Mary-Jean Eastman

Founding Partner & Principal

Perkins Eastman

A Principal, Executive Director, and founding partner of Perkins Eastman, Mary-Jean Eastman plays a key role in the overall design direction of the firm while she also is the Managing Principal of the New York Office. She is involved in the firm’s healthcare, higher education, public building, and housing design practices. Integrating architecture and interior design to create significant spaces and humanizing institutional environments are central to Mary-Jean’s professional practice. Recently, Mary-Jean has concentrated especially on designing patient-focused environments for healthcare clients for numerous academic medical centers and healthcare institutions worldwide. Mary- Jean’s design innovation and sensitive approach have redefined “state-of- the-art” in healthcare, and have been recognized with nearly every major award for design excellence, enhancing the firm’s reputation as a leader in the design of programmatically complex buildings.

Ammar Al Assam

CEO

Dewan Architects and Engineers

Ammar Al Assam is the Chief Executive Officer at Dewan Architects and Engineers. He joined Dewan in 2001, and has taken the lead in developing and implementing the strategic plan for the growth of Dewan into a regional multi-disciplinary and multi-market leading A&E firm. In 2007, Ammar led the transaction team that secured a strategic investor in the form of Ithmar Capital, a leading regional private equity firm, thereby allowing the firm to successfully expand within the region and penetrate new markets. Serving as both Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, Ammar continues to be actively involved in the development of new business opportunities, harnessing strategic relationships and partnerships, and in breaking into new vertical and geographical markets. Dewan has successfully set up regional offices in Qatar, Saudi, Iraq and Philippines in the last 7 years. With the growing importance of environmental consciousness and the need for expertise in designing buildings that are green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Ammar has helped lead the development of the corporate culture of the firm to be one that is focussed on designing buildings that are sustainable and Dewan has actively and successfully designed buildings that have received LEED and ESTIDAMA certification. Today, Dewan Architects + Engineers is a truly regional firm operating in the Gulf, the Levant, and North Africa, and offers multi-disciplinary design services with the firm being ranked by prestigious industry publications in the Top 50 globally and Top 4 regionally.

Carson Shearon

Principal, Director, International Practice

CannonDesign

With over 20 years’ experience in the health industry, Carson Shearon’s multi-disciplinary training in medical sciences and architecture is a key advantage in advancing CannonDesign’s international health practice. At the forefront of strategic planning and design for healthcare, Shearon promotes efficient and sustainable design strategies that equitably respond to care delivery paradigms affecting patients, families, clinical caregivers, and clients in countries throughout the world. In his role as CannonDesign’s International Strategies Leader and a member of the Health Practice Steering Committee, Shearon builds and reinforces high-performance teams to optimize clinical performance in community, government, teaching, and industrial healthcare facilities around the globe. Shearon is a trusted advisor and valued partner to clients in the development of world class healthcare environments that embody global best practices while remaining contextually sensitive to regional climates, culture, and healthcare delivery paradigms.

Jennifer Dixon

Head of Architecture, EMEA

AECOM

Jennifer Dixon is AECOM’s first Head of Architecture in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), joining at the end of 2013, initially working with existing architecture teams across EMEA on key projects, whilst devising a strategy for developing the AECOM architecture offer in EMEA during the first months of FY14. Jennifer specialises in providing strategic support services on UK and international projects for design teams and client teams, and is committed to both evolving our architecture offering and helping us further our relationships with key architecture practices across the geography. Prior to joining AECOM, Jennifer provided a range of client advisory services through her consultancy, Dixon Architects, and spent nine years at Austin-Smith: Lord, where she was a partner, and principal of the London operation. She ran her own practice, Dixon Hughes Architects, from 1993 to 2003. Jennifer has recently been awarded Client Adviser accreditation by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Charles Dalluge

President & Chief Operating Officer

DLR Group

Charles Dalluge is President and Chief Operating Officer of DLR Group. He is a member of the firm’s executive leadership team and is responsible for leading and managing operations in DLR Group offices across the United States and internationally. Charles joined DLR Group in March 2014. He was previously with Leo A Daly where he oversaw global operations for that firm in the role of executive vice president. He has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, Hawaii, Omaha, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., and led projects in more than 20 countries. Charles is a member of the Executive Board of the Design Futures Council, a member of the Society of Military Engineers, the Design Build Institute of America, and on the Professional Advisory Committee of the University of Nebraska College of Architecture.

Daniel Hajjar

Senior Vice President, Managing Principal EMEA

HOK

Daniel Hajjar is the Managing Principal of the HOK London studio. In addition to managing the studio, Daniel remains actively involved in project work in order to bring a wide range of experience to our clients. A large portion of his experience has been in developer led mixed-use developments with a particular focus on the public realm and residential component. Daniel constantly searches for new and innovative ways to design, manage and deliver projects for clients regardless of locale is an important goal on every project in the studio. Daniel’s international experience has been an important asset in the growth for HOK the various geographic regions, however, the primary focus of his recent efforts has been the regional UK market.

Simon Moon

CEO

Atkins Middle East

Simon is Chief Executive Officer for the Atkins Middle East & Africa business. He leads the 2000-strong Atkins business across the Middle East and Africa, delivering world-class multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, supervision, design management and project / programme delivery across infrastructure, rail and property sectors. Simon is a successful and highly motivated business leader, with a track-record of delivering challenging and sustainable business growth, as well as business turnaround ~ through development of significant client relationships, innovative strategic positioning, effective change management, and real talent management. He joined Atkins in 1996 from British Aerospace (BAe Systems) and was instrumental in building the Atkins defence systems business, ultimately as its Managing Director. In addition, he has held key positions across the company as Managing Director Design & Engineering, Commercial Director for Design and Engineering Solutions, and Group Business Improvement Director. Simon is also Executive Sponsor for the Atkins parent company (SNC Lavalin) digital transformation programme.

