AUS CAAD Lounge wins three global design awards

The College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) Student Lounge at American University of Sharjah (AUS), a fusion of creativity and functionality, has been honoured with three international design awards: Architecture MasterPrize Award 2024, the BLT Design Award 2024 and the AIA Middle East Award 2024. Designed and built in its entirety by fourth-year interior design students, the lounge has earned global acclaim for its innovative design.

It offers a space for relaxation, collaboration and informal work in the college campus. Guided by Ammar Kalo, Associate Professor and Director of Labs at CAAD, the project team of 16 students completed the lounge over an academic semester. It features a high work bar, various seating options and a display case, offering students a welcoming space to relax, interact with each other and work.

The project’s design revolves around three ‘folded’ planes that form functional elements, each crafted from intricately carved wood and cork modules. The creative approach points to the students’ ability to blend aesthetics with practicality, reflecting CAAD’s spirit of innovation.

“The CAAD Student Lounge has become a cornerstone of our student experience,” said Tamara Khalaf, a visual communication student. “It’s more than just a lounge; it’s a space where students can connect, collaborate and explore ideas together. Whether we’re working on projects, brainstorming or just taking a moment to recharge, the lounge creates a sense of belonging that truly enhances our time at CAAD.”

“The CAAD Student Lounge reflects the incredible talent and dedication of our students. Winning these awards highlights the impact of our Design-Build Initiative in fostering creativity and innovation while bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice,” said Kalo.

The project team included Danya Al Soufi, Esra Zamin Paima, Haneen Sharafeldeen, Khushi Shah, Khadija Dibirova, Maria Sadiq, Malaika Menon, Nada Wajid, Nadine Ghazal, Rana El Medany, Rand Rahmani, Sarah AlOthman, Suzanne Sam, Seham Jaziah, Wagd Rabie and Haneen Sharafeldeen.

For the student team behind the project, the recognition indeed is a proud milestone. “Being part of a team that has received such esteemed recognition is truly an honour,” said Rand Rahmani, one of the designers. “These awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity and dedication we’ve poured into this project.

It’s a proud moment for all of us and a reminder of what we can achieve together.” The lounge was made possible through the Design-Build Initiative (DBI) at AUS, a programme that empowers students to create fully realised projects from concept to completion. The Awards are a testament to the success of this initiative. Established over a decade ago, the initiative is seen as an integral part of CAAD’s commitment to revolutionising architectural education by combining academic learning with hands-on experience.

DBI enables students to engage in real-world projects, fostering creativity, innovation and concepts, to realise the design process. The venture has received global recognition for its transformative impact on student learning and industry preparedness. The annual Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) is an international architecture award recognising design excellence.

The mission of the AMP is to advance the appreciation of quality architectural design worldwide. It celebrates creativity and innovation in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and interior design, and the prize is open to submissions on a global level, accepting entries from architects all around the world.

BLT Built Design Awards recognise and honour the expertise of professionals “involved in the realisation of outstanding projects, on a global basis — from architecture firms and interior design experts to construction products and landscape architecture.” The Awards encompass all forms of buildings, projects, and infrastructure that cope with the challenges of today’s urbanisation, projects which also inspire the next generation of professionals.

The annual programme aims to recognise those “who have gone above and beyond normal, expected levels of achievement.” AIA Middle East (AIA ME), a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, was established in 2010 to serve the professional interests of the growing number of AIA member architects practicing in the Middle East and North African region (MENA).