With over 20 years of professional experi- ence in the design industry from renowned practices, Omar Abdelghafour founded award-winning multi-discipline design and architecture practice Light Space Design in 2005. Born and raised in London, he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in Transport Design.

His professional experience has allowed him to work in Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. His ability to practice architecture on a global scale led to his invitation to participate in the Venice Biennale of Architecture and Light as a key note speaker and mentor. He is an active participant in a number of professional Design and architectural platforms throughout the Middle East and Europe. His work is frequently featured in international design publications ranging from Europe to Asia.

For him, architecture is a part of “Design” as a language for life, rather than a singular discipline. He values one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and refined aesthetics, and firmly believes that design should be passionate, dynamic, and contextually relevant to the region in which it is delivered. His design philosophy is based on two simple principles: “form follows function” and “less is more.”

He is currently working on global projects ranging from Asia to Europe, with a focus on the Middle East. The use of smart technologies and environmental integrations has moved to the forefront of Light Space Design (L.s.design’s) current work.

He has taken cues from the UAE government to transform the region into an automated smart city by 2028 by incorporating provisions and infrastructure into regionally delivered projects. To meet the increased demand for hospitality and residential projects in Indonesia, L.s.design has opened a fully operational office in Bali, Indonesia. The majority of the work being done is residential, with a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions. L.s.design is integrating knowledge and know-how from the UAE market with the goal of demonstrating, enforcing, and standardising building technologies and best practices in Bali.

The future of L.s.design for Bali is pushing global standards and becoming the goto practice for design in the region, with four residential projects, one hotel complex, and one F&B outlet set to be completed within the next 12 months.