Fadi Jabri

Executive Officer, Principal CIS, MENA, INDIA

NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

In 2000 Dr. Fadi Jabri joined NS as Architect after obtaining a PhD Degree in Engineering, Department of Architecture from the University of Tokyo. In 2014, he joined the board of directors, responsible for developing and overseeing Nikken Sekkei activities in MENA, CIS and India regions. He brings to Nikken Sekkei strong international experience owing to his participation in high profile projects in over 20 cities, ranging from urban planning, waterfront developments, to mixed use high rise, residential, hospitality, and education. In his projects, he works closely with the client and design teams to set out design direction, and establish overall execution strategy for a project. He contributed to establish Dubai, Riyadhand Moscow offices, and is currently establishing the India office. Perhaps the most notable projects he worked on, Strategy for Expansion of Moscow, Expansion of Mataf in Mecca, and large waterfront and inland developments in Dubai. He is fluent in English, Japanese, Arabic and Russian. “This is my first time to attend this exciting event and I look forward to have a dialogue with the brightest minds of our creative industry.”

Gary Rawlings

Design Director

Gensler

An admirer of modernism and simplicity, Gary believes that buildings should respond to the environment and be rigorously tested to ensure they will perform as designed. He is fascinated by the impact of technology on our built environment and how we can further leverage technology in design. This passion lead Gary to serve as an active member of the British Council for Offices (BCO)’s Technical Affairs Committee since 2009. Gary’s depth of experience includes work on projects of varying scales and across many industry sectors—from residential towers, hospitals, infrastructure, and numerous office developments. A regular speaker at architecture and construction conferences, Gary was a RIBA part three examiner at Westminster University during the 2013 and 2014 academic years. He was also a member of the Design Review Panel for the London Borough of Hackney in 2014.

Philip Gillard

Vice President

KEO

Philip is an astute design professional and RIBA Chartered Architect with over 20 years of experience in international design and project delivery.  Philip has a proven track record in running large teams and various mega-projects from a design and financial perspective across Europe and the Middle East. As Vice President of the Design Division, he has full responsibility over KEO-Design and the delivery of KEO’s innovative Architectural and Engineering Services to all of our global markets.  Part of Philip’s remit is to create growth, expand our markets and the services we offer.  His focus is also to support the division’s exceptionally talented pool of professionals and create impactful mentoring opportunities throughout the division and its disciplines. Philip joins KEO from Gensler, where he held senior positions across the Middle East and the UK. Most recently, he was the Managing Director of the Middle East BusinessOffice. Prior to joining Gensler, he held progressive leadership roles at various global design practices in the UK and across the globe with full leadership, design direction and operational responsibilities. Throughout his extensive career, Philip has worked with multi-disciplinary teams at a strategic leadership level, adding value to the business, mentoring and developing senior staff members and promoting the brand culture throughout offices internationally. Philip has earned the RIBA Professional Practice in Architecture from the Architectural Association, a Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture from the Birmingham School of Architecture/University of Oklahoma as well as a BA (Hons) Undergraduate Degree in Architecture from De Montfort University.   The VP of Design is also a full member of KEO’s Executive Leadership Board (ELB) and the Direct Leadership Management Board (DLM)

Shaun Killa

Design Partner

Killa Design

Shaun Killa studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and worked with several award winning architectural firms in Cape Town. Shaun was involved in designing masterplans, waterfront developments and stadia before he moved to Dubai in 1998 and joined Atkins working on the Burj Al Arab.  In 2000 he became Design Director and lead Atkins Dubai by winning multiple international competitions such as 21st Century Tower, Chelsea Tower, Millennium Tower and Al Mas Tower (370m).  His design specialisation is in complex mixed use projects, hospitality, high-rise towers and his passion for sustainability design led him to design the Bahrain World Trade Centre. This project is the world’s first large scale integration of wind turbines on a building. Over the years Killa focused his design philosophy on innovative low carbon buildings and challenged the norms to create timeless projects. Examples such as Lighthouse Tower (400m), Address Boulevard (350m), Habtoor Towers, Dubai Opera House, and several large developments in India, Saudi Arabia and China. Killa also lead masterplans such as Cairo Smart City, Dubai Promenade, Cape Town Waterfront 2030, and several new cities in Riyadh and Jeddah. In 2013 Killa won the Dubai Creek Harbour masterplan for Emaar which assisted in generating over 20 years of future development for the developer. During this period Killa won several global awards such as LEAF, Holcim, ENR and CTBUH.  In 2015 Shaun Killa left Atkins and created Killa Design. Here he has won multiple international commissions such as Museum of the Future, Address Jumeriah Gate (twin 77 St), W Hotel Mumbai, Vida Marina. Also the Office of the Future, the first occupied printed building in the world, together with SRG Tower which is a 111st, 470m ultra-green super high-rise tower in Dubai.  Killa design has a won Autodesk’s AEC global buildings award and several Middle East Architectural awards within a few years of opening. Shaun Killa has himself been voted #1 Architect in the ME Architect magazine for 2017 Killa participates on the advisory committees of architectural universities for their B.Arch and M.Arch programs and regularly speaks at many global conferences, enjoys mentoring talent and inspiring others to innovate and create.

Brian Johnson

Principal and Managing Partner

Godwin Austen Johnson Architects

Brian Johnson, Principal and Managing Partner of GAJ Architects (Godwin Austen Johnson). The British architect began his career in London in 1973 and in 1975 took a decision to move to Dubai. With 40 years of regional experience to his name, Brian’s influence on modern Middle Eastern architecture is undeniable. His body of work comprises some of Dubai’s most recognisable and prized buildings. Among them is the Dubai Creek Golf Club, widely recognised as one of Dubai’s first architectural icons – so much so it features on the 20 dirham note. Brian is credited with having set in motion a countrywide trend in the UAE to incorporate traditional Arabic and Islamic themes into modern architecture. His award winning practice, which in 2014 celebrated its 25th year, has a portfolio of projects across the Middle East, North Africa and India His distinctive style and uncompromising resolve for design excellence are acknowledged with major architectural awards, as well as personally being awarded ‘Principal of the Year’ in 2011 and achieved a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 2015 Identity Design Awards.

