Culture & Education | Wednesday 18 March, 2015 12:06 am |

Sharjah, Tuesday, March 17, 2015- Internationally renowned architect Rem Koolhaas delivered an engaging lecture at American University of Sharjah (AUS) today, March 17, 2015. The event, which drew a large crowd comprising students, faculty members, senior university officials and members of the public, took place in the Main Auditorium on campus.

Known for his distinct architectural style, Koolhaas briefed the audience about his background and the times he grew up and which came to influence and define his work. He spoke about how architecture and design is impacted by social, cultural and political changes. The Dutch architect also discussed some of his famous projects, including the Central China Television (CCTV) Headquarters, the iconic 44-storey skyscraper in Beijing, as well as exciting projects spread throughout the Gulf as well as Europe.

As one of the world's leading architects, and the head of OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) and its research branch, AMO, Koolhaas is the designer of numerous groundbreaking projects, such as Prada Store (New York, USA), Casa da Música (Porto, Portugal), Maison à Bordeaux (Bordeaux, France), Embassy of the Netherlands (Berlin, Germany), Seattle Central Library (Seattle, USA), Shenzhen Stock Exchange (Shenzhen, China), and De Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Netherlands), among others.

He was appointed the director of Fundamentals, the 14th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. Some of his seminal publications include Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan, and S,M,L,XL. Currently, he is a professor at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

“The work of Rem Koolhaas is breathtaking and he is such an inspiration,” said Jemicah Dela, a senior majoring in design management. “The lecture taught me a lot of things about the world of architecture and his personal views behind his work,” she added.






About AUS

American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 26 majors and 52 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 master’s degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business Administration. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The bachelor of science degree programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering offered by the College of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org). The bachelor of science degree program in computer science offered by the College of Engineering is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org). The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) as well as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees offered by the School of Business Administration are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).