Sumaya Dabbagh
Dubai / UAE
2
2
22
Sumaya Dabbagh is a Saudi architect who founded Dabbagh Architects in Dubai, UAE in 2008. The practice sets out to create contemporary architecture that is culturally sensitive and that creates a positive impact on the world.
Sumaya received her education in Architecture at Bath University, UK (BSc and BArch, 1990) and began her career in London and Paris in the early 90s. In 1993, Sumaya returned to the Gulf region as part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, which is a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both western and middle eastern cultures.
Through her work in architecture and design in the Gulf region, Sumaya aims to bridge cultural and gender gaps. She has broken stereotypes and beliefs about Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Arab Women. As one of the few Saudi women of her generation to train as an architect and one of the first women in architecture to found their own practices in the UAE, Sumaya is a trailblazer in her field.
In 2019, Sumaya won the Principal of the Year Award at the Middle East Architects Awards and became a finalist at The Tamayouz Award for Women of Outstanding Achievements. She is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of a sustainable approach to design.
The practice undertakes diverse sectors such as commercial, residential, educational, as well as cultural projects. One of Dabbagh Architects' most notable projects is the Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016), which has been globally recognized as a significant example of a new emerging approach to architecture in the UAE. The project won multiple awards including a prestigious Architecture Master Prize (2020) and an Agha Khan Awards (2018) nomination. Another recent project is Gargash Mosque (2021). Currently, the practice is working on new prestigious cultural projects such as Al Ain Museum (2023), The practice’s projects were showcased during Dubai Design Week 2020 in RIBA/d3 Dubai Festival of Architecture’s “Emerging Architecture in the Gulf”.
Sumaya Dabbagh is an accomplished architect who has made significant contributions to the field through her culturally and environmentally sensitive approach to design. As one of the first RIBA Chartered Practices in the Gulf region, Dabbagh Architects is known for its quality-driven design. Her work continues to inspire architects around the world to create structures that are both beautiful and responsible.
Sumaya received her education in Architecture at Bath University, UK (BSc and BArch, 1990) and began her career in London and Paris in the early 90s. In 1993, Sumaya returned to the Gulf region as part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, which is a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both western and middle eastern cultures.
Through her work in architecture and design in the Gulf region, Sumaya aims to bridge cultural and gender gaps. She has broken stereotypes and beliefs about Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Arab Women. As one of the few Saudi women of her generation to train as an architect and one of the first women in architecture to found their own practices in the UAE, Sumaya is a trailblazer in her field.
In 2019, Sumaya won the Principal of the Year Award at the Middle East Architects Awards and became a finalist at The Tamayouz Award for Women of Outstanding Achievements. She is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of a sustainable approach to design.
The practice undertakes diverse sectors such as commercial, residential, educational, as well as cultural projects. One of Dabbagh Architects' most notable projects is the Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016), which has been globally recognized as a significant example of a new emerging approach to architecture in the UAE. The project won multiple awards including a prestigious Architecture Master Prize (2020) and an Agha Khan Awards (2018) nomination. Another recent project is Gargash Mosque (2021). Currently, the practice is working on new prestigious cultural projects such as Al Ain Museum (2023), The practice’s projects were showcased during Dubai Design Week 2020 in RIBA/d3 Dubai Festival of Architecture’s “Emerging Architecture in the Gulf”.
Sumaya Dabbagh is an accomplished architect who has made significant contributions to the field through her culturally and environmentally sensitive approach to design. As one of the first RIBA Chartered Practices in the Gulf region, Dabbagh Architects is known for its quality-driven design. Her work continues to inspire architects around the world to create structures that are both beautiful and responsible.
Sumaya Dabbagh is a Saudi architect who founded Dabbagh Architects in Dubai, UAE in 2008. The practice sets out to create contemporary architecture that is culturally sensitive and that creates a positive impact on the world. Sumaya received her education in Architecture at Bath University, UK (BSc and BArch, 1990) and began her career in London and Paris in the early 90s. In 1993, Sumaya returned to the Gulf region as part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, which is a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both western and middle eastern cultures. Through her work in architecture and design in the Gulf region, Sumaya aims to bridge cultural and gender gaps. She has broken stereotypes and beliefs about Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Arab Women. As one of the few Saudi women of her generation to train as an architect and one of the first women in architecture to found their own practices in the UAE, Sumaya is a trailblazer in her field. In 2019, Sumaya won the Principal of the Year Award at the Middle East Architects Awards and became a finalist at The Tamayouz Award for Women of Outstanding Achievements. She is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of a sustainable approach to design. The practice undertakes diverse sectors such as commercial, residential, educational, as well as cultural projects. One of Dabbagh Architects' most notable projects is the Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016), which has been globally recognized as a significant example of a new emerging approach to architecture in the UAE. The project won multiple awards including a prestigious Architecture Master Prize (2020) and an Agha Khan Awards (2018) nomination. Another recent project is Gargash Mosque (2021). Currently, the practice is working on new prestigious cultural projects such as Al Ain Museum (2023), The practice’s projects were showcased during Dubai Design Week 2020 in RIBA/d3 Dubai Festival of Architecture’s “Emerging Architecture in the Gulf”. Sumaya Dabbagh is an accomplished architect who has made significant contributions to the field through her culturally and environmentally sensitive approach to design. As one of the first RIBA Chartered Practices in the Gulf region, Dabbagh Architects is known for its quality-driven design. Her work continues to inspire architects around the world to create structures that are both beautiful and responsible.