Harpreet Seth

My research interest continues to be the microcosm of built structures within the macro urban setting that is focused on people and creating more ‘liveable’ environments in townships in UAE, India and Africa. The focus is on design elements that encourage barrier free communal environments that are sustainable; Urban environments with the new ‘iconism’ in the young modern cities of the 21^st century that address and challenge the notion of signs and symbols and identity of cities and its people; Cultural identities and values that are diluted in the global culture of international cities such as Dubai; The research has further expanded to spirituality in architecture addressing both the tangible and intangible aspects of design of spaces and user interaction within these spaces; Education of Architecture in the present times to understand the dilemma of the creative professions wherein a gap may exist in artistic fulfilment and the glamorous projection of the profession by media and the changing demands of the profession that is rapidly redefining itself.

Associate Professor (Architecture)

Harpreet Seth began teaching design and theoretical courses at Heriot Watt in 2013, with a teaching experience of more than 15 years in UAE. In addition to teaching the Architectural Engineering courses at Heriot Watt she was instrumental in establishing the new Architecture program at the Dubai campus, teaching architectural design studios, organizing design competitions and juries with industry partners. She also supervises PhD and Msc. students with a keen interest in the built environment. Her first degree is Bachelors of Architecture (B.Arch.) from Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA) followed by Masters in Architecture (M.Arch.) from School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and PhD from Wolverhampton University, UK with a specialization in Urban Design.

She steered her own practice in Architecture and Interior Design in Dubai for a decade before full time joining the field of academic teaching. She has taught at some of the noted institutions in UAE including Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST), University of Dubai, and ECMIT.

Well known for her studio project based teaching and learning approaches, she has been awarded the Fellowship (FHEA) Higher Education Academy from UK. Her commitment to teaching in Architecture has won her many accolades including EIGS Graduate Award and Learning and Teaching Oscars from Heriot Watt University. She completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) from Heriot Watt University, UK. She is a member of the Council of Architecture in India and Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) in UAE.

Her research interest continues to be the microcosm of built structures within the macro urban setting that is focused on people and creating more ‘liveable’ environments including:

• New Iconism in Young Cities: A perspective from nascent cities like Dubai
• Cognitive spaces in Educational Landscape: Understanding potential of un-built spaces
• Innovative Learning and Teaching approaches in Architecture and Design
• Creativity Culture in Project based learning in design
• Sustainability and Symbolism in Urban fabric of cities

She has been an avid sketcher and founder member of Urban Sketchers Dubai (USD), the Dubai chapter of the international Urban Sketchers. Her sketches have been exhibited at Sikka Art Fair, Dubai Design Week and Sandscapes in Dubai. Many of her sketches are in private collection in UAE and abroad. A certified yoga teacher for Himalayan Kriya Yoga, she practices and teaches the art for a more holistic fulfilling living.