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’ urban spaces in UAE, India and Africa. These investigations provide key design strategies for creating inclusive and sustainable, barrier free communal environments.

Research on wellness in architecture is crucial for designing spaces that actively enhance physical, mental, and emotional health, moving beyond mere sustainability strategies. This research is relevant and important to enriching and improving the quality of life and well-being of people, providing crucial positive social impact. The WELL principles and research is the basis of informing the project briefs for the senior stages in the design studios and inform my teaching practice.

My research also focuses on the new ‘Iconism’ in the young modern cities of the 21st century. It is to place new cities on the world map and signalling economic prosperity, turning the city into a brand that address and challenge the notion of signs and symbols, and identity of cities and its people. The cultural identities and values are probably diluted in the global culture of international cities such as Dubai. With globalisation, dialogues across geographical boundaries are critical as architecture has been a tangible expression of a community’s culture, history, and values, with the opportunity to transform structures into symbols of belonging.

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. It transcends mere functional usage, creating spaces for emotional expression, connections, encouraging introspection and healing. An experiential space that nurtures the human spirit and promotes holistic well-being that is the key to a well individual, community, society and thus a healthy city.

I continue to expand my research on 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. The future of architectural education is rapidly evolving to prioritize sustainability, AI-driven digital design, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address climate change and urbanization. It is important to review curriculum design and equip students as civic leaders, effectively utilizing immersive technology, and offer flexible, practical, apprenticeship-based pathways. This is where the industry and its engagement with the wider academia plays a vital role and evident in my own teaching practice.

My research on innovative learning and teaching approaches in architecture, emerging professional roles in architecture, sustainability and symbolism in urban fabric of cities, innovative public spaces in smart cities, creating a barrier free smart city, challenges in imparting the concepts of sustainability in architectural design, artistic, synoptic responses to the built environs of Dubai, cognitive spaces in educational landscape, to name a few have contributed to the fields of architectural education and urban design, policy and decision makers. It has positively impacted student competence, enhanced student engagement, better alignment with industry needs and employability of students. Additionally, it has encouraged dialogue and sharing of ideas and experiences by researchers globally from different fields of expertise for an enriching student learning experience. This pedagogy that is design studio focused, has an impact on developing students' creativity, critical thinking, and technical proficiency as evident in student performance.