Group picture of the winners.AGi architects, a leading Spanish-Kuwaiti architecture studio, scooped two awards for Boutique Middle East Architecture Firm of the Year and Residential Project of the Year, out of the 13 awards handed out at the fifth annual Middle East Architect Awards gala ceremony held recently in Dubai. For the fifth consecutive year, the MEA awards recognizes the best projects and individuals in the region and throughout the year; ranging from the world's tallest towers to exclusive villas, and veteran designers to recently established young architects. AGi architects is Spanish-Kuwaiti architecture studio that was established in 2006, by the partnership of two young professionals educated at Harvard: the Spanish architect Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Kuwaiti architect Nasser B. Abulhasan. AGi architects provide comprehensive services in architecture, urban planning and design, interior design, research, consultancy and complementary services. Despite MEA's admittance of a diverse range of nominees featuring projects and firms from all around MENA Region and reaching into new markets such as Saudi Arabia and Libya, the expert panel of judges awarded only the very best projects and individuals. The Boutique Firm of the Year is awarded to firms with less than 100 employees that have made the most significant impact on the GCC region through their work around the year, as well as those who have demonstrated a large body of work across the region. The award pays special attention to firms which incorporate unprecedented design, innovative materials, striking forms and eco-friendliness approaches. On the other hand, the GCC Residential Project of the Year awarded to S-cube Chalet, a privately owned residential beach house located in south of Kuwait, recognizes the year's best residential project with designs that provide a comfortable and attractive living environment for its residents. Abulhasan said “earning the Boutique Firm of the Year Award is an honor for us. We take pride in our multidisciplinary team that have been carefully selected." — SG