Marwan Houry

Principal

Stantec

Marwan is a Principal and a Sector Leader at Stantec responsible for Strategy, Vision and business development for Stantec’s Mena Region. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of Architecture that spans a variety of project types, including Higher Education Facilities, K-12 Schools, Healthcare, Instructional and Research Labs, Libraries, Commercial, Religious and Industrial, he is registered and licensed as an Architect in the USA, and maintains a continuous membership with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Marwan worked on projects in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Recognized for his leadership and management skills, backed with strong design and technical capabilities, Marwan possesses extensive knowledge in the areas of Business Development, Project Management, Master Planning, Facilities Assessment, Design Development, Construction Documentation, Construction Administration and Closeout Procedures. Marwan is a LEED Accredited Professional with a Building Design and Construction specialty. He promotes sustainability and encourages the use of environmentally responsible processes and materials in the design of buildings. He also promotes the use of BIM platforms and Clash Detection software that help produce tender documents with minimal RFI’s and change orders. Marwan has also led multiple teams and projects that employed the Integrated Project Delivery method and were all very successful in meeting the project scope, budget and schedule while exceeding clients’ expectations. Marwan is client focused and is always motivating his teams to add unexpected value to the clients while collaborating and achieving despite obstacle

Michael Magill

Managing Director and Design Director

RSP Architects

Michael Magill has worked for a number of high profile international architectural practices and has led design teams which have won numerous international architectural competitions and delivered highly complex projects. His portfolio of projects spreads across Asia, Middle East and Europe and these projects have since been recognized publicly, winning awards for his clear vision and innovative design ideas. As Managing Director and Design Director of RSP’s Middle East Operations in Dubai, Michael Magill brings in the critical skills for leading a diverse design team in the Middle East. Over the last six years Michael has grown the team from six to sixty staff that has delivered highly complex and iconic projects. Executed Projects Palm Towers Hotel, Dubai Hospitality | 91,000sqm Khalifa University Extension, Abu Dhabi Education | 135,000sqm Aspire 1001 Mixed Use | 210,000sqm Olympia Reflections, Chennai, India Residential | 120,773sqm Nakheel Mall Retail | 435,000sqm Damac Akoya Retail Strip & Residential Towers Mixed Use | 89,800sqm Royal Centurion, Dubai Residential | 20,000sqm Deira Island Mall, Dubai Retail | 700,000sqm Associations Royal Institute of British Architects Architecture Registration Board, UK Qualifications Diploma of Architecture, Sheffield University, UK Bachelor of Architecture, Sheffield University, UK

Mustafa Chehabeddine

Design Principal

KPF

Master of Arts in Design, Architectural Association, London Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, American University of Beirut Mustafa has over 25 years of experience as an architect and is particularly adept in managing multi-disciplinary, international teams. Since joining KPF in 1999, he has worked on a variety of schemes across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Projects range from commercial, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments to large-scale masterplans with complex urban and transportation issues. Mustafa’s design-focused approach ensures the highest quality is achieved on all projects. His designs are sensitive and responsive to their locality, taking influence from their social, economic, environmental, and urban context to create award-winning architecture. His involvement in projects covers the full spectrum of project delivery – from the concept to leading the design and production team, through to construction and completion. His consistent contact with clients ensures careful management of projects as they progress. Most recently, Mustafa has served as Design Principal overseeing the Abu Dhabi International Airport, one of the largest projects currently under construction in the world. The project will dramatically increase the airport’s capacity, allowing it to process up to 80 million travellers per year and confirming Abu Dhabi’s status as both a global business centre and luxury destination. In Dubai, Mustafa has also worked on the Downtown West development in the city’s new Opera district. Other recent projects in the Middle East include the financial headquarters of Ziraat Bank in Istanbul, which draws on Turkey’s rich cultural heritage to create a distinctive silhouette within the city’s emerging International Financial Centre. Mustafa’s experience in Asia includes the Gemdale mixed use development, which will form the heart of the rapidly developing Zhongxin District in Shenzhen, China. The project is currently under construction and includes a 375m tower. In Malaysia he is working on the KLCC Cultural Hub development which includes a 700m tower and in South Korea a mixed use project with an area of over 3.1 million sqft in Daejeon City. In the UK, Mustafa also worked as Senior Designer on the original Pinnacle scheme in the City of London Mustafa obtained his undergraduate degree from the American University of Beirut and his postgraduate degree from the Architectural Association in London.

Uwe Nienstedt

Senior Regional Manager

SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL, LLP

Mr. Nienstedt has many years of experience as a practitioner with several of the largest and most renowned Developers, Corporations and Architectural & Planning firms in England, the US, Germany and the GCC countries. Educated as an architect, his focus shifted to Urban Planning and Implementation during the last decade. He is currently the Senior Regional Manager for the renowned architecture and planning firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP in Abu Dhabi, responsible for the Middle East and North Africa region. As Head of Master Planning and member of the Executive Management of Emaar EC, Mr. Nienstedt was in charge of the overall King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Master Plan. As Senior Planning Manager for the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Uwe oversaw all government led planning and growth management projects within the Abu Dhabi Emirate. During his years at the Siemens corporation in Munich, Mr. Nienstedt served as Vice President and Head of Urban Development, a cross divisional platform to support mega projects worldwide. Mr. Nienstedt was responsible for leading Siemens’ Mega Cities initiative, a key account function for the most complex metropolitan public customers and their specific needs in sustainable infrastructure. As Chief Architect for Siemens he was responsible for the re-development of all unutilized production facilities as well as all new Siemens office building design and construction worldwide. During seven years with Foster and Partners, Uwe became the Managing Director for the German subsidiary. He was the Project Director for the Reichstag (German Parliament), and Head of Berlin office as well as Project Director for the Commerzbank High-rise and Head of Frankfurt office. Earlier in his career he worked for some of the most renowned architectural practices worldwide, Von Gerkan, Marg & Partner in Hamburg, Helmut Jahn, in Chicago and Skidmore Owings & Merrill in London. During the last 25 years Uwe had teaching assignments at the University Stuttgart, the Polytechnic University Mainz, and the University Of Louisiana. Uwe Nienstedt holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech, where he was admitted with a Fulbright Scholarship

