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Taher El Danaf
- Assistant Professor, Head of Interior Design
- Ext: 6105
Dr. Taher holds a Ph.D. in Art and Design from De Montfort University, Leicester, specializing in open-office perceived collaboration, and an MSc in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment with a focus on indoor environmental quality. With over fifteen years of academic and professional experience, he is an expert in indoor air quality, lighting design, and sustainable environments. His work includes major exhibitions, laboratory design, and international research collaboration on school IAQ with Denmark Technical University, alongside mentoring award-winning student teams.
Education
- Ph.D. in Art and Design. De Montfort University, Leicester-UK, 2023
- MSc. in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, The British University in Dubai-UAE, 2013
- Bachelor in Interior Design, Ajman University, Ajman-UAE, 2008
Ph.D. in Art and Design. De Montfort University, Leicester-UK, 2023
MSc. in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, The British University in Dubai-UAE, 2013
Bachelor in Interior Design, Ajman University, Ajman-UAE, 2008
Experience
- Head of the Interior Design Department, Ajman University 2020 - Present
- Lecturer, Department of Interior Design, Ajman University, since 2013. Teaching Assistant 2008-2013
- Interior Designer, Interior Design Dep., Clive Christian, Dubai-UAE, 2006-2008
- Site Engineer (Al-Yarmouk Décor-Sharjah) as a part time. Office and site work, including designing and site execution for all projects 2004-2006
- KARASI Students Textile Art Exhibition-Dubai Mall, organized by Ajman University 2012 (Participated in the installation and event setup).
- UAE National Day Event setup, design and execution, Ajman University 2017.
- UAE National Day Event setup, design and execution, Ajman University 2018.
- Communities Day, design, setup and execution, Ajman University 2018.
- Ajman University 2018 Global Day event design, setup and execution
- Students Club Fair design, setup and execution, Ajman University, 2018 & 2019.
- Mentoring students, Solar Decathlon competition, Dubai 2018.
- Students poster presentation, the “Renewable Energy Competition 2019”, organized by the Arab-German Young Academy of Science and Humanities and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah
- Lighting Lab setup and fit-out work Ajman University, 2019.
- Global Day event design, setup and execution, Ajman University 2019 & 2020
- Head of NASAD Accreditation Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2021-2022
- Head of CIDA Accreditation Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2023–present.
- Head of CAA Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020- Present
- Head of Annual Effectiveness Report committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020- Present
- Engaged Participant in the Workshop for Formulating a Research Plan on Indoor Air Quality and Human Health in the UAE, in Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Public Health Authority (ADPHA) - 2023
- Head of the Curriculum and Development Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020 - Present
Head of the Interior Design Department, Ajman University 2020 - Present
Lecturer, Department of Interior Design, Ajman University, since 2013. Teaching Assistant 2008-2013
Interior Designer, Interior Design Dep., Clive Christian, Dubai-UAE, 2006-2008
Site Engineer (Al-Yarmouk Décor-Sharjah) as a part time. Office and site work, including designing and site execution for all projects 2004-2006
KARASI Students Textile Art Exhibition-Dubai Mall, organized by Ajman University 2012 (Participated in the installation and event setup).
UAE National Day Event setup, design and execution, Ajman University 2017.
UAE National Day Event setup, design and execution, Ajman University 2018.
Communities Day, design, setup and execution, Ajman University 2018.
Ajman University 2018 Global Day event design, setup and execution
Students Club Fair design, setup and execution, Ajman University, 2018 & 2019.
Mentoring students, Solar Decathlon competition, Dubai 2018.
Students poster presentation, the “Renewable Energy Competition 2019”, organized by the Arab-German Young Academy of Science and Humanities and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Lighting Lab setup and fit-out work Ajman University, 2019.
Global Day event design, setup and execution, Ajman University 2019 & 2020
Head of NASAD Accreditation Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2021-2022
Head of CIDA Accreditation Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2023–present.
Head of CAA Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020- Present
Head of Annual Effectiveness Report committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020- Present
Engaged Participant in the Workshop for Formulating a Research Plan on Indoor Air Quality and Human Health in the UAE, in Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Public Health Authority (ADPHA) - 2023
Head of the Curriculum and Development Committee, Ajman University, UAE, 2020 - Present
Teaching Area
- Interior Design Studio I (Residential Villa)
- Interior Design Studio II (Retail Design)
- Interior Design Studio III (offices)
- Sustainability in Interior Design: Developing the course and encouraging student participation in conference poster presentations.
