Sayyid Bilarab project to revive Oman's architectural heritage
Manah – H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said has launched an initiative aimed at reviving Oman's architectural heritage. Held at Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah on Thursday, the event was attended by members of the Royal Family, ministers, senior officials and architects.
The initiative's objectives are to revive Oman's architectural identity and promote it as a key element of national heritage. It seeks to raise awareness on the cultural, social and economic significance of Omani architecture and encourage the community to explore its rich history.
It also aims to highlight innovative contributions made by Omani architects over the centuries and identify traditional methods of design and construction that can be adapted to enhance architectural heritage. Through this, the initiative hopes to create successful models that blend innovation with tradition.
Another goal is to foster greater public engagement with architecture by encouraging dialogue across society, including students and professionals. The initiative will also cultivate an environment that supports creativity and leadership in the field of architecture, thereby increasing opportunities for Omani architects in the local labour market.
Following the launch, H H Sayyid Bilarab toured a pavilion showcasing the Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design. The exhibition featured 3D models of award-winning projects from the first two editions of the competition, as well as the winning design for Oman's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Japan.
He was then bri- efed on progress of the Bilarab bin Hai-tham Initiatives, which now include the Bilarab bin Hait-ham Community, the Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design and Bilarab bin Haitham Programmes. The third edition of the award is scheduled for the end of 2025.
The architectural heritage revival initiative will also introduce an interactive experience centred on three key pillars of architecture – ongoing education, innovation and market readiness. The ongoing education component will focus on inspiring future architects by reviewing notable architectural experiences. Innovation will highlight techniques developed by Omani architects, which will be used to restore old villages and turn these into sustainable tourist destinations. Market readiness will address the skills needed to succeed in the architecture job market, helping students connect with industry professionals and discover career opportunities.
The initiative builds on previous efforts, including Bilarab bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design and the competition to design Oman's pavilion for Expo 2025. It aims to enrich the field of architecture in the sultanate and engage a wide spectrum of society, from architecture enthusiasts to students and professionals.
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