Dezeen school shows:the museum of Emirati culture and handicrafts located in Sharjah, UAE, is among the architectural projects of Ajman University.
Also included is a dormitory for female students and an arts and crafts center in Damascus that celebrates Syrian heritage.
Ajman University
School:Architecture, Art and Design
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Abafundisi:Mohammad S Arar and Rashed Alshaali
School statement:
\”This course aims to complete the students\’ design education, achieving success and understanding all aspects of the architectural design process.
\”The student uses the knowledge and skills acquired in a comprehensive graduation project that includes the concept phase, development phases, site-related issues, structural and architectural requirements, socio-cultural relations and the use of computers in design development and presentation.\”
[Transit]ional Community Center: A Community Catalyst for Developing Sustainable and Flexible Infrastructure for the Circular Economy in Dharavi, India, by Aysha Nimra Dhinda
\”Dharavi, Mumbai, is an area widely known for its slums, dense slums and a thriving micro-economy fueled by manufacturing and recycling industries.
\”What started as an architectural inquiry quickly turned into a deeper motivation for how people make their plans for travel, support and presence.
\”Despite its strong culture of resource use and community engagement, the area lacks an integrated community infrastructure that supports community engagement and environmental resilience.
A community catalyst is not just a design proposal; it is a contribution to makers, recyclers, sewers, merchants, and young minds.
\”This project contributes to a human-centered architectural framework that utilizes existing infrastructure, flexible spatial plans, and modular building techniques that redefine the public center as a multi-functional catalyst at the city level.
\”By bringing together community-driven urban projects, this proposal shows how buildings can transform unused spaces into strong public infrastructure.\”
Umfundi:Aysha Nimra Dhinda
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Email:ayshanimra18[at]gmail.com
Home Away From Home (University Accommodation) by Fatima Saad Muslim Balhaf
“Being a student is a changing stage of personal and academic growth, requiring people to adapt to a new environment while maintaining their identity and values.
\”The main philosophy of this project is to give female students a place to live away from their homes, to create an environment that supports their development and enables them to be independent, confident and successful.
\”The design consists of interconnected wings, each dedicated to different activities and services, encouraging communication, social interaction and a sense of community.
\”A vertical five-to-five circulation spine reinforces each wing, effectively connecting the various levels and arranging overlapping spaces.
\”The upper floors, which contain living spaces, include hidden terraces that offer outdoor spaces while maintaining the privacy of the residents without relying on visual barriers.
\”To complement the residential areas, the recreation center provides recreational and social spaces that enhance student health and well-being.\”
Umfundi:Fatima Saad Muslem Balhaf
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Juthoor – Blue-Green Agriculture and Mangrove Research Hub by Rawda Ahmed Abdelmoneem Attia
\”Juthoor – Blue-Green Agriculture and Mangrove Research Hub is an on-shore research and innovation platform located on Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi, exploring the integration of mangrove ecology, sustainable agriculture and environmental research within an integrated blue-green system.
\”Inspired by the UAE\’s environmental vision and the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, this project reimagines mangroves not as living spaces to be protected, but as productive spaces capable of supporting food security, climate resilience and economic innovation.
\”This project arose out of a study of the UAE\’s reliance on imported food, water scarcity, high salinity and the growing importance of mangrove restoration.
\”Ultimately, Juthoor works as a closed system where mangroves, aquaponics, water management and research facilities work together.
“Fish waste provides nutrients to plants, plants naturally filter water and mangroves stabilize the ecosystem while creating opportunities for biomass, bio-based materials and natural products.
\”Architecturally, the design is based on the relationship between the land and the sea, finding inspiration from the form and interconnected nature of mangrove roots.
\”Beyond environmental conservation, Juthoor envisions a future where the UAE can be a global leader in sustainable coastal innovation, transforming natural resources into knowledge, productivity and economic value while strengthening national sustainability goals for 2030, 2050 and beyond.\”
Umfundi:Rawda Ahmed Abdelmoneem Attia
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Innovation and Entertainment Hub by Mariam Youssef Adel Jassem
\”The Innovation and Entertainment Hub is designed to bring together technology and entertainment, where entertainment inspires creativity.
\”Driven by the concept of \’Pixels\’, the hub combines tectonic modularity and system efficiency. The spatial structure finds its inspiration in the printed circuit board, which translates the active route into advanced circuit paths.
\”Developed from the original mass, the form has been divided, removed and combined to create a dynamic complex.
