A Journey into Architecture Archives: Beirut, Cairo, Rabat

A Sharjah Architecture Triennial exhibition, curated by architect George Arbid, that highlights three institutions in the Arab world that hold and preserve key regional architecture archives – the Arab Center for Architecture (ACA) in Beirut (co-founded by Arbid), the Rare Books and Special Collections at the American University in Cairo (AUC), and Archives du Maroc in Rabat.

As well as with preserving the memory of completed buildings, the archives also have stories of designs that never came to fruition– and a highlight of the exhibition is a focus on five abandoned projects, brought to life through drawings and models. Also on view: three documentaries commissioned specifically for the exhibition and filmed in Beirut, Cairo, Rabat and Casablanca.

The exhibition opens with a panel discussion (4-6pm) with guest speakers Amel Chabbi, Zahra Ali Baba and Suha Hasan, moderated by George Arbid; he’ll then lead a tour of the exhibition.

All Sharjah Architecture Triennial events are free and open to the public but capacity is limited and advance registration is required.