Focus Place Dynamix talks wellness in the built environment
Design The architecture and ID shaping Meraas’ Solaya project
Construction Hotshots
MEC honours the region’s finest for excellence in their fields
Since 1975
Welcome to the first edition of Middle East Consultant (MEC) for 2026. My name is Clayton Vallabhan and I’ve recently joined the editorial team on the magazine. Being new to the construction industry, I’d love to connect with as many of you as possible in the coming months.
Whilst the editorial team at CPI Trade Media has been very gracious in helping me get in touch with some of you, I’d like to extend an invitation to everyone to get in touch with me, with your thoughts on the magazine, as well as any pertinent news you might like to share. You can reach me at clayton.aldo@cpitrademedia.com.
The cover feature for this issue is on the recent MEC Awards, which I’m told was truly a night like no other in the industry, where we had strong attendance of the industry’s finest, gathered under the stars at the Ritz Carlton JBR in Dubai. I want to thank you all for making this night truly special, it’s been great looking at the feedback - I can’t wait for the next one!
The ever-growing trend of wellness in the public realm is something we aimed to address in this issue. Landscape architecture is a very important for new developments in the Middle East - curated gardens, walkways and cycle paths are now more common in master developments, and are being constructed in retrofit, for previously built communities. With our extremely hot weather, the importance of shading is also something that is being highly considered when designing upcoming projects. We delve into how these advancements are bringing accessibility and wellness to pedestrians and local businesses, and we’ll be covering some of these topics in the upcoming events we have planned.
Until then, I wish you a wonderful start to the year, and truly hope you enjoy reading this issue of MEC.
Clayton Aldo Vallabhan Deputy Editor, ME Consultant
The 2025 Middle East Consultant Awards recognised excellence from across the region with three distinct groups of categories: individuals, companies and projects
70 Clayton Vallabhan speaks with Annie Baillie, Design Director at Place Dynamix about the importance of landscape architecture and how it affects wellness in the public realm ⁄ 78 Jason Saundalkar talks to Dan Sibert, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners and Ailsa Connery, Design Principal at 1508 London about Solaya, a coastal residential project that’s anticipated to become one of Dubai’s most prestigious addresses
10 Mott MacDonald opens office in Riyadh ⁄
12 AtkinsRéalis appoints Gosia Baron to lead Building Design ⁄ 14 WW+P and SvN announce merger ⁄
16 Parsons opens new office in Doha, Qatar ⁄ 20 GCC
Office Market Review 2025
88 Why Architects and Urban Planners must work together ⁄ 94 Wayfinding as an emerging ecosystem of KSA’s megacities ⁄ 100 A ‘Day in the life’ with Norman McComb, Sustainability Advisory Director, +impact, Serco
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INFRASTRUCTURE
RTA signs partnership with The Boring Company to implement Dubai Loop From
TECHNOLOGY
Red Sea Global selects Oracle to transform the management of hospitality destinations
CONSTRUCTION
Egis to overlook completion of Phase 1 of Mubarak Al-Kabeer port in Kuwait
INDUSTRY
Nextpower Arabia to supply 2.25GW of smart solar trackers to L&T for Bisha Solar Project
PROPERTY
Breez by Danube positioned for 10–15% annual capital appreciation says developer
From blueprints to digital twins: Redefining infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
From the Middle East to Europe: KEO’s Greg Karpinski
PROPERTY
Credibility is key to investment in luxury real estate in Dubai says survey by Keturah
Keturah survey shows wealthy global buyers want to live in city, not just own property, indicating that flipping is thing of the past
TECHNOLOGY
Omnix launches Digital Twin Consulting services
Digital twins have emerged as a pivotal tool for organisations aiming to enhance performance, resilience, and sustainability across intricate assets and operations
REPORT
Dubai’s office market heading for major reset says fäm Properties
Dubai’s commercial real estate sector is poised for significant transformation by 2028, with the emergence of a two-tier office market
MARCH
Future of Architecture Summit
31 March 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
APRIL
Value Engineering Summit 15 April 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
APRIL
Real Estate Leaders Summit
29 April 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
INDUSTRY
Cundall turns 50
The ME practice has been established for nearly 20-years, growing from a single office to 4 regional hubs in Doha, Dubai, Riyadh and Bengaluru
JUNE
Digital Construction Awards 24 June 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
PROPERTY Meraas unveils Dubai Design District residential masterplan
Located between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek, the enhanced Dubai Design District masterplan spans 18m sqft of land
Women in Construction Summit & Awards
23 September 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
10 Mott MacDonald opens office in Riyadh, strengthening local operations ⁄ 12 AtkinsRéalis appoints Gosia Baron to lead Building Design ⁄ 14 WW+P and SvN announce merger of their practices ⁄ 16 Parsons opens new regional office in Doha, Qatar
A deep dive into the biggest construction headlines that caught our eye this month
Mott MacDonald has opened a new office in Riyadh. strengthening its local operations and commitment to long-term investment in Saudi Arabia.
