Manah: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said presided over the launch of an initiative to revive ancient architecture at Oman Across Ages Museum in the Wilayat of Manah today. The ceremony was attended by Royal Family members, ministers, senior officials, and experts in architectural design.
According to Oman News Agency, HH Sayyid Bilarab took note of the goals of the initiative, which include reviving the Omani architectural identity by enhancing awareness about the value of architectural design as a component of national identity. The initiative encourages the community to explore Omani architecture and understand its cultural, social, and economic impact. It also highlights models of innovation established by Omani architects over the past centuries and identifies methods used in design and construction with the aim of encouraging their use to enhance architectural heritage. This approach aims to generate successful models that integrate innovation with heritage, engaging different segments of society in dialogues about architectural design, promoting an environment that supports creativity and leadership, and boosting opportunities for architects in the Omani labor market.
HH Sayyid Bilarab toured the pavilion dedicated to the ‘Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design’ and viewed 3D models of projects that won first place in the 1st and 2nd editions of the Award. The pavilion also showcased the project that won the competition to design Oman’s pavilion at the forthcoming Expo 2025 in Japan.
He then watched a visual presentation about ongoing actions since the launch of the first edition of the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design, leading up to the launch of the Architecture Revival Initiative. The presentation included a new structure spearheaded by the Bilarab Bin Haitham Initiatives, which includes the Bilarab Bin Haitham Community, the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design, and the Bilarab Bin Haitham Programmes. Additionally, the date for the 3rd edition of the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design was announced, scheduled for the end of 2025.
HH Sayyid Bilarab was briefed about the interactive experience of reviving three pillars of architecture: ongoing education, innovation, and market readiness. These pillars are aimed at enhancing conventional architecture and its revival in the Sultanate of Oman.
Ongoing education in the field of architecture emphasizes architectural inspiration by reviewing prominent architectural experiences. Innovation highlights the techniques and methods immortalized by Omani architects, using them to restore old villages and neighborhoods into sustainable tourist destinations that preserve heritage, fit with the environment, support economic development, and meet human needs.
Market readiness enables parties to fully understand the job market in architecture and raises awareness about the most prominent professional tracks related to architectural design. This aims to enhance graduates’ readiness to enter the job market, discover employment opportunities, and establish communication networks between students, experts, and business owners.
The Architecture Revival Initiative follows the first and second editions of the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design, alongside the competition to design the Oman Pavilion at Expo 2025 Japan. It seeks to enrich the architectural field in the Sultanate of Oman and targets various segments of society interested in architectural design, including architecture enthusiasts, experts, and students in this field.