Under International Director Eric Phillips, DLR Group is charting a bold new course in the Middle East
DLR Group's leadership team is driving a bold regional vision, shaping future focused spaces that inspire, connect communities, and elevate design
DLR Group’s leadership team is driving a bold regional vision, shaping future focused spaces that inspire, connect communities, and elevate design

Some firms watch the global design landscape evolve. Others step in and influence where it goes next. DLR Group has firmly positioned itself in the latter category. With the Middle East entering a new era defined by cultural investment, mega-scale development, and unprecedented architectural ambition, the firm’s evolution is no longer incremental—it is transformational.

Now, Eric Phillips is in the hot seat, steering this next chapter with clarity, intention, and bold vision. His appointment as International Director marks more than a milestone; it defines a strategic pivot in DLR Group’s global journey. This isn’t merely a leadership reshuffle—it signals a new pace, a new mindset, and a new level of global integration. With experience spanning China, Southeast Asia, the United States, and the Gulf, Eric brings the rare advantage of both broad global vision and deep cultural fluency—a combination uniquely aligned with the scale and ambition ahead.

Reflecting on this moment, Eric Phillips says: “My appointment signals the next chapter in the evolution of the international practice. We’ve already built a strong foundation in the region. Now, it is time to scale that success, deepen collaboration, and elevate our contribution to global design discourse.” “My appointment signals the next chapter in the evolution of the international practice. We’ve already built a strong foundation in the region. Now, it is time to scale that success, deepen collaboration, and elevate our contribution to global design discourse.”

His confidence is grounded in real, visible momentum. The studio is already driving projects that respond to new expectations of placemaking, market proximity, and experience-led programming. Eric adds with intent: “As we expand globally, what will define our future success in other regions is our ability to remain committed to authenticity.

Our international growth will not be simply about planting flags; we will focus on building design studios that are deeply connected to the cities they serve.” For Eric, this is not simply about project delivery—it is about shaping the next chapter of global design from a studio deeply embedded in one of the most rapidly evolving regions in the world.

The Leadership Team
Driving the Vision
Great vision means little without the right team to execute it. At DLR Group, the Dubai studio has become a strategic engine— not because of size, but because of alignment, depth of expertise, and the firm’s integrated design model. Architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape, technical delivery, and business development now operate as one ecosystem. This is not collaboration as a process—this is collaboration as DNA. The leadership team reflects the studio’s evolution: diverse in expertise, unified in purpose, and deeply connected to the realities and opportunities of the Middle East.

Henrique Dias
PRINCIPAL & MIDDLE EAST
HOSPITALITY DIRECTOR

Architecture & Scale
Henrique Dias speaks with clarity about where the region is heading—and how the architecture team is evolving to meet it. “The region is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Projects are bigger, timelines are tighter, and ambition is the new baseline. As an integrated design firm, we’re built for this moment. Collaboration isn’t something we’re learning; it’s who we are,” he says.

For Henrique, architecture in the Middle East isn’t just about scale—it’s about intelligence, connectivity, and future readiness. “Our architecture team is evolving by expanding its strategic reach and strengthening the way we work across disciplines. Because architecture, interiors, master planning, and landscape are already connected within one ecosystem, we can move fast, stay aligned, and respond to complexity with clarity,” Henrique explains.

Technology, he believes, will redefine the next chapter of architectural delivery—and DLR Group is embracing it. “We’re also investing heavily in digital capability and new technologies. From AI-powered analysis to immersive visualisation, our tools are becoming smarter, faster, and more intuitive, allowing the team to focus on design quality, innovation, and delivering future-ready solutions,” he states.

Yet the shift is not only technical—it is cultural. Henrique further shares, “Most importantly, the mindset of the team is shifting. There’s a boldness and curiosity in the region that’s contagious. The team understands that what’s being built here is meant to last, to inspire, and to set new global benchmarks.” He closes with a line that summarises the studio’s posture: “We’re not just keeping pace with the region’s evolution. We’re matching its ambition and helping define what comes next.”

Vaida Buchrotaite
PRINCIPAL & MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR
OF INTERIOR DESIGN

Experience, Emotion, Narrative
For Vaida Buchrotaite, design is a conversation between culture and human behaviour—and the region is entering an era where interiors must be deeply intuitive, emotionally intelligent, and future-adaptable. “In interiors, we’re grounding every project in cultural insight, human behaviour, and the evolving expectations of modern users. Our approach begins with deep cultural research—understanding local
narratives, traditions, and social patterns—so each design feels authentic, meaningful, and connected to its context,” Vaida explains.

Hospitality, she notes, is influencing every sector. “Hospitality being one of our core strengths, we naturally carry that mindset into other sectors. We’re seeing a continuing expectation for spaces that feel warm, intuitive, and experience-driven,” she adds.

Adaptability is key—not aesthetic repetition. “We’re highly adaptable to each project’s unique needs, able to pivot our design approach and deliver minimal, brutalist, industrial, or any other stylistic direction required— (LR): Eric Phillips, Jamal Salem, Vaida Buchrotaite, Henrique Dias always anchored in the project’s narrative and client vision,” Vaida says.

The most important shift? “We’re designing workplaces that support hybrid rituals, mixed-use developments that function as micro-communities, and hospitality spaces that feel more personal and immersive,” she concludes. Vaida’s voice is clear: interiors are no longer decorative—they are strategic.

Shawn Meyers
ASSOCIATE & MIDDLE EAST MASTER
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Cities, Implementation & Human Experience

Shawn Meyers looks beyond buildings—he examines how people live, move, thrive, and build emotional relationships with cities. “Destination-making work is the key idea here. Design is easy, it’s implementation that is hard,” Shawn notes.

