Seafaring lines draw on past times to win top design prize
Somayeh Ghorbani’s tribute to the UAE’s maritime history strikes gold at architecture awards in Los Angeles
A student from the American University of Dubai’s architecture programme won gold at the 10th Annual International Design Awards in Los Angeles for her project honouring the Emirates’ maritime heritage.
Somayeh Ghorbani, 33, was awarded first prize in the student architecture category for Crossing of the Coast, a conceptual rendering of a modern, mixed-use cultural centre that pays tribute to the country’s fishing and pearl diving history.
Ms Ghorbani researched and designed the project as part of her final year of undergraduate architectural studies at AUD.
She graduated last year. An expert jury chose Ms Ghorbani’s entry from more than 1,000 entries in one of five categories submitted by professional and student architects and designers from 52 countries.
“This annual competition recognises, honours and promotes legendary design visionaries and uncovers emerging talents in architecture, interior, product, graphic and fashion design on a global level,” according to the IDA.
“The jury rewarded the best professional and emerging designers for their achievements in terms of design, creativity, usability and innovation.”
Ms Ghorbani fears that the country’s rich maritime history is a fading memory for residents and nationals.
“I was really interested in studying and highlighting the UAE culture and traditional professions, like fishermen, pearl divers and boat builders,” said Ms Ghorbani, who is Iranian-American.
“These traditional professions, which built the UAE’s foundations, are becoming forgotten. No one really is interested about these traditional professions any more, especially the younger generation. They are more into technology – not interested about their own identity.
“To me, culture is very important because it represents your identity. If you lose your identity, basically you will lose yourself.”
Ms Ghorbani’s design envisions three triangular structures set on three separate levels above Dubai’s existing fish market along the Creek. The structures are connected by a series of criss-crossing bridges that allow visitors to experience the outdoor fish market below from different perspectives.
“Basically I want to bring people back to the sea,” Ms Ghorbani said. “I studied the history of these people and where they used to work, and the location represents these people because, back then, they mainly worked in the Creek area.
“And then I want to show how these people used to travel to catch the pearls or fish, and bring the fish to the port. These bridges represent how they travelled from one location to another.”
The building would be home to a fishing and diving centre, seafood restaurants, maritime museum and crafting studio to attract visitors and promote appreciation and understanding of the country’s traditions.
By encouraging pedestrians to stroll across the bridges from one structure to another, Ms Ghorbani said visitors would experience a bit of history, literally and figuratively.
This autumn, she will begin her master’s degree at Northeastern University in Boston.
“But I hope to come back to the UAE again and start working,” she said.
“To me, the UAE is the best place for architecture. They take risks, and of course they have money, they care about architecture, they keep building and you see so many great architectural designs here.
“It’s the best place to grow.”