Where Are We Now?

Abstract

After 16 years of leading the Hyperbody research group as professor of practice at the TU Delft, I wanted to do something completely different and looked at the Gulf region for further educational and professional activities. I was familiar with the region, having lectured in several countries of the Middle East and eventually having realized an office building in Abu Dhabi. My practice ONL [Oosterhuis_Lenard], which I run together with my wife and business partner visual artist Ilona Lenard, proposed a number of iconic architectural proposals for hotels and office towers, and was eventually awarded some prestigious commissions for master planning projects: the redevelopment of Manhal Palace, the residence of previous ruler Sheik Zayed in Abu Dhabi. Our continuous efforts to contribute to the building market in the UAE culminated in our realized design for Mr Abdullah Al Nasser, the LIWA tower in Abu Dhabi [2014]. I Joined the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning [DAUP] at Qatar University in September 2017