The global engineering, management and development consultancy is relocating to a larger space for its regional headquarters. Through this move, Mott MacDonald will be able to enhance its strategic support for key clients and deliver an expanding pipeline of highvalue projects in KSA and the wider Middle East.
Mott MacDonald’s standalone Saudi business was formed in 2022, helping to drive a significant period of growth for the business. It is a key partner on Saudi’s giga projects, supporting the planning, design and delivery of world class buildings, energy and transport infrastructure as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
The firm was also recently appointed by Matarat Holding as Airports Masterplan Framework consultant, advising on the future development of 25 airports across Saudi Arabia.
The new office was officially opened by Dr. Alice Burt, the UK’s Deputy Head of Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Cathy Travers, Group MD of Mott MacDonald. Located in Hamad Tower, the space will enable Mott MacDonald to accelerate its recruitment drive in KSA with a strong emphasis on hiring Saudi nationals while continuing to attract international experts. Its expanded team of multidisciplinary specialists will support on projects across energy, water, sports and entertainment venues and land development.
Jonathan Looker, MD of Mott MacDonald in Saudi Arabia, said, “Our
strengthened presence in Riyadh will help us to deliver an expanding pipeline of high profile, multidisciplinary projects across the Kingdom. This investment allows us to scale up delivery, accelerate talent development and deepen local technical leadership so we can better support Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure ambitions and long-term growth.”
Cathy Travers, Group MD of Mott MacDonald, said, “It’s great to see our team moving into a new regional headquarters because it signals that our strategy of long-term, focused growth in Saudi Arabia is working. We continue to invest in broadening and deepening our local expertise and supporting the team with some of our very best global talent. This enables us to deliver technically excellent, innovative and sustainable solutions that create real lasting value for our clients.”
AtkinsRéalis has appointed Gosia Baron as the Service Director for the Buildings & Places market. This appointment reinforces the firm’s commitment to technical excellence and integrated design leadership, said a statement.
In this role, Baron will lead the firm’s Building Design service, which encompasses architecture, structural engineering, building services, and specialised disciplines such as CTS, VT, and FLS. She will collaborate closely with regional and global market leaders to ensure consistent project performance, enhance technical capabilities, and support the delivery of the Buildings & Places strategy.
Matthew Tribe, MD-Planning, Design & Engineering, AtkinsRéalis Middle East said, “Gosia’s appointment signals a bold step in shaping the future of design in the Middle East. Her leadership will enable us to elevate technical excellence and embed innovation at the heart of every project. By aligning our design service with the region’s evolving ambitions, we are creating spaces that are not only functional and sustainable but transformative for generations to come.”
Baron commented, “I’m delighted to be back at AtkinsRéalis to lead the design service. My focus will be on embedding technical rigor, supporting our teams, and ensuring our services deliver measurable value and impact for clients and communities.”
Baron’s experience in architecture, planning, and urban design spans over 2 decades. She has held senior leadership positions in global design firms, her most recent role was as Regional Operations Director at Arcadis, where she managed ME operations and strategic performance.
