One of the foremost students of Hassan Fathy, Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil is an Egyptian architect, who is the recipient of two Aga Khan Awards for Architecture as well as the prestigious 2009 Driehaus Prize. He is considered the foremost practitioner of masonry construction in Islamic architecture today. His commitment to the traditions of construction as an integral component of contemporary architecture informs all aspects of his architecture and urbanism. Over the past four decades, he has built mosques, public buildings and private residences. His current work has been on three projects in Beirut including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In this video he talks about the benefits of traditional construction in contemporary Architecture

In Qatar, he is undertaking the master planning of a city quarter, integrating best contemporary low-energy planning practice with climate-tempered Islamic built form. He continues in vigorous professional activity, dividing his time between Middle Eastern capitals. As a Visiting Critic at the School of Architecture, he will be working in a studio where the students will learn from his career in research and practice in construction throughout the Middle East.