August 09, 2020

Condolences to Lebanon

August 09, 2020/ AIA

The American Institute of Architects Middle East Chapter, its board of directors & constituents, sends its heartfelt condolences to the people of Lebanon and particularly the Order of Engineers & Architects of Lebanon, the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University and to the families & friends of the victims of the disastrous explosion that took place in Beirut, Lebanon.

We wish peace & mercy for the deceased, an expeditious recovery for the injured and safety for the missing.

We are deeply saddened by this incident especially as Beirut was a gracious host to the AIA Middle East's 2019 Conference & Design Awards, whereby we witnessed the city's beauty & resilience.

We stand in solidarity with our peers & colleagues during this difficult period. We wish Lebanon and Beirut a swift recovery and for all the Middle East and the world to be safe & protected from harm & disaster.

June 20, 2020

Reopening America: Strategies for safer buildings

June 20, 2020/ AIA

The COVID-19 pandemic has risked the public's health and safety in buildings across the US and beyond. As states began reopening communities, AIA embarked on an initiative to explore how design strategies, backed by science, can be a public health solution. “Reopening America: Strategies for Safer Buildings,” is intended to provide design professionals, employers, building owners, and public officials with tools and resources for reducing risk when re-occupying buildings during the pandemic.

June 20, 2020

AIA Board statement on systemic racial injustice

June 20, 2020/ AIA

America’s list of racially motivated murders demand action. Eric Garner. Sandra Bland. Michael Brown. Shantel Davis. Atatiana Jefferson. Laquan McDonald. Tony McDade. Pamela Turner. Korryn Gaines. Trayvon Martin. Tamir Rice. Walter Scott. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd. All murdered, because they happened to be black in the United States of America. There are others, and, sadly, we know there will be more. No words can adequately express the depth of anger, frustration, and national shame for their loss or the more than 1,250 black lives ended by police since January 1, 2015, according to The Washington Post’s database that tracks police shootings.

more

June 04, 2020

Eric Tomich, FAIA, RIBA dies

June 04, 2020/ AIA

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