- Working Drawing I & II
- Lighting & Acoustics course for ID
- Graduation Project II
Interior Design Studio I (Residential Villa)
Interior Design Studio II (Retail Design)
Interior Design Studio III (offices)
Sustainability in Interior Design: Developing the course and encouraging student participation in conference poster presentations.
Working Drawing I & II
Lighting & Acoustics course for ID
Graduation Project II
Research
- Building Skin and materials performance in residential projects
- Indoor Human Comfort & Natural Lighting
- Open plan offices, level of perceived collaboration
Building Skin and materials performance in residential projects
Indoor Human Comfort & Natural Lighting
Open plan offices, level of perceived collaboration
Publications
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THE FLOATING HOUSE, SKINS & SPACES DUBAI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) – PALM JUMEIRAH, IJEAS, True scholar
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JournalIrene Pasina, Emanuela Corti, Taher Eldanaf, Dalal Abdullah, Empowering the next generation of women in interior design in the United Arab Emirates through competitive education: a curriculum review, Journal of Architectural Research, Jan 2024, doi: DOI 10.1108/ARCH-09-2023-0256
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JournalAyman Kassem Jihad Awad Taher Eldanaf, From Museumification to Performativization. A Performative Approach to Heritage Reuse. Cases from the United Arab Emirates, Future Cities and Environment, Mar 2024, doi: 10.5334/fce.228
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JournalAyman Kassem, Taher El Danaf, Jihad Awad, Dina Ibrahim, Performative Architectural Skins: Towards a Performance-Oriented Theory, Journal of Design and Built Environment, Dec 2024
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JournalEldanaf, Taher S., Stefanic, Pavol., Dagher, Rawya., Altemnah, Omnia., Saraiji, Riad., Langer, Sarka., Bekö, Gabriel. . , Indoor air quality in primary school classrooms in Sweden, Slovakia, and the United Arab Emirates, Journal of Building Engineering, Oct 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113151
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JournalAn indoor air pollution research strategy for the United Arab Emirates, Indoor Environments, Jun 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.indenv.2025.100086
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JournalDesigning for change: performative and flexible approaches to contemporary housing, Frontiers in Built Environment, Apr 2025, doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1677525
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JournalKassem, Ayman El Danaf, Taher Awad, Jihad Ibrahim, Dina, Performative Architectural Skins: Towards A Performance-Oriented Theory, Journal of Design and Built Environment, Dec 2024
THE FLOATING HOUSE, SKINS & SPACES DUBAI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) – PALM JUMEIRAH, IJEAS, True scholar
Irene Pasina, Emanuela Corti, Taher Eldanaf, Dalal Abdullah, Empowering the next generation of women in interior design in the United Arab Emirates through competitive education: a curriculum review, Journal of Architectural Research, Jan 2024, doi: DOI 10.1108/ARCH-09-2023-0256
This paper explores the impact of interior design education and its effectiveness in the work environment for women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as they are the primary recipients of interior design programs. The analysis focuses on the role of women in interior design in the Gulf countries and the update of an interior design program curriculum as part of the continuous development program requested by the UAE Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the national Ministry of Education (MoE).
About the journal
Ayman Kassem Jihad Awad Taher Eldanaf, From Museumification to Performativization. A Performative Approach to Heritage Reuse. Cases from the United Arab Emirates, Future Cities and Environment, Mar 2024, doi: 10.5334/fce.228
The notions of Performance and Performative are emerging in architectural design discourses including heritage processing and repurposing. The literature review shows that the terms are semantically wide and they are linked to a variety of concepts: the open form, the flexible, the dynamic, the event—based spatial settings and the active engagement with space. The essay examines how – beyond museumification -the activation and the reuse of heritage sites can be seen through the lens of Performance and the concept of the Performative, and the difference between passive engagement and active engagement. The essay has three folds aims unfolding as follow: The first explores a literature review analysis of Performative and Performance in architectural discourse, arriving to explore those concepts in the discourses of reuse of historical heritage sites as exhibitions performative venues. The second examines a proposed performative-oriented approach to the reuse of heritage sites which aims at a dynamic and active engagement with the space, opposing to museumification which usually leads to passive engagement while taking examples from Europe. The third one will be centered on the case of the old heart of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates as a heritage site reinvented and inhabited by the Sharjah Art Foundation, which we will analyze through the lens of the Performative and the practice of Exhibiting.
