Shaping the Architects of Tomorrow, Interplay of Teaching Philosophies and Practice Requirements: An Empirical Taxonomy of Professional Architectural Practice in the UAE

Abstract

The UAE’s thriving real estate market has resulted in a highly diversified built environment, attracting architects from around the world. However, this has also led to a misconception within the architectural practice and its regularization, particularly concerning acceptable professional qualifications. Therefore, this study aims to address these issues and provide a blueprint for policymakers and stakeholders. This study provided a comprehensive overview of architectural practice in the UAE by identifying the services offered by professionals in the built environment and categorizing them based on their qualifications and professional titles. The study adopts a classical research method, which includes a literature review, unstructured interviews, a statistical survey, and analysis. The study identifies 13 building designs and allied services commonly provided by professionals in the built environment in the UAE. The professionals providing these services are categorized based on their qualifications and professional titles, which include registered architects, architect engineers, architectural consultants, engineering consultants, and project managers. Furthermore, the study clarifies the definition of an acceptable qualification for a principal architect, which can be used as a reference by young professionals to understand the trends in architectural qualification and practice. The results of the study can also be used by policymakers and stakeholders to address the issues in professional practice and improve the quality of architectural services in the UAE.