World-Renowned Panel of Architects Assemble to Judge Awards

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Cityscape, the region's premier property investment and development event, has brought together five world-renowned architects to judge more than 230 existing or planned buildings, ahead of the Cityscape Architectural Awards ceremony in Dubai on November 29.

Seven categories were decided during the day long session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai, and a total of 14 awards given. The prizes, to be presented at a gala reception at Nad Al Sheba, recognise and promote excellence in architecture and design from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Indian subcontinent.

Cityscape has teamed up with the internationally acclaimed publication, Architectural Review, for this year's ceremony, called "Design For An Emerging World.' Peter Davey OBE, editorial director of the magazine said: "The scale and type of this year's entries varied enormously from modern glass and steel skyscrapers, to simple rural community buildings made from wood, and corrugated iron sheeting.'

"Overall, the standard was excellent, and we have seen some interesting design concepts emanating from across the region. The judging panel had disagreements, but we were unanimous when it came to deciding the winners.'

Each of the seven categories of commercial, residential, leisure, master planning, mixed use, community and environmental, were split into two, with the judges giving awards for buildings already completed, and those still on the drawing board. The judging criteria for the 237 entries included, contribution to world architectural culture, invention and imagination, environmental awareness and respect for people and the planet.

"There were some brilliantly conceived and inspiring projects that spanned a wide geographical area, and varied in scale and type,' said George Ferguson, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who also judged the awards.

"In the three years that I have been involved in these Cityscape awards, the standard of entries has increased significantly, reflecting the importance people in the industry place on them.'

Other judges included, Ali Shuaibi, Architect, Planner and Co-founder of Beeah Planners, Architects and Engineers, Saudi Arabia; Ken Yeang, Architect, T.R. Hamzah and Yeang, Malaysia; and Martin Giesen, Founding Dean and Professor of the School of Architecture and Design, American University of Sharjah.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Dorma, Degussa, Swarovski and VTS Clima, will see over 800 architects, developers and industry professionals attend a pre-awards show reception followed by a gala dinner and presentations.

"Cityscape is delighted to have attracted some of the world's leading architectural experts to judge our awards this year,' said Neil Hickman, Project Manager, IIR, organisers of Cityscape 2004. "The caliber of entries increases every year, and our winners are all world-class examples of excellent design.'

Over 70 speakers will attend the Cityscape 2004 conference, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center from 29 November to 1 December. The Cityscape 2004 exhibition, running alongside the conference, is expected to attract over 5,000 people from the real estate, construction and investment sectors.

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About Cityscape

Cityscape is a networking event that attracts regional and international architects, property development professionals and global institutional investors to an annual showcase that celebrates the very best in Commercial Architecture, Property Design and Development. The event as a whole attracts major investors from the international arena, looking for new projects and opportunities for development.

For further information go to www.cityscape-online.com