Richard Fenne

Principal & Studio Chair

Woods Bagot

Richard is the Studio Chair and Principal of the Dubai Studio at Woods Bagot and is an experienced RIBA and ARB registered Architect and Principal with over 15 years of wide-ranging international experience. His experience ranges from inception to completion covering a multitude of sectors including cultural, residential, workplace, hospitality and education. Since joining the Dubai studio in early 2011 Richard has led some significant and notable projects including the IRENA HQ building and a ground-breaking large scale residential development at Masdar City. In addition to providing studio and project leadership he is the Middle East Client Leader and is also a committee member of the Middle East Council for Offices (MECO), an external group dedicated to improving the quality of office developments in the region. Richard has excellent design capabilities and demonstrates strong leadership, communication and technical skills along with commercial acumen. Richard is passionate about design and is committed to producing projects of the highest quality. Key Achievements: • Key Project Leadership; IRENA HQ, City Walk, Neighbourhood One Residences, Shams Meera • Workplace Architecture Leader for the Middle East and Europe • Regional Sustainability Leader • Cityscape Awards Judge • Dubai Studio Chair • RIBA Regional Representative • Abu Dhabi University External Examiner

Phillip Jones

Managing Principal, MENA, Principal

B+H

Phillip Jones joined B+H in 2011 and has more than 27 years of experience managing international, complex and large-scale projects. He has worked extensively in the Middle East and North Africa for over 25 years, where he honed his ability to successfully partner with global clients on challenging projects and drive business development. Prior to joining B+H, Phillip practiced with other major firms and worked on such notable projects as the Doha City Centre Expansion, as well as the Dubai Marina Community Master Plan and Flagship Six Tower Mixed Use Development (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Jeddah Kingdom, Saudi Arabia). Phillip’s success with large mixed-use projects is based in the design resolution of the public realm. Phil thrives from seeing how people interact with and enjoy built spaces that embody an integrated design approach. To him, great design creates notable destinations that enhance our lives by not only serving a purpose, but cognitively connecting us to the land, culture, and our aspirations. This passion led to his recognition with the Architecture and Global Urban Design Award in 2005 for his work on Dubai Marina while with another firm. He was also one of the authors of the City of Toronto’s initial Tall Building Design Guidelines. Phillip complements the B+H senior team and contributes to the expansion of its client base in the Middle East and Canad

Professor Shams Eldien Naga

Founder

Naga Architects

Professor Shams Eldien Naga, PhD, AIA, NCARB, RIBA Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Architecture – University of Alexandria, Egypt Master of Community and Regional Planning – Rutgers University Master of Science and PhD in Architecture Theory – University of Pennsylvania Registrations: Registered Architect – States of Georgia and Massachusetts, USA; Toronto, Canada Memberships: AIA, NCARB, CACB and RIBA Prior to founding NAGA ARCHITECTS in 2000, Dr. Naga spent several years in academia, teaching at several universities in the United States and the Middle East; he obtained an architecture license after working with notable architecture offices in the Philadelphia area. Thanks to a well-balanced approach between practice and discipline, NAGA ARCHITECTS has won numerous design awards and has become one of the top A/E firms in the Middle East. The firm has its headquarters in Dubai, and offices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Riyadh, Doha, and Tripoli. Beyond the Middle East, NAGA has a growing subsidiary in Boston, MA, and has recently opened a branch in Toronto, Canada.”

Cornelia Kieferle-Nicklas

Managing Partner

Kieferle and Partner

After graduating from the Academy of Arts, University of Stuttgart as an Interior Designer, Cornelia started her professional career in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in1983. She joined Roedl&Kieferle in 1985 – 1990 to work on a number of major projects in both Riyadh and Jeddah. The firm which was founded in 1958 by her father, Georg Kieferle and his former collegue Karl Otto Roedl. In 1988 in succession of Roedl&Kieferle Architects, Kieferle&Partner was founded by the three partners Georg Kieferle, Eberhard Bender and Cornelia Kieferle-Nicklas. From 1990 - 2004 she managed Head office projects for 14 years. A results driven, self-motivated and resourceful managing director with a proven ability to develop and strengthen teams in order to maximise efficiency she founded K&P Dubai Branch in 2007 which she is based permanently since 2005. Cornelia is experienced leading and growing all sectors of her business to make it dynamic and progressive. She possesses excellent communication skills and is managing Multi-Disciplined teams to resolve any conflicting priorities. She leads, motivates and developes her team, by being involved in Design, Planning, Managing and Organizing the projects to assure the top quality of the delivered projects. She also establishes sustainable and profitable relationships with clients across the world. Profesional History: The K&P GmbH Dubai Branch is involved in the Design and management of a number of successful & Mega Projects in the GCC Countries with focus on UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Affiliations &Memberships: ⦁ 1988 Association of Architects in Stuttgart as Dipl. Ing Interior Designer ⦁ 2008 Association of Architects in Stuttgart as Dipl. Ing. Architect

Ralf Steinhauer

Director

RSP Architects

Ralf has over 15 years of professional experience in Asia, Australia, Middle East and Europe. Ralf leads the hospitality division of the MENA business focusing on delivering high quality design ranging in type, scale, budget and geography to both international and domestic clients within the region. His continual dedication to ongoing knowledge, research and challenge of design methodologies is channeled via his commitment to lecturing at the departments of architecture at Canadian University in Dubai. Ralf was recently honored as one of the Top 40 Most Powerful Architects of the Middle East. Executed Projects Business Bay Two Towers, Dubai Hospitality | 42,000sqm Al Ghanim Hotel, Kuwait Hospitality | 15,400sqm Kempinski The Wave, Muscat Hospitality | 38,000sqm Pullman Hotel, Dubai Hospitality | 42,000sqm Khalifa University Extension, Abu Dhabi Education | 135,000sqm EAI Headquarters, Abu Dhabi Commercial | 36,671sqm Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai Hospitality | 42,000sqm Al Buroj Apartments, Cairo Residential | 24,096sqm Associations Registered Architect, Architektenkammer NRW, Germany Qualifications Diploma of Architecture, TU Dresden, Germany