WW+P and SvN have announced the merger of their practices, unifying their teams of architects, urban planners, urban designers and landscape architects into a global powerhouse of expertise and delivery for complex urban projects.
Boasting a project portfolio that spans across continents, the new practice will integrate planning, urban design, landscape, and architecture to deliver projects that are people-focused, inventive, and responsible, the statement said.
Headquartered in London, WW+P (formerly Weston Williamson + Partners) is a global leader in the design and delivery of architecture, urban design, and strategic masterplanning for city-shaping projects. Headquartered in Toronto, SvN is a multidisciplinary regenerative design practice, shaping the built environment in regions, cities and towns across Canada and worldwide, it added.
Both practices are said to boast experience in transit-oriented development, transport infrastructure and more, making the partnership a natural evolution of their joint offerings. By coming together, the practice will support and empower clients to be ambitious – leading the next chapter in regenerative design thinking, the statement outlined.
The joint practice will merge with 12 combined global studios and adopt the name and branding of WW+P, under the stewardship of 10N Collective, a collective of urbanism, architecture and related design experts brought together by Egis Group.
Ali Mowahed, CEO, WW+P said, “WW+P’s partnership with SvN was a natural fit from the offset. Together, we can drive forward a collective vision with a more amplified voice, delivering projects that create meaningful urban transformation for the greater good. This merger represents the coming together of two brands to create a global practice that builds better cities, smarter infrastructure, and more inclusive communities. Partners want confidence. Cities need leadership. We offer both: with a brand that stands for quality, innovation, and bold ideas.”
“The DNA of both practices is remarkably similar,” added Drew Sinclair, Managing Principal, SvN.
“Both practices place a unique value on listening, meaningful consultation, and a deep understanding of history and context; both practices share a capacity for design innovation; and both practices have a total commitment to a regenerative, deeply sustainable approach to planning and architecture,” he said.
Colin Hutchison, CEO, 10N says, “SvN and WW+P coming together as one compelling brand creates a powerful vehicle through which 10N can offer cohesive placemaking and planning strategy, architecture, civic infrastructure and design expertise. With their incredible track records and reputations, this combined practice will enable us to pursue a wide range of projects internationally and positively influence citymaking and communities.”
Parsons Corporation has inaugurated its new regional office in Doha, Qatar, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior representatives from the US Embassy Doha, Public Works Authority, Qatari Diar, American Chamber of Commerce Qatar, Parsons’ regional leadership team, and employees.
Parsons’ projects in Qatar have consistently focused on sustainable infrastructure and smart city initiatives, aligning with the country’s vision for future growth and development. This expansion signifies the company’s continued growth in the Middle East region and its commitment to supporting national development priorities, the firm said in its statement.
The office will function as a regional design hub for the expanding portfolio of infrastructure design, urban development, mobility, and program management projects across Qatar, the company said in its statement.
Situated in Al Emadi Financial Square, the office will facilitate enhanced coordination with clients, project teams,
and stakeholders, as design infrastructure and development projects progress.
“Parsons’ growth in Qatar underscores the company’s outstanding reputation in the Middle East, our position as a trusted partner to our customers, and our competitive advantage in the region,” said Carey Smith, Chair, President, and CEO for Parsons Corporation.
“For more than 2 decades, we’ve proudly partnered with important customers across Qatar to deliver on some of the nation’s most prominent and vital infrastructure projects. Expanding our physical presence in Doha strengthens our ability to deliver complex, missioncritical programs with speed and agility. This expansion strengthens our regional
presence and global capabilities along with highlighting the important role our thriving Middle East portfolio plays in the company’s continued global success,” he added.
Parsons boasts extensive domain expertise in the region. The company’s expertise spans project and program management, urban development, transportation (including rail, metro, aviation, roads, and ports), smart mobility, asset management, and master planning, the statement noted.
The new office in Doha builds upon Parsons’ 25+ year track record in Qatar. This includes significant contributions to transportation planning, expressway programs, major roadway and drainage
systems, program and construction management, and advisory support for national infrastructure initiatives. The Doha office will house dedicated personnel across various disciplines, providing comprehensive support to a pipeline of current and upcoming programs throughout Qatar, the statement concluded.