\”The project includes advanced sustainability features, including kinetic energy-harvesting flooring, integrated photovoltaic solar glass and augmented reality experiences for students and visitors.\”
Umfundi:Mariam Youssef Adel Jassem
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
National Stadium of Abu Dhabi by Ban Qusai Musa Alsayyed
\”The Abu Dhabi National Stadium, located in the desert city of Al Ain, is a historic landmark inspired by the deep connection between Emirati heritage, the coastal landscape and the nation\’s cultural heritage.
\”This relationship is expressed by the facade\’s shape from green to beige, evoking the movement of ocean waves meeting the coast while contrasting with the surrounding desert dunes and dry land.
\”The facade includes openings of various sizes and densities that respond to different orientations, enhancing the natural performance and creating a powerful visual experience.
\”As a result, the stadium offers visitors and spectators a fascinating architectural journey that goes beyond the act of watching a sporting event.\”
Umfundi:Ban Qusai Musa Alsayyed
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Interpreting Neural Connections in Architectural Space by Ayasha Ahmad Kousa
\”Game Center was designed as an innovative hub for gamers, esports communities and digital creators.
\”Inspired by the concept of \’Synaptic Instinct\’, the project originates from the human neural network, where connections generate signals, reactions and intelligent responses.
\”The design process began with a central core representing imagination, creativity and instinct, where the spaces were further developed to create a connected and interactive space.
\”Similar to neural methods, the project includes training rooms, VR spaces, broadcast studios, workshops and a professional esports platform within a unified local network.
\”Through a series of large transitions, circulation voids and architectural articulations, the final form reflects movement, communication and interaction, creating a focused environment that supports learning, competition, creativity and digital engagement.\”
Umfundi:Ayasha Ahmad Kousa
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Abdulrahman Faisal Mudallaleh Arts and Crafts Centre
\”Located in Damascus, the Arts and Crafts Center is a contemporary cultural center that celebrates Syrian heritage while promoting creativity, education and community engagement.
\”The project combines exhibition spaces, workshops, learning spaces and public gathering spaces within a unified architectural structure.
\”Inspired by the traditional Damascene star, a geometric motif deeply embedded in the artistic city\’s identity, the design redefines this pattern as the main planning goal of the project.
\”The geometry of the star shapes the building\’s form, directs circulation and creates strong visual connections between spaces.
\”The motif extends to the roof design, producing shaded outdoor spaces that enhance comfort while reinforcing the architectural expression.
“Sustainability is achieved through skylights and ventilation towers that increase natural daylight and artificial cooling, which reduces energy demand in response to Damascus\’ climate.
\”By combining traditional art with modern design, the project provides a modern cultural space that connects Syria\’s rich heritage with the innovation of the future.\”
Umfundi:Abdulrahman Faisal Mudallaleh
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Rashed Alshaali
Email:abdulrahman11md[at]gmail.com
Ramallah Culture and Crafts Centre by Mahmoud Khaled Shaheen
\”The Ramallah Culture and Crafts Center redefines the qualities of the traditional Palestinian landscape through a modern architectural language.
\”The project is organized as a set of interconnected volumes arranged around a series of courtyards that encourage social interaction, cultural exchange and outdoor learning.
\”A lightweight shading canopy encloses the complex, creating a continuous pedestrian backbone while enhancing environmental comfort.
“The center accommodates exhibition spaces, craft workshops, educational institutions, workplaces and community programs.
\”Through the integration of local materials, passive design techniques and flexible public spaces, the project creates a vibrant cultural hub that celebrates Palestinian heritage and contemporary creativity.\”
Umfundi:Mahmoud Khaled Shaheen
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Rashed Alshaali
Email:modyshaheen2015[at]gamil.com
Between Sand and Screen by Esra Abdulrahman Rameshi
\”Between Sand and Screen is a museum of Arab culture and digital art designed as a bridge between memory and innovation.
\”Located on Sharjah\’s Al Khan Waterfront, the museum celebrates the transformation of Emirati culture from traditional arts, storytelling and social gatherings to emerging digital forms of expression.
\”The buildings appear as a series of layered volumes inspired by the desert landscape and historical patterns of the cities, while the contemporary galleries present an immersive digital experience.
\”Open courtyards, shaded public areas and connections to the sea encourage social interaction and cultural exchange.
\”This project presents culture as a static archive, but as a dynamic story that connects generations through architecture.\”
Umfundi:Esra Abdulrahman Rameshi
Lesson:Graduation Project II
Umfundisi:Mohammad S Arar
Okuqukethwe kobambiswano
This school fair is a partnership between Dezeen and Ajman University. Find out more about Dezeen\’s content partnerships here.