UAP Dubai Design Awards 2025 celebrates Filipino innovation and global architectural excellence

Dubai celebrates Filipino architects and global design leaders

Last updated: July 11, 2025 | 13:02

Manuel Almario, Senior News Editor

3 MIN READ

From sleek commercial spaces to groundbreaking concepts, the awards celebrated outstanding projects.

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Dubai: The future of architecture took center stage at the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Dubai Design Awards 2025, where the region’s top creatives, firms, and visionaries gathered for a spectacular night on June 28 at Bluewaters Forum, Delano Dubai. The event proved that Dubai isn’t just building a skyline — it’s shaping a global legacy of design.

With landmark projects like Dubai Opera, Burj Al Arab, One Za’abeel, and the Office of the Future receiving honors, the gala celebrated the best in architecture, innovation, and sustainability. But it also spotlighted the rising stars and firms redefining urban landscapes — especially at Expo City Dubai, the city’s next big canvas.

Hosted by “Aurora” — AI meets Filipino ingenuity

In a groundbreaking twist, this year’s event was hosted by Aurora — the first AI-powered virtual host of its kind in the region. Developed by SparksLab Technology, a Filipino-led team based in Dubai, Aurora delivered the program with poise, intelligence, and a human touch that left the audience in awe.

From the host to the app and content itself, Filipino creativity and tech talent powered the entire digital experience — a bold statement of what’s possible when innovation meets heritage.

16 categories, limitless creativity

From sleek commercial spaces to groundbreaking concepts, the awards celebrated outstanding projects, including:

Nad Al Sheba Mall (Commercial) – Honor Award, Gensler Middle East
Mama Shelter Dubai (Hospitality) – Honor Award, National Engineering Bureau

Henann Premier Coast Resort (Hospitality) – Merit Award, Palafox
Nad Al Sheba Mosque (Community/Cultural) – Merit Award, Gensler Middle East
Tagaytay City Hall (Community/Cultural) – Honor Award, WTA Architecture and Design Studio
Holy Angel Senior High School (Educational) – Honor Award, Palafox
Spin Hostel (Innovation/Sustainability) – Merit Award, Edwin Uy Design Office
House No. 17, Camiguin (Residential, Small) – Merit Award, Edwin Uy Design Office
Peu Bruts, Baler (Residential, Small) – Honor Award, Cali Architects
Tiger Sky Tower (Concept, Large) – Merit Award, National Engineering Bureau
DIFC Heights Tower (Concept, Large) – Honor Award, AtkinsRéalis
Grey Area, Batangas (Concept, Small) – Merit Award, Cali Architects
Glass Tree House (Concept, Small) – Honor Award, Lino Architecture Inc.
Student Theses – Merit Awards to standout projects by Far Eastern University, Cavite State University, and Divine Word College of Calapan
Interior Architecture – Merit Award: Kaimana Restaurant (Ace of Space); Honor Award: Kasumigaseki Capital, Dubai Hills (Spacewell)

Top Architectural Honours

Young Global Filipino Architect of the Year: Amon Cali, Cali Architects
Global Filipino Architect of the Year: Royal Pineda, Royal Pineda+
Architecture Firm of the Year: Gensler Middle East

Judged by an elite international panel - the awards upheld the highest standards of integrity and global relevance:

Alex Yoo, Design Director, Marriott International
Ahmed Al Salami, Chief Architect, Dubai Municipality
Thierry Paret, Principal, AIA International
Takamori Yamazaki, Nikken Sekkei Ltd

Filipino leadership in the spotlight

At the close of the evening, the UAP Dubai Chapter announced the re-election of Christian Vasquez (Senior Project Architect, NEB) as President for the 2025–2026 term. Leading a vibrant community of over 500 licensed Filipino architects in Dubai, Vasquez’s leadership signals an era of bold initiatives and cross-border collaboration.

“UAP Dubai is more than a professional organization — it’s a dynamic global network that champions innovation and lifelong learning,” Vasquez said.

His new leadership team — featuring respected names from NEB, Expo City Dubai, XBD Collective, and more — aims to launch:

High-level executive roundtables with developers and architects
Architect-as-entrepreneur masterclasses
Mentorship-driven networking
A global series of webinars and lectures

Building a global Filipino legacy

Founded in 1975, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) is the official professional organization of Filipino architects — affiliated with UIA, ARCASIA, and the APEC Architects Registry. With over 60,000 members globally, the organization continues to lead the charge in professional development, international standards, and global competitiveness.

“Our commitment is clear,” Vasquez emphasized. “We will keep our members globally competitive through continuous learning and innovation.”

Also Read: Filipino broker Aquino Plotado secures historic Dh1 billion UAE real estate deal exclusively with Fam Properties

Manuel AlmarioSenior News Editor

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