Architecture competition launched to design
modern art museum in Sharjah
International architecture awards
programme Tamayouz Excellence
Award, in partnership with the UAE-
based Barjeel Art Foundation, has
launched the third round of its the-
matic Rifat Chadirji Prize, which calls
for design proposals for a modern art
museum in Sharjah.
To be located in Al Tarfa, a newly de-
veloped neighbourhood set along the
highway connecting Sharjah to Dubai
and Ajman, the Barjeel Museum for
Modern Arab Art is intended to per-
manently showcase the foundation’s
extensive collection of modern and
contemporary artwork from across the
Arab world.
“The idea of establishing a build-
ing to house the Barjeel collection is
something I have been considering for
the past decade,” said Sultan Sooud Al
Qassemi, founder of Barjeel Art Foun-
dation and lecturer at the Yale Coun-
cil on Middle East Studies. “I started
collecting art in 2002 with the
intention of making the works availa-
ble to the public in one way or another.”
According to Al Qassemi, the Shar-
jah government gave Barjeel the right
of use of land in the emirate to con-
struct a museum that would house its
collection in 2017 – a move that fol-
lowed nearly 10 years of working with
various entities, including Shurooq,
to showcase temporary and long-term
exhibitions.
The brief for the competition, which
can be found online, calls for partici-
pants to design an architectural and
cultural landmark that contextualises
Sharjah’s history and cultural identity
in a contemporary manner.
“I am hoping for a modern design
that takes into consideration environ-
mental concerns,” Al Qassemi added.
“I would also like to see something
more on a human scale that still has
the ability to stand out. It’s important
for participants to keep in mind that
this is a structure that would poten-
tially house a collection of art from
across the Arab world.”The 2019 cycle comes in contrast
to the award’s previous years. Named
after the prolific Iraqi architect and
theorist, Rifat Chadirji, the award
has, until now, focused on Iraq-related
challenges, including the housing cri-
sis in Mosul (2017) and the design of
a Baghdad Design Centre (2018). And
while previous cycles have been idea-
tional, this year, Al Qassemi aims to se-
cure funds that would make the theme
a reality.
“I hope that I will be able to raise
funds from the UAE and elsewhere
to construct the museum,” he said.
“A strong design w ill only add weight to
the project and allow us to build a bet-
ter case for its realisation.”
The winner of the competition will
receive a statuette designed by con-
temporary Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi,
inspired by Chadirji’s architectural
forms. Cash prizes will also be given to
the first, second and third place win-
ners, as well as certificates and invita-
tions to the award’s annual ceremony.Sharjah, UAE8 / NEWS HIGHLIGHTS