East Architecture Studio

13/06/2025

‘Rethinking Pavilions as Potential Museums’ explores the evolving role of pavilions in architecture and museum design, as part of the Fondation Cartier Conversations at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
In this podcast by Chris Dercon, director of the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain moderates a conversation between architects Nicolas Fayad and Lina Ghotmeh
They touch upon both historical pavilions - such as the Belgian Pavilion in Venice (the first foreign pavilion to be constructed at the Giardini della Biennale back in 1907) - and contemporary projects like the Serpentine Pavilion designed by Lina Ghotmeh Architecture the forthcoming inaugural permanent pavilion for Qatar in the Giardini as well as the winning pavilion of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s inaugural AlMusalla Prize and the Niemeyer Guest House renovation, recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture both designed by Nicolas Fayad’s practice EAST Architecture Studio.
Speakers discussed the potential of pavilions to serve as adaptive, functional spaces that foster community and cultural exchange, emphasizing the importance of craft, modularity, and co-authorship in their design.
Thank you Beatrice Grenier .grenier for orchestrating this unique collateral event in Venice.
Listen to the full episode on koozarch.com, fondationcartier.com, and KoozArch’s Spotify and Apple Podcasts channels.
Photos by Marco Cappelletti / Marco Cappelletti Studio

25/05/2025

Today marks the closing of the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, where AlMusalla stood as a profound expression of spiritual and cultural manifestation.
More than a prayer space, AlMusalla became a living, breathing expression of communal devotion, shaped by hands, stories, and tradition.
As it now prepares to journey on, its memory remains stitched into our collective reflection.
Photos by Marco Cappelletti / Marco Cappelletti Studio

12/05/2025

First look at our participation in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia – that opened to the public on May 10, 2025.
The exhibition curated by Faysal Tabbarah and hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation at the Abbazia di San Gregorio, ‘Rooted Transience’ emerges from the inaugural AlMusalla Prize. The vernissage coincided with a book launch co-edited by Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf with unique contributions from Faysal Tabbarah, Nasser Rabbat, Dr. Khalid Azzam, Wesam AlAsali, .kara Hanif Kara, Ziad Jamaleddine, Noura Al Sayeh, Nawaf Bin Ayyaf, Jood AlThukair; conversations with Farrokh Derakhshani & Sumaya Dabbagh, Ali Malkawi & AAU Anastas, Azra Aksamija & Sahel AlHiyari, Lina Ghotmeh & .now Asif Khan, Nawaf Bin Ayyaf & EAST Architecture Studio + Rayyane Tabet + Christopher Blust.
The exhibition and the book highlight how traditional design principles can shape future practices in Islamic architecture.
During the pre-opening days, H.E. Rakan Al-Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, and CEO Aya Al-Bakree unveiled the winning pavilion by EAST Architecture Studio in collaboration with Rayyane Tabet and AKT II — exploring the architectural possibilities of AlMusalla as a space rooted in adaptability, impermanence, and cultural memory.

14/04/2025

Envisioned as an abstract painting activating the interior courtyard, the palm-fiber woven screens are partially dyed with a series of colors - extracted from native plants - that have both ornamental and narrative dimensions.
Used in regional weaving practices, these dyes are a reflection of nature such as soil, water, trees, and sunlight. Consequently, AlMusalla is inscribed within the continuum of traditional crafts that remain alive to this day.
Photo courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation
Photo by

09/04/2025

We are glad to announce our participation in the exhibition and book launch of Rooted Transience - stemming from the AlMusalla Prize 2025 - an official Collateral Event of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia by invitation from its curator Carlo Ratti - organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation that will open to the public on May 10, 2025 at the Abbazia Di San Gregorio.

The exhibition, curated by Faysal Tabbarah examines the musalla typology and the architectural possibilities that emerge from material practices rooted in transience and adaptability.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication with the same title that focuses on the transient nature of musalla spaces, which is co-edited by the Prize’s Jury Chair Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf and Faysal Tabbarah

11/07/2023

Casa Pinada
The house is broken down into a series of pristine volumes leveling the site, composing interior and exterior spaces in conversation with the pine forest.
Here pictured, the living room at split level, slightly elevated from the site’s natural slope.
With

23/06/2023

It was a real pleasure sharing the story behind the renovation of the Niemeyer Guest House in Tripoli with students, faculty, family and friends. The project won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in it’s 15th cycle.
A true moment of pride we shared with professor George Arbid who introduced us to the Rachid Karami Fair some twenty years ago, while students at the American University of Beirut.

11/06/2023

Casa Pinada tells the story of its land, worn by earth, stone and foliage.
The arrival moment unfolds in an immersive journey through the interiority and coexistence of the built and the natural.
With

29/05/2023

Snapshots from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture’s Winners Seminar, fueled with discussions on the social impact of architecture in the context of Oman.
Pictured here our founding partners, Nicolas Fayad and Charles Kettaneh in conversation with Meisa Batayneh - Member of the Steering Committee, David García - Award Recipient, Farrokh Derakhshani - Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and her Highness Princess Zahra Aga Khan.




Images courtesy of the Aga Khan Development Network

26/04/2023

We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dia Azzaoui, a pioneer of modern Arab art, on a unique in situ installation for our Capsule Retreat.

24/04/2023