For the first time in the Aga Khan Award for Architecture’s four-decade history, architecture in the UAE has been nominated — and not one, but three sites: Concrete in Alserkal Avenue; Al Mureijah Art Spaces, at the Sharjah Art Foundation, and the Wasit Wetland Centre, also in Sharjah.
The Aga Khan Award is bestowed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, based in Geneva and run by the current Aga Khan, the nobleman, philanthropist and spiritual leader. Begun in 1977, it honours innovations in Islamic architecture and design and is held on a three-yearly basis.
“Being shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture is not just a milestone for Alserkal, but also a milestone for Dubai, as it is being recognised as an epicentre for broader dialogue on the role of architecture in this region,” said Alserkal Avenue director Vilma Jurkute.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the discipline’s top honours and brings with it a prize of $1 million (Dh3.67m).
The Concrete exhibition space was designed by Rem Koolhaas’s Office for Modern Architecture and opened in the Dubai gallery district in 2017. It transformed four existing warehouses into a multi-use space, with mobile exterior and interior walls that allow the site to open up entirely to the courtyard opposite or to reconfigure its internal layout to accommodate different types of events.The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the discipline’s top honours and brings with it a prize of $1 million (Dh3.67m).
Its exhibition programme has so far included the show Ishara, curated by Karim Sultan for UAE Art Unlimited, and this past March the exhibition Fabric(ated) Fractures, curated by Diana Campbell Betancourt and the Samdani Art Foundation. The space has also been used for dance performances, corporate events, and lectures and workshops.
Sharjah Art Foundation’s Al Mureijah Art Spaces were also shortlisted. Completed in 2013 by the architectural team of Mona El Mousfy and Sharmeen Azam Inayat, the complex turned five dilapidated buildings by the Sharjah Corniche into purpose-built contemporary art venues. The network of galleries has now become iconic as an exhibition venue, hosting the foundation’s temporary exhibition and biennial programming.
"We at Sharjah Art Foundation are honoured that our Al Mureijah Art Spaces have been shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture," said Hoor Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah Art Foundation. "A critical part of our core mission at the foundation is preserving the surrounding area’s heritage and history while renovating and adapting it to exhibit contemporary artworks. By working closely with the local community and talented architects, designers artists, we’ve been able to create vibrant spaces that fit within the context of the neighbourhood."
Finally, X-Architects’ Wasit Wetland Centre was also honoured. The 2010 project transformed a chain of wetlands along the coast into an education centre and a series of bird and environmental observation centres.
The three sites have been chosen from 400 nominated projects, by a jury including the philosopher Anthony Kwame Appiah, the architect Elizabeth Diller, and the environmental designer Ali M. Malkawi.
Other shortlisted projects this year include the Palestinian Museum, in Birzeit, north of Ramallah, and the Beyazıt State Library, the renovation of a 19th century library in Istanbul, housed within a 16th century building, dedicated to rare manuscripts and architectural heritage.
WWE Super ShowDown results
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
Company%20Profile
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 qualifying, 10:15am
Formula 2, practice 11:30am
Formula 1, first practice, 1pm
GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm
Formula 1 second practice, 5pm
Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
More from our Neighbourhood series:
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
