J anus Rostock is a multi-award-winning architect, urban designer, and master planner who has led the design and delivery of some of the highest-profile projects across the region and beyond.

With more than 27 years’ of experience, Janus has brought his vast industry knowledge and collaboration to influence major developments across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

With an extensive background in architecture and master planning and an 18-year presence in the UAE, Janus has shaped many neighborhoods and projects that define the country’s residential landscape we see today. Examples include Dubai Downtown, Dubai Opera & District, Bluewaters, Dubai Hills, Dubai Creek Harbour Phase One, Dubai Harbour, Al Kifaf and Yas Waters Edge in Abu Dhabi.

Beginning his career at AECOM in 2018, Janus grew the regional business to a nearly 100-strong master planning, urban design, concept architecture, and landscape practice in less than 3 years. He was involved in several of the region’s highest-profile projects; these include the masterplan and public realm design for Dubai Harbor, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Transit Oriented Development, Riyadh Complete Communities, Greening Riyadh, NEOM regional plan, and other mega projects.

The regional AECOM Buildings + Places team comprises over 210 exceptional architects, urban designers, and planners. Janus is DESIGN MIDDLE EAST | OCTOBER 2024 VICE PRESIDENT & REGIONAL DIRECTOR, URBANISM+PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE+INTERIORS/AECOM MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 03 JANUS ROSTOCK CREATIVE POWERLIST BROUGHT TO YOU BY 23DESIGN MIDDLE EAST | OCTOBER 2024 responsible for two practice lines; the Urbanism+Planning team led by Sanjay Tanwani, James Kirkpatrick, Izlem Boylu, David Maestres, Farah Naz and the Architecture+Interiors Design team, led by Vladimir Jovanovic and supported by Ruan Davey, Liam Mannion, and Sue Hagley.

JANUS ROSTOCK, TOGETHER WITH THE TALENTED TEAM AT AECOM, IS DRIVING INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE.

In his role at AECOM, Janus helps drive sustainability and climate resilience across the region, working alongside our valued clients. Currently, the teams are focussed on large-scale projects within the residential, mixed-use, leisure, and entertainment sectors predominantly in KSA and UAE. They are working on Transit Oriented Developments, Greening Riyadh, and giving the city an uplift. In the UAE, AECOM supports Nakheel by redeveloping older project sites and enhancing the quality of life for Dubai’s residents.

Janus is part of the AECOM CEO Circle leadership program where he plays a crucial role in the widespread adoption of enhanced leadership practices. When it comes to our Act and Think Globally strategy, Janus describes himself as the glue between our global experts and our regional teams. His contribution to our ESG strategy – Sustainable Legacies – is equally focused on internal and external stakeholders. His dedication to building culturally and gender diverse teams, coaching and mentoring junior staff, as well as identifying and reducing the teams’ own carbon impact is unwavering. Externally, his commitment is reflected through the team’s design ethos: Driving world-class design and innovative solutions to help mitigate the global climate and biodiversity crisis.

Looking at the near future of the design and architecture sector, Janus has seen a shift from focussing on relative sustainability to absolute sustainability and climate resilience. In the coming years, Janus foresees nature-based solutions and AI modeling playing an increasingly important role which will enable architects to work with nature to create designs that work with the environment rather than against it.