Abstract:

Our ability to create spaces that are meaningful, spaces that have quality and character, depends on our ability to define space with buildings and to employ the vocabulary and rhythms of architecture in order to inform us of who we are?

In our cities, these spaces fall into the category of the public realm.

These are communal spaces where we enjoy being in and give us a sense of belonging.

Once we can identify with them as “our space”, “our street “or ”our square” then we start to care about them. This is the basis of community and civic life. The basis of civilization.

The public realm has to inform us not only where we are, geographyically but also where we are in our culture. Where we’ve come from, what kind of people we are.

Therefore the public realm has two vital roles. It is the dwelling place of our civilization and civic life as well as the physical manifestation of our identity.

When we deny our cities of this meaningful sense of place then the quality of civic life and communal life is compromised and we run the risk of being alienated from our communities as well as ourselves.

As architects, urban planners and developers we must recognize the responsibility inherent in the task of creating our built environment. A responsibility if taken seriously will allow us and the next generation to be proud of our cities and proud of who we are.

Short Profile:

Sumaya Dabbagh is the founder of dabbagh architects. She is a Saudi architect educated in the UK with a diverse experience in architecture, interior design and project management spanning over 18 years.

Dabbagh's architectural education, at Bath University in UK, had a strong emphasis on achieving integrated design through a better understanding of all disciplines involved in the building process. This understanding gave her to a broader perspective from which creativity as well as practicality can flourish side by side. She graduated from Bath University in 1990, and became a Chartered member of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)in 1995.

Dabbagh began her career in London and Paris working for internationally renowned companies such as Arup Associates and Polshek et Solomon Architects. Her return to the Gulf region in 1993 was part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both western and middle eastern cultures. In 1995, Dabbagh led the design for a prestigious interactive children’s science and culture centre while at Schuster Pechtold & Partners, a German, UAE based company. As the project architect, her scope of work covered design and project leadership. The Children's City project was commissioned by the government of Dubai, and was completed in 2002. Since 2002, as an independent architect, Dabbagh completed a diverse number of projects, which include commercial offices, retail, and residential projects.

Projects covered both interior design & architectural design.

Dabbagh believes in the importance of giving back to the community. She has been involved with the School of Architecture and Design at the American University of Sharjah UAE, since 2004 as a frequent visiting critic and has contributed to several publications, on architecture and urban design. Sumaya was an instrumental part of the team who set up the RIBA Gulf chapter in 2009 and is currently an elected member of the Steering Committee for RIBA Gulf. Through her work in architecture and design, Dabbagh’s quest to bridge the cultural and gender gaps, continues.