AGi architects picked up the Sustainable Project of the Year Award for Wind Tower at Middle East Architect Awards, at a gala dinner held last week in Dubai.

Wind Tower, located in Kuwait City, was selected by judges amongst four other projects competing in the same category. In addition, Nasser Abulhasan and Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea were Highly Commended for Principal of the Year while the design firm was shortlisted in the Large Architecture Firm of the Year category.

Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Nasser Abulhasan, Principals & Founders of AGi architects, took part as speakers at an event organized by Oman Center of Architects in Muscat. Under the title “ArchiSystems”, AGi architects advocated a need for a change in the urban planning and architecture of the Gulf. Based on the knowledge and experience the design firm has in the region, both Nasser and Joaquin made a journey from the foundation of Kuwait to the present day, analyzing both housing and urban evolution during this period.

Various projects of the firm -of different typology and scale- served to highlight the approach and values of the architecture by AGi architects. High-rise buildings such as Wind Tower, healthcare centers, single-family homes, office buildings, etc. were shown.

Three Gardens House by AGi architects has just been recognized with a new award: the Identity Design Award in the “Residential Interior” category, as it was made public on Sunday evening, October 15^th, in Dubai. Three Gardens House was selected by the Jury amongst other seven finalist projects in that category. In addition, our house was also nominated in the category of “Residential Exterior“, along with three other finalist projects.

The awards, organized by identity magazine -the region’s leading monthly magazine dedicated to contemporary design, interiors, architecture and property – has launched the third annual edition of the identity Design Awards programme, featuring a public voted category focusing on the flourishing interiors retail sector.

Our project In Natura Veritas for the restoration and musealization of 18 Galician-Roman sites in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain, has been recognized at the European section of the fifth edition of the International LafargeHolcim Awards, with an Acknowledgement prize.

The proposal was chosen by the European jury -led by the Swiss architect Harry Gugger, author amongst others of the design of CaixaForum Madrid building- amongst more than 792 entries. Judges especially valued its approach to the natural and archeological environment from a respectful perspective that combines landscaping, rehabilitation and musealization.

Joaquín Pérez-Goicoechea participated as a speaker in the summer course “Diplomacy of Cities”, organized by the Network of Houses of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, recently held in Madrid. Under the title “Bubble Cities: Architecture and Citizenship in the Gulf”, Joaquín had the opportunity to share with all those present the vision of AGi architects on urban development in the Gulf region, characterized by an understanding of the local context from all angles and contemporary architectural approaches respectful with the environment.

In addition, along with other professionals, he debated at the round table “Challenges of the Arab city in transition: between urbicide and sustainability”. His experience in the Gulf served to highlight good practices carried out in favor of sustainability.