Ammar Al Assam, Chief Executive Officer of Dewan Architects + Engineers, has been actively shaping its latest growth plans as the firm marks its milestone 40th anniversary. He is strengthening a solid foundation as Dewan advances across various sectors, notably in luxury residential developments with prestigious projects like La Mer by Elie Saab, La Mazzoni, and Oceano on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ammar is also leading Dewan’s involvement in landmark projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including Aquarabia in Qiddiya City—the largest water theme park in the Middle East—as well as completing ultraluxury branded hotels and a yacht club at The Red Sea and Amaala tourism destinations.

Beyond the Middle East, Dewan has further strengthened its presence in Southeast Asia with its first project in Thailand—Layan Verde, a luxury mixeduse development in Phuket designed around biophilic principles. Moreover, the firm recently acquired a majority stake in Singapore-based DesignLab, further enhancing its resort design expertise and expanding its footprint in the region, where it already has offices in Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

Technological innovation has driven Dewan’s growth and will be key to its future. To enhance its competitive edge, the firm has launched a dedicated research and development lab focussed on artificial intelligence and automation. A prime example of this initiative is Quible—a cutting-edge BIM-toAI tool designed to enhance data analysis and decision-making. By leveraging deep learning and Large Language Models (LLMs), Quible enhances the firm’s ability to utilise data effectively, supporting smarter and more informed decisions in architecture and construction.