Experts at Knight Frank say that corporate real estate leaders view the next 3 years as decisive with occupier strategies accelerating around agility, ESG and hybrid workplace optimisation.
Dubai remains the region’s most liquid and flexible market: demand is driven by regional HQ relocations, tech, healthcare and professional services, and continued investor appetite. This has helped support rental resilience in prime districts even as occupiers press for smarter, experience-led fitouts.
Abu Dhabi is consolidating its position through governmentled demand and a maturing professional services ecosystem. Landlords that offer integrated amenities and demonstrable sustainability credentials are winning longer-term commitments as occupiers prioritise stability and talent attraction.
Riyadh is the standout expansion case in the country: rapid corporate footprint growth, large-scale government and private investment, and structural reforms are driving occupational demand, but occupiers face a fast-evolving supply pipeline and rising expectations on workplace quality and ESG performance. For occupiers and landlords across these cities, the imperative is clear: align space strategy to talent, ESG and flexibility and convert market momentum into differentiated workplaces that support productivity, attraction, and resilience.
DUBAI OFFICE MARKET OVERVIEW
The business services sector remains the largest driver of office requirements in Dubai, accounting for 41% of total demand in the first 9 months of 2025. We recorded an average leasing rate of $68 psf for fitted office space and $56 psf for shell-and-core space. The DIFC remains the most expensive office submarket in the city, supported by limited availability and sustained high demand. In Q3 2025, the office rental market saw a slight increase in both new and renewed rental contracts. The cumulative office supply in Dubai is set to expand considerably, with projections showing
the total gross leasable area (GLA) will expand by 13.2mn sqft by 2030, taking the city’s total stock to around 136mn sqft. The future development pipeline is heavily concentrated in the DIFC, which is slated to add over 3.3mn sqft of new office space between 2025 and 2030. The build-to-rent model is a significant component of Dubai’s future supply too, particularly in DIFC and Business Bay. This signals a strategic shift by developers to build and hold office assets for long-term rental income.
As of Q3 2025, Abu Dhabi’s Grade A office leasing rates rose to $626 per sqm, a 28% y/y increase, amid sustained strong demand and limited new prime supply. Business services (22%) and Banking & finance (19%) have been the primary drivers of
demand for offices during the first nine months of 2025. As of Q3 2025, the market received a substantial amount of highquality grade A office spaces. SAAS Business Tower (22,171sqm) in Al Reem Island is in its handover phase and recorded 40% occupancy rate, while the newly handed over Aldar’s HB Tower (12,004sqm) on Yas Island is now fully operational with 98% occupancy rate. The supply pipeline indicates a surge in office stock for 2027, with nearly 175,000sqm of new office space scheduled for delivery. This follows more moderate supply additions of approximately 21,000sqm remaining in 2025 and just over 43,000sqm in 2026.
corporate relocations are underpinning office demand across Saudi Arabia. As Vision 2030 reforms continue to reshape the economic landscape, demand for high-quality, ESG-compliant office space is accelerating across Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Dammam Metropolitan Area, with Grade A rents climbing rapidly and occupancy levels flirting with record highs.
Total office stock in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) is projected to reach 9.7mn sqm of Gross Lettable Area (GLA) by 2025 and 15mn sqm by 2028. The capital accounts for nearly half of the upcoming supply, underscoring its role as the Kingdom’s corporate epicentre and potentially signalling challenges that may lay ahead for landlords and developers
as they compete in an increasingly busy marketplace. Public sector investment in infrastructure, housing, and giga projects continues to unlock private-sector opportunities, driving office demand across key cities.
As for giga projects, $196bn was awarded in real estate construction contracts since 2016. This is reshaping corporate footprints nationwide. As these mega-developments transition from planning to delivery, program managers, consultancies, and operators are expanding their in-country teams. There is a rising preference for Grade A, ESG-aligned office environments, particularly in Riyadh, as occupiers seek modern, sustainable workplaces, driven by global corporate mandates.
