Dubai Culture showcases UAE architectural vision and sustainable ethos at Expo 2025 Osaka

 - Dubai Culture showcases UAE architectural vision and sustainable ethos at Expo 2025 Osaka

- The UAE Pavilion, backed by the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme hosts the ‘Pillars of Arish: Architecture in Transition’ symposium
- Discussions address the significance of traditional knowledge in shaping the urban landscape, with particular emphasis on Arish structures and context-sensitive solutions

Hala Badri: The UAE Pavilion offers a platform to showcase the country's forward-looking vision and celebrate heritage as a source of inspiration and innovation

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has wrapped up the ‘Pillars of Arish: Architecture in Transition’ symposium, held at Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai, in Japan. Organised in partnership with the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 and supported by the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme, an initiative under Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, the event is part of the Authority’s broader mission to strengthen the cultural and creative sector, and enhance the country’s global appeal.

Aligned with the UAE Pavilion’s theme, ‘From Earth to Ether’, which sets out the UAE’s vision for humanity’s future, the first-of-its-kind curated symposium explored architecture in the UAE, focusing on local design practices, material innovation, and regional exchange between the UAE, Japan and other nations. Discussions also addressed the significance of traditional knowledge in shaping the urban landscape, with particular emphasis on Arish structures and context-sensitive solutions.

In her opening remarks, Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, described the UAE Pavilion as a powerful reflection of the country's ambition and enduring commitment to heritage as a driver of innovation. She noted how this spirit comes to life through the pavilion’s layout, which integrates local practices, such as using arish (palm fronds), into a contemporary setting. She said: “By organising the symposium at Expo 2025, our goal was to highlight Emirati cultural identity and demonstrate Dubai’s vibrant and supportive ecosystem for the cultural and creative industries and emerging entrepreneurs. The event also elevated local talent globally by spotlighting their ideas and ambitious visions that advance the design and architecture sector forward.”

Badri added: “At Dubai Culture, we spare no efforts to build bridges with other communities, expanding opportunities for global cultural exchange and supporting artists, designers, and business owners with resources to live, work, create and thrive. We are proud to have organised the symposium in Japan, a country whose creative legacy has shaped international practice and exemplifies sustainability, resilience, and cultural depth.”

Khulood Khoory, Director of the Projects and Events Department at Dubai Culture, underscored the objectives of the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme and its impact in nurturing the arts ecosystem. She noted that more than AED180 million in grants will be provided over a 10-year period, supporting disciplines ranging from visual and fine arts to museology.

Notable sessions
The symposium was curated by Salem AlSuwaidi, Founder of SWALIF Collective and Co-founder of MamarLab, and Rashed AlMulla, Founder of MABNAI and Co-founder of MamarLab. It featured ten talks and panels, spanning heritage, sustainability, and design. Notable sessions included ‘Cultural Convergence: The Impact of Japanese Architecture on Gulf Regional Identity,’ exploring ARCHIDENTITY’s research on the evolution of Japanese modernism from the 1940s to the 1970s and its influence on Middle Eastern aesthetics. ‘Connecting Threads: Modern Heritage's Connection to the Vernacular and Contemporary,’ examined how modern buildings in the UAE draw inspiration from vernacular traditions.

The session, ‘Shaping a Practice: Challenges & Opportunities in Architectural Enterprises,’ shed light on the UAE’s dynamic landscape and the strategies deployed by architects to establish and sustain resilient design studios amidst market pressures, evolving urban agendas, and increasing client expectations. ‘Harnessing a Site: How to Navigate through Constructing in a Site-sensitive Context’ offered insights into how architectural practice can be enriched by grounding aesthetics in contextual analysis, material discipline, and cultural and environmental narratives. Meanwhile, ‘UAE Design Education: Pedagogies in Design Learning’ explored how initiatives, such as LIMASS, led by Lina Ahmad and Marco Sosa at Zayed University, are reshaping sustainability using traditional systems and locally sourced resources.

