Education has long been a driving force in the Middle East, shaping knowledge, encouraging innovation, and strengthening cultural identity. In recent years, educational architecture in the region has expanded beyond its academic function, evolving into public gathering spaces and cultural hubs. These institutions are designed not only for learning but also for dialogue, research, and collaboration, often integrating open courtyards, multi-use public areas, and architectural elements that reflect local heritage. Whether through their physical openness, adaptability, or connection to the urban environment, these spaces reinforce the idea that universities and research centers are essential to civic life.
This shift is visible in built projects across the region. In Lebanon, the Issam Fares Institute at AUB provides accessible spaces for research and policy discussions, while the Sheikh Nahyan Centre for Arabic Studies serves as an intellectual and cultural meeting point. In Saudi Arabia, KAUST and Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University integrate research, education, and public engagement within expansive campuses. In Jordan, the International Amman Academy creates a village-like environment that blends learning with outdoor public space. In Egypt, the Jameel Center in Downtown Cairo, originally part of the American University in Cairo, has been reactivated as part of the GrEEK Campus, a hub for technology and entrepreneurship. Together, these institutions demonstrate how educational spaces in the Middle East are evolving into centers for social, intellectual, and cultural exchange.
