Palestinian Engineer Wins “Arab Geniuses” Award in Recoginition of her efforts to protect cultural heritage
Palestinian Dr. Suad Amiry won the Arab Geniuses Award in its third edition under the Architecture and Design category, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to preserving Palestinian architectural heritage.
News Center — Through the Riwaq Centre, Dr. Suad Amiry has contributed to documenting tens of thousands of historic buildings and restoring urban centers, in addition to authoring works that preserve architectural memory for future generations.
Palestinian Dr. Suad Amiry, Director of the Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation, won the Arab Geniuses Award 2025, held in the United Arab Emirates, in the Architecture and Design category. The award recognizes her contributions to preserving Palestinian architectural heritage, documenting and restoring historic buildings, and adaptively reusing them in ways that serve local communities and strengthen authentic architectural identity, alongside her efforts to protect built heritage in line with its historical character.
Amiry contributed to one of the largest architectural documentation projects in Palestine, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive register of more than 50,000 historic buildings, as well as the revival and rehabilitation of around 50 historic centers across various regions. Her projects have helped create employment and training opportunities for craftsmen, encouraged the use of traditional building materials, and involved village residents directly in the restoration and rehabilitation of their homes.
In addition to her fieldwork, she has produced numerous publications and specialized studies on Palestinian architecture, addressing transformations in village urban fabric and local materials. She also meticulously documented historic houses, including construction elements, decorative details, and architectural plans, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural memory for generations to come.