International Renowned Architects Compete For Emirates Glass Leaf Awards 2008 In London

DUBAI -Various internationally renowned architects are set to compete for the prestigious Emirates Glass LEAF Awards 2008, to take place in London on October 23, 2008. Emirates Glass LLC (EGL), the leading processors of premium architectural flat glass in the Middle East and a subsidiary of Glass LLC, which is wholly owned by Dubai Investments (DI), will be sponsoring and participating at the event.

The LEAF (Leading European Architects Forum) Awards, is one of the world's most influential international architectural and design events, and was established in 2003 to recognise and reward excellence across the profession. The awards are open to all companies, technologies and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of architecture and who strive to set higher benchmarks for the design of buildings-of-tomorrow.

Mr. Ziad Yazbeck, General Manager, Emirates Glass said: "Our involvement with the LEAF Awards reflects our genuine interest in reaching international markets, and positioning Emirates Glass as a Global Glass Processor of the highest calibre. The LEAF Awards provide us with an excellent platform to witness for ourselves the best in architectural design on a truly global scale. "

Through the 'Emirates Glass LEAF Awards 2008' sponsorship, the company is keen to achieve substantial international presence and recognition that will further enhance its expansion process and global reach.

'The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards 2008' will present the company with extensive branding opportunities placed on its literature, advertising, as well as on the LEAF Awards website.

During the award ceremony Emirates Glass will present the winning trophy which will be engraved with the Company's name as the official sponsor as well as the name of the winner.

Albert Williamson Taylor, Chairman of the panel of judges for the Emirates Glass LEAF Awards and co-founder and director of Adams Kara Taylor, said: "The judges have again been very impressed with the exceptionally high standard of entries for this year's awards, providing us with very difficult selection decisions. The truly international representation and the huge variety of projects that we have seen have been exciting and fascinating. They include both small and large projects from both well-known and up-and-coming architects and designers of the future. With this exciting international shortlist, the Awards dinner promises to be an evening not to be missed."

The shortlisted projects include entries from some of the world's leading architects such as WOHA, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Bernard Tschumi, Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Foster and Partners.

This year the 10 categories of the Awards attracted entries from 26 countries worldwide. Winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, London on 23 October 2008 and will be hosted by renowned interior designer and TV celebrity Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

With more than 400 leading industry figures expected to attend, the Awards promise to be one of the social and networking highlights of the global architectural and design calendar.