P&T Architects and Engineers has announced the launch of its second edition of the P&T Architecture Student Competition in the UAE. The winners will be awarded next April 2020, in a private ceremony in Dubai International Financial Centre. The ceremony will be attended by the finalists’, partners, judges, and representatives of the Society of Engineers, and the Ministry of Higher Education.

P&T organises this annual competition to demonstrate their social responsibility to the community by nurturing the young architects and answering the region’s challenges. This year there are registrations from 115 students, representing eight universities across the UAE; including Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, Al Ghurair University, American University in Dubai, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, American University of Sharjah, Canadian University Dubai, and the University of Sharjah.

The students will be challenged this year to submit designs for a cultural museum and visitors centre in Jumeirah, promoting local heritage within the year of “Towards the next 50”.

First place will be awarded AED10,000 and an internship at the firm. Second place prize is AED6,000, and third place shall be AED4,000. Honourary certificates shall also be issued to seven other notable submissions. The judging panel of elite regional and global experts shall use three basic criteria to assess each project; namely idea, presentation, and sustainable environmental solutions.

James Abbott, managing director believes that “students can have great ideas that are innovative, brave and forward-thinking that provide fresh ways to look at the challenging task of designing buildings that can offer something new to the UAE community.”