The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Pillars of Arish: Architecture in Transition
United Arab Emirates
Immerse yourself in an exploration of architectural knowledge where visionary design meets cultural heritage and sustainable innovation. Brought to you by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (DCAA) and organised by UAE-based collectives SWALIF and MABNAI. This programme is a two-day symposium unfolding at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, exploring the evolving intersections of architecture, cultural identity, and material innovation across the UAE and Japan. Through keynote lectures and panel discussions, the program reflects on how traditional knowledge, embodied in the arish, the falaj, and vernacular landscapes, continues to shape contemporary architectural practices. From examining Japanese architectural influence on Gulf aesthetics to uncovering site-sensitive design approaches and the challenges of preserving historical districts, the sessions interrogate architecture not only as built form but as a cultural and ecological agent. With a focus on education, design enterprise, and pioneering pavilion-making, the symposium invites architects, educators, and urbanists to reflect on the shared urgencies of sustainable and contextually grounded development.
Discussion
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.05.20[Tue]
2025.05.21[Wed]
10:00 ～ 15:00
(Venue Open 09:30)
-
- Venue
- Pavilion
- UAE Pavilion
Reports
【Reflection】
This symposium, the first architectural symposium curated under the UAE Pavilion’s theme “From Land to Sky,” was hosted by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA). It brought together experts from Japan, the UAE, and beyond to explore the past, present and future of architecture through multifaceted perspectives, including vernacular practices, sustainability, materials, climate, and cultural identity.
Organised and delivered by Dubai-based creative collectives SWALIF and MABNAI, the symposium was curated by Salem AlSuwaidi and Rashed AlMulla, and featured ten rich sessions. These covered diverse themes, such as the influence of Japanese architecture on the Gulf region, regional material use in the UAE, educational practices in architectural design, and the heritage of palm-frond “Arish” houses as a sustainable building method.
A notable feature of the symposium was the active participation of young architects and students. In addition to keynote lectures and panel discussions, hands-on workshops offered an immersive and engaging environment that bridged theory and practice, academic discourse and professional insight.
Following the symposium, a guided architectural tour of key cultural and architectural sites in Osaka was held. Participants visited venues such as the National Museum of Art, Umeda Sky Building, and the Grand Green Osaka complex by renowned architect Tadao Ando. This provided a valuable opportunity for deepening mutual understanding between the architectural cultures of the UAE and Japan.
Overall, the symposium served as a dynamic platform for fostering intercultural dialogue and architectural exchange, offering inspiration and new perspectives to all who took part.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The symposium served as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between emerging architects and subject-matter experts from the UAE, Japan, and other countries. Several discussions initiated during the event are now evolving into concrete ideas for international cooperation between design studios and academic institutions.
Key initiatives under consideration include building a cross-cultural network for young architects, developing collaborative research on climate-responsive and culturally rooted architecture, and exploring opportunities for reciprocal exchanges. Some young participants have already begun organising mutual visits between the UAE and Japan, laying the groundwork for future co-created design projects and joint workshops.
Insights from the symposium—particularly those relating to sustainability, heritage materials, and regional architectural knowledge—are also being integrated into design education in the UAE. The DCAA and related organisations remain committed to promoting international cultural dialogue through architecture, while contributing to inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Rather than being a one-off event, this symposium is expected to become a cornerstone for long-term collaboration and architectural innovation across the Middle East and Asia.
More Information
The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Pillars of Arish: Architecture in Transition
Immerse yourself in an exploration of architectural knowledge where visionary design meets cultural heritage and sustainable innovation. Brought to you by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (DCAA) and organised by UAE-based collectives SWALIF and MABNAI. This programme is a two-day symposium unfolding at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, exploring the evolving intersections of architecture, cultural identity, and material innovation across the UAE and Japan. Through keynote lectures and panel discussions, the program reflects on how traditional knowledge, embodied in the arish, the falaj, and vernacular landscapes, continues to shape contemporary architectural practices. From examining Japanese architectural influence on Gulf aesthetics to uncovering site-sensitive design approaches and the challenges of preserving historical districts, the sessions interrogate architecture not only as built form but as a cultural and ecological agent. With a focus on education, design enterprise, and pioneering pavilion-making, the symposium invites architects, educators, and urbanists to reflect on the shared urgencies of sustainable and contextually grounded development.
-
2025.05.20[Tue]
10:00～15:00
(Venue Open 09:30)
- Pavilion
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
OTHER PROGRAM
The Future of Community and Mobility Week
