculty and students take part in a 2-day workshop to discuss the Al Bateen and Al Nabbagh projects

UAEU Architectural Engineering faculty and students were invited to discuss the Al Bateen and Al Nabbagh projects in al Ain by the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DUPM). This workshop was held at the Al Ain Rotana Hotel’s Zakher Ballroom on February 13^th and 14^th, 2018.  

The faculty, Drs. Sahera Bleibleh and Khaled Galal, and 6 senior AE students,  Marwa Salem Alabed Al Jaberi, Meera Mohammed Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Mariam Mohamed Shareef Al Marzooqi, Dana Mohammad Sharif Hasan, Baraah Hamdoon and  Batoul Hittini, took an active part in the workshop.

This was the first workshop of its type and the main purpose was to:

1. Engage stakeholders;
2. Present three alternative concepts for each site;
3. Receive stakeholder comments on the alternatives in order to develop a final proposal for each area.

The DUPM and consultants were very impressed by the students’ contributions and are keen to engage UAEU students in the future phases of the project. A second workshop will be held to discuss the final outcomes.

 

Al Bastakiya, Dubai , 31/10/2017

The Department of Architectural Engineering organized a field trip to the Dubai heritage area of Al Bastakiya. 45 students from three courses were involved. These courses were ARCH340: History and Theory of Architecture; ARCH532: Sustainable Architecture and Urban Environments in a Hot Climate; ARCH551: Urban Planning and Infrastructure. The objectives for this field trip were:

• To understand Gulf vernacular architecture;
• To highlight passive design strategies applied in hot arid climates;
• To explore an organic urban layout and mixed land use in older cities.

The goal of the trip was to learn from the previous informal architecture. The students were introduced to issues in the UAE, other Gulf countries and also to worldwide architecture and urban design.

The Architectural Engineering students need to learn how to find innovative and sustainable solutions to contribute to a future city while maintaining a brand image. This strategy helped to further historically-based knowledge and future academic enquiry.

The trip also introduced students to research-based sustainable development and the protection of regional identity in architecture. Experts have explored the importance of traditional architecture as a basis for research in various fields of Architectural Engineering.

 

Al Ain Hospital Project, Al Ain, 03/10/2017

On Tuesday 3^rd October 2017, students from the Department of Architectural Engineering (ARCH 325 Building Construction Components) and instructors Dr. Amna Shibeika and Dr. Khaled Galal visited the new Al Ain hospital project. The students met the project manager and engineers and explored the development of the construction site. The visit addressed course learning outcomes and enhanced students’ knowledge of internal and external finishes, openings, vertical circulation and building joints.

 

Windows, Doors and Facades Summit, Dubai World Trade Center, 26/09/2017

Students from the Department of Architectural Engineering at UAEU attended the Doors, Windows and Facades Summit in Dubai on 27^th September. Accompanied by two faculty (Dr. Amna Shibeika and Dr. Maatouk Khoukhi) and one Ph.D candidate (Daniel Attoye), the students enjoyed both the exhibition and CPD certified workshops. The workshops covered:

• Comparative lifecycle analysis of façade systems;
• BIM: augmented algorithmic thinking to inspire innovation in design;
• Health, well-being and sustainable buildings: a comprehensive guide to WELL design concepts; &
• New fire safety codes of practice.

The workshops and exhibition were directly related to the following courses: ARCH 532: Sustainable Architecture and Urban Environments in a Hot Climate, Arch 585 & 590 Graduation Projects I & II, and Arch 440: Construction Project Management.