RIBA presents a talk by Simon Fraser, Principal of Hopkins Architects discussing his design approach and the contribution of Hopkins to architecture in the UAE.

The talk is free to attend and no prior registration is required.

Simon Fraser is Principal of Hopkins Architects - working at the offices in London, Dubai and Tokyo. He studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow and the Architectural Association in London. He first joined Hopkins Architects in 1990 and in 1992 won a Leverhulme Fellowship for postgraduate study at Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. Afterwards, he worked for the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa in Tokyo before returning to Hopkins Architects in 1994. In 2000 he was a finalist for The Young Architect of the Year Award.

His early work with the practice includes Tottenham Court Road Station and Offices, Portcullis House and The Wellcome Trust's headquarters in London. He also designed our Jubilee Campus for the University of Nottingham and subsequently the campus' extension with projects for the National College for School Leadership and the new Business School. Simon led the practice's efforts to establish an international presence in the early 2000s beginning with the design for GEK's headquarters in Athens and Shin-Marunouchi Tower in Tokyo.

He founded the Dubai design studio in 2004 and has since led large multi-disciplinary teams on a number of projects in the Middle East and Asia. These include Gate Village, a dynamic mixed-use neighbourhood of 10 office buildings featuring art galleries, restaurants and offices and also The Dubai World Trade Centre Masterplan, a development of one million square metres which is now nearing completion.

About the Royal Institute of British Architects

The RIBA is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture, with more than 42,000 members worldwide. RIBA champions better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. RIBA International offers support for architect members based, or wanting to work, in four global regions; Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia & Australasia with International Chapters serving local communities of architects across the world such as the RIBA Gulf Chapter. The Royal Gold Medal is approved by Her Majesty The Queen and given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence on global architecture in their lifetime.

The prestigious RIBA International Prize is awarded every two years to a building that exemplifies design excellence and architectural ambition and the RIBA President’s Medal is the oldest and most prestigious prize in architectural education, with over 300 schools from 65 countries invited. RIBA collaborates with international institutes of architects, global international architectural organisations and have over 50 International RIBA validated schools of architecture to develop innovative projects, support global networking and promote design excellence.