Powerlist Creative 30 2023 : Adriana Graur, DESIGN DIRECTOR, DWP
Adriana Graur is a key member of both the Dubai Studio and the global dwp team. Her goal since joining dwp has been to lead a team of creative designers in delivering quality design at the highest standards while maintaining a sustainable core. This has become more apparent in recent years as the team’s growth has accelerated and the project portfolio has grown.
Graur leads design initiatives across international studios alongside the creative team of dwp Global Design Council on a mission to enhance design values and support designers in achieving their best. As part of that, she is very interested in and passionate about mentoring.
Another topic on Graur’s agenda is sustainability – leading sustainability initiatives and making all projects sustainable on our global dwp mission of becoming net zero.
She excels in all aspects of her work, as a designer, a leader, a mentor, and, most importantly, in her ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and all stakeholders. Her ability to go above and beyond the client’s expectations has been evident in all of her projects, both past and present. Her ability to lead the team to great success is supported by her involvement in all stages of design, fresh perspectives, excellent client relationship management, and consistent participation in regional roundtable discussions, articles, and competitions, to name a few.
A few of the projects encompassed on Graur’s portfolio over the last year are the GFG Sydney Office (a 4-storey refurbishment), a continuation of the client’s relationship developed based on GFG’s Headquarters designed last year in Dubai; Allen & Overy office refurbishment in Abu Dhabi which is currently on-site;
Executive Council Office refurbishment, Dubai Emirates Towers – set to finish by February 2023.
She continues to deliver amazing projects globally while leading a global team, as she recently did for one of the quickest turnarounds, 11 ‘Best of the Best’ restaurants designed in partnership with TGP and ISG for the World Expo 2020 designed within a 6-week programme and across 4 studios; Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and Dubai. Adriana led, engaged, and maintained a collaborative and healthy relationship with the client while managing the team and delivering high-quality work with a team of over 30 designers involved in delivering the project.
Singapore, Thailand, and Dubai. Adriana led, engaged, and maintained a collaborative and healthy relationship with the client while managing the team and delivering high-quality work with a team of over 30 designers involved in delivering the project.
Graur has consistently demonstrated her commitment to a better future and sustainable design and practises, and she has taken a leadership role within dwp to support this movement. She is constantly participating in industry discussions on this topic and writing white papers to support this.