Latest news with #A.R.M.Holding
CairoScene
21-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
BIG Reimagines Dubai's Jebel Ali Racecourse as an Urban Oasis
BIG–Bjarke Ingels plans to transform Dubai's Jebel Ali Racecourse into a vibrant, walkable district centered on community life. Jun 21, 2025 In partnership with Dubai-based developer A.R.M. Holding, architecture firm BIG has unveiled a masterplan to redevelop the 5-square-kilometre Jebel Ali site into a pedestrian-oriented urban district. The design aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Vision and focuses on mobility, environmental performance, and livability. At the centre of the project is a large public park that runs through eight distinct neighbourhoods, creating a green corridor surrounded by shaded plazas and walkable streets. The plan integrates natural elements with infrastructure to support more accessible and climate-conscious urban living. The site's existing racetrack will be retained and incorporated into the development, acknowledging the location's heritage while introducing new public facilities, cultural institutions, and civic spaces. The layout is designed as a series of urban clusters surrounded by green space, offering visual and physical links to the central park. Transport within the district will rely on an automated system to minimise car use and promote alternative mobility options such as walking and cycling. The design incorporates passive cooling features, shaded areas, and desert-inspired landscaping to create more comfortable outdoor environments throughout the year. 'This project is an archipelago of urban islands in a sea of green—reimagining the site not as a collection of objects in isolation, but as a living landscape of interconnected communities,' BIG founder Bjarke Ingels says. Construction is set to begin in early 2026. The Jebel Ali project is intended to inform future urban developments in Dubai, particularly in areas of walkability, integration, and environmental adaptability.
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This Emirati artist is inspiring children to see water as more than a resource
In her deeply introspective and socially conscious practice, Emirati artist Alia Hussain Lootah explores the evolving dynamics of motherhood, identity, and cultural continuity in a rapidly modernising UAE. A graduate of the prestigious Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship (SEAF), Lootah first gained attention through early participations in Sikka Art Fair, before cementing her place in the regional art scene with a solo presentation at Art Dubai 2024 and previous showcases at Abu Dhabi Art and the Aisha Alabbar Gallery. Her sculptural work often dwells in the quiet, emotional spaces between tradition and transformation—an ongoing reflection of her journey as a mother and artist. Now, in a new chapter that bridges environmental education and creativity, Alia is co-leading the A.R.M. Holding Children's Programme alongside celebrated Nigerian artist Peju Alatise. Under the theme 'The Future of Water,' the initiative invites children across the UAE to explore sustainability through immersive workshops, reimagining water not just as a resource, but as a symbol of identity, memory, and care. "The UAE has a unique relationship with water because of its environment and history, from the Al Khor creek to pearl diving," she says in a chat with City Times. "By approaching water through interactive, hands-on workshops, we invite children to engage emotionally and creatively, to ask questions, and to imagine how they can care for it as future custodians of the environment." Furthermore, Alia talks about motherhood in today's UAE, how young artists are blending heritage with modernity, and why art remains a powerful medium for both personal reflection and public change. Edited excerpts from the interview: Why is it important to introduce sustainability through art rather than traditional educational formats? Art allows children to process complex ideas in ways that feel natural to them. Rather than memorising facts or figures, they get to experience, create, and observe change through materials like seeing how water transforms their artwork on plexiglass. This approach nurtures curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. In my experience, when children create with their hands and hearts, the lessons are far more lasting than simply being told about environmental issues. Your latest body of work explores the interpersonal relationship between mother and child, particularly in times of uncertainty. What prompted this focus, and how do you feel the context of the modern UAE plays into these themes? My experience of motherhood has made me more attuned to the quiet shifts that happen over time internally and around us. My work doesn't try to explain motherhood, but rather holds space for its complexity: the soft and the strong, the seen and unseen. Through form and material, I try to reflect that constant negotiation, between repetition, isolation and connection. How do you think societal expectations around motherhood have changed in the UAE, especially in urban settings? In the UAE, many mothers are balancing more roles than ever before. We are caregivers, professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, among others. Society has opened more space for women to pursue personal ambitions while raising their families. At the same time, the cultural importance placed on family remains very strong. This balance between personal identity and family responsibility is something I see reflected in the lives of many