Raya Ani

Founder,RAW-NYC

2017 President, AIA Middle East

Raya Ani an award winning architect and urban designer with 25 years of professional experience having worked in Baghdad, Germany, Boston, New York City and Dubai. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, she was named one of the top most powerful Architects in the Middle East. She is the 2017 President of the American Institute of Architects - Middle East Chapter. In 2018, she was selected as one of the most influential architects in the region by Middle East Architect. She received her BSC in Architectural Engineering from Baghdad University with distinctions, and an MS in Architectural Studies from MIT where she was awarded the Harvard / MIT Aga Khan Scholarship. She has taught urban and architectural design studios and served as a guest critic at a number of leading architectural schools in New York, Boston and Dubai. Raya Ani is a licensed Architect in the State of New York and a US Green Building Council Accredited Professional. Raya has designed the first public green school in New York City and two green- certified (LEED) residential towers in Battery Park City. In 2011, she was nominated for the Middle-East Architect of the year Award and her work was highly commended by the jury. In 2012, she founded RAW-NYC Architects, an interdisciplinary architectural studio based in New York City. In 2014, She established the Dubai office. In 2013, she received AIA-ME honor award for her visionary work on the marshes of southern Iraq as well as a merit award for her design of Aspire sports complex in Qatar. In 2014, Her Aspire Sports complex project received the Leisure Project of the Year Award by Middle East Architect. In 2015, one of RAW-NYC Architects’ commercial projects was named “Most innovative Commercial structure” in Build Magazine’s Architecture Awards. In 2016, She was selected as one of five inspiring and powerful personalities in the world by Black Tomato travel and Cadillac and represented the MENA region. In 2016, She was shortlisted from a list of 43 leading women architects in New York to enter an international design competition to convert a women’s prison to an international Hub for Women’s Empowerment. She led RAW-NYC team for Liberland to design a masterplan for a new micro-nation. Her vision for liberland won the first place and the work was widely published. In 2017, BUILD magazine named RAW-NYC Architects as Best Interdisciplinary Architecture Studio - New York and Best Middle Eastern Sport Facility Design for Qatar Sports Complex. Her design of Bamiyan Cultural Center in Afghanistan won a Merit Award at the AIA International Region Design Awards in Prague. Raya Ani is a regular guest speaker at international architectural conferences including Harvard Arab conference. She has been invited to speak at MIT in Cambridge, Women in Design in Denver and at the Center of Architecture in New York City. She was also invited to speak at the Iraqi Embassy in Vienna and by Architectural universities in Dubai, Qatar, India, London and the US. In 2017, she was the conference Chair for 10,958 DAYS into the future conference by AIA Middle East in Sharjah. She participated in a series of workshops as a volunteer to help build schools and homes for children in Tanzania. She had led recycling initiatives to help build more sustainable and innovative projects. Her research focuses on future living, future cities, social and economic sustainability and the intersection between technology, innovation and sustainability.

Kourosh Salehi

Design Director

X-Architects

“X Architects is pleased to support Leaders in Architecture Summit ,the Summit is a key learning platform to discuss the latest global markets trends in the industry.” British architect and urban designer with 25 years’ experience delivering complex architectural projects in the UK, China and the Middle East. He has successfully completed a number of key award winning multidisciplinary International projects and has collaborated with a number of other signature designers of international repute. Currently at X Architects -Dubai, he handles the responsibilities of leading multi-discipline design teams in architecture and urban designer. Kourosh also has academic experience as a university visiting tutor and examiner in the UK and the UAE, and has published numerous Design Articles

Baharash Bagherian

Founder & Design Director

Baharash Architecture

“Leaders in Architecture is a great forum for sharing insights and knowledge as well as connecting with leaders in the industry.” Baharash Bagherian strives to develop innovative and creative solutions that make a positive contribution to our current and future generations.  His studio is working on some of the most challenging projects by thinking holistically at all scales. Each project is designed to provide a higher quality of life whilst also protecting the environment. His work is driven by a process of investigation and experimentation. This process is driven by a continuous pursuit of always asking “what if?”. Thus each project presents an opportunity for a new way of thinking.

Muhammad Binghatti Aljbori

CEO & Head of Architecture

Binghatti Developers

As the CEO & Head of Architecture at Binghatti Developers, Eng. Muhammad Binghatti Aljbori has spearheaded the dynamic growth at the company with more than 12 projects launched in 2015 throughout the UAE. Mr. Aljbori’s position as CEO & Head of Architecture stems from his education as an architect and his background in business, enabling him to balance the creativity required to produce iconic designs while retaining the pragmatism necessary to build and grow a successful business. Raised in the UAE throughout its growth and expansion, Aljbori was determined to redefine the norms of architectural design in the region by producing iconic designs that blend form and function to deliver timeless elegance. Having successfully established a common ground between local and international real estate trends through the expansion of Binghatti Developers, Aljbori has produced a viable alternative to some of the larger market players in the UAE.

Chris Jones

Partner

10 Design

CHRIS JONES is Partner of IO. He has over 18 years of international experience on major projects throughout the Middle East, Asia, the UK, and the US. He has lived and worked in New York, London, Istanbul, Edinburgh, and is currently based in Dubai. Chris has extensive experience of the design, delivery, and management of projects across all stages. These include mixed-use developments, master planning, residential, retail, commercial, education, and civic projects. He has worked with a wide variety of clients including international developers, private clients, government bodies, and universities and college trusts. His current role is principal client liaison across all projects in the Middle East. He works closely with design leadership teams to establish project direction and interfaces with clients and other consultants to ensure that project proceeds in accordance with clients’ goals. Presently in the region, he has been managing the design and delivery of landmark mixed use projects with Al Barari, Emaar, Meraas, Mirage, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana, and TECOM to name a few.

Ignacio Gomez

Design Director

Middle East, AEDAS

Ignacio Gomez completed his Master of Architecture and Engineering with Honors in Polytechnic University of Madrid, ETSAM and a postgraduate programme in Museography and Exhibition Spaces at Foundation Antonio Camuñas, Centro Superior de Arquitectura, Madrid, Spain. Prior joining Aedas, he worked for Godwin Austen Johnson as Partner and Design Director. He was responsible for leading the overall design direction and a number of key projects in the Middle East. With over 16 years of professional experience in architecture, Ignacio has been responsible for project design and management, specializing in master planning, hotel and leisure, residential and cultural projects across the Middle East. His designs have earned him various international and regional awards including Best Hospitality Project in Middle East Architect Awards 2012, Winner in Community Future category in Cityscape Global Awards 2011, Young Architect of the Year and Best Residential Project of the Year in Middle East Architect Awards 2010. Ignacio has been invited to be a guest critic at the School of Architecture & Design of the American University of Sharjah, UAE. He regularly speaks at different conferences in the MENA region such as the World Architecture Congress in Dubai, Architectural Design Days in Riyadh and DesignMENA summit in Dubai.

