In a landmark moment for architecture and cultural heritage, Dr. Suad (also spelled Souad) Al-Amri, a Palestinian architect and heritage conservationist, has been honored with the Great Arab Minds Award in the Architecture & Design category for 2025. Presented by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this award celebrates remarkable Arab innovators whose work makes a lasting impact.
The prize recognizes Al-Amri’s pioneering efforts to protect, restore, and revitalize Palestine’s architectural heritage, taking historic buildings from decay and transforming them into vibrant, meaningful parts of living communities.
Who is Dr. Suad Al-Amri?
Suad Al-Amri isn’t just an architect, she’s a writer, teacher, and cultural ambassador. She studied architecture at prestigious institutions including the American University of Beirut, the University of Michigan, and the University of Edinburgh.
Her work has earned widespread international accolades over the years:
- Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2013) for the revitalization of Birzeit’s historic centre.
- European Prize for Architecture (2025), shared with global figures, further cementing her influence in world heritage preservation.
But her mission goes beyond prizes. Through her life’s work, Al-Amri aims to reconnect people with place, identity, and history, especially in a context where conflict and displacement have eroded so much of Palestine’s built environment.
Palestinian heritage: Riwaq's pioneering vision
At the heart of Al-Amri’s work is the Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation, a nonprofit she founded in 1991 in Ramallah. The name Riwaq refers to a traditional architectural arcade, a powerful symbol of both structure and cultural continuity.
Riwaq has been central to safeguarding Palestinian collective memory through multiple initiatives:
- Registry of Historic Buildings: A comprehensive documentation project that surveyed and catalogued tens of thousands of historic buildings across the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.
- 50-Villages Rehabilitation Project: A long-term effort focused on restoring and revitalizing key historic villages to strengthen social life, cultural identity, and local economies.
- Community-Centered Restoration: Instead of simple preservation, Riwaq involves local artisans, residents, and traditional building materials, bringing neglected heritage back into daily life.
Al-Amri’s approach treats architecture not just as buildings, but as human stories, memory, and place. It blends heritage with economic and social development, a powerful model for preservation in conflict zones.
What is the Great Arab Minds Award?
The Great Arab Minds Award is an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to celebrate exceptional Arab thinkers whose work leaves a lasting legacy. Dr. Suad Al-Amri’s selection reflects the programme’s core vision: honoring ideas that preserve identity, inspire progress, and serve humanity.
Announcing the Architecture and Design category winner, Sheikh Mohammed praised Al-Amri’s lifelong dedication to safeguarding Palestine’s architectural memory, describing her work as a bridge between history and future generations. In a message shared alongside the announcement, he highlighted the deeper cultural value of her achievements, stating that Arab heritage must remain alive through knowledge, creativity, and action.
“May God protect Palestine, restore life to its historic buildings and villages as they deserve, and preserve its heritage so it remains alive in Arab memory,” Sheikh Mohammed said, underlining architecture’s role in protecting cultural identity amid adversity.
His remarks clearly framed Al-Amri’s work not only as architectural excellence, but as a cultural mission aligned with the Great Arab Minds initiative’s broader goal, to ensure Arab knowledge, creativity, and heritage continue to actively shape the region’s future.
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