Dubai unveils children’s architectural exhibition

Alserkal Art Cluster is set to host a first-of-a-kind architectural exhibition from June 8 to 10, 2025 in Dubai, brought to life by the creativity of children aged 6 to 16.

Organised by Studio B.A.S Dubai (Beyond Architecture Studio), the showcase features student works developed over a year of creative exploration, reflecting contemporary art, architecture, and visual experimentation.

It represents a one-of-a-kind exhibition offering a dynamic space where young participants not only explore and learn about architecture but also shape the experience themselves through hands-on involvement.

Sofia Tkach, Founder and Art Director of Studio B.A.S Dubai, Curator of the Exhibition, and Architect, commented: “This exhibition is not just a performance or a series of installations, or facades and technology — it is a message. It becomes memory, emotion, atmosphere — a way of preserving stories and sensing the world. Through transforming everyday materials into spatial ideas, the children reveal that architecture is not only about building, but about feeling, remembering, and reimagining what surrounds us.”

Nataliya Melnikova, Partner at Studio B.A.S Dubai and Lead Producer of the Exhibition, said: “The multicultural foundation of the UAE gives our young architects something rare — a chance to grow in a place where many perspectives meet. It’s the perfect soil for imagination and complexity to thrive. This extraordinary environment — rich in diverse cultures — allows children to grow with a broad view of the world, art, and identity.”

The exhibition offers an interactive journey where visitors can explore design principles, spatial awareness, and creative problem-solving through engaging stories and immersive displays.

What sets this exhibition apart is its tailored approach to young audiences and adults alike, combining learning with play and fostering a deeper appreciation for architecture’s role in everyday life.

Children, parents and other participants from all walks of life will experience innovative installations, models, and drawings that make architecture both accessible and exciting.

At its core, the exhibition aims to demonstrate that children’s creative work can be profoundly conceptual and meaningful—provided they are given the right tools, context, and encouragement.

B.A.S is not just about learning to build — it’s about creating a new generation of architects equipped for the world of tomorrow. The UAE, with its multicultural and multinational foundation, provides fertile ground for nurturing such talent.

To thrive in this environment, future architects must be multidimensional.

The B.A.S method cultivates this by blending core architectural knowledge with complementary disciplines like classical and contemporary art, culture, history and theatre. Students are trained to think from different angles, to draw from the best of global architectural heritage, and to imagine bold new futures — whether in new neighbourhoods, new cities, or perhaps even new planets.

Sustainability is another key pillar of the B.A.S approach.

Old toys, disposable cutlery, water bottles, packaging cardboard — instead of being discarded, these everyday items are reimagined as essential materials in serious architectural installations.

Through this hands-on process, students gain an early understanding of ecological responsibility and creative reuse, anchoring their work in the values that will define the architects of the future.

The event is open to families, educators, architecture and art lovers, and anyone interested in nurturing the imagination of future architects.

Admission is free, and all are encouraged to attend on June 8 from 1pm to 5pm; June 9 from 11am to 8pm; and June 10 from 11am to 5pm.

B.A.S is both a studio and a creative community dedicated to children’s development through architecture.

It inspires imagination and unconventional thinking by encouraging kids to express ideas through drawings, models, and installations.

Using innovative materials and challenges, B.A.S fosters confidence and lifelong problem-solving skills.

Beyond teaching creation, the studio empowers children — and their parents — to explore, present, and defend their ideas, while also offering portfolio guidance, university advice, and internship opportunities for those pursuing architecture professionally.