For Shawn, planning is not theoretical—it is executable. “Our team has been thinking more holistically about how we can use the masterplanning process to seamlessly transition from the design stages into the implementation of the physical built environment,” he elaborates.

The vision extends far beyond land use. It is about freedom, resilience, time, and quality of life. “That’s really where the next generation of cities is going—defined not by their physical assets, but by the intangible freedoms they enable: time for growth and capability-building, meaningful connection with family and friends,” Shawn highlights. His belief is bold: “If we get this right, the rest of the world will be importing global best urbanism practices from the Middle East.”

Stefan du Toit
MIDDLE EAST LANDSCAPE DESIGN DIRECTOR

Nature as Experience
For Stefan du Toit, landscape is not secondary architecture—it is the emotional anchor of place. “Landscape is no longer the backdrop to development; it’s the driver of experience, the headline act,” Stefan notes.

His team doesn’t design scenery—they design memories. “Our team designs the spaces people genuinely feel: the shade that makes a walk possible, the plaza that sparks community engagement, the courtyard that becomes the anchor of a destination,” he says.

Technology, climate strategy, and experimentation now fuel landscape innovation. “From our Dubai studio, we push boundaries with climate-responsive strategies, AI-powered analysis, and fast, integrated collaboration that keeps pace with regional momentum,” Stefan highlights. He is clear: “Landscape today must do more than look good, it must perform, adapt, and deliver impact.”

Rupali Pote
TECHNICAL DESIGN DIRECTOR
Precision, Resilience, Continuity
Rupali Pote represents the bridge between design intent and executed reality. Her perspective is meticulously structured: “As projects scale and diversify across global markets, the team maintains a firm commitment to protecting design intent, technical rigour, and seamless coordination. From the UAE to KSA, India, China, and Egypt, we navigate diverse codes, construction practices, and cultural considerations, ensuring consistent delivery without compromise.

Our structured framework—bringing together Technical Design Managers, senior architects, coordinators, BIM specialists, and scalable outsourced teams—creates precision and resilience at every design phase. Through mentorship, QA/QC processes, and digital-first collaboration, we translate conceptual vision into executed reality while maintaining clarity and continuity across regions.” Her team works across continents, codes, and complex delivery environments—with consistency and clarity.

Essam Nabih
PRINCIPAL & MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Market Pathways & Opportunity Mapping
For Essam Nabih, business development is about more than client engagement—it is about reading the region’s pulse and identifying where integrated design can lead impact. “The strongest opportunities emerge where projects demand scale, complexity, and experiential value,” he says. Government-backed and PIF-linked developments continue to shape large mixed-use and destination masterplans.

“These are exactly the kind of projects where our multi-asset expertise—master planning, architecture, interiors, and landscape—makes a difference,” Essam highlights. Hospitality, branded residences, and lifestyle destinations are accelerating. “Our advantage is creating cohesive, immersive environments where design at every level reinforces experience,” he adds.

Cultural districts, performing arts facilities, and urban public realm upgrades also open strategic pathways. “Wherever integrated design can shape high-impact, memorable environments, that’s where we focus,” Essam concludes.

Jamal Salem
PRINCIPAL & REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Identity, Credibility & Legacy
Jamal Salem’s reflection anchors the story in time and humility. “Over the past decade, the evolution of DLR Group’s Dubai Studio has been defined by perseverance, and a passionate commitment to design excellence. From our early days as a relatively new entrant in a market full of world-class international firms and exceptional local talent, we steadily carved out our place in the region. Our growth has never been about shortcuts; it has been built on trust, long-term relationships, and delivering thoughtful, award-winning projects that honour the needs of the people who will experience them. Each assignment has strengthened our studio, enhanced our understanding of local culture, and reinforced the value of collaboration across disciplines,” he shares. His message reinforces a deeper achievement: presence built through trust—not shortcuts.

2025: A Defining Year for DLR Group
The year 2025 has been pivotal as several major projects strengthened DLR Group’s integrated design approach in the region. In Al Khobar, a mixed-use development with Sumou Global Investment creates a vibrant urban hub with walkable streets and shaded public spaces. DLR Group is col laborating with Union Properties on an integrated motorsport and entertainment district that brings together karting and a comprehensive visitor experience into a single, future-ready development. Riyadh’s Liwan Najd
Community aligns masterplanning, architecture, landscape, and interiors, reinterpreting Najdi heritage for a modern, culturally grounded neighbourhood.

DLR Group also advanced two key master plans. The Heights in Abu Dhabi, a 750-hectare wellness-focused plan, integrates open spaces, walkable connections, and shared amenities. In Madinah, the one million-square-metre Dar Al Hijrah masterplan supports long-term growth and Vision 2030 goals.
The studio is working on Union Properties Welcome and Entertainment Center set to redefine Dubai’s entertainment and destination experience with the new home of Dubai Kartdrome, boasting an FIA-certified outdoor track and a revolutionized multi-level indoor karting facility. These, together with the other elements of this new venue, will provide an immersive user experience synonymous with thoughtful and well curated design.

2026 and Beyond: A Confident Road Ahead
Eric Phillips highlights DLR Group’s core strengths and values: “As we look to the future, I’m in spired by the strength of our teams in the UAE, KSA, and China. These offices are more than hubs—they are communities of people who bring creativity, care, and cultural understanding to every project,” he says.

Beyond these locations, DLR Group is focussing on regions re writing the rules of urban life. Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia are dreaming big—building resilient, vibrant, and connected cities—and the firm aims to be part of that journey. Singapore and Australia will anchor its growth, offering stability while providing a platform for innovation across the region.

With an eye on the future, Eric shares: “Growth is not our goal—it’s the impact we leave. By partnering with visionary clients and empowering local teams around the world, we’re shaping cities that honor culture, embrace change, and enrich lives. This is the future we’re building—together.”