Ibrahim Jaidah graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1988, and worked for Qatar’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture as head of the Architectural Section before acquiring the Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) in 1991. Mr. Jaidah is the driving force behind the rise of AEB from a company with seven employees to an organization of over 300 employees working on projects in several countries. Under his leadership, AEB has evolved into the leading architectural design consultancy in Qatar, and it currently operates in Abu Dhabi, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur. AEB is planning on opening offices in Dubai, Muscat, and Sudan in the near future. AEB has been instrumental in the development of Qatar and in presenting its image globally through major projects across all sectors. AEB’s work has led to several awards, including three Arab Cities Awards and one Islamic Cities Award.
In each project, Ibrahim Jaidah attempts to retain the identity of his culture, embrace modernity, and present the true potential and ambition of Qatar and AEB. His vision is perhaps best seen in his design for The Barzan towers, a high-rise office building of brilliant blue glass. The first nine floors reflect a traditional architectural style, while the twenty-one stories above evoke modernity. His passion for Arabic architecture is demonstrated throughout all of his projects and his first commission, the Al Dana Club, earned him his first nomination for the Aga Khan Award and the Arab Cities Award, first rank. He is dedicated to enhancing the architectural style of modern Qatar. He will soon publish a book that will chart the history of Qatari Architecture, which will be followed by a second book charting the evolution of the AEB architectural style.

Mr. Jaidah is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with new generations of architects through the funding of scholarships at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He also serves as a guest speaker at universities and conferences throughout the region. In 2005 he received the Award for State Encouragement, which is given for career achievement, and serves as a testament to his central role in shaping Qatar’s future and that of architecture in the region. Mr. Jaidah is a pioneer of a new movement in architecture that combines the far-reaching influences of Islamic art with a modern style.