Hashim Sarkis

Hashim Sarkis is a Lebanese architect and academic who has made significant contributions to the field of architecture. He is the Dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning and has taught at several prestigious institutions, including Harvard University Graduate School of Design and American University of Beirut. Sarkis has worked on various projects with renowned architects, such as Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas, and has been involved in several high-profile projects, including the Venice Biennale and the Istanbul Biennial. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Pompidou.

● Early Life and Education

Hashim Sarkis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and grew up in a family of architects and engineers. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the American University of Beirut and later earned his Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. During his time at Harvard University, he was influenced by prominent architects, such as Frank Gehry and Peter Eisenman, and was exposed to various architectural styles, including Deconstructivism and Postmodernism. Sarkis's education also took him to Yale University, where he studied under the guidance of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

● Career

Hashim Sarkis began his career as an architect in Beirut, working on various projects, including residential buildings and commercial complexes. He later moved to the United States, where he worked with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Kohn Pedersen Fox. Sarkis has also collaborated with other notable architects, such as Norman Foster and Santiago Calatrava, on projects like the Guggenheim Museum and the City of Arts and Sciences. His work has taken him to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where he has worked on projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Sarkis has also been involved in several urban planning projects, including the Masdar City development in Abu Dhabi and the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.

● Notable Works

Hashim Sarkis has worked on several notable projects, including the Byblos Town Hall in Byblos, Lebanon, and the Courtower in Beirut. He has also designed several residential buildings, such as the Villa in Saida and the House in Beirut. Sarkis's work has been featured in several publications, including Architectural Record and Architecture Magazine, and has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale and the Istanbul Biennial. His projects often incorporate elements of Sustainable architecture and Green building, reflecting his interest in Environmental design and Ecological urbanism. Sarkis has also been influenced by the work of Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and has incorporated elements of Brutalism and International Style into his designs.

● Awards and Recognition

Hashim Sarkis has received several awards and honors for his work, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the Mies van der Rohe Award. He has also been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Sarkis has been awarded the Graham Foundation Grant and the National Endowment for the Arts Grant, and has been named a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome. His work has been featured in several publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian, and has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Pompidou. Sarkis has also been invited to speak at several conferences, including the World Architecture Festival and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

● Curatorial Work

Hashim Sarkis has curated several exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the Istanbul Biennial. He has also curated exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Pompidou, featuring the work of architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen. Sarkis has been involved in several architectural competitions, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the RIBA International Prize. He has also served as a jury member for several architectural awards, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the Mies van der Rohe Award. Sarkis's curatorial work has taken him to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where he has worked with institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.