mothers here, and it often finds its way into my work. Is your work also a personal reflection, or more a commentary on broader generational shifts? It's both. My work often starts from personal experience - my own journey as a mother and an artist. But I also see it as part of a wider dialogue about how motherhood is shifting across generations. Today, many women are navigating spaces our mothers and grandmothers didn't have access to. That expansion brings both freedom and new pressures, and my work tries to capture those emotional layers. How do you see the intersection between traditional Emirati culture and modern creative expression in the UAE's younger generation? The younger generation in the UAE is growing up with access to both strong cultural roots and global creative influences. What's beautiful is that many young artists aren't choosing one over the other, but they're blending the two. You see it in how they explore themes like environment, heritage, or identity, while using new materials, technologies, or styles. As an educator, it's exciting to watch them build something uniquely Emirati, but also globally relevant. Do you think there's a shift in how female Emirati artists are being perceived—both locally and internationally? Yes, absolutely. There's greater visibility and appreciation for female Emirati artists now than when I first started. Locally, institutions are giving us more platforms to share our work, and internationally, there's growing curiosity about our stories and perspectives. I think people are beginning to see the depth, diversity, and strength of women's voices in the UAE art scene, which brings more nuance to the global conversation around Middle Eastern art. How has your journey been shaped by mentors, collaborators, or female-led initiatives in the UAE art scene? I've been fortunate to be part of spaces like the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship, which offered both mentorship and community. Having a support system of peers and mentors, especially women, makes a tremendous difference. It's encouraging to see how many women-led initiatives are building safe, creative spaces where artists can learn, experiment, and grow. Collaboration, in particular, has always been important to my own practice. What advice would you give to emerging female artists navigating their creative and cultural identity? Trust your voice. It's okay if your work evolves over time because that's part of our growth. Don't be afraid to draw from personal experiences as they often hold the most powerful stories. And surround yourself with people who encourage and challenge you in healthy ways. The art world can feel overwhelming, but staying true to your vision will help you build something authentic and meaningful.
Hi Dubai
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
A.R.M. Holding Unveils Urban Island Project to Transform Jebel Ali Racecourse Site
A.R.M. Holding has announced plans to transform the area around Dubai's Jebel Ali Racecourse into a walkable, community-focused neighbourhood, with construction slated to begin in 2026. The UAE-based investment firm has partnered with global architecture studio Pegg-Bjarke Ingels to deliver a 5 sq km development centered on green living, daily movement, and social interaction. At the heart of the masterplan is a large central park, surrounded by interconnected urban 'islands' designed to blend nature with urban infrastructure. Residents will be able to access key amenities, workplaces, and public spaces within a five-minute walk. The plan prioritises walkability, public health, and social cohesion, and is guided by 17 key performance indicators aimed at improving the environment, economy, and quality of life. Inspired by traditional architecture, the neighbourhood will also integrate equestrian themes and support small and medium-sized businesses across food, retail, and the arts. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, speaking on behalf of A.R.M. Holding, said the project reflects the company's values of creativity and community-focused development, aiming to create spaces that strengthen human connections in a city home to over 200 nationalities. Bjarke Ingels described the vision as a transformation of the Jebel Ali Racecourse into a 'green oasis' of connected, livable urban islands designed to foster well-being and prosperity. News Source: Khaleej Times
Dubai Eye
09-05-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
New urban hub to rise around historic Jebel Ali Racecourse
A new urban development is set to reshape Dubai's skyline. UAE investment firm A.R.M. Holding has teamed up with the architecture studio BIG-the Bjarke Ingels Group to design a massive 5-square-kilometre masterplan surrounding the iconic Jebel Ali Racecourse. Announced at a signing ceremony attended by A.R.M. Holding CEO Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi and BIG founder Bjarke Ingels, the project is aligned with Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan. It will focus on sustainable growth, community connection and expanding green spaces. The ambitious design reimagines the racecourse area as a network of urban islands surrounded by greenery, anchored by a central park that flows throughout the neighbourhood. Bjarke Ingels described the development as a "new chapter for Dubai" where environmental and social sustainability are front and centre. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026. A.R.M. Holding says the project reflects a blend of Emirati heritage and global innovation, building communities that foster empathy, identity and belonging.
