It is with the greatest of sadness that I deliver to you today the heartbreaking news of the death of our friend and colleague, 2020 AIA Middle East President Eric Tomich, FAIA, RIBA. On behalf of all of us here at AIA Middle East and the AIA International Region, we send out our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Eric was the consummate architect and artistic technician and inspired a generation of architects. Known for his highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that integrated technology, manufacturing, and craft, Eric’s career had a strong focus on built projects and the quality of the final result.

During his 34 year tenure at Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM), Eric served as an Associate Director where one of the most significant projects in his portfolio is the Burj Khalifa where he functioned as the Dubai‐based Project Director. Eric guided all aspects of the project’s technical design and coordination from commencement to completion and we were blessed to have Eric present and tour us through the building as one of AIA Middle East’s inaugural events!

Eric went on to join Adrian Smith and Gordan Gill (AS+GG) in Shanghai, China and after a few years, returned to the UAE due to his history of on‐site experience in the Middle East with large‐scale, highly complex projects. Eric was leading the Dubai based AS+GG team on the Al Wasl Plaza Project, which will form the centerpiece of the EXPO 2020 Dubai.

Eric will be deeply missed here, leaving behind not only those fond memories we have of him but also his great legacy of buildings. Each of us not only grieves at the passing of a tremendous individual but also for the loss our profession and the architectural community suffers. We want to share one of our favorite moments learning from Eric during AIA Middle East’s 2018 Year End Conference in Bahrain where he spoke about some of his projects and what inspired him as an architect. LINK

Eric will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

With solemn regards,

Sherif Anis, AIA, RIBA

AIA Middle East Executive Director

2013/2016 President and Chapter Co-founder