Despite growing calls for global architectural histories, the historiography of modern architecture remains depicted predominantly by Western figures, narratives, and experiences. This publication takes a different approach by uncovering previously overlooked histories and contributions that shaped the Arab world’s modern built environment. It considers projects from the Arabian Gulf, the Levant, and North Africa during a critical moment when several Arab countries were entering a new phases of post-colonial nation-building. From both within and outside the architectural profession, a multifaceted exchange of ideas informed architectural thinking in the wake of independence.