About the journal
Ayman Kassem, Taher El Danaf, Jihad Awad, Dina Ibrahim, Performative Architectural Skins: Towards a Performance-Oriented Theory, Journal of Design and Built Environment, Dec 2024
The concepts of "performance" and "performative" are gaining significant attention in spatial design discourse. "Performative" is often linked with qualities such as open-form flexibility and scenic or theatrical attributes. It highlights the interaction between intentional and accidental elements, as well as the dynamic nature of environments. Some literature characterizes performative spatial design as the ability to execute multiple functions either simultaneously or individually, while others interpret it as a means of conveying content. Most discussions focus on three-dimensional spaces or architectural scales. This essay delves into the theories behind the term "performative" and its application in analyzing and describing the two-dimensional aspects of urban spaces, interiors, and architecture. It explores the semantic range and applications of "performative" and "performance" beyond simple analogies to the performing arts, aiming to articulate innovative and complex qualities of architectural skins and interior surfaces, including their capacity to communicate, narrate content, convey knowledge, and embed cultural references.
About the journal
Eldanaf, Taher S., Stefanic, Pavol., Dagher, Rawya., Altemnah, Omnia., Saraiji, Riad., Langer, Sarka., Bekö, Gabriel. . , Indoor air quality in primary school classrooms in Sweden, Slovakia, and the United Arab Emirates, Journal of Building Engineering, Oct 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113151
The indoor environment was investigated in 75 primary school classrooms in three countries with different climate zones, building types and cultural and social aspects. Temperature, relative humidity and concentrations of CO2, formaldehyde, TVOC, NO2, ozone and particulate matter (PM) were measured over a one-week period in 45 schools in Sweden (winter), 15 schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE; mild winter & hot summer) and in 15 schools in Slovakia (winter). The schools in the UAE were newer (average age 13 years vs. 70 in Sweden, 93 in Slovakia) and smaller (average volume 149 m3 vs. 174 m3 and 213 m3, respectively) with similar or higher occupancy. Schools in Sweden, mostly ventilated with mechanical ventilation operating with outdoor air, demonstrated the highest ventilation rates (median 3.2 h−1 vs. 0.47 h−1 in Slovakia and 0.57 h−1 in UAE in winter) and lowest concentrations of most pollutants. Natural ventilation in Slovakia and mechanical ventilation with air recirculation in the UAE resulted in elevated concentrations of some of the pollutants. Median levels of CO2 (1550 ppm in Slovakia, 1550 in UAE in winter), TVOC (434, 485 μg/m3, respectively) and NO2 (12.2, 34.2 μg/m3, respectively) exceeded recommended guideline values. Lower median air change rates, ozone and NO2 concentrations and higher CO2, formaldehyde and TVOC concentrations were measured in the UAE in the summer than in the winter. Indoor environmental control strategies should take into account local environmental and building conditions and cultural factors in order to promote children's health, comfort, and learning.
About the journal
An indoor air pollution research strategy for the United Arab Emirates, Indoor Environments, Jun 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.indenv.2025.100086
Clean indoor air is vital for health in all settings, especially in locations where extreme climates restrict outdoor activity, such as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE summer temperatures routinely exceed 42°C (108°F), discouraging outdoor activity and limiting natural ventilation of structures. Yet, little research is available on indoor air quality in the UAE. To inform the design of a new indoor air quality program, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre commissioned a study to characterize and prioritize knowledge gaps on indoor air quality and its relationship to health in the UAE and to identify potential partners for the program. Research gaps and priorities were identified by a panel of 16 international and local indoor air quality experts through a two-day structured, in-person workshop and follow-up survey. Key partners were identified through a stakeholder mapping exercise and e-mail survey of 79 government agencies and nongovernment organizations. The expert panel concluded that the most important short-term research need is to characterize the major sources of indoor air pollution and the most frequently occurring pollutants. The panel recommended establishing a national indoor air quality observatory encompassing a wide range of settings, including residences, schools, mosques, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, and other public spaces. Indoor air quality monitors would be permanently placed to establish baseline indoor air quality, provide data to estimate source contributions, and enable tracking of changes over time. The stakeholder mapping exercise identified ten agencies that should be involved in planning, including the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Department of Health–Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, and Emirates Public Health Association. While focused on the UAE, the methods and research priorities in this study may be useful for planning indoor air quality improvement campaigns in other high-income nations.
