An Architecture, and Founder of Lina Ghotmeh - Architecture, Paris

Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Architecture and Design Category

A pioneering architect, Lina Ghotmeh leads her architectural practice in Paris, France. She graduated from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and holds a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the School of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia in the USA.

Ghotmeh has served in significant roles, including as an Associate Professor at the École Spéciale d’Architecture, and has given inspiring lectures at prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Art, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Bartlett School of Architecture, and the Museum of Architecture and Heritage in France.

Architect Lina Ghotmeh employs a unique approach known as 'Archaeology of the Future,' ensuring that all her projects are evolved and practical outcomes of her research on coexisting with nature and the surrounding environment, revealing the essence of the raw materials used in their construction. Among her notable works is a building near the industrial port in Beirut, her birthplace, designed using local materials that resonate with the surrounding environment, and incorporating the results of her innovative research and techniques in architecture based on studies of the region's architectural history. Furthermore, she has conducted several studies and research projects focused on the relationship between architecture and the environment, the use of natural and local materials suitable for projects in various settings, and the study of historical architecture in these areas, forming the basis for designing modern and sustainable projects.

Committed to environmental stewardship, her various projects reflect a dedication to building sustainable and healthier communities, seamlessly integrating her academic knowledge with practical application to make a profound impact on the field.

Recognized as a humanist architect and renowned for her bold and contemporary designs, Lina Ghotmeh has expertly managed over 65 global architectural projects, including worldwide museums, exhibitions, and cultural designs.

Dr Alamira Reem Bani Hashim is an Emirati architect, urban planning, design, and development specialist, and author of “Planning Abu Dhabi: An Urban History”, the first urban history book to explore and document the course of Abu Dhabi’s urban planning.

She has published numerous pieces in reputed academic books and journals, and regularly shares her expertise on UAE urbanism, place branding, and urban design at industry forums, conferences, and universities around the world.

In her current role as the Project Manager of the UAE Architecture Initiative, she aims to advance architectural and planning knowledge in the UAE.