Due to an architectural boom that lasted the better part of a decade, the once vast desert landscapes of the Middle East are in the process of becoming bustling cities and iconic skylines. Evermore ambitious programmes and truncated timelines witnessed a remarkable amount of development in record time and number.

Fast forward to the present. Despite a slowdown in the global building market, several markets in this region continue to report consistent growth. Destinations that were once playgrounds for prize-winning architects and engineers throughout the Middle East have become more conservative in their building approach and style. Because of this fiscal and stylistic re-evaluation, now is the perfect time to have a critical look at what the past few years have produced.

The Middle East Architect awards are an opportunity for the industry to come together for one night to toast exceptional performance in architecture, engineering and design. The awards recognise both regional and international architects and engineers that continuously strive to keep the built environment of the Gulf on the cutting edge of design and construction.

The combination of conceptual and physical ambition in the architecture of the Middle East has delivered truly outstanding results and has set the benchmark for which others around the world continue to aim.

The Middle East Architect Awards herald not just the vision of design professionals leading the way, but also those practitioners that have translated their visions into real projects.