The winning design, titled 'Al Ghaf Shades', submitted by second-year student Lucie Salou, received an award of AED 25,000.

The five winners were announced at a dedicated awards ceremony held at Tilal Al Ghaf.

The initiative, which ran in the Fall semester of 2022, saw AUD students being invited to respond to a brief from Majid Al Futtaim Communities to design a Clubhouse for the Alaya neighborhood at Tilal Al Ghaf. Implemented as a key element of AUD’s Architectural Design Student III (ARCH 201) course, all participating students received an academic grade for their work.

The winning design, titled 'Al Ghaf Shades' and submitted by second-year student Lucie Salou, received an award of AED 25,000. Two additional prizes were given, with Areig Abdelmaguid’s 'Foliage' awarded AED 15,000 for second place, and Rashed Ismail’s 'Sikka' receiving AED 10,000 as runner-up, while honorable mentions were also given to Christelle Hanna for 'Embrace.' and Amna Shahdoor for 'Labyrinth.”

Hawazen Esber, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Communities, extended his congratulations to the AUD student finalists, stating: "On behalf of the entire team at Majid Al Futtaim Communities, I would like to express my admiration to the winners and thank all of the AUD students who took part in the Alaya Clubhouse competition. The standard of entries was extremely high, which posed an extremely tough challenge for our judging panel.”

In line with Majid Al Futtaim and AUD’s shared commitment to fostering the next generation of architectural, design, and engineering talent in the Emirates, all three winners will be invited to join the Majid Al Futtaim – Communities’ Development Team over the next two academic terms, where they will have an active role to play in developing the Clubhouse design. They will also gain valuable experience working in a fast-paced and innovative environment alongside an expert team of highly-qualified professionals.

Esber adds: “We look forward to welcoming the three winners to Tilal Al Ghaf as part of the Development Team where they will work alongside our team to take the winning design to the next level. I am excited about the potential this represents - in my opinion, the collaboration between fresh young talent and experienced professionals is the sweet spot where innovation thrives.”

Dr. David A. Schmidt, President of the American University in Dubai (AUD), stated: On behalf of the entire AUD community I am so proud of the finalists. Their work is reflective of the AUD Architecture program and are our amazing faculty. A special thank you to CEO Esber for his vision and his support of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. AUD and Majid Al Futtaim Communities share the belief that the best way to ensure our future is to invest in our students.

Upon completion, the Clubhouse design will act as a focal point for the Alaya neighborhood, offering an inspiring space where residents can gather to relax and recharge. Ideally situated on the edge of Lagoon Al Ghaf and benefiting from stunning views of its sandy beaches and crystal waters, Alaya is designed to deliver an exceptional luxury experience. The premium neighborhood features a limited number of expansive villas distinguished by an architectural design approach inspired by the biophilic aesthetic, each set in extensive landscaped grounds.

Now established as one of the city's most sought-after areas, Tilal Al Ghaf is designed in line with Majid Al Futtaim Communities' commitment to sustainable design and living. At the heart of the community sits Lagoon Al Ghaf, a stunning recreational 150,000 square meter lagoon surrounded by walkable neighborhoods interconnected by a network of pathways, cycling tracks, and jogging trails, all of which are set amongst wide open spaces, treescapes, and lush landscaping. Spanning over three million square meters, the community also features signature Majid Al Futtaim retail experiences and a world-renowned international school.