2024 AIA ME Year End Conference

The American Institute of Architects, Middle East Chapter, has issued a call for papers for its 11th Year End Conference and Design Awards, which will be held in Doha, Qatar from November 22nd to November 23rd, 2024.

This year's theme is "Qatar: Morphogenesis of a Pearl"

Qatar's architecture has evolved mirroring the nation's rapid growth and global aspirations. It is marked by a dynamic mix of traditional influences and cutting-edge designs, reflecting both its rich cultural heritage and its ambitions as a global hub.

With this conference, we will dig into the details of how the Urban Fabric of the country sets a bold and daring example of unity in diversity. Qatar has developed from a pearl and fishing village into a modern metropolis with innovative and futuristic architecture in the last four decades. This conference is an opportunity to dive into the architectonics of this rapid transformation. The country presents a wide range of buildings that reflect its identity and heritage while balancing functional, climatic and sustainable demands for both small scale and large scale projects.

We will also explore how sustainability has played a pivotal role in the development of the country’s built form. Join us in exploring Qatar’s evolutionary development and experiencing the morphogenesis of the nation which we refer to as the Pearl.

Distinguished Guest Speakers

Stefanie Altman-Winans is the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Doha and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.  She was most recently the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan from 2021-24.  Her prior assignments included serving as both the Deputy Director for Strategic Communication and Spokesperson for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and as a Deputy Director in the Bureau of International Organizations coordinating United States’ multilateral public diplomacy efforts across the various United Nations agencies.  Her other overseas assignments have included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkiye, and Poland.

Stefanie began her career at the Department of State as a Presidential Management Fellow.  Over the past twenty years her work has included the coordination of foreign assistance programs in the Caucasus, reporting on human rights issues in Europe and Eurasia, countering disinformation, and enhancing people to people exchanges and cultural programs.

Stefanie received a master’s degree in National Security Resource Strategy from the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School and has both a BA and MA from American University in Washington, D.C.  She speaks Bosnian, Turkish, Polish, Russian, and Arabic.

L. C. (Sandi) Pei is the founding partner of PEI ARCHITECTS, the firm established in 1992 with his brother, the late C. C. Pei. He is the third son of I. M. Pei with whom he worked after earning his master’s degree from Harvard University in 1976. 

Over the course of nearly a half century, he has contributed to numerous award-winning projects, including the MIT Arts + Media Technologies Facilities (the Wiesner Building) in Cambridge, MA (1984); the Creative Artists Agency Headquarters in Los Angeles, CA (1988); the Bank of China Tower in HK, PRC (1989); the Bank of China Head Office Building in Beijing, PRC (2001); the Suzhou Museum, Suzhou, PRC (2006); the House of Dancing Water Theater in Macao, PRC (2010); the Centurion Residential Condominium in New York, NY (2014); and the Yonge Street Residential Tower in Toronto, CA (2020).

Beyond his architectural work, Mr. Pei is highly regarded for his public service to the profession. He served for many years as a Director of the NY Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and as a juror on the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. A frequent lecturer, his speaking engagements include the Building Museum in Washington, DC; AOA (Associacion de Oficinas de Arquitectura) in Santiago, Chile; the International Marmomac Stone Fair in Verona, Italy; the Integral Conversation Forum in Guilin, China; the World Architectural Congress in Shanghai, China; The Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute in Manila, Philippines; Cooper Union in New York and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has been a juror of international competitions and institute award programs in Seoul, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, and a design critic at architectural schools in the U.S. and abroad. Earlier this year, Mr. Pei participated in the opening of the first retrospective on his father, the exhibition “I. M. PEI: Life is Architecture”, at the M+ Museum in Hong Kong.

Speakers

Our speakers this year represent an amazing cross section of the architecture and design profession.

We will have representatives from the offices of
Pei Architects, Foster + Partners, ISOZAKI + HuQian Partners, Zaha Hadid,
Gensler, Perkins Eastman, AEB, Richard Kennedy Architects, and the U.S. Embassy Doha.

Conference Booklet

Conference Program

Day 1 - Friday, November 22, 2024

Day 2 - Saturday, November 23, 2024

Additional Conference Program

Sunday November 24, 2024

Gala Dinner and Design Awards Ceremony

The Gala Dinner and Design Awards Ceremony will be held on November 23rd, Saturday evening at 7:30pm at Sanad Members Club, Msheireb Downtown and will be a separate registration from the 2-days conference registration.

We hope that you were able to register as we are full and registration is closed.

We look forward to you joining us and celebrating our AIA Middle East Design Award Winners for 2024.

Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception will be held on November 21st, Thursday evening at 8:00pm at Secret Garden, Marsa Malaz Kempinski , Pearl Qatar, Doha. This is a closed event for the speakers, board members and the partners only. This event is sponsored by Jotun Qatar.

We look forward to you joining us and kick starting the AIA Middle East Year End Conference 2024 in Qatar.

Conference Chair

2024 Conference Committee

2024 AIA Middle East Year End Conference Pictures

Registration

Conference Venue

Travel Advice with Hotel and Flight Codes

We have partnered with several fantastic hotels to give you a range of options for accommodation in Doha, all with special discount rates for conference attendees!

We have also partnered with Qatar Airways and are able to offer a 10% discount on specific fares for attendees. 

Qatar Airways

Promo Code:  AIAME24

Link to the booking page:  https://www.qatarairways.com/en/corporate-travel/qmice/qmice-attendees-book.html?promocode=AIAME24

 Important notes:

 Ensure to insert the promo code before searching for flights and fares to get the discount.

• Discount applies from QR relevant online network to Doha (DOH).

• Sales Period: 15.Oct.2024 – 24.Nov.2024

• Travel Validity: 11.Nov.2024 – 04.Dec.2024

• Please refer to these Booking Instructions

*Terms and conditions apply

• Offer sales validity varies depending on the event.

• Offer travel validity varies depending on start and end dates of the event.

• Offer is not valid for all fares and excludes promotional fares.

• Savings can only be applied to bookings made using the promo code.

• Offer is not valid in combination with any other promotion.

• Savings vary according to the point of departure and destination.

• Other conditions apply. Please review at the time of booking..

Travel Guides

Year End Conference Partners

Strategic Partner

Official Travel Partner

Official Tech Partner

Media Partner

Destination Partner

Educational Partner

Supported By