Dubai Culture Highlights UAE's Architectural Vision And Sustainability At Expo 2025 Osaka

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority recently concluded the ‘Pillars of Arish: Architecture in Transition’ symposium at Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai, Japan. This event, organised with the UAE Pavilion and supported by the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme, aimed to enhance the cultural sector and boost the UAE's global appeal. The symposium explored architecture in the UAE, focusing on local design practices and regional exchanges.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, highlighted the UAE Pavilion as a testament to the country's commitment to heritage-driven innovation. She stated, "By organising the symposium at Expo 2025, our goal was to highlight Emirati cultural identity and demonstrate Dubai’s vibrant and supportive ecosystem for the cultural and creative industries and emerging entrepreneurs." The pavilion integrates traditional practices like using arish into modern settings.

The symposium featured ten talks covering heritage, sustainability, and design. Notable sessions included ‘Cultural Convergence,’ which examined Japanese architecture's influence on Gulf identity. Another session, ‘Connecting Threads,’ explored how modern UAE buildings draw from vernacular traditions. These discussions emphasised traditional knowledge's role in shaping urban landscapes.

Khulood Khoory from Dubai Culture discussed the impact of the Dubai Cultural Grant Programme. Over AED180 million will be allocated over ten years to support various arts disciplines. This initiative aims to nurture a thriving arts ecosystem by providing resources for artists and designers to thrive globally.

The event also facilitated international collaboration. Salem AlSuwaidi noted that organising this programme highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for creatives to connect openly. Rashed AlMulla added that it brought seasoned architects together with new talent, paving the way for future partnerships.

Participants included notable figures like Ahmad Bukhash and Fatima AlSuwaidi. They reflected on their experiences in Japan, emphasising how exposure to Japanese design inspired fresh thinking in spatial planning. This journey offered insights that could enrich upcoming projects in the UAE.

Cultural Exchange Initiatives

The Dubai Culture delegation visited international pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka. They explored creative concepts reflecting each country's vision for the future. This included visits to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, France, Nordic countries, South Korea, Germany, Oman, Singapore, and others.

A comprehensive tour was organised for 12 UAE-based architects and creative professionals. They visited significant landmarks like the National Museum of Art and works by architect Tadao Ando. These visits provided valuable insights into Japanese architecture's harmony with culture and nature.

Reflections from Participants

Participants expressed enthusiasm about their experiences. Fatima Al Suwaidi described it as "an exceptional experience," highlighting her fascination with Osaka's blend of authenticity and modernity. Hamad AlMutawa noted that seeing Tadao Ando’s works helped understand his use of light in design.

Noora Al Awar appreciated Japan’s respect for heritage during her tour with Dubai Culture. She found inspiration in diverse landmarks that offered new perspectives on honouring heritage while embracing modernity. Reem Al Qamzi valued meeting architects worldwide to exchange ideas.

Insights into Japanese Design

Ahmed Bukhash observed that visiting cultural landmarks offered insights into Japanese design's refined details. He shared that this journey inspired fresh thinking in spatial planning for future projects in the UAE. Such experiences enriched participants' understanding of architectural philosophy.

Lina Ahmed noted that bringing together diverse architects fostered discussions on sustainability's future within the industry. The symposium served as a platform for exchanging ideas among professionals globally while driving positive change within design fields through critical discussions.

This event underscored Dubai Culture’s commitment to fostering global cultural exchange while supporting local talent development through initiatives like these symposia held internationally at prestigious venues such as Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai.

With inputs from WAM