The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Program offers a 30 year corporate and withholding tax exemption to incentivise global firms to establish regional HQs in Riyadh. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offer customised tax benefits and simplified regulatory frameworks to attract sector-specific investment. The new Foreign Ownership Law (2026) is expected to simplify cross-border acquisitions and boost transparency, further opening the market to international investors. The Investor Visa, coupled with clearer licensing and faster approvals, is enhancing the ease of doing business and supporting sustained premium-office demand.
There were 14,303 foreign business licences issued in 2024, up 68%
y/y, signalling robust investor confidence. Over 675 multinational firms have announced plans to establish Regional HQs in Riyadh under the RHQ program. In terms of origin, companies from the USA (41%), UK (19%), China (8%) and Germany (4%) dominate those establishing a regional HQ in the capital.
The FDI net inflows reached nearly $21.3bn in 2024, led by the US, UAE, China, Singapore, Egypt, and France. Despite slight moderation (-6.4%) last year, the net inflows demonstrate resilient global confidence in Saudi Arabia’s macroeconomic fundamentals. The Kingdom climbed to 17th place in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, up from 32nd in 2021, reinforcing its transformation into a diversified global investment destination.
Rising stars to industry giants: Celebrating them all at the region's top construction consultancy awards
The 2025 Middle East Consultant Awards brought together the region's leading consultancy firms, project teams, and professionals to celebrate excellence across 21 distinct categories
The 2025 edition of the annual Middle East Consultant Awards took place on 9 December 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, JBR, Dubai, bringing together the region’s leading consultancy firms, project teams, and industry professionals to celebrate excellence across the built environment.
The prestigious evening recognised outstanding achievements across 21 distinct categories, spanning ‘Individuals’, ‘Projects’, and ‘Companies’, reflecting the depth, diversity, and innovation shaping the Middle East’s consultancy landscape. Over 150 nominations were submitted across the event's various categories, with some categories receiving in excess of 15 nominations.
Marking a milestone in the event’s evolution, the 2025 MEC Awards introduced an ‘Honourable Achievement’ distinctions for the first time in the programme’s history, acknowledging an additional tier of exceptional performance in several categories. In total, 21 trophies were presented to category winners, alongside 17 plaques awarded to Honourable Achievement recipients, underscoring the increasingly competitive and high-calibre nature of submissions received this year.
The event was suppported by AECOM as its Silver Partner; the gala event welcomed more than 200 attendees from across the regional built environment, with strong representation from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
"For the 2025 edition of the Middle East Consultant Awards, we introduced several new elements based on client feedback and in line with our ongoing commitment to keeping the region’s only consultant-focused awards programme fresh and relevant. The response to date has been extremely positive, particularly with regards to the introduction of the 'Honourable Achievements' in select categories and the use of two MCs to maintain high energy throughout the evening. We are excited to build on this momentum and further elevate the awards in 2026," said Jason Saundalkar, Editorial Director, Built Environment & Heavy Industry Divisions at CPI Trade Media.
Siddharta Banerji
Managing Director & Co-Founder | LUXE Developers
As MD and Co-Founder of The Luxe Developers, Siddharta brings a multidisciplinary approach that bridges data, design, and long-term value creation. With a background in technology, mathematics, and enterprise systems, Siddharta’s professional journey has been shaped by precision thinking and a belief in building intelligently, from the inside out.
Alicia's areas of work include environmental impact assessment, water strategy, water stewardship and assurance; water quality and conservation. Her experience spans delivering environmental services to diverse clients in the United States, Southern Africa, and the Middle East.
Tarek Emara
QA/QC Director | China State Construction Engineering Corporation
Tarek's areas of expertise include project management, construction planning, monitoring and reporting and quality management. His qualifications include ISO Internal Audit and ISO 9000: 2015 from Bureau VERITAS, together with competency certificates from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADCO) and Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO).
