AUS showcases architecture and design excellence at Big 5 Global 2025

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently showcased outstanding student and faculty work at Big 5 Global 2025 in Dubai, including cutting-edge work from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD). As an academic partner of Big 5 Global, AUS shared a range of award-winning senior projects, student-designed furniture pieces and expert talks at the event, which was attended by over 85,000 visitors this year.

On November 26 and 27, AUS contributed to the BIG 5 speaker program. Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril, the former dean of CAAD, delivered a keynote address as part of the Everything Architecture Talks titled "Impact Address: Inspiring the Next Generation of Architects." On Students’ Day, a new initiative by BIG 5 Global aiming to connect higher education and industry, AUS architecture students Sara Al Shehhi and Sarvani Pagadala, winners of this year’s Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize, delivered a presentation titled “Integrating UAE Material Culture in Contemporary Design” alongside Assistant Professor Roberto Castillo, who served as their mentor on this project. Their winning design highlights how local material heritage can inform innovative contemporary design practice.  

Photo caption: Dr Varkki, AUS Professor of Architecture, speaking at BIG 5.

AUS also contributed several furniture pieces created by students in CAAD’s Furniture Design Basics course, taught by Associate Professor Ammar Kalo. Each furniture piece was conceived, crafted and fabricated by the students in CAAD’s renowned design studios. Finally, complementing the furniture display were selected projects from Six Degrees, CAAD’s annual senior showcase, which were recently exhibited at Dubai Design Week. 

AUS’ presence at Big 5 Global helped highlight the strong architecture and design programs at the university, including its 2025 QS rankings as number one (tied) in the UAE for architecture and the built environment.

Photo caption: Assistant Professor Roberto Castillo, Sara AlShehhi and Sarvani Pagadala deliver a talk at the Big 5’s Student Talks day on their award-winning project.

“We are tremendously proud of our students and faculty, whose work at Big 5 Global reflects the spirit of innovation and design excellence that defines CAAD,” said Professor Joseph Colistra, Dean of CAAD. “Events like Big 5 give our students the chance to engage directly with industry leaders and demonstrate the depth of talent emerging from AUS. This exposure strengthens their confidence, expands their networks and reinforces our role as a leading architecture and design school in the region.”

Photo caption: A selection of CAAD’s graduate projects was on show on the Big 5 Global exhibition floor.

AUS’ participation in Big 5 Global reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing design and architecture education, fostering industry engagement and providing students with opportunities to showcase their work on major international platforms.

For more information about CAAD, visit www.aus.edu/caad.