The symposium also included the session ‘East-To-East: Japanese Architecture in Emirati Contexts,’ which positioned architecture as a medium for cultural synergy, bringing together the works of Takehashi Muruyama with those of Emirati architects Ahmed Bukhash and Ahmed Al Ali to reflect on how Japanese principles influence projects in the UAE. ‘From Arish to Villas’ traced the transformation of housing in the UAE, from palm-frond arish homes to modern villas, illustrating how shifts in cultural values, materials used, and environmental adaptation have changed the way people build.

Ingenious design elements
The session ‘Falaj: Of Water Comes Life’ highlighted the ingenious design and community-based management of the aflaj irrigation systems, positioning them as environmentally friendly solutions that have supported agriculture and settlement across the region for centuries. In ‘Pioneering a Pavilion: Innovative Solutions to Grand Spaces,’ participants explored how principles of sustainability and the circular economy are being applied to redefine large-scale projects in the UAE by using locally available materials.

Finally, ‘Reshaping Historical Districts in Dubai: Challenges and Opportunities’ presented Dubai Culture’s experience in reviving heritage sites, notably the Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum, by documenting oral histories and transforming traditional districts into vibrant cultural destinations.

As part of Expo 2025 Osaka, the Dubai Culture delegation – including Hala Badri; Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector; Khulood Khoory; Sara Al Pachachi, Acting Director of the Marketing and Corporate Communication Department; and Maryam Mudhaffar Ahli, Manager of the Collections Section – visited international pavilions, including those of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, France, the Nordic countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland), South Korea, Germany, Oman, Singapore, and the Women’s Pavilion, among others, to explore projects and creative concepts reflecting each country's vision for the future.

Dubai Culture also organised a comprehensive tour for 12 UAE-based architects and creative professionals, including visits to significant landmarks and cultural sites in Osaka and its neighbouring cities. Highlights of the tour included the National Museum of Art, the Asahi Broadcasting Corp. headquarters, the Umeda Sky Building by Hiroshi Hara, teamLab Botanical Gardens, and several works by architect Tadao Ando, such as his exhibition at Grand Green Osaka, the Kyoto Garden of Fine Arts, the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, the Honpukuji Water Temple, and the Yumebutai Complex.

The delegates who participated were: Ahmad Bukhash, Founder of Archidentity and designer of ‘The Good Place’ Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai; Fatima AlSuwaidi, Head of the Cultural Heritage Legislation and Policy Section, Ministry of Culture; Ahmed Al Ali, Founder of X-Architects; Fatima AlZaabi, Co-founder of D04 Studios; Abdalla AlMulla, Founder of MULA Design Studio; Lina Ahmed, Associate Professor of Sustainable Design at Zayed University; Laith AlSheyadi, Urban Planner at the Oman Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning; Reem Al Qamzi, Founder of R.Qticets Studio; Rakan Lootah, Founder of Rakan Lootah Studio; and Noora AlAwar, Co-founder of D04 Studios; Hamad AlMutawa, Architect at Köda; and Mohammad Salem AlShafiei, Engineer at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.

Voices from the delegation
Participants reflected on the visit with enthusiasm. Salem Alsuwaidi affirmed that helping organise this programme as a co-curator made him realise the importance of creating opportunities for creatives and empowering them to connect in an open, collaborative setting. He noted that the gatherings enabled Emirati and UAE-based architects to engage in meaningful conversation, strengthening professional and personal community ties. Such endeavours, he explained, represent a pivotal step toward building a sustainable ecosystem.

Rashed AlMulla added that the exhibition built connections, bringing seasoned architects and the new generation together and paving the way for future partnerships. He said, “The experience opened new horizons for Emirati professionals, reshaping perspectives through direct exposure to Japanese schools and movements, renowned for their distinctive style. The symposium also helped spark cultural dialogue between the UAE and Japan, offering audiences a comprehensive view of the UAE’s evolving architectural landscape and innovative local initiatives.”