William Craig Garret
Digital Construction Manager | ALEC
Part of the ALEC Digital Construction Team within the UAE, William is responsible for the successful digital coordination and handover of major projects, ensuring clients requirements and industry standards are met or exceeded. He also promotes knowledge sharing and upskilling to create a culture of digital learning for the entire supply chain, while advancing the use of technology across the full project life cycle.
Executive Board Member | Alliance Investment Holding Group
Dragana is a strategic advisor with over 20 years of progressive experience leading complex international projects, fostering high-impact public–private partnerships, and advising on major global initiatives. Her expertise spans the sports, aviation, defence, mixed-use, and large-scale urban development sectors, where she has consistently delivered transformative outcomes
Quality Integration Specialist | Qualitaz
Chair | CIOB Dubai Hub Committee
Allison spends her time looking at where work breaks down in construction and manufacturing, because handovers, approvals, and workflows aren’t clear. Her mission is to identify where the leakage starts and fix how work actually moves between people, teams, and systems – so that work becomes predictable and costs are easier to control.
Jason joined CPI Trade Media - a construction focused media company - nearly a decade ago and first worked on Middle East Consultant before moving to Middle East Construction News, and then Big Project Middle East. He now oversees editorial across all CPI Trade Media brands, and lives and breathes construction.
Associate Editor | Middle East Consultant
Priyanka Raina is the Associate Editor on Middle East Consultant. She covers industry trends, projects, and innovations shaping the built environment. She brings insight and expertise to the evolving world of construction and design. Passionate about excellence and precision, Priyanka is committed to delivering content that informs, engages, and inspires readers, reflecting her dedication to high standards and professional integrity.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Outstanding Debut Award
Under 30 Champion of the Year – Female
Under 30 Champion of the Year – Male
Executive of the Year – Female
Executive of the Year – Male
Winner
Salama Alketbi AECOM
Hiba Irshaid Omnium Resolve
Bassel Abuamro AESG
Engi Jaber
Climatize, part of +impact
Christopher Nicolas TBH
PROJECT AWARDS
Project of the Year – Public Facilities
Project of the Year – Hospitality & Tourism
Project of the Year – Commercial
Project of the Year – Residential
Winner
Muharraq Ring Road, Bahrain AECOM
The Soudah Development Soudah Development & AtkinsRéalis
The Office Vortex B8 Architecture
DAMAC Lagoons Climatize, part of +impact
COMPANY AWARDS Winner
Company of the Year
Architectural Company of the Year
Interior Design Company of the Year
Cost Consulting Company of the Year
Urban Planning Company of the Year
Dispute Resolution & Claims Specialist of the Year
Fire Safety Consultant of the Year
Specialist Consulting Company of the Year
MEP Engineering Company of the Year
Project Management Company of the Year
Sustainable Consultancy of the Year
Multidiscipline Consulting Company of the Year
Omnium International
Gensler Middle East
SAY Studio
Omnium International
Prior + Partners
HKA
Joule Group
TBH
AESG
Compass Project Consulting
AECOM
KEO International Consultants
Shortlist
Marissa Ramos | North 51 Consulting
Honourable Achievement
Almudena Berzosa | Corpolgia Consulting
On winning the award, Salama Alketbi, Graduate Civil Engineer at AECOM said, "Receiving this award is truly a proud and meaningful moment for me. It reflects the trust, support and guidance I have received from my team and leadership at AECOM. This recognition motivates me to continue developing my skills, taking on new challenges and contributing to the projects and communities we serve."
"Looking ahead, I am focused on continuing my professional growth within the transportation and infrastructure sector, while contributing to impactful and sustainable projects. I aim to further strengthen my technical expertise, support innovative solutions and play an active role in shaping safe, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for the future."
Shortlist
Jihane Marroun | B8 Architecture
Honourable Achievement
Rosine Nabaa | TBH
Hiba Irshaid, Senior Consultant, Omnium Resolve, "It’s motivating to be recognised by the industry, particularly in a field that is complex, fast-paced and constantly evolving. The award reflects the work I enjoy the most – tackling complex problems, applying judgement in high-pressure situations, and bringing structure and clarity where it matters most, with a clear focus on reaching sound, well-reasoned outcomes. "
"Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to grow in this space, expanding my influence and contributing to the wider industry through knowledge-sharing and meaningful conversation around best practice and innovation, while hopefully becoming a positive influence for those coming through the field."
