Modern Heritage Research Grants

This project explores the architectural legacy of precast concrete in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on its pivotal role during the nation-building decades of the 1970s–2000s. While UAE architecture is often framed between vernacular heritage and futuristic skylines, this study highlights the overlooked middle period defined by rapid development and pragmatic construction. Precast concrete enabled large-scale production of housing, schools, mosques, and civic buildings that balanced speed, economy, and climatic adaptability. Through a focused set of case studies—including the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, Al Falah Housing Project, and the Former UAE Public Library and Cultural Center—the research combines archival work, technical analysis, and field documentation to examine design, material performance, and lived experience. The final outcome will be a mock-up printed compilation presenting drawings, photographs, and analytical narratives that reframe precast architecture as a culturally and historically significant component of the UAE’s modern heritage.