Modern Heritage Research Grants

This project examines how the architectural exchange between Kuwait and the UAE in the late 20th century shaped both modern heritage and national identity, with a case study focus on federal public buildings such as post offices. The UAE’s formation in 1971–72 marked a decisive moment in state-building, framed by oil wealth, British withdrawal, and the political need for unity. Architecture—particularly post offices in Ras Al Khaimah (c.1974) and Umm Al Quwain (1988)—functioned as civic symbols of federation, translating Modernist and Brutalist idioms into a distinctly Emirati language. This “federal-modern” style combined shared tectonic vocabularies with local climatic adaptation and cultural references, embedding values of progress, sovereignty, and belonging. Comparative analysis with Kuwaiti precedents highlights the transnational circulation of architectural strategies. Methodologically, the project combines archival research, field documentation, and oral histories. Findings will be published in English and Arabic to ensure accessibility and regional relevance.