Shortlist
Matthew Redding | CSQ Project Development Consultants
Suthan Sivara 9E Global Engineering Consultants
Tony Pheloups | B8 Architecture
Vineeth Bonthala GHD Global
Honourable Achievement
Tabish Hasan | Consistent Engineering Consultants
"Receiving this award is a real honour for me, and I feel fortunate to work as a sustainability professional in a field that is meaningful and constantly evolving. I am grateful for the recognition at the MEC Awards and to AESG for the support, trust, and opportunities that have allowed me to grow and contribute to impactful projects. The award reflects not only individual effort but the collaborative environment and strong mentorship that have shaped my journey," said Bassel Abuamro, Senior Sustainability Consultant at AESG.
"Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to contribute to complex sustainability and mobility initiatives, particularly those that involve translating strategy into practical, measurable outcomes on the ground."
Shortlist
Alyaa Al Wahab | Rider Levett Bucknall
Carole Akoury | JT + Partners
Celeste Tai | Omnium International
Kristina Bråteng | B8 Architecture
Sandra Woodall TangramMENA
Honourable Achievement
Cheryl Cairns | Trowers & Hamlins
Commenting on the win, Engi Jaber, Associate Partner and Head of Climatize, part of +impact noted, "It’s an honour to be recognised alongside such strong talent in the region! These awards reflect the collective effort of our teams, and the passion and care that goes into delivering practical and sustainable solutions that make a real difference to communities."
"We’re continuing to expand our sustainability and advisory work across the Middle East region through +impact, and are actively helping clients to turn their ambition into action across a range of residential and mixed-use developments. Our focus remains on practical sustainability solutions that support greener projects and more resilient communities."
Shortlist
Ali Cornejo | B8 Architecture
Eng. Ibrahim Saad | James Cubitt ME
Hakim Ezzahouany North 51
Kola Ojeyomi | HKR
Murali Guruvappan | 9E Global Engineering Consultants
Prasanth Chakkingal | PNC Architects
Honourable Achievement
Sanu Mathew SEED Eng. Consultants
Christopher Nicolas, Director at TBH stated, "When the team suggested nominating me for this particular award, I wasn’t so sure. Not because I didn’t think I was deserving, but because my focus at TBH has always been on the collective effort behind what we deliver."
"We have a deeply collaborative culture, guided by our better together value, and after nearly 30 years with the business, that mindset continues to shape everything I do. With that said, I am incredibly grateful to my colleagues and clients for endorsing the nomination. It is a privilege to work alongside such talented teams on high-risk, large-scale and challenging projects that are transformational and, in this region, often one of a kind."
Shortlist
GEMS Founder’s School | Consistent Engineering Consultants
Green Hub | Trust Engineering Consultancy
Sheikh Zayed Biosphere | TangramMENA
Honourable Achievement
Salata Business Park | Trust Engineering Consultancy
The project caught the judges' attention as it was completed ahead of schedule and on budget. It also drew praise and a number of first choice votes for leveraging microtunneling for deep utilities under live traffic, as well as IoT equipment monitoring and cloud-based coordination platforms.
Commenting on the win, Bishwajit Ranjan Kumar, Regional Director, Civil Infrastructure, AECOM Middle East said, "This is really a proud moment for us and the team of Busaiteen Link Muharraq Ring Road. All the hard work has culminated into this award and we can all pat our backs for this achievement. A special shout out to Ministry of Works, our contractors Nass Nassir Subaie JV, all the stakeholders and above all our team at both the site and the office."
