Darryl Custer serves as the Managing Director of the Design Division for KEO International Consultants, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering visionary architectural solutions.

With 34 years of expertise in architecture, project management, and urban development, Darryl is a highly accomplished design leader and strategist, shaping landmark projects around the world. Currently based in the UAE,

Darryl’s career has spanned the United States, China, Southeast Asia, the GCC, and North Africa, giving him a deep understanding of global markets, design trends, and development challenges. His ability to navigate diverse cultural and environmental landscapes has allowed him to successfully lead projects that reflect both local heritage and international best practices.

Darryl’s passion lies in urban mixed-use projects, and he is dedicated to enhancing communities through sensible, sustainable, and creative vertically stacked mixed-use configurations that enhance communities and redefine cityscapes.

Darryl leads a team of approximately 300 architects and engineers throughout KEO’s offices, working with them to create designs that push boundaries, and projects that address the issues of sustainability, using architecture to create community-driven, smart, urban mixed-use environments for today, and tomorrow. He integrates sustainable solutions into the architectural concept design process, working closely with his teams to guide clients and demonstrate that sustainability is an investment rather than a cost.

Darryl sees technology as a significant enabler for a better tomorrow and investing in digital design will be a focus for KEO Design this year as the industry pushes to make a stronger connection between the human and machine to enable design teams to deliver solutions in a manner that fully leverages all the available design technology.

He is also spearheading a strategic focus on 3D digital concept design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and creating designs that are not only beautiful but also thought provoking and meaningful.

As he grows his team, Darryl is committed to ensuring a broad cross-section of multicultural designers is on the team. This is supported by KEO’s recently launched Nationalisation programme that aims to attract, empower, and develop National talent, to become the next generation of architects, designers, and business leaders.

Darryl is at the forefront of delivering landmark projects across the region, including a diverse mix of commercial, hospitality, and residential developments. Among these is LIV Maritime City in Dubai, a striking 182-meter luxury tower offering an exceptional mix of townhouses, duplexes, and apartments in a prime seafront location.

In Kuwait, he is leading the design of a confidential office HQ, set to become the nation’s tallest building at 460 meters. A tribute to Kuwait’s past, present, and future, KEO is shaping this visionary skyscraper as the Concept Architect and Concept Interior Designer, while its allied practice, InSite, is delivering the Landscape Architecture and Master Planning.

Another standout project is U View Tower Complex in Jeddah, a 260-meter mixed use development seamlessly blending hospitality, residential, and commercial spaces. KEO is spearheading the project as Concept Architect, while also delivering Architectural Design, Structural Engineering, MEP Engineering, and Landscape Architecture services.

Darryl is passionate about the architecture profession. In the early days of his career, he wasfortunate to be mentored by several first-class architects who introduced him to a broad range of ideas, methodologies, clients, and project typologies. This foundation shaped his leadership philosophy, where he sees himself not just as a Managing Director, but as a teacher and mentor. With this pay-it-forward mindset, Darryl creates a culture where young architects, designers, and engineers have the platform to grow, succeed, and innovate ensuring that they are equipped with both the technical expertise and creative confidence to drive the industry forward.

Darryl holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the US, and is a licensed architect and NCARB certified. He is also a LEED Green Associate and an executive at large member of the American Institute of Architects Middle East (AIA ME).

Darry expresses: “I believe architecture is a vehicle to improve communities and the overall human condition. Good design has a way of inspiring people beyond borders and if done properly can uplift and connect humanity immeasurably.

He further expands: “There is also no doubt the design and development sector has a critical impact on the planet concerning urbanised demographic opportunities, climate-change, energy, and resource consumption. I have always felt the urban mixed-use project typology is the best response to our changing world from an urbanization point of view to address sustainability and SMART growth. In most cases, mixed-use projects use less ground area, comparably reduce the overall carbon footprint, and generally make better use of the urban context. These drivers are why I am passionate about using architecture to create community-driven, smart, urban mixed-use environments – this is what architecture is all about for me.

Darry acknowledges: “Building on recent success we hope to now pivot more deeply into digital design with an eye on leveraging AI and other automated design tools more effectively.