Mid East Info
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
A.R.M. Holding Children's Programme launches fifth edition on World Creativity and Innovation Day - Middle East Business News and Information
The fifth edition of the A.R.M. Holding Children's Programme launches today in schools across the UAE, timed to coincide with World Creativity and Innovation day – a special day marked by the United Nations to celebrate the role of creativity in human development. This year introduces the first collaborative artist pairing for the UAE's largest cultural initiative, that has reached over 30,000 children since its launch in 2021. The programme has been developed by Peju Alatise, a widely recognised contemporary African artist who represented Nigeria at the 2017 Venice Biennale, and Alia Hussain Lootah, an established Emirati artist and educator who co-founded Dubai-based art studio Medaf that offers workshops introducing both children and adults to art, and it will explore the 'Future of Water' with hands-on artist-led workshops running through June 2025. The artist-led sessions are designed for children aged 5 to 17, allowing them to paint or create mixed-media collage on clear plexiglass sheets. As water is stored within these sheets, it interacts with their work, reshaping and distorting the visuals. This process reflects how our relationship with water continues to shift and be influenced by the world around us. This edition also expands to include a masterclass for educators, led by the artists and industry professionals, to embed more creative and flexible teaching strategies into the UAE's classrooms. The programme will also feature a panel discussion during Art Dubai 2025, bringing together educators to reflect on the value of arts education and its impact on future generations. Bridging Art and Education This initiative is developed through a partnership between Art Dubai, the Middle East's leading international art fair, and Dubai-based private investment firm A.R.M. Holding. H.E. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer of A.R.M. Holding, said: 'Our patronage of the arts goes beyond collecting, and this programme reflects our broader mission to help build vibrant, connected communities. It reinforces our commitment and ongoing support to culture and education, and to empowering the next generation of leaders, cultural ambassadors, changemakers, and creative thinkers who will shape the UAE's future.' Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director of Art Dubai, said: 'Supporting children early in their creative journey is incredibly important and something we care deeply about. We are proud to work with artists, schools and students to produce world-class programmes to inspire and encourage the next generation of creative minds. Dubai is a global city, welcoming people from all over the world. We are proud to be working with two artists – one local, one international – for the first time. This initiative gives young minds the chance to experience art in new ways – through discovery, expression, and meaningful connection – which lies at the core of this long-term partnership.' Artists' Perspectives 'Water is central to life, and through this project. We're inviting children to treat it as a creative medium that reflects their thoughts, hopes, and questions about the future. As artists, we can guide the process, but it is the children who will show us new ways of thinking. It will reflect on their relationship with water—how it shapes their homes, environment, and culture. The programme offers a unique creative lens through which we can reimagine how we care for our shared world,' said Alatise, who is a leading voice in African contemporary art. Lootah, whose work explores meditative expression through patterns and the interpersonal relationships between mother and child, said: 'As both an artist and educator, I believe in art's power to foster connections between people and with the environment. In the UAE, water holds deep cultural significance, with traditional transportation once centred around the Al Khor (the creek). Through this programme, art becomes a gateway for children to explore and share values, helping them reflect on water as a precious resource. We bring these ideas into classrooms in an engaging, thought-provoking way through workshops that encourage reflection and inspire a deeper appreciation for the environment.'
