Dezeen School Shows: a museum for Emirati culture and craft located in Sharjah, UAE, is among the architecture projects from Ajman University.

Also featured is accommodation for female students and an arts and crafts centre in Damascus that celebrates Syrian heritage.

Ajman University

School: Architecture, Art and Design
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutors:  Mohammad S Arar and Rashed Alshaali
School statement:

"This course aims to finalise the students' design education, achieving excellence and mastering all parts of the architectural design process.

"The student applies the knowledge and skills that he obtained in a comprehensive graduation project covering the conceptual stage, stages of development, site-related issues, structural and construction needs, social and cultural relationships and computer application in design development and presentation."

[Transit]ional Community Center: A Community Catalyst to Develop Inhabitable and Flexible Infrastructure for a Circular Economy in Dharavi, India, by Aysha Nimra Dhinda

"Dharavi, Mumbai, is a widely recognised area for its infill areas, dense informal settlements and vibrant micro-economy fuelled by small-scale manufacturing and recycling industries.

"What initially began as an architectural inquiry soon turned into a deeper motive as to how people create their own systems of mobility, support and belonging.

"Despite its strong culture of resourcefulness and community networks, the area lacks integrated public infrastructure that supports social interaction and environmental resilience.

"The community catalyst is not just a design proposal; it is an offering to the potters, recyclers, tailors, vendors and young minds.

"The project contributes towards a human-centric architectural framework that utilises existing infrastructure, adaptive spatial systems, and modular architectural strategies that reinterprets the community centre as a multifunctional catalyst on an urban level.

"By integrating community-driven urban design, the proposal demonstrates how architecture can transform underutilised spaces into resilient social infrastructure."

Student: Aysha Nimra Dhinda
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar
Email: ayshanimra18[at]gmail.com

Home Away From Home (University Dormitory) by Fatima Saad Muslem Balhaf

"Being a student is a transformative stage of personal and academic growth, requiring individuals to adapt to a new environment while preserving their identity and values.

"The core philosophy of this project is to provide accommodation for female students away from their homes, creating an environment that supports their development and enables them to emerge more independent, confident and accomplished.

"The design consists of interconnected wings, each dedicated to different functions and services, encouraging communication, social interaction and a sense of community.

"A central five-by-five vertical circulation core anchors each wing, efficiently connecting the various levels and organising the overlapping spaces.

"The upper floors, which contain the residential units, incorporate concealed terraces that offer outdoor spaces while maintaining privacy for residents without relying on visual barriers.

"Complementing the residential areas, an entertainment hub provides recreational and social spaces that enhance student life and well-being."

Student: Fatima Saad Muslem Balhaf
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

Juthoor – Blue-Green Agriculture and Mangrove Research Hub  by Rawda Ahmed Abdelmoneem Attia

"Juthoor – Blue-Green Agriculture and Mangrove Research Hub is a coastal research and innovation platform located on Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi, exploring the integration of mangrove ecosystems, sustainable agriculture and environmental research within a unified blue-green system.

"Inspired by the UAE's environmental vision and the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, the project reimagines mangroves not only as ecosystems to be protected, but as productive landscapes capable of supporting food security, climate resilience and economic innovation.

"The project emerged from research into the UAE's dependence on imported food, water scarcity, high salinity and the growing importance of mangrove restoration.

"At its core, Juthoor operates as a closed-loop system where mangroves, aquaponics, water management and research facilities work together.

"Fish waste provides nutrients for crops, plants naturally filter water and mangroves stabilise the ecosystem while generating opportunities for biomass, bio-based materials and environmental products.

"Architecturally, the design is derived from the relationship between land and sea, drawing inspiration from the form and interconnected nature of mangrove roots.

"Beyond conservation, Juthoor proposes a future where the UAE can become a global leader in sustainable coastal innovation, transforming environmental resources into knowledge, production and economic value while strengthening national sustainability goals for 2030, 2050 and beyond."

Student: Rawda Ahmed Abdelmoneem Attia
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

Innovation and Entertainment Hub by Mariam Youssef Adel Jassem

"The innovation and entertainment hub is designed by merging technology with entertainment, where entertainment drives creativity.

"Driven by the concept of 'Pixels', the hub blends tectonic modularity with systemic efficiency. The spatial layout draws inspiration from a printed circuit board, translating functional routing into optimised circulation paths.

"Developed from a primary mass, the form underwent splitting, displacement and interlocking to create a dynamic complex.