John Avery

Director

LOM architecture and design

John is an award-winning architect who has extensive experience in the Middle East having worked on projects in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with clients including United Arab Bank, HSBC Middle East, the National Bank of Oman and Ahli United Bank. He has recently led the team designing a mixed use twin tower scheme that will overlook Dubai’s Business Bay, was project architect for National Bank of Oman’s new head office in Muscat and is lead workplace and interior designer for HSBC’s new UAE head office building in Downtown Dubai. John has led projects in the residential, education and heritage sector, alongside his work in commercial and workplace design for clients including Coutts, RBS, Harrods and the Commercial Bank of Dubai. John studied architecture at Cambridge University, the Oxford School of Architecture and the Architectural Association. Before joining LOM he worked on projects for Channel 4, Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, Somerset House and the Ashmolean Museum. He won first prize in the Corus Architectural Competition in 2001, received one of the Architects Journal Awards for Architecture in 2002, and has exhibited work in the Royal Academy Architecture Room in London.

Lisa Cholmondeley

Studio Director

Gensler

Passionate about architectural theory and design, Lisa’s in-depth knowledge of her field informs the development of her conceptual designs. Lisa is a highly accomplished designer whose work reflects her passion for architectural theory and design. She is passionate about space and design and is motivated by the challenge of making our ideas reality. Her in-depth knowledge informs the development of her conceptual designs to produce detailed documentation. She liaises with consultants, statutory bodies and contractors while working closely with clients throughout a project to ensure that the end solution fulfils design and business objectives. Lisa is a skilled generalist who recognises that design happens at all stages of a project. She strongly believes that design isn’t just the first dramatic creation of an idea but is a continuous and evolving process right up until we hand over a space. Trained as an architect she has spent almost half of her career working on interiors work and believes that the most successful projects are these ones where inside and outside are expressing the same story. Lisa is a qualified architect in the USA and has worked on projects in the US, UK, the Middle East and Africa.

Dr. Bhakti More

Associate Professor

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Dr Bhakti More is an Associate Professor at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai campus, School of Design & Architecture. She has completed her Doctoral studies from School of Built Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK. She has presented research papers on her research on Urban Planning of neighborhoods and social cohesiveness at various International conferences in USA, UK, Japan and UAE and co-authored publications in International Journals. She is an Associate Editor for The International Journal of the Constructed Environment, Common Ground Publishing, University of Illinois Research Park, USA. As a coordinator for Conservation and Environment Club at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai campus for sustainable campus initiative and sustainable community action projects.

Cristiano Luchetti

Assistant Professor

American University of Sharjah

Cristiano Luchetti has taught architectural design for more than 12 years for several European and North American universities. His research refers to contemporary urban contexts, new sustainable strategies of development and re-adaptation, as well as vernacular and traditional architecture. As a registered architect, he has gained more than 15 years of experience in leading the design of a variety of large-scale projects in the residential, commercial and hospitality sectors in Europe, China, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Master of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University, USA

Dr. Anna Cornaro

Associate Professor,American University in Dubai & Partner & Founder,COdESIGN

Dr. Anna Cornaro Associate Professor of Architecture, American University in Dubai. Founder and Partner, COdESIGN Associates, Italy-UAE. Ph.D., Theory of Design/Architectural Composition, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (2006). Free Researcher, Tokyo University 2004-2006. Organizer, promoter and tutor of international workshops (Rome-Tokyo), speaker in international conferences (Genoa, Rome, Milan, Tokyo, Syros), professor at University of Rome Sapienza (2007-2011). Winner of academic and professional prizes, she has published papers on urban space, exhibit design, spaces for mental disease, Japanese architecture and written essays and articles for several international magazines. All COdESIGN projects are published in Italian and international magazines and books. Anna combines academic research, studio teaching and professional experience, in a continuous learning process.

Zayad Motlib

Founder, AmorphouStudio

Founder, d-NAT - Dubai Network for Art, Architecture and Technology

Zayad is an interdisciplinary architect, a designer, and a researcher on information based digital design and material systems. After finishing his Bachelor degree in Architecture at the University of Baghdad, the earned his Master’s degree at the University of Auckland, NZ in 1997. Later, he worked in internationally renowned practices in New Zealand, Australia, and the Middle East on a variety of award-winning =projects. In 2014, he founded AmorphouStudio, http://www.amorphoustudio.com, a visionary architecture and design studio based in Dubai and Sydney. Parallel to his professional practice, he has taught and served as a guest critic at several universities in Sydney, New Zealand, and across the UAE. Zayad’s work is a reflection of his fascination by the complex form of order found in patterns and organizations of natural systems. He employs a hybridization of analogue and digital processes to analyze and fuse the environmental, contextual, and material forces into an emerging synthesis of form, pattern, and space. By challenging the conventions of design and making, his work is a continuous research on the symbiotic relationship amid nature and technology to produce an adaptive, aesthetically sensible, and performance-based design. In addition to his international professional and academic work, he has also been a curator of several art and architectural exhibitions. In 2013, he founded d-NAT (Dubai Network for Art, Architecture, and Technology); - http://www.d-nat.net/ , a community based network set as a hub for the creative minds to connect and to form a productive milieu that bridges the boundaries of Architecture, Art, Design, and Technology. Inspired by the new possibilities at the intersection of these domains, the network continues to expand to become an educational hub that challenges the conventions of design and fabrication of the 21st century.

