Following the successful inauguration of Arquitectonica’s 11th global presence in Dubai earlier this year, the international architecture and design powerhouse have been going from strength to strength with a string of ground-breaking projects and impressive accolades.
Here we take a closer look inside the firm’s office in Dubai Design District (d3), while hearing more about their recent projects, and their vision for the future of architecture in the region.
An Inspirational Hub
Located in d3 the creative workspace is the firm’s Middle Eastern presence and the nexus for projects across the region. The office design is the brainchild of Philip Gillard, managing director for the Dubai office, and is a testament to innovative and sustainable design. Together with designfit, the collaboration brings together a blend of functionality, creativity, and environmental consciousness, setting a new benchmark for architecture workspaces. Within the intimate 145sqm space, the layout boasts excellent efficiencies. The goal was to create an engaging client-facing environment, but first and foremost, a workshop style space where the team could thrive. The design incorporates a welcome area, communal workspace, two meeting rooms that double up as creative zones, as well as a pantry. Key features include an artistic map graphic upon entering, displaying Arquitectonica’s international offices, the colour-shifting ceiling rafts, as well as pin up surfaces across the space that foster creativity and collaboration. Acoustic performance was an essential consideration, ensuring an environment where the team could focus and retreat to areas with more privacy. Every detail, from architectural junctions to the overall space planning, reflects Gillard’s brief, resulting in a hybrid workspace that feels both professional and comfortable.
Sustainability-Driven
Achieving LEED Gold certification is a testament to Arquitectonica’s dedication to environmental stewardship. The use of sustainable materials, finishes, and pinnable acoustic panels underpins the environmentally conscious design. This accomplishment underscores the office’s alignment with global sustainability standards, reflecting the firm’s ethos of integrating green practices into modern architecture.
Supporting Company Growth
From the initial workshop between Arquitectonica and designfit, the project reached completion in justc14 weeks. This rapid development was facilitated by a single-source approach and early partner engagement, ensuring timely delivery and usability of the space.
Stephen McGuill, CEO of designfit, says: “A strong client brief helps us take a blank canvas and create something remarkable. Having known Philip for many years, I was honoured he chose designfit for the design and delivery of such a monumental project in Arquitectonica’s history. I look forward to watching the Dubai team continue to grow, supported by the amazing space that we achieved together.”
Since the office opening earlier this year, Gillard has grown the team to 15 regional and international talents in under 6 months, a testament to the firm’s growth and impact on the industry in such a short amount of time. The office design plays a key role, being flexible to accommodate the growing team while maintaining its function and comfort.
What’s To Come
Arquitectonica are heading in to the second half of 2024 strong, with several exciting projects. Philip Gillard shares what has been happening since the launch, and what else is to come. “After our rooftop launch party in Downtown earlier this year, which overlooked two of our projects here in Dubai, Mr C. Residences and the 71-storey Aire Tower, we have continued our works in Saudi Arabia, including but not limited to a mixed-use luxury development in Jeddah. Our pipeline hints at an exciting remainder of 2024, including a large-scale urban district in Saudi Arabia, a luxury high-rise on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, and residential community in Ras Al Khaimah.”
All our hard work and support from the global team led to us being awarded Best Workplace of the Year at the Architecture Leaders Awards 2024 by Design Middle East, another exciting milestone in our journey.”
