AUS graduates shine at Cityscape Global Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets 2011

American University of Sharjah (AUS) alumnus Naji Muneer has been recently announced the winner of the Young Architect category at the Cityscape Global Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets. AUS alumni Kelly Anastassiou and Yara Zakharia were the runners up. All the shortlisted projects for the Young Architect Award were by alumni of the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD).

Established in 2002, the award is the most high profile architectural event in the region and recognizes architects and developers who have shown excellence in design and rewards them for their outstanding achievements and performance in architecture. The winners are chosen based on their forward thinking vision in architecture and design.

George Katodrytis, Associate Professor of Architecture at CAAD and a member of the international jury for the 2011 Cityscape awards said, "This year the awards organizers received more than 300 projects of built and future projects from the region and other emerging global regions including Africa and Asia. During the initial selection five projects were shortlisted by the members of the international jury for each category.

The designers of each of these projects were then invited for short public presentations in Dubai. The five AUS alumni made some great presentations admired by the audience and the jury," added Katodrytis.

The nominees for the Young Architect category included  Naji Muneer with his project "Rejuvenation Refuge," Harsha Sharma with "Panoptican Theatre and Museum of Gold," Sara Al Khawaja  and her project  "Caravan Serai," Kelly Anastassiou and Yara Zakharia with "Boundaries of a Deployable Structure" and Wasib Mahmood with his work "Bank of Sharjah Headquarters."
"Winning an award such as this definitely provides a huge motivation for me to learn more, improve my abilities and to keep an open mind about my field," said Muneer. "Being honored as the Young Architect of the Year sends a message about the high quality of education we receive at AUS," he added.

This is Muneer's second award in the recent past. He won the "Opulence" category at the Emirates Airlines' Skywards Future Artist competition as well.