Tamayouz Excellence Award is delighted to reveal the finalists shortlist for the Women in Architecture and Construction Award 2024.
This award recognises women who have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa. It is part of the broader Tamayouz Excellence Award programme, celebrating architectural excellence in the MENA region and beyond. The award features two categories: Rising Star and Woman of Outstanding Achievement.
Jury Panel for 2024
The jury, comprising esteemed professionals in architecture and related fields, evaluated the candidates based on their impact on the profession and society and their ability to overcome industry-specific challenges. The panel included:
- Professor Jala Makhzoumi – Lebanon: International Federation of Landscape Architects – Middle East Region, acting President, American University of Beirut, Adjunct Professor, Co-chair, Tamayouz Excellence Award Grand Jury 2022-24.
- Professor Wendy Pullan – UK: Emeritus Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies and director of the Centre for Urban Conflicts Research, University of Cambridge – Co-chair of Tamayouz Excellence Award Grand Jury 2022-24.
- Nadia Habash – Palestine: Head of the Palestinian Engineering Association – Founder of Habash Consulting Engineers / Adjunct Professor Beirzet University
- Dr Ebtissam Farid Moustapha – Egypt: Head of School of Design and Media, Coventry University UK – branch at TKH – Cairo – Egypt, and Co-founder of ENCODE
- Dr Deyala Tarawneh – Jordan: Architect, urbanist, and head of the Architecture Department at the University of Jordan.
- Ahmed Al-Mallak – UK: Founding Director of Tamayouz Excellence Award and Academic at Coventry University (Non-voting chair).
The jury commended all participants for their remarkable strength and ability to navigate complex contexts, highlighting a solid balance between academic achievement and professional practice among the finalists.
More information about each judge can be found on Tamayouz’s jury panel page.
The Women in Architecture and Construction 2024 Award finalists are listed below in alphabetical order for each category. More information about each candidate can be found further below.
Rising Star Shortlist
- Hala Asslan – Syria
- Lebriz Atan Karaatli – Türkiye
- Rania Kaadan – Syria
- Shatha Safi – Palestine
- Ula Merie – Iraq
Woman of Outstanding Achievement Shortlist
- Amal Abuelhawa – Palestine
- Eman Shafiq Mohamed Assi – Palestine
- Hana Alamuddin – Lebanon
- Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin – Iraq\Canada
- Sumaya Dabbagh – Saudi Arabia
The founding director of Tamayouz Excellence Award and Coventry University academic, Ahmed Al-Mallak, said: “Congratulations to the finalists. We are thrilled with the jury’s selection and proud to showcase these exceptional women whose impactful work is shaping the built environment across our region and beyond. While there will be a single award, our goal is to honour these individuals by bringing visibility to their achievements, particularly their ability to overcome challenges, and sparking important discussions among professionals and decision-makers in architecture, urban planning, and heritage preservation. This recognition also inspires future generations by highlighting exemplary role models in the field.”
The Finalists shortlist
The Rising Star Category
Dr Hala Asslan
Architect and Academic
Syria
Dr Hala Asslan, an architect and researcher, is an expert in heritage preservation. Her career has been dedicated to protecting cultural sites, particularly in conflict zones. She holds a PhD from the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris and has worked with international bodies such as ICOMOS and the United Nations Development Programme.
Hala’s work focuses on rehabilitating cultural heritage. She has extensively written on the subject of architectural conservation, contributing numerous articles and several books that have contributed to the knowledge and practice in the field. As a consultant for the World Heritage List, her role extends across multiple projects safeguarding architectural treasures in Syria and beyond.
Lebriz Atan Karaatli
Founder of KAAT ARCHITECTURE + URBAN
Türkiye
Lebriz Atan Karaatli co-founded KAAT Architecture + Urban and has gained significant recognition for her work, which reflects a deep understanding of context and culture, creating aesthetically compelling and highly functional spaces. She is educated at Istanbul Technical University and holds dual degrees in architecture and interior design.
After working with leading design firms in Türkiye, she founded her practice, which has since won numerous awards, including a Building of the Year nomination and the Europa40Under40 award. Her designs reflect a deep sensitivity, blending modernity with local traditions.
Rania Kaadan
Urban Planning Manager at Ernst & Young (EY)
Syria/Qatar
Rania Kaadan is an architect and researcher with computational architecture and urban reconstruction expertise. A graduate of the University of Aleppo, she pursued further studies at University College London and MIT, where she developed her interest in advanced digital methodologies for urban regeneration. Currently, she is the Manager of Urban Planning, Strategy, and Transactions at Ernst & Young in Doha, Qatar, where she leads community-centred master planning workshops, uniting decision-makers, end-users, academics, and professionals from various fields. Her work integrates architectural theory, technology, and practical application to create innovative solutions for post-conflict urban environments. Rania is also an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, where she continues to bridge academia and practice.
