Architecture Program Leaflet - American University in Dubai

Bachelor of
Architecture
“The business of Architecture is to
establish emotional relationships
by means of raw material.”
Le Corbusier, 1923

It is well
established that
Architecture is this
discipline that acts
as a hinge between
art and technology, deductive and
inductive thinking, efficiency and
effectiveness to mention only a few
aspects of its nature.
Architects have always worked in a
multidimensional space exceeding
the three rather obvious and
conventional physical dimensions to
represent a melting pot for cultural,
socio-economic, legislative, political
and civilization considerations.
The American University in Dubai
intends to graduate Architects
who can represent an added
A message from the Dean
value to the building industry by
optimizing the use of technology
available to generate pleasant and
sustainable environments conducive
for nurturing positive social and
cultural behavior in order to
promote healthy and prosperous
communities.
Our students will be encouraged
to gain, develop and discuss
knowledge while using the latter
to impact the context in which
they operate.
Finally, at AUD, we feel proud to
be part of one of the most striking
success stories of this century that
is Dubai, the city of architecture per
excellence!
Nabyl Chenaf, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Architecture, Art and Design

Why Architecture at AUD
Architecture centers on the
artistic design and construction
of all genres of edifices
intended for human use.
AUD’s architecture students
are expected to carry out their
creations based on a clear
understanding of both the
physics and characteristics of
the building materials as well as
the aesthetics of the structures.
The Bachelor of Architecture
degree at AUD is a five-year
program consisting of 166
hours of required credit.
It has been designed to meet
the standards of the National
Architecture Accrediting Board
(NAAB) the sole agency authorized
to accredit US professional degree
programs in architecture.
The Bachelor of Architecture
is taught by faculty whose
combination of academic and
experiential qualifications
supports the delivery of student
learning outcomes that bridge
educational enrichment and
professional training.

Inspiration and Support
“Your program in
Architecture would
surely fulfill a gap in the
educational system in
Dubai. In this context,
it is remarkable that
for a city full of architectural icons,
it should need additional accredited
schools of architecture and design. [...]
I heartily endorse your initiative.”
Kenneth Yeang
Malaysian Architect,
Ecologist, and Author
“There
is always
room for
a quality
architecture program in Dubai.
Congratulations on making the effort.
This logically follows on from your
promotion of the annual conference
at AUD in the last few years where
you have raised the profile of the
Department of Interior Design
throughout the UAE and the region...”
Carlos Ott
Uruguayan Architect -
renowned internationally
“While art and
design seem to
be well covered
by your existing
programs at
AUD, the need to formalize a qualitydriven
Architecture program seems
to me even more apparent…”
Hazel Wong
Architect, Emirates Towers
“It is my pleasure to
endorse and support
the plans for a Bachelor
of Architecture program
at The American
University in Dubai. I
have had the opportunity to speak at
various universities around the world
and found the faculty and students at
AUD to be inquisitive, insightful and
enthusiastic about global architectural
trends, several of which emanate from
Dubai. To my knowledge, this region
of the world has limited convenient
access to formalized architectural
education, and I can’t imagine a better
place than Dubai for the headquarters
of such an important program.”
Larry Zeibarth
Master planner, Palm Jumeirah
Photos courtesy of Google

What students have to say
“I chose to study Architecture at AUD because it is an
art where the world is my canvas. I’ve always believed
that it is a science and an art unified by imagination and
creativity. I love the fact that in Architecture, the learning
process is both practical and theoretical where we apply what
we’ve learned into our own designs, rather than just reading
and memorizing.”
Sara Abdul-Halim
B.Arch., Class of 2014
“Architecture has always been my ideal major, and when
I joined AUD in 2008, I was waiting for the launch of this
major. Dubai is a fast-growing city, and its architecture gives
it an identity. To me, this is my chance to contribute
to it and to reach my goals. With the support that this
university and major offer, and the continuous efforts of the
faculty and deans to improve it, I saw it as a perfect fit for me to be a part of it
and to develop with it.”
Hussain Alatya
B.Arch., Class of 2014
So What Can I Do When I Graduate
• You can have your own private practice
• You can work for world renowned architects
• You can join prominent design corporations
• You can pursue higher education and further specializations such as a
Master’s of Architecture, or a Ph.D., etc.

About the Bachelor of Architecture
Program Mission
The Mission of the Architecture program is to prepare highly qualified
graduates for professional employment in the field of architecture
by educating students in the fundamental skills and knowledge of
architecture, while integrating technological, artistic, socio-cultural,
legal, and financial dimensions. The program will promote professional
ethical values, cultural diversity, and environmental awareness.
Program Goals
• Prepare students who are able to think in a multidimensional
and interactive way, integrating design skills, and human
and physical aspects in a professional manner;
• Prepare students for making choices and decisions with
regards to technologies available in the market;
• Instill in students a critical attitude in their approach to the
history and theory of architecture and product design;
• Prepare students who understand the human, socio-cultural,
and economic dimensions of architectural design;
• Prepare students who are aware of the physical
context of environmental protection;
• Graduate students who are ethically and technically
prepared to embrace the profession of architecture;
• Prepare students who are able to communicate effectively.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.Arch., students will be able to:
• Generate design that responds to and integrates fundamental design
skills with knowledge in history and theory of architecture, building
technology, socio-cultural and economic considerations, as well as
professional, legal and ethical aspects in an interactive manner;
• Produce design that integrates building technology, construction,
systems, and materials in a creative and original manner;
• Produce design that demonstrates knowledge of fundamental design
skills, as well as history and theory of architecture;
• Produce design that acknowledges and integrates the human, sociocultural,
and economic aspects at the local, regional, and global levels;

