AMMAN — When it
comes to the Jordanian architectural scene, Rasem Badran is considered one of
the most influential and respected architects in Jordan, the
Middle East, and
across the world.
اضافة اعلان
Born in Jerusalem in
1945 into a family with an artistic environment, his father, Jamal Badran, was
one of Haifa City’s early fine artists and sculptors. Rasem Badran studied in
the nearby town of Ramallah, and later in West Germany, where he received his
BA in Architecture in 1970 from Technische Universität Darmstadt. He then
worked in Germany for two years. Shortly after that, in 1973, Badran moved to
Jordan, where he has been practising ever since.
Moving to and practicing
in Jordan marked the launch of Badran’s career and opened doors for him, with
nonstop commissions in the 1970s. Recognition from established architects in
the Arab world including Iraqi Rifat Chadirji soon followed.
The project that
launched the architect’s career in the Middle East was the Baghdad Grand Mosque
competition, which he won in 1982. Soon after, Badran’s landmark projects
popped up in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The name Badran was then coupled with
contemporary Islamic architecture and he was even credited as its inventor.
A number of Badran’s
notable projects managed to grab the attention of the world, such as The Grand
Mosque of Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, 1985; Madinat al Fahaheel in Kuwait,
2002-2003; Abu Dhabi Court House Complex, in the UAE, 2006; and Al-Bujairi
Development, 2006-2015 Al-Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
In 1979, he
established Dar Al Omran for architecture and engineering. In 1995, he received
the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the Great Mosque of Riyadh and the
Redevelopment of the Old City Centre. By the year 2002, Badran received his
honorary doctorate from Jordan University of Science and Technology.
Additionally, in 2008, he established Badran Design Studio.
Badran usually assumes
responsibility for projects that had more social depth, rather than just buildings
to live in. He built structures for people, communities, and even the history
of each location. He once said,
“I tried to create homelands for everyone. That was my dream.” This can be seen
as a direct result of growing up in Palestine and witnessing the enduring conflict
over land, culture, and identity.
Badran's approach is
dependent on the site, context, place, history, and story from which he draws
inspiration. The architect is well-known for his deft use of both new and old
materials. Incorporating those elements with the site's visual and cultural heritage
results in Badran's famed respectful yet inventive approach to modernism.
According to Badran,
“Architecture is the mirror of the society,” as it is an expression of people’s
culture, traditions, needs, and beliefs.
Badran’s career is
decorated with awards such as the 2019 Tamayouz Excellence Award, The Nile
Award 2019: “Most Creative Arab Personality”, Jordan Engineers Association
(JEA) Award 2018, the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture 2017, the
Al-Hussein Order for Distinguished Contribution of the First Degree 2007, the
Arab Architect Award 2001, Palestine Award for Architecture 1997, the Aga Khan
Award for Islamic Architecture 1995, and the Arab Architect Award 1990.
Badran’s work has
been exhibited across the world, from Venice to Mumbai, Jerusalem to Stuttgart.
He has also been a member of several juries for prestigious awards, including
Tamayouz Excellence Award, the Hassib Sabbagh & Said Khoury Engineering
Award, the iSustain Initiative, Artists in Concrete Awards, and many others.
Rasem Badran remains
an architectural icon whom
Jordan is proud to have, as well as a distinguished
creator in Middle Eastern cities with his interpretation of people's heritage
and culture.
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