Since his early days working in the Vodafone headquarters project in his home country of Portugal, Henrique Dias’ experience has spanned the globe. From private villas in Europe to mega-projects in China, he has approached every project with a passion for design and unwavering attention to detail. Dias began his career with Barbosa-Guimares, a Matosinhos, Portugal-based multidisciplinary boutique design firm.

Before moving to Guangzhou, China, to lead the design team at Jingseng Design, he developed his design ethos, which combines practical functionality with iconic language. After two years with Jingseng, Henrique moved to the UAE, where he is currently based.

With over 19 years of experience, Dias has designed some of the most high-profile projects in the region, having delivered projects for clients such as Meraas, Kingdom Holding Company, Al Shaya Holdings, Modon, and Emaar. His projects dot the GCC, including towers in Qatar and masterplans in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

With each one, he has brought a grounded flair to the final design, balancing the need for performance with visionary excellence Dias still believes he is just getting started and looks forward to continuing our mission of advancing the human experience through design.

Madinah Gate, Madinah, KSA The Madinah Gate mixed-use development delivers a new urban center, that provides vital support services to pilgrims visiting the Prophet Mosque in the city of Madinah. This project acts as a catalyst for further developments in the city. The architecture mirrors the spiritual journey of the pilgrims who just reached the Madinah Gate.

As one of DLR Group’s Directors, he leads design across varying scales and industry sectors. He brings with him his experience from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, providing a global perspective to every building and plan he is a part of. Some of his most recent projects include the Jubail Island Development in Abu Dhabi and the Madinah Gate Double Tree Hotel in KSA.

His process begins with consideration for the ground truth and the final goal that must be achieved. He uses this as the basis for exploration, looking for ways to create unique experiences that will improve the lives of those who will eventually live there and the context in which it’s being built. This approach to economic prosperity, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship is what has made him stand out in the industry as one of the most effective design thinkers and communicators.

Dias’ interest in the arts began at a very young age. Growing up in an art district, he was surrounded by creatives who instilled in him a desire to pursue a creative career. When it came time for him to select a profession to study, he chose architecture, a subject he pursued at the Lusaida University of Porto, earning his Master’s degree in Architecture. Despite his academic credentials, he continues to pursue education outside of professional practice. Henrique recognises that the field of architecture is constantly evolving, and architects need to stay current with new technologies, materials, and building methods to design and construct buildings that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and safe. He has received accreditation from the Portuguese Association of Architects, the ‘Tanaches Accreditation Program’ in the UAE, and the ‘American Institute of Architects AIA’ in the Middle East.

Buruj Hotel, Baghdad, Iraq On the most visible corner anchor of the prestigious Buruj development, fronting Baghdad Airport Road, rises a new gateway: Buruj Hotel. An homage to Baghdad’s storied position as the cradle of civilization, this flagship hotel’s iconic design is a poetic interpretation of Mesopotamian creation mythology. A powerful cascade symbolized by an 18-level tower, which spills down into gentle streams formed by rippled strata that flow all along the linear site.

Dias has had a lifelong passion for design and architecture that began early on in his studies. He vividly remembers reading a book during his elementary studies that featured a sketch by Alvaro Siza, the Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect, which had a profound impact on the way he viewed architecture and design.

Siza’s attention to detail remains a source of inspiration for Dias to this day, and it is something he strives to incorporate into his work alongside his design principles, which welcome new architectural challenges as the field evolves in both theory and practice.

With advancements in technology and computation, Henrique strives to push the boundaries of his design thinking and conceptual workflow by incorporating approaches such as parametric design into the design and iteration process, prioritising building performance and sustainability. His ultimate goal is to create better spaces for humanity and the environment and to design timeless structures that stand the test of time without losing their identity.

Dias has been invited to speak at a number of conferences throughout the Middle East during his career. In Saudi Arabia, these events included the INDEX Design Talks, the 12th Edition Real Estate Development Summit in Riyadh, the Cityscape Global Summit in Dubai, and the Hospitality Network in Saudi Arabia. Dias has spoken about the integration of design and innovation with luxury, the state of real estate in the Middle East, hospitality design that incorporates wellness and health, and the future of the hospitality industry at these conferences. Dias has shared his insights and knowledge with audiences in the Middle East as a speaker and thought leader in the fields of design and real estate, helping to shape the direction of these industries in the region.