Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced Prof. Lina Ghotmeh, architect and professor of architecture, as the winner of the first Great Arab Minds (GAM) award in the architecture and design category, in recognition of her timeless contributions to global architecture.
In a tweet published on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Ghotmeh on winning the first award in this category of GAM, the Arab world's largest movement launched in 2022 to search for exceptional Arab talents in various fields. Ghotmeh's insightful work and research highlight the intimate relationship between architecture and nature.
Sheikh Mohammed said that architecture and architectural landmarks are the foundation of the distinguishing features that set cities and communities apart, and the building blocks of their identities and values, making them easily recognized. He added that they are also timeless tales of the creative outputs of humanity and the rise of civilizations.
Ghotmeh has a remarkable track record in her field. She has overseen the development of over 65 global architectural projects, including renowned museums, exhibitions and cultural buildings. More specifically, Ghotmeh conducts in-depth analyses of environments and meticulously selects materials that are not only suitable for each setting but also capable of withstanding harsh conditions. Her unique approach ensures that all her projects are evolved and practical outcomes of her research on coexisting with nature and the surrounding environment.
Ghotmeh's most notable works is a building near the industrial port of Beirut, which survived the 2020 explosion, having been designed using innovative techniques and select local materials.