"The project integrates advanced sustainability features, featuring kinetic energy-harvesting flooring, integrated photovoltaic solar glass and interactive augmented reality experiences for students and visitors."

Student: Mariam Youssef Adel Jassem
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

The National Stadium of Abu Dhabi by Ban Qusai Musa Alsayyed

"The National Stadium of Abu Dhabi, located in the desert city of Al Ain, stands as a sculptural landmark inspired by the deep connection between Emirati heritage, the coastal environment and the nation's cultural legacy.

"This relationship is expressed through the facade's blue-to-beige gradient, evoking the movement of ocean waves meeting the shoreline while contrasting with the surrounding desert dunes and arid landscape.

"The façade incorporates openings of varying sizes and densities that respond to different orientations, enhancing environmental performance and creating a dynamic visual experience.

"As a result, the stadium offers visitors and spectators an engaging architectural journey that extends beyond the act of watching a sporting event."

Student: Ban Qusai Musa Alsayyed
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

Translating Neural Connections into Architectural Space by Ayasha Ahmad Kousa

"The Gaming Center was designed as an innovative hub for gamers, esports communities and digital creators.

"Inspired by the concept of 'Synaptic Instinct', the project draws from the human neural network, where connections generate signals, reactions and intelligent responses.

"The design process began with a central core representing thought, intelligence and instinct, from which spaces developed radially to create a connected and interactive environment.

"Similar to neural pathways, the project integrates training rooms, VR zones, streaming studios, workshops and a professional esports arena within a unified spatial network.

"Through a sequence of massing transformations, circulation voids and architectural articulation, the final form expresses movement, interaction and connectivity, creating an immersive destination that supports learning, competition, creativity and digital engagement."

Student: Ayasha Ahmad Kousa
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

Arts and Crafts Center by Abdulrahman Faisal Mudallaleh

"Located in Damascus, the Arts and Crafts Center is a contemporary cultural hub that celebrates Syrian heritage while fostering creativity, education and community engagement.

"The project integrates exhibition spaces, workshops, learning facilities and public gathering areas within a unified architectural composition.

"Inspired by the traditional Damascene star, a geometric motif deeply embedded in the city's artistic identity, the design reinterprets this pattern as the project's primary organising principle.

"The star geometry shapes the building form, guides circulation and creates strong visual connections between spaces.

"The motif extends into the roof design, generating shaded outdoor areas that enhance comfort while strengthening the architectural expression.

"Sustainability is achieved through skylights and ventilation towers that maximise natural daylight and passive cooling, reducing energy demand in response to Damascus's climate.

"By merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, the project offers a modern cultural destination that connects Syria's rich heritage with future innovation."

Student: Abdulrahman Faisal Mudallaleh
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Rashed Alshaali
Email: abdulrahman11md[at]gmail.com

Ramallah Culture and Crafts Center by Mahmoud Khaled Shaheen

"The Ramallah Culture and Crafts Center reinterprets the spatial qualities of traditional Palestinian villages through a contemporary architectural language.

"The project is organised as a cluster of interconnected volumes arranged around a series of courtyards that promote social interaction, cultural exchange and outdoor learning.

"A lightweight shading canopy unifies the complex, creating a continuous pedestrian spine while improving environmental comfort.

"The centre accommodates exhibition spaces, craft workshops, educational facilities, performance venues and community programs.

"Through the integration of local materials, passive design strategies and flexible public spaces, the project establishes a vibrant cultural hub that celebrates Palestinian heritage and contemporary creativity."

Student: Mahmoud Khaled Shaheen
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Rashed Alshaali
Email: modyshaheen2015[at]gamil.com

Between Sand and Screen by Esra Abdulrahman Rameshi

"Between Sand and Screen is a museum of Arabic culture and digital art conceived as a bridge between memory and innovation.

"Situated on Sharjah's Al Khan Waterfront, the museum celebrates the transformation of Emirati culture from traditional crafts, storytelling and communal gathering to emerging digital forms of expression.

"The architecture unfolds as a sequence of layered volumes inspired by the desert landscape and historic urban patterns, while contemporary exhibition spaces introduce immersive digital experiences.

"Open courtyards, shaded public realms and waterfront connections encourage social interaction and cultural exchange.

"The project presents culture not as a static archive, but as an evolving narrative that connects generations through architecture."

Student: Esra Abdulrahman Rameshi
Course: Graduation Project II
Tutor: Mohammad S Arar

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Ajman University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.