Mary Jane Rooney

Professor of Architecture , Head of Architecture School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

Heriot Watt University

Mary Jane Rooney is Professor and Head of Architecture at Heriot Watt University Dubai. She is a RIBA chartered Architect with extensive experience gained as Head of Architecture at London South Bank University. She is well known in Ireland and the UK for her contributions and commitment to architectural and design education. Her role at Heriot Watt is to promote excellence across the architecture program in the quality of design, research and thinking that can contribute to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society. For almost a decade (2006-2015) in the UK she has provided academic leadership and design expertise across a portfolio of design courses and led on curriculum development and professional validation for architecture. Her contributions to architecture and design education have been recognized through an number of awards including two civic trust awards for design projects, the award of a senior teaching fellowship, the exhibition and publication of both design project work and student successes. She has worked at both urban and architectural scales on a number of regeneration projects including Birmingham Jewelry Quarter, Burgess Park London, Smithfield Meat Markets and Leyton Fire Station. Many of the projects she worked on involved the creative adaption of new programmes at urban and architectural scale. Her work in bridging between academia and the professions has been recognized by an RIBA/ SLSA Excellence in Design award. Professor Rooney has been a member of the Standing Chairs Conference of Schools of Architecture in the UK (2009-2015) and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has experience of international standards through her work as Erasmus coordinator, as panel member for RIBA Visiting Boards (and as an examiner on behalf of the Architects Registration Board (2015). She has also been juror, external examiner, judge and advisor to a number of UK schools, in Scotland (Glasgow School of Art), and in France (Paris and Strasbourg) where she has been a member of the HMNOP Juries since 2007 at L’Ecole Speciale D’Architecture in Paris. She represented the UK Schools of Architecture in the debate between Schools and Academia initiated by the Architects Council of Europe and the European Network of Heads of Schools of Architecture. She studied in Ireland, France, Rome and the UK and is a qualified architect and urban designer who studied at LSE on the prestigious Cities Program. Her key design and research interests are the relationships between architecture, the city, and society. As an architect and urban designer she is convinced of power of architecture to transform our cities. Since coming to Dubai just over a year ago (2017) she and has been a judge in the MEA awards and is a committee member of the RIBA Gulf Chapter working to develop closer links between academic and the profession. She has been working with her students on the transformation of Bur-Dubai Parking spaces into new public spaces and the design of Future Heritage projects that can contribute to the new Shindigha Cultural Quarter.

Simon Chambers

Director

NORR

Simon Chambers started his career in London, working for a number of practices, on a variety of award winning projects. Simon moved to Dubai in 2007, and quickly established himself as a creative force within the design industry, gaining particular expertise in masterplanning and hospitality developments in the region. His recent portfolio of work includes a wide range of projects across the Middle East, including UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Simon is also a regular speaker at several key annual design summits, including DesignMena, Leaders in Construction and Downtown Design. EDUCATION • Westminster University - UK, PGC Professional Practice in Architecture, 2002 • Westminster University - UK, Diploma in Architecture, 2000 • University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art - UK, BSc in Architecture, 1996 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2017 – present, Director NORR Group Consultants International Limited Dubai, UAE 2007 – 2017, Partner GAJ Middle East, Dubai UAE 2004 – 2007, Project Director Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, UK 2000 – 2004, Architect Building Design Partnership, UK AWARDS Cityscape Global – Winner ‘Leisure & Hospitality Awards (Future)’ – 2017 International Property Awards – Winner ‘Hotel Architecture - Africa & Arabia’ 2017 International Property Awards – Winner ‘Best Multiple Residence for Dubai’ 2017 International Property Awards – ‘Best Mixed Use Development’ – 2015 International Property Awards – ‘Best Residential Development, Oman’ – 2015

Esra Lemmens

Founder & Director

Esra Lemmens Agency

Esra Lemmens is an Elevation Expert at her namesake, The Esra Lemmens Agency. Lemmens is a designer, Art director, author, lecturer but moreover a business professional. After receiving degrees in Fine Arts and Design, she focused on developing her career path while collaborating with other designers. She has focused on a growing phenomenon in the design world, distilling her own philosophy, which came to life in her book titled ‘Conceptual Commercialism Commercial Conceptualism’ in it Lemmens describes the future interface between conceptual designers and commercial companies. She now leads an agency with a unique and exclusive objective: Enabling Designers and Artists to realize their full potential and assisting them in positioning themselves and their products according to the 4’C’s in ‘CC-CC’. Her background in Arts and Design enhance her ability to connect with her clients and bring their optimal visions to fruition. She represents them in a unique way, both customized and optimized through her collaborations with studios, platforms, events, labels, museums, galleries and other resources applicable to the goals at hand. "I started with designers to make people understand and value what they were doing. When I started it was not really a proper job, I had to create everything myself." Esra Lemmens build her career on discretion and focuses on empowering contemporary Designers and Artist across the globe accomplishing clear business perspectives. Nowadays she represents the biggest names in the industry and is the thriving force behind many successful collaborations with major companies. Under her guidance, many contemporary designers and artists have won prominent prizes and became key figures in the industry. Lemmens’s work has an international presence, leveraged by ongoing lectures and workshops. Founder and director of the Esra Lemmens Agency, she is an influential personality in the design community because of her deep understanding and knowledge regarding concepts, history and business perspectives of design. She is established as an ambassador for contemporary design, and this has enhanced her award-winning leadership skills. Her expertise in design management and design communication also bring something more to the table. Her impactful talents such as strategy building and organization capability are a result of her all-encompassing encounters with key players in the design industry. Aside from being a business professional and author, her multi-faceted career also includes delivering lectures at prestigious design institutes with an International presence. Due to her vast experience in the Dubai-based design industry, Esra has the upper hand in terms of knowledge and her innate artistic sense. This, in turn, allows her to observe the implementation of new mindsets and approaches concerning how designers can be empowered best. Moreover, Esra makes a significant contribution through her design management skills that seek to encourage contemporary designers all around the world. Her dedication toward being a source of motivation has instilled in her the ability to comprehensively raise points in a discussion and address them before arriving at a conclusion. As the author of the book ‘Conceptual Commercialism Commercial Conceptualism,’ Esra isn’t new to the scene when it comes to conversations regarding the various perspectives involved in designing. Despite being a contemporary design director, she has commenced many ventures with big names of the design world which gives her exceptional ability to debate upon different forms and content. Her admirable record of such collaborations proves to be a beneficial factor with regard to her position as moderator because of the wide-ranging discussions she will take part in. Heading a unique agency such as her own gives Esra the opportunity to meet with new clients on a day-to-day basis. In a complicated industry such as design, it’s no secret that her clientele is a mixed palette of designers with different principles and mindsets. Her exposure to distinctive points of view is what gives her an upper hand at holding the floor in a considerable number of discussions regarding various topics. All-in-all, Esra is a versatile combination of organizational potential and substantial know-how of a complex industry.

