A passion for sustainable design, combined with the pursuit of holistic wellness, brought Mona Abdullah Al Ali a big prize last year: the Mubadala Design Commission Award, an initiative by the Abu Dhabi Music & Art Foundation.
The young Emirati, who has a master’s in engineering systems and management from Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute, won for her submission titled Enlightenment House. Al Ali’s design was inspired by the indigenous al qebqab flower, which blooms high in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. Known as a medicinal herb, the plant is traditionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis – something that the architect herself struggled with for many years.
“It all stemmed from my own health problems,” she says. “I envisioned Enlightenment House as a 19,000-square-metre, holistic extension to a healthcare facility. It has four levels, an urban walkway and a spa, and is designed to include special spaces for rest and relaxation, both indoors and outdoors, which I felt would be beneficial for patients suffering from chronic diseases, as well as the general public.”
Enlightenment House is a fitting metaphor for the spirit of innovation and creativity channelled by determined young Emiratis today. Its design deftly dovetails the UAE’s cultural and physical features with state-of-the art technology, while keeping sustainability and comfort in mind.
Fujairah-born Al Ali, who also has a degree in architectural engineering from UAE University, says she has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil.
“I’ve loved doodling all my life, and in school I was given all the art projects to do,” she explains. “So it was only natural to go to the next level – design and architecture.”
One of 13 siblings, Al Ali laments that she’s often roped into helping her brothers and sisters with their school art assignments. “It’s hard not to get involved,” she laughs.
While Al Ali ranks Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania as her top example of good architecture, some of her other favourite man-made structures are right here in the UAE: the old Emirati houses in Dubai’s Al Bastakiya neighbourhood and Abu Dhabi’s Martyrs’ Memorial. The imposing, 23-metre-tall structure, designed by Idris Khan, a British architect, was erected to the east of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in September last year.
“Everything about this memorial is awe-inspiring,” Al Ali says. “The concept, the design of the metal panels and, most of all, what it ultimately represents: valiance, patriotism, loyalty and sacrifice. It’s everything our nation stands for.”
Al Ali also believes that sustainability and low-energy consumption are cornerstones of good design.
“I think one of the most important things to consider is Sun and wind analysis,” she says. “This has an important environmental impact on the ‘performance’ of any building, especially in the hot climate of the Middle East. The selection of the building’s orientation – which way it faces – and deciding where windows and exits/entrances should be placed, is all determined by the position of the Sun, heat and light.”
To that end, Al Ali’s creations invariably feature solar panels and heavily invest in good-quality, sustainable materials, such as high-performance window glazing and insulated facades. But perhaps her first love is integrating nature in each of her designs.
“The best part is figuring out how to include nature in your plans,” she says. “For example, providing a green roof on a building. It is a great way to utilise space. It provides a lovely, easy-to-access retreat for residents, while at the same time minimising heat gain from the Sun by offering cool pockets of shade. I also like blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces with green areas.”
While Al Ali has previously worked on design plans for many private and semi-governmental initiatives, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, she’s currently running a small independent landscape and interior design business in the capital.
“It’s called Monart Oasis, and it’s only been up for about a year now,” says Al Ali. “I am a freelance architect and designer now, and have completed five projects so far, all for Emirati homes.
“My speciality is designing ecological gardens and outdoor spaces, and I like to use desert plants, such as date palms. I believe it’s important to promote and be proud of our natural riches, although sometimes, depending on requests, I also use exotics such as Yucca gloriosa [Spanish dagger] and Strelitzia reginae, which is better known as Bird of Paradise.”
But it’s not all work and no play for the architect.
“I like to swim whenever I can,” Al Ali says. “I’m happiest when in the pool, and try to go at least twice a week. I love water, not least because it has helped me greatly with overcoming arthritis.”
Which city has your favourite architecture?
I find it hard to pick one, because there are too many to choose from.
Who is your favourite architect?
Frank Lloyd Wright.
Do you count the Burj Khalifa among your favourite structures?
It is a magnificent achievement, but it’s not really my style.
What would your dream house look like?
I haven’t decided yet, but it would be modern, with clean lines, and integrated with nature.
Which country do you plan to visit next?
I would love to visit Australia for its variety of natural landscapes.
How do you unwind and relax?
I head to the spa for massage treatments. I also like to watch reality shows on television.
What are your hobbies?
I like oil-painting, horse-riding and cooking.
What do you do to stay fit?
I try to visit the gym as often as possible, because I am into toning. But swimming is my all-time favourite activity.
What's your favourite food?
I always opt for Thai cuisine when eating out.
Which is your go-to restaurant in the UAE?
I like Lemongrass. It’s a Thai restaurant chain with really great food.
weekend@thenational.ae
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
More on Quran memorisation:
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
