Background
The Regional Institute for Architects and Designers (RIAD) is the first independent architectural organization for our New World region. A brainchild of the Dubai?s premier and the region?s leading architecture magazine, Architecture Plus? publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Mr Rashid Taqui, it is a natural progression of the publication that has now secured its position as a much needed voice for architects and designers of a New World. The ?New World?, coined in 2002 by the publishers is a creative reference to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent region ? a region often referred to as the Third World or the Developing world.

Aim
Together with the Architecture Plus magazine, Architecture Plus Online and the Architecture Plus Awards, RIAD will act as a catalyst for improving the urban fabric of our region. We will provoke thoughts; inspire discussions and offer solutions through the existing platforms and the endorsement of live debates, exhibitions, workshops, talks, film, publications and design competitions while remaining independent in all our ventures.

Through Architecture Plus magazine, we will continue to provide a physical platform to demonstrate to the world the astounding projects under development and those successfully completed, thus influencing and inspiring architects from home and abroad to create forward thinking yet contextually appropriate solutions for a region distinguished by it unique tapestry of interwoven cultures. While Architecture Plus online will encourage a collaboration, participation and debate in an attempt to cultivate appropriate ideas for our New World.

At the educational level, we endeavour to promote and develop the quality of architectural education in our region. The Architecture Plus online Aspiring Architect section is dedicated to our students of today and the world shapers of tomorrow where outstanding student is made available for other students as well as potential employers to see. The discussion boards encourage exchange of ideas as well as growth from the sharing of ideas and experiences from across the globe.