• Produce design that demonstrates awareness, concern, and
understanding of the physical context, as well as environmental and
ecological issues;
• Produce design that demonstrates understanding of architectural
practice in administrative, financial, and legal terms and observes
ethical standards;
• Demonstrate the ability to produce and present architectural designs
by communicating clearly and effectively in oral, written and graphical
forms, as well as in advanced digital software and media.
Summary of Degree Requirements
The program consists of 166 hours of required credit
and has been designed to meet the standards of the
National Architecture Accrediting Board in the U.S.
Course Classification
Credit Hours
Foundation 19
Design Core 93
Professional Electives 12
Arts & Sciences Core 36
General Electives 6
Total 166
For further information on the B.Arch. degree, please refer to the website
http://www.aud.edu/AcademicAffairs/SAAD/Architecture/barch.asp

Faculty Members
M. Nabyl Chenaf, Dean of
Architecture, Art and Design,
and Associate Professor of
Architecture and Interior
Design
Ph.D., University of Nottingham
Alex Albani, Associate
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
M.Arch., University of
California at Berkeley
John Alexander-Smith,
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
Wassim Bahr, Assistant
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
Ph.D., Università degli
Studi di Firenze
Chadi R. Chamoun, Chair of
Interior Design and Assistant
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
Ph.D.Arch.Des., University
College London
Albert Fakhoury, Assistant
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
D.E.A., Lebanese University
Chuloh Jung, Associate
Professor of Architecture
Ph.D., Yonsei University
Georges Kachaamy, Assistant
Professor of Architecture
Ph.D., Univeristy of Tokyo
Annamaria Lambri, Assistant
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
M.A., Scuola Politecnica
di Design (Milan)
Amer Rghei, Professor
of Architecture and
Interior Design
Ph.D., University of Waterloo
Tala Vaziri, Associate
Professor of Architecture
and Interior Design
Ph.D., University of
Technology (Vienna)

Advisory Board Members
The Advisory Board of the Department of Architecture at the American
University in Dubai includes the following members:
• Mr. Shahram Foroughi, Founder
& Principal - Edifice Design
& Project management
• Dr. Mohsen Aboulnaga,
Dubai Government
• Eng. Mohamed Al Noori,
Director Environmental
Center for Arab Towns
• Mr. Khalid Al Najjar, Principal
- Dxb Lab Architecture
• Mr. Alan Slusarenko, Senior
Design Manager Limitless
• Mr. Simon Crispe, Regional
Commercial Director
- Atkins ME/India
• Ms. Farida Al Awadhi,
Managing Director - Cinmar
Design, President - APID
• Ms. Marie Laurent, Managing
Director - Project A
• Mr. Pekka Rautimo, CEO
Kampac Properties Ltd.
• Ms. Sumaya Dabbagh,
RIBA Architects
• Mr. Dariush Zandi, The
Courtyard Gallery
• Mr. Ahmad Al Jassim, Autodesk
• Mr. Lionel Lambourn, GT Global

Accreditation and Associations
The Department of Architecture
at the American University
in Dubai is a member of the
Association of Collegiate Schools
of Architecture (ACSA).
The American University in
Dubai is an Autodesk Authorized
Certification Center for
AutoCAD ® , AutoCAD ® Civil 3D,
3D Studio MAX, Inventor, Revit
Architecture, and Maya ® software.
Facilities
The School of Architecture, Art, and Design recognizes
that computers have become an integral part of
education, communication, and social networking.
The Department of Architecture
maintains several well-equipped
and advanced computer labs and
lounges. Hardware is updated or
upgraded on annual basis and is
powerful enough to handle intense
computational processes from
2D graphics, 3D modeling and
rendering to 4D animations and
walkthroughs. Software versions
are also kept up to date annually.
Wi-Fi access to the Internet
and the School network is
available throughout campus.
Scanning, projectors, printing
and large format plotting
are all available in-house.
A dedicated knowledgeable IT
Services team helps keep all
computing resources running
smoothly and also helps with
troubleshooting personal laptops.
A dedicated model and furnituremaking
workshop is also
available on campus. A recently
set up Design Center serves to
engage faculty and students in
research and outreach to the
Architecture community at large.

Student Club
AUD Departmental Clubs serve as professional organizations that address
the special needs and interests of students in specific areas of study. They
encourage members to explore their interests and talents and organize
major specific activities such as lectures, seminars, professor’s lunches,
competitions, exhibitions, workshops and field trips. The clubs also serve
as a liaison between the student body and faculty of each department.
Architecture Student
Association
ASA gives students an opportunity
for interaction among architecture
students and faculty outside the
class. The association also organizes
seminars, guest speaker lectures,
competitions and field trips relevant
to the program. Moreover, there
are educational programs such as
study sessions and peer advising.

Admissions at AUD
Pursuant to the Mission of AUD, the Admissions Department
consists of a professional team that assists prospective students
gain accessibility to opportunities in higher education.
The Admissions team is held to a high level of integrity and is charged
with providing quality service and accurate information to all students.
AUD admits to its degree programs only those students who possess appropriate credentials and the
demonstrated capacity and potential to successfully complete the educational programs provided by the
university and meaningfully participate in the total educational experience offered by AUD.
AUD Admissions Department
P. O. Box 28282, Dubai, UAE
T. +971 4 399 9000
F. +971 4 399 5585
E. admissions@aud.edu
www.aud.edu
For specific admissions requirements, please consult: the AUD Undergraduate
Catalog or the website http://www.aud.edu/Admissions/ugrad.asp
Application Deadline
Fall semester: August 10
Spring semester: December 21
The American University in Dubai is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) has licensed the university and accredited all of its programs.