About the journal
Designing for change: performative and flexible approaches to contemporary housing, Frontiers in Built Environment, Apr 2025, doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1677525
Contemporary housing must accommodate demographic volatility, climatic extremes, and evolving household structures. This article develops an integrated framework for “designing for change” that aligns four lenses: flexibility (design method), adaptability (long-term functional capacity), performativity (environmental interaction), and calibrated incompleteness (resident agency) to reposition housing as an open system rather than a finished object. Drawing on Open Building and Open Form theory, we test the framework through comparative case studies that bridge global precedents (e.g., Elemental’s incremental housing; Doshi’s Aranya housing) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) applications (e.g., BaityKool, Masdar Eco-Villa, Dubai’s policy reforms, and Saudi developments such as ROSHN Sedra and TAG Villa). Findings indicate that effective GCC housing couples lightweight, modular “hardware” with policy-enabled elasticity and passive-active environmental systems, enabling staged growth, post-occupancy modification, and culturally specific patterns of use. The article argues that flexibility is a sociotechnical and sociocultural imperative requiring regulatory foresight, material innovation, and meaningful participation. It concludes with an agenda for measurement (post-occupancy adaptability metrics), governance (codes that normalize change), and pedagogy (time-based design rehearsal), offering transferable lessons for resilient, inclusive, and climate-responsive housing.
About the journal
Kassem, Ayman El Danaf, Taher Awad, Jihad Ibrahim, Dina, Performative Architectural Skins: Towards A Performance-Oriented Theory, Journal of Design and Built Environment, Dec 2024
The concepts of "performance" and "performative" are gaining significant attention in spatial design discourse. "Performative" is often linked with qualities such as open-form flexibility and scenic or theatrical attributes. It highlights the interaction between intentional and accidental elements, as well as the dynamic nature of environments. Some literature characterizes performative spatial design as the ability to execute multiple functions either simultaneously or individually, while others interpret it as a means of conveying content. Most discussions focus on three-dimensional spaces or architectural scales. This essay delves into the theories behind the term "performative" and its application in analyzing and describing the two-dimensional aspects of urban spaces, interiors, and architecture. It explores the semantic range and applications of "performative" and "performance" beyond simple analogies to the performing arts, aiming to articulate innovative and complex qualities of architectural skins and interior surfaces, including their capacity to communicate, narrate content, convey knowledge, and embed cultural references.
About the journal
Conference Presentation
- Sensory Pollution from Treated Wood Panels on Perceived Air Quality and Human Comfort, SB – 13 Conference December 8 -10, 2013
- Seminar Speaker at the Big 5 Show 2013, Dubai. Paper name: Adapting to climate change with floating houses,
- THE ELEMENTS OF NATURAL CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SKINS by: Taher Salah, Omnia Mohamed, And Akram Azmy Conference name: EURO-MED-SEC-2: The Second European and Mediterranean Structural Engineering and Construction Conference
- ACHIEVING THE OPTIMAL SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING CONCEPT (PROPOSAL FOR SOLAR DECATHLON MIDDLE EAST 2018-2020). Conference name: 11th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
- THE ROLE OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN TO PLAN A HAPPY HOME WITH A LOW BUDGET – SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME (AJMAN). Conference name: 10th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
- Measured and perceived IEQ in schools in Sweden, Slovakia and the UAE. 18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings, 2024
Sensory Pollution from Treated Wood Panels on Perceived Air Quality and Human Comfort, SB – 13 Conference December 8 -10, 2013
Seminar Speaker at the Big 5 Show 2013, Dubai. Paper name: Adapting to climate change with floating houses,
THE ELEMENTS OF NATURAL CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SKINS by: Taher Salah, Omnia Mohamed, And Akram Azmy Conference name: EURO-MED-SEC-2: The Second European and Mediterranean Structural Engineering and Construction Conference
ACHIEVING THE OPTIMAL SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING CONCEPT (PROPOSAL FOR SOLAR DECATHLON MIDDLE EAST 2018-2020). Conference name: 11th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
THE ROLE OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN TO PLAN A HAPPY HOME WITH A LOW BUDGET – SHEIKH ZAYED HOUSING PROGRAMME (AJMAN). Conference name: 10th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Measured and perceived IEQ in schools in Sweden, Slovakia and the UAE. 18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2024 - Conference Program and Proceedings, 2024
Memberships, Awards and Honors
- Member of APID
- Awards of Hotel International Conference/Dubai 2006
- Honors, Five Star Hotel Competition – Ajman University, 2007
- Solar Decathlon 2016, Submitting Preliminary proposal (Team Leader, Indoor Environment)
- VMODERN Magazine (Library Chair, 21 NOV. 2015) – Participation
- Supervisor in Students Affair Events, Design and Specifications (National Day and Global Day, 2017-2019)
- Supervisor in Students Affair Events, Design and Specifications (Global Day, 2017-2019)
- Supervisor in Students Affair Events, Design and Specifications (Club Fair, 2017-2019)