Vera Edith Dieckmann, Founder and Creative Director of XO Atelier, is a distinguished architect and interior architect with 28 years of industry experience. Recognized on theArchitectural Digest Middle East Top 100 list for 2025, she has shaped the global design landscape with her visionary approach.

A graduate engineer in architecture, Vera studied in Germany before gaining extensive international experience across New York, Italy, China, and Malaysia. Her career includes formative roles at renowned studios such as David Ling in New York, Gunther Spitzley in Zurich, Matteo Thun Studio in Milan, and DWP Malaysia. She further honed her expertise in global hospitality design, serving as Design Director for Europe and East Europe at Marriott Holdings and later as Global Brand Director at FRHI (now ACCOR).

In 2020, Vera founded XO Atelier in Dubai, establishing a boutique studio renowned for its bold and innovative design philosophy. As XO Atelier approaches its fifth anniversary in April 2025, it celebrates a remarkable journey, having successfully delivered over 120 projects with a strong focus on high-end hospitality and residential design. The studio has gained widespread acclaim, including multiple features on AD Middle East’s prestigious list and international recognition, such as the Best Global Restaurant award for Toplum at the International Property Awards.

Beyond design, Vera champions sustainability and product innovation, leading to collaborations like her upcoming lighting creation with Nemo Lighting. Under her leadership, XO Atelier continues to push the boundaries of design, expanding into new markets and redefining contemporary luxury