The Cyprus Architects Association – Committee “Women in Architecture” is honored to host in Nicosia the distinguished architect of international acclaim, Hana Kassem, Principal at the renowned architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), on the occasion of the International Women in Engineering Day, for a unique public lecture dedicated to thought and practice in architecture.
With over three decades of experience and a portfolio that spans five continents, Hana Kassem has left a lasting mark on contemporary architectural design. Her work places human-centered and sustainable approaches at the core of each project, offering meaningful responses to the challenges of urban environments and the needs of human ecosystems.
The lecture, titled “Belonging: Mind and Matter in Architecture”, offers a rare opportunity for the Cypriot audience to engage with the ideas and approach of an architect who is redefining how we experience the built environment. Through landmark projects in the United States, Brazil, France, China, and the United Arab Emirates, Hana Kassem will share her philosophy on the role of architecture as a catalyst for belonging, as well as for human and environmental well-being.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 I 18:30
Nicosia Municipality (venue details to be announced soon)
As seating is limited, registration is required via the following link: [ here ]
This event is part of a broader program of initiatives aimed at highlighting the contributions of women in engineering and architecture and promoting their participation in leadership roles.
Speaker Bio
Hana Kassem, FAIA, is a Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, with three decades of experience, leading the design of projects globally and in the United States. Her architectural approach centers on human-centric, and sustainable design, aiming to foster belonging, elevate well-being and meet societal needs, through an attention to craft, context and performance.
Her portfolio spans academic, research, cultural, hospitality, residential, and mixed-use projects in Brazil, the USA, France, the UAE, the Philippines, and China. Kassem’s work has earned awards and recognition in projects like the Red Hook Houses Resiliency and Recovery for NYCHA and the Hong Kong University for Science and Technology.
Kassem has served as VP for Design Excellence on the AIANY Board of Trustees and is President Elect for ’27 and Founding Chair for the AIANY Global Dialogue’s annual Leaning Out | Women in Architecture panel. She has also served on the Van Alen Institute Executive Board of Trustees, where she spearheaded the initiation of the Neighborhoods Now project, mobilizing architects during the COVID-19 pandemic to aid communities. Kassem was tapped to join the Mayor’s Advisory Council for NYC’s post-COVID-19 reopening.
Kassem has taught at The Cooper Union, the Yale School of Architecture and Parsons School of Constructed Environments and lectures globally. She is a published author, with articles that focus on experiential engagement with our built environment. She is co-editor of a book entitled Architect d.b.a | On Re-defining the Roles of the Architect Today.
