A design concept adapted to physical distancing with focus on encouraging social intervention with safe distancing, the installation consisted of a modular design grid, created for flexibility and possibility for repurposing.

The social distancing precautions caused by COVID-19 were adopted to generate the installation’s design grid, made up by a series of modules, allowing flexibility once deconstructed. The concept represented several paths, each accommodating for one person at the time, featuring panels covered by reflected mirror sheets creating several exits whilst avoiding crowded and open spaces.

The installation was designed to reflect people’s lives where they can see themselves and others. People have different characters and different challenges but when facing the pandemic, we all go through the same path to overcome the crises. Overhead lights fell from the wooden panels to reflect the challenges faced during the pandemic, whilst integrated greenery symbolises the continuity of life with nature.

About Iman Ibrahim
Iman Ibrahim works as Professor of Interior Architecture & Design, with a Ph.D. degree in Architectural Engineering. She started her academic career in 2008 in the Department of Architectural Engineering at UAE University, moving to Abu Dhabi University in 2011 as an Assistant Professor in the Architectural and Interior Design Department. Her researches are focusing on Sustainable Design, Eco-friendly materials and Environmental Design.

Her academic career did not stop her from professional practising as she shared in many international competitions and many volunteering sustainable designs serving the community, where she earned the distinguished award from University of Sharjah 2017, she won ZERO competition organised by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).

She is part of the UOS winning team of Sharjah Sustainability award 2018 and supervising senior students’ projects under the Sustainability umbrella. Her latest achievements include winning the Sharjah Distinguished Award for best project category 2019 and winning the Sharjah Sustainability award 2020 with the University of Sharjah sustainability team.

About Mahmoud Diaa
Senior Architect Engineer, with 20 years of experience in architecture, landscape, and construction field. He graduated from Cairo University, Architecture Engineering, and started his own professional work in the architecture and landscape design. He had amassed over 18 years of significant, progressive experience in Architectural, Landscape design and Supervision in various construction projects along with management experience within the construction and international companies in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. He joined International Consultants teamwork with unique distinguished projects in UAE, where he spent 5 years in Arcadis, leading global natural and built asset design and consultancy firm, and 4 more years in Parsons international Engineering consultancy with distinguished projects in Abu Dhabi.