Shatha Safi
Director of RIWAQ- Centre for Architectural Conservation
Palestine
Since becoming Director of RIWAQ, Shatha Safi has played a pivotal role in architectural conservation efforts across Palestine. Her work focuses on rehabilitating neglected rural areas and cultural landscapes, combining architecture with community participation. Shatha’s notable projects include the rehabilitation of Beit Iksa, Hajjah, Birzeit, and Qalandiya, aiming to preserve cultural heritage while enhancing local infrastructure.
She holds degrees in architecture and cultural heritage from Birzeit University and ITILO, Turin, and continues to advocate for sustainable conservation practices in her region.
Ula Merie
lecturer at the University of Babylon
Iraq
Lecturer at the University of Babylon, specialising in post-colonial architecture and urbanism. She holds a PhD from the Sheffield School of Architecture, where her research explored architectural responses to conflict and displacement. Her current work investigates spatial justice, identity, and heritage themes in post-war cities, with projects supported by institutions like the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Heritage Borders of Engagement Network. Ula’s research connects theory with practice, aiming to create inclusive urban environments in the context of Iraq’s recovery.
Woman of Outstanding Achievement Shortlist
Amal Abuelhawa
Jerusalem Old Cities Revitalization Program Manager
Palestine
A prominent figure in heritage conservation, Amal Abuelhawa manages the Jerusalem Old Cities Revitalisation Programme at the Welfare Association – Taawon. With over a decade of experience, she has led the restoration of significant historical sites in Jerusalem and Nablus.
Amal actively promotes community engagement and the empowerment of local professionals through technical training and collaborative projects.
Through her leadership and advocacy, she has set a high standard for heritage conservation practices worldwide, ensuring that historical structures are preserved and serve as living parts of their communities. Her contributions have significantly strengthened the preservation of Palestine’s historical identity and empowered local communities.
Dr Eman Shafiq Mohamed Assi
Associate professor, American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Palestine/UAE
Dr Eman Assi is an associate professor at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and a renowned expert in urban conservation. She holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and has been involved in numerous heritage documentation and preservation projects across the Gulf and Mediterranean. Her published works on traditional houses in Dubai earned the Sultan bin Salman Award for Cultural Heritage. Eman’s contributions to the field include her role as chair of the scientific committee for international architectural conservation conferences, advancing knowledge and practice in the region.
Hana Alamuddin
Principal of Almimariya Architects and Designers for Sustainable Development
Lebanon
Hana Alamuddin, Principal of Almimariya Architects, has over 25 years of experience in sustainable architecture, urban design, and landscape projects. After completing her studies in the UK and the US, Hana returned to Lebanon to contribute to post-war reconstruction efforts, focusing on heritage preservation and environmental sustainability. Her award-winning projects reflect a commitment to cultural identity and placemaking, and she continues to inspire future architects through her teaching at the American University of Beirut.
Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin
Associate Professor at Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research
President of Cultural Heritage Organization (CHO)
Iraq
Dr Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin is an architect and academic with expertise in digital heritage. She serves as President of the Cultural Heritage Organisation and Co-Director of the Nahrein Network at UCL. With over 20 years of professional experience, Rozhen has worked on heritage and academic projects in Iraq and the wider region countries. Her research and leadership in heritage preservation have earned her international recognition, including funding from the UK, USA, and EU for several projects in Iraq and the Middle East.
Sumaya Dabbagh
Principal, Dabbagh Architects
Saudi Arabia
Sumaya Dabbagh is a Saudi architect educated in the UK. She founded Dabbagh Architects in 2008 and has completed several significant projects that address intangible notions such as memory, identity, and belonging.
Dabbagh’s approach to contextual architecture is driven by the connection to the land. This approach has been demonstrated throughout the practice’s body of work in the Gulf Region, with projects like the Mleiha Archaeological Centre and Gargash Mosque earning global recognition.
Her designs are rooted in a deep connection to place. She draws on local traditions to create spaces that resonate with users and the surrounding landscape. Her work has been featured in global exhibitions, such as the Sharjah Architecture Triennial.
In 2020, Tamayouz’s Women in Architecture and Construction Award winners were Iranian architect Yasaman Esmaili for Rising Star, and Egyptian Radwa Rostom won highly commended for Rising Star—Lebanese-French architect Lina Ghotmeh for Woman of Outstanding Achievement.
Sponsors: The Tamayouz Excellence Award is sponsored by Coventry University, the Iraqi Business Council in Jordan, Kufa—Makiya Charity, Dewan Architects + Engineers, Bonair Ltd, the United Nations Global Compact—Iraq Network, Round City Magazine, and the Knowledge Hub Universities—Egypt.