Emad Jaber

Founder and Managing Partner

LACASA

Emad Jaber, Managing Partner Bio Named as the Executive of the Year at the Middle East Consultant Awards (2015), Emad possesses over 34 years of experience in the region, making him an industry leader who has contributed to the shaping of the design & construction industry across the Middle East and North Africa. As the founder and Managing Partner of LACASA, he has been recognized as one of the most powerful architects in MENA by Middle East Architect magazine and Construction Business News since 2014. In addition to his work within the design industry, Emad is also a prominent property developer in the West Bank and in Jordan, working on transferring design and construction expertise to these emerging markets. His most recent project is the Mall of Palestine, the country’s largest shopping destination extending over 60,000sqm and set to open its doors in early 2019.

Ashok Iyer

Professor & Chairperson

School of Design & Architecture, Manipal Academy

Ashok is the Chairperson of School of Design & Architecture (SoDA), Manipal Academy of Higher Education - Dubai (MAHE – Dubai) since 2004 and is currently pursuing his PhD Studies at Welsh School of Architecture (2011). His research is looking at the classification of the approaches to learning adopted by students in their design coursework through the five years of the architecture program. An architect by profession, he has pursued his architectural studies at Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai; India (Master in Architecture, 2004) and at Pillais’ College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai; India (Bachelor of Architecture, 1997). He was a faculty at Sir J.J. College (2002-04) & Rizvi College of Architecture (1999-2002), Mumbai; India before establishing interior design & architecture programs at SoDA, MAHE-Dubai. His other research interests include urban studies & historic architectural developments from the construct of Pattern Language, issues of sustainability in contemporary architecture; fine arts & architecture heritage cum documentation. His hobbies include philately & numismatics; fountain pens & sketching. https://www.manipaldubai.com/soda/faculty/faculty-list/ashok-ganapathy.html http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture/research-student/ashok-ganapathy-iyer/

Dan Flower

Design Director

HKS

Coming Soon

Ian Purser

Director of Architecture

PACE

Ian heads the architectural profession for Pace and is responsible for the design and technical delivery of all building projects at the firm. Ian also acts as project director for some of Pace's most high-profile projects throughout Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, including:  Phase 4 of The Avenues retail mall, Kuwait  Wafra Towers, Bahrain Bay in Bahrain  Kuwait University Administration Facilities  New Maternity Hospital, Kuwait  Assima mixed-use development, Kuwait City  Research Laboratory Facilities for KISR, Kuwait Ian has extensive international experience across sectors, including healthcare, higher education and major retail and mixed use commercial projects. Ian leads the Architects, Project Managers and Landscape Architects on schemes designed from concept stage both in-house and in collaboration with a wide range of international architects including SOM, Gensler, RTKL, HOK, BDP and UN Studio. Until June 2013, Ian led the Retail & Mixed Use sector as an Architect Director at BDP's Manchester studios in the UK, working on retail-led commercial projects both across the UK and internationally. Specialties:  Architecture & Design  Retail and Mixed-use master planning  Shopping Mall design  Super-high rise commercial developments  Schools and hospitals design  Space Programming and brief development for universities and hospitals

Linsey D Thomson

Assistant Professor - Interior Design

Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus

COMING SOON

Shawn Basler

Principal & Executive Director

Perkins Eastman

A Principal and Executive Director of Perkins Eastman, Shawn Basler is a leader in the design of globally recognized architectural and planning projects, while also overseeing the firm’s practice in the MENA region as well as its global Hospitality practice. With more than 20 years of experience, Shawn’s work has ranged from hotels and resorts, office, mixed-use, and residential developments to regional planning and urban design strategies and developments. Shawn frequently leads projects from initial concept, planning, and programming through technical design, offering comprehensive professional design services throughout. He has taken on this leadership role in the firm for numerous award-winning and recognized projects located throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Supplementing his accomplished architectural portfolio, Shawn is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a Dean’s Advisory Council member of Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design.

Firas Hnoosh

Principal, Design Director of Architecture

Perkins+Will

Firas has over 17 years of professional design experience. Before joining Perkins+Will, Firas has led a design studio in the London studio of a renowned architectural deign firm. He moved to UAE in 2013 as design director for the Abu Dhabi practices of two major international architectural firms. His strong commercial and institutional building portfolio includes projects such as The National Bank of Abu Dhabi Global HQ on Al Maryah Island, the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Mina Zayed for the ADPC, a large mixed-use development in Dubai for Majid Al-Futtaim Group, Manhattan Loft Gardens, a 42-storey mixed-use residential and hotel tower in east London at the Olympic Village and Lexicon residential tower, a 36-storey residential building in the heart of London. His approach to create holistic architecture by designing buildings as response to context in its multiple facets; urban, social, cultural and environmental, creates spaces that are inclusive, of-their-place and time and expressive of their brief and client aspirations. Firas promotes a collaborative and inclusive process in the studio where all designers have a voice and all ideas are considered. Firas serves as judge for WAN’s Tall Buildings Awards 2017 (World Architecture Forum) and the LEAF Annual Architecture and Design Awards since 2013 after winning the prize in 2012 for Best Future Building. He also served as a guest juror at the Architectural Association and Southbank University in London and a guest lecturer at Oxford Brookes University on high-rise buildings in 2013. In his role as design director for Perkins+Will’s Dubai office, Hnoosh directs a growing team of 30 architects through all stages of design for mixed-use developments, high-rise office buildings, hotels, universities, and cultural centers. With a strong background in digital design, he promotoes the adoption of new digital tools, building information management (BIM) platforms, and environmental and parametric applications to the Dubai studio.