We’re pleased to announce that Nicholas Bonaventure, Managing Director of nicholas, has been elected as the RIBA Country Representative for Bahrain within the RIBA Gulf Chapter.
Nicholas is a UK-qualified architect with extensive experience across the Middle East, leading complex master planning, urban design, and architectural projects that respond to climate, culture, and context. Through his work at nicholas, he has focused on delivering design-led strategies that align sustainability and heritage with contemporary development – across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf.
nicholas is an architecture and urban design practice operating across the Middle East, working with developers and public sector clients to shape resilient, culturally grounded environments. The studio’s approach combines regional insight with international expertise, with a strong emphasis on climate-responsive design and long-term value creation.
Bahrain has not been consistently represented within the RIBA Gulf Chapter in recent years. This appointment is an important step in strengthening the Kingdom’s voice within the regional professional community – particularly at a time when Bahrain continues to invest in both its modern built environment and the preservation of its rich architectural heritage.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plays a key role in supporting architects globally through professional standards, education, and advocacy. Within the Gulf, the Chapter provides a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and the promotion of design excellence across the region.
We encourage RIBA members and built-environment professionals in Bahrain and the Gulf to engage with the Chapter – to connect, share knowledge, and support the continued advancement of architecture and urban design in the region.
