Bilarab Bin Haitham Award entries open until February 5

Muscat: Entries for the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design can be submitted until 5 February.

Those interested in competing for the award can visit the relevant website, www.bha.om, and enter the details pertaining to their project. Participants must submit their initial idea for the project during the registration stage, including drawings and illustrations, and a detailed description of the proposed project that does not exceed 500 words.

The jury will study and evaluate the submitted projects, and then select the ten best according to the established criteria, and will communicate their decisions with those who have come up with the ideas that have been shortlisted. These 10 candidates must then develop their detailed technical drawings and three-dimensional plans, which are to be presented before the jury in a preliminary review session that begins on 27 February.

The award aims to encourage the creation of innovative and contemporary Omani architectural styles; help create concepts for environmentally friendly tourist and entertainment areas – a key objective under Oman Vision 2040; invest in the knowledge and skills of Omani youth; create investment opportunities for owners of small and medium businesses; and provide the tourism and investment planning sectors with ideas and plans for modern, innovative and viable projects.

The award is open to Omani youth specialising in the field of architecture, design, and urban planning. All participants must be aged 35 or under. Jobseekers are also welcome to compete for the award. Ideas can be submitted individually, or from a group consisting of a maximum of three people working together.

Spanning an area of 7,500 square metres, the project site for the current phase of the award is located in the neighbourhood of Al Mina, in the Wilayat of Muttrah, between the Muttrah Fish Market and the waterfront.