Principal, Dabbagh Architects
Sumaya Dabbagh is a Saudi architect educated in the UK. She founded Dabbagh Architects in 2008. Since setting up her practice, Sumaya has completed a number of significant projects that demonstrate her interest in the subtilties of notions of memory, identity and belonging.
The multi award winning projects such as Mleiha Archaeological Centre building as well Gargash Mosque have been globally recognised as a significant example of a new emerging approach to Architecture in the UAE. The Al Ain Museum, currently under construction is another example of to their renowned portfolio of sensitive, contextual designs.
Sumaya is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of socially and environmentally sustainable and relevant design. She is an advocate for cultivating a design environment that is anchored in the land, one that reflects the regions heritage through a contemporary architectural language. To Dabbagh, contextual architecture is one that is driven by homegrown talent, using local materials to become connected to place. This definition has been demonstrated throughout the practices body of work, and more recently amplified in her recent installation “Earth To Earth”, presented as part of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial second edition opened from Nov 23 -March 24 in Sharjah, UAE.
Sumaya has also made it her mission to break stereotypes and limiting believes about women in the architecture profession. By demonstrating what women can achieve, and how much they can influence change, she has become a role model to many aspiring architects.
