INTBAU

In conversation with Marjo Uotila — the newly elected Chair of the INTBAU Council of Chapters

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Chair of the INTBAU Council of Chapters, one of the organisation’s governing bodies. Marjo Uotila, Chair of INTBAUFinland and a longstanding advocate for traditional building and a humane built environment in the country, began her term in March 2026.

Her appointment coincided with International Women’s Day — a fitting moment to reflect on the growing contribution of women across the built environment. We spoke with Marjo about her professional journey, the importance of international peer networks, and how broader participation helps shape more meaningful and humane places.

In this conversation, Marjo reflects on:

- the growing leadership role of women across architecture, urbanism, and building crafts
- how interdisciplinary perspectives enrich the way we approach the built environment
- the importance of international networks in connecting knowledge, practice, and community
- the growing understanding that sustainability includes beauty, durability, and cultural continuity rather than disposable architecture

“When I first began engaging with this field, many of the visible figures, especially internationally, were predominantly men. Over the past decade I have seen a noticeable change — many of the most dynamic initiatives today involve women: architects, historians, planners, craftspeople, and activists who are bringing new perspectives into the conversation … the growing presence of women in the field is not only a matter of representation; it also enriches the way we approach the built environment.” — Marjo Uotila

Read the full article at: https://www.intbau.org/in-conversation-with-marjo-uotila-intbaus-newly-elected-chair-of-the-international-council-of-chapters/

Celebrating the Establishment of INTBAU Morocco

Following the creation of the Kenya Chapter last year, INTBAU continues to expand its presence across the African continent with the establishment of its first Chapter in North Africa: INTBAU Morocco.

INTBAU Morocco promotes Moroccan architecture and building traditions by highlighting local expertise, craft knowledge, and architectural expressions that shape the country’s cities, villages, and landscapes. The Chapter adopts a heritage-led yet forward-looking approach, recognising the relevance of traditional knowledge for contemporary architecture, urbanism, and sustainability.

As a platform for research, exchange, and dissemination, INTBAU Morocco brings together artisans, architects, academics, institutions, and communities, contributing Moroccan building culture to the international dialogue on architectural quality, cultural continuity, and environmentally responsive design.

Learn more and contact INTBAU Morocco at: intbau.org/morocco

Chair of INTBAU Qatar, Ambassador Fahad Al-Attiya, named RIBA Honorary Fellow 2026

The Royal Institute of British Architects has named Ambassador Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiya, Chair of INTBAU Qatar, as an Honorary Fellow for 2026—recognising his contribution to sustainable architecture and the promotion of traditional building practices.

Through the Caravane Earth Foundation, he has supported social, cultural, and ecological initiatives in communities around the world.

In 2022, INTBAU Qatar was established by Ambassador Fahad Al-Attiya as an entity hosted by the Foundation, to preserve and promote Qatari and Gulf architectural traditions—and to position them as viable models for contemporary living.

INTBAU Qatar Winter School

In 2024 and 2025, INTBAU Qatar organised an immersive programme bringing together over 40 students and lecturers from Qatar and beyond, including South Africa, Austria, Pakistan, Libya, Lebanon, the USA, the UK, Singapore, and Oman.

Through lectures, fieldwork, and design practice, participants explored Qatar’s craft traditions—from mud and palm construction to seafaring and nomadic architectures—reinterpreting them as strategies for adaptation in a warming world.

“I am sincerely grateful to the RIBA for this honour. It affirms my belief that traditional architecture and urbanism are not relics of the past, but foundations upon which a more humane and ordered future may be built. Through platforms such as the Caravane Earth Foundation and INTBAU Qatar, we aim to encourage hands-on exploration of how these principles can inform contemporary practice and support thriving communities.”
— Ambassador Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiya

INTBAU warmly congratulates Ambassador Fahad on this recognition.

We are proud to count him as Chair of INTBAU Qatar, and look forward to his continued contribution to the global INTBAU Network.

Read more at intbau.org

Pictured:

1. Chair of INTBAU Qatar, Ambassador Fahad Al-Attiya, sharing his views on traditional building, architecture and urbanism at the INTBAU World Congress 2025 in London.

2. Scenes from the INTBAU Qatar Winter School 2025.

INTBAU is delighted to announce the winner of the Architect’s Prize for Excellence in Architecture

has been named winner of the Architect’s Prize for Excellence in Architecture, presented by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art () in collaboration with The King's Foundation () and INTBAU.

A principal and co-founder of Pierre McKell Architects (), Connor previously spent a decade at Historical Concepts designing award-winning residential projects across the United States. He trained at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and the University of Colorado Denver, where he also completed the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture.

His work reflects a deeply informed classical approach shaped by both tradition and contemporary practice.

INTBAU warmly congratulates Connor on this achievement！

Learn more about Connor’s work via the link in our bio.


The Awards for Emerging Excellence are a suite of prizes that recognises exceptional talent exhibited by young professionals in architecture, landscape, and craftsmanship. The Awards seek to highlight emerging talent that engages with classical design, demonstrating a thoughtful use of precedents from the past in projects that are forward-looking, creative, and holistically demonstrate their talents. As part of the wider Awards for Emerging Excellence, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art also presents the Bunny Mellon Prize for Excellence in Garden Design and the Maker’s Prize for Excellence in Craftsmanship.

The Awards for Emerging Excellence are open to applicants from around the world aged 35 or under working in the building crafts, urban design and planning, architecture, landscape architecture, garden design, or any allied arts.

Learn more: https://www.classicist.org/honors/award-for-emerging-excellence/