مرحبا

We opened our office in the Gulf in December 2019. This was the first RIBA office outside of the UK, across our four international regions. With a growing membership of over 400 members, we have hosted a number of events and seminars, including the RIBA and Geberit seminar series and the RIBA Gulf live lunch talks.

A presence in the Gulf for the past 10 years, the RIBA Gulf chapter is managed by our members. The chapter provides a range of activities for members and non-members, including events, discussion forums and networking opportunities.

In 2021, we signed an agreement with the American University in Dubai and the American University of Sharjah in 2022, to host joint programmes for the architectural community in the United Arab Emirates. This is in order to align with, and expand our growing international network, allowing RIBA to continue to support architectural students in the UAE. In 2019, we agreed a five year memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Land Department. This agreement involves collaboration on areas including professional standards and support as well as opportunities for architects working in Dubai.

Across the region, Abu Dhabi University and Heriot-Watt University Dubai are the only RIBA validated schools with Part 1 architecture degree programmes in the Gulf.

Get in touch

• For membership queries, business queries and information sessions at your company, please email the RIBA Gulf team
  

• To learn more about working in the region, please email the International team

• Connect with us on Linkedin

Be a part of the RIBA Gulf WhatsApp community to receive curated RIBA updates regarding upcoming Gulf events, competitions and resources.

Diba Salam, Principal Founder, Studio DS

A RIBA member since her student days, Diba worked on high profile projects, such as Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, before starting her own practice. We spoke to her about her route into the profession, sustainability and how being a RIBA member represents a gold standard for her practice.

Amy Lam, Founder, Alam Creative Design Studio

Based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the past eleven years, we spoke to Amy about her Jeddah based practice, inspirations and how RIBA promotes the reputation of the architect profession internationally.

Chartered Membership

Exclusive to qualified architects, a Chartered Membership enables you to use the letters RIBA after your name.

Key benefits

• Use the RIBA red site signboard if you are a partner or director of your own practice
• Get discounts to events and a digital version of the RIBA Journal
• Get access to a range of RIBA digital publications, digital events, expert guidance and industry based reports

Find out more about RIBA Chartered Membership.

International Chartered Membership

You can join RIBA as an International Chartered Member, if you have more than five years' architectural education and more than five years of professional architectural experience.

To become an International Chartered Member, apply through the Member Eligibility Assessment Panel (MEAP).

If MEAP doesn't apply to you, there are other routes to RIBA membership.

Affiliate Membership

If you have a professional interest in or passion for architecture and want to become part of the RIBA, you can join as a RIBA Affiliate Member.

Key benefits

• Get access to specialist knowledge resources, expertise and advice
• Receive 50% off cost of CPD programmes
• Receive 50% off cost of professional events
• Get RIBA Journal in print and/or digital free

Find out more about RIBA Affiliate Membership.