Ahmed Bukhash observed that the tour curated by Dubai Culture, which included visits to prominent cultural landmarks in Osaka and neighbouring cities, offered participants the chance to delve into the intricacies of Japanese design, celebrated for its refined details and harmony with culture and the natural environment. He shared that this journey also inspired fresh thinking in spatial planning and creative practice, with insights that could enrich upcoming projects in the UAE.

Fatima Al Suwaidi called it “an exceptional experience,” highlighting her fascination with Osaka and Kyoto, where authenticity and modernity coexist. She said: “The visit allowed me to engage firsthand with Tadao Ando’s work, whose unique ability to transcend traditional conventions while preserving the essence of Japanese culture.” She also noted that the exhibition fostered dialogue and encouraged the sharing of ideas in a truly stimulating environment.

Valuable insights
Hamad AlMutawa observed that the tours arranged by Dubai Culture provided valuable insights, emphasising how architecture can reflect human aspirations and values. He said: “Our trip was filled with meaningful opportunities, especially seeing Tadao Ando’s works, which helped us understand his use of light and silence in design.”

Abdalla Almulla found participating in the delegation genuinely inspiring, as it gave participants a rare chance to appreciate Japanese architecture in its original setting. “While Ando’s work is seen across the globe, seeing it in Japan gave me a unique understanding of how cities embody an architect’s philosophy and harmonise it with the surrounding environment. Engaging with designers from various cultures added a rich dimension to the symposium’s discussions,” he added.

Noora Al Awar noted that being part of the forum and exhibition made it possible to appreciate Japan’s deep-rooted respect for heritage and craftsmanship. “Our tour with Dubai Culture spanned diverse heritage and cultural landmarks, from historical temples to contemporary design studios. Each location was distinct in form, material, and light, offering a source of inspiration for evolving our own methods and approaches. The immersion also allowed us to explore different perspectives on how to honour our heritage while embracing modernity and the future,” she said.

Reem Al Qamzi expressed her pride in joining the delegation. She said: “The trip opened new horizons for me, allowing me to meet a distinguished group of architects and designers from around the world, exchange ideas, and explore avenues for collaboration.”

Rakan Lootah emphasised how the journey transformed his outlook, exposing him to a breadth of diverse insights in the field. Fatima AlZaabi reflected on travelling to Japan as part of the Dubai Culture group, noting: “Strolling through the streets of Osaka, Kobe, and Awaji Island allowed us to discover the works of Tadao Ando, which embody architecture’s ability to engage with nature and identity. As Emirati and UAE-based architects, it made us reflect on how we can reimagine spaces and present them in innovative ways that are climate-responsive and culturally expressive.”    

Platform for new ideas and concepts
Mohammad AlShafiei remarked that the visit deepened his understanding of Japanese architecture, highlighting its precision, stylistic variety, and human-centred approach—all clearly evident in Tadao Ando’s portfolio. Laith AlSheyadi added that the programme was especially valuable for creatives, providing the chance to share insights, experience the Japanese built environment firsthand, and discuss parallels and contrasts with regional design. This, he said, offered inspiration for developing new concepts.

Ahmed Al Ali expressed his delight in attending the international exhibition, noting how it enriched his knowledge and introduced him to fresh ideas in contemporary design. He also commented on the intersections between Japanese and Emirati practices, describing them as a beautiful overlap that reveals shared ground and creates new opportunities for working together with others.

Lina Ahmed observed that the gathering was unique in bringing together a diverse group of architects and designers to discuss the industry's future, particularly regarding sustainability. She said: “The symposium was highly valuable as a platform for professionals and academics to exchange ideas and engage in critical discussion with peers and an international audience. It offered an innovative forum driving positive change within the design field.”

Marco Sosa, Associate Professor of Architecture and Interior Design at Zayed University – Abu Dhabi campus, noted that Dubai Culture inspired an ideal atmosphere for presentations and conversation, where selected experts could share insights that contribute to the sector’s ongoing development.