Shortlist
Entertainment City | Trust Engineering Consultancy
Mixed Use Development Libya | Trust Engineering Consultancy
NH Collection Hotel, Marjan Island | B8 Architecture
Tattu Dubai | Compass Project Consulting teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi | AECOM and Miral
Honourable Achievement
Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa | JT + Partners
Soudah Development & AtkinsRéalis said, "This recognition celebrates a landmark project that is unique: Saudi Arabia’s first luxury mountain destination. It highlights how heritage, sustainability, and world-class hospitality can come together to create a transformative experience aligned with Vision 2030. The project sets a precedent for sustainable tourism in the region."
"Our priority is to continue shaping destinations that respect local identity, while unlocking economic and social opportunities. We aim to expand sustainable tourism models that balance growth with environmental responsibility."
Shortlist
Al Maryah Tower | CSQ Project Development Consultants
DMCC Uptown Tower Business Centre | SAY Studio
Façade Reimagined – Proposed Façade Design & Addition of Phase 2 Expansion | Freeline Eng. Consultants
Nad Al Sheba Mall | Gensler Middle East
The Link | Climatize, part of +impact
Honourable Achievement
Palm Jumeirah Mall Expansion | Compass Project Consulting
Speaking about the win, Kristina Bråteng, Founder and Creative Director, B8 Architecture shared, "We are thrilled about being recognised amongst such beautiful projects and talented peers, and cannot wait to submit our new projects next year."
"We have a number of exciting projects in progress, and there is one that we are particularly excited about, which is our first-ever hospitality project, with NH Collection, marking a significant milestone for the studio. It allows us to translate our design philosophy into spaces that balance operational demands with atmosphere, experience, and refined luxury."
Shortlist
Address Residences Zabeel | Mirage
Anantara Mina Residences JT + Partners
Giardino Village Townhouses | Trust Engineering
Rivera Essence – Classic Villa | B8 Architecture
St. Regis Residences | SEED Engineering Consultants
Yas Acres – Magnolias and Dahlias AECOM
ZāZEN Gardens | Consistent Engineering Consultants
Honourable Achievement
Grove Project – Plot P09 Louvre Residence | AtkinsRéalis
Masaar by Arada, Dewan Architects + Engineers
"This is incredibly rewarding as this project pushed us to think differently about what sustainable residential communities can look like at scale, particularly in terms of carbon, water and long-term liveability. It’s a reflection of the dedication and collaboration behind the project and the shared commitment to delivering sustainability outcomes," said Engi Jaber, +impact’s Associate Partner and Head of Climatize, part of +impact.
"Our focus is on applying the same practical, performanceled approach to help clients deliver greener, more resilient communities that work not just today, but over the long term."
Shortlist
AESG
B8
Compass
Euroart
JT+Partners
KEO
Trust
Honourable
Nicholas Harris, Managing Director of Omnium International commented, "We feel privileged to receive Company of the Year for the second time. It is especially rewarding, because it recognises the bigger picture, our culture, and the way we continue to evolve as an international consultancy without losing the values that we are so proud of that built Omnium in the first place."
"We’ve been appointed on numerous large-scale developments, including ARM’s Prime Dubai development, and our footprint continues to grow across the emirates, in particular in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where we’re seeing increasing opportunity. Our focus remains on supporting complex, high-profile programmes, while continuing to strengthen the fundamentals that underpin long-term success."
Shortlist
Dewan Architects + Engineers
Freeline Engineering Consultants
Trust Engineering Consultancy
Honourable Achievement B8 Architecture
Todd Pilgreen, Principal and Co-Managing Director & Tariq Shaikh, Principal & CoManaging Director, Gensler Middle East stated, "We are honoured to receive the award, which recognises architectural firms delivering inspiring, engaging, human centred work for developers across the region. This award reflects the impact of our recent body of work across the GCC, our focus on design excellence, our ability to utilise our 6,000 strong, global human expertise and our use of current and next-generation technologies to meet and exceed client expectations."
"This award also acknowledges our commitment to sustainability, inclusion and the development of future talent through training, outreach to academic institutions and comprehensive professional development programmes."
On the win, Matthew Sexton, Managing Director at SAY Studio said, "To say we’re proud to receive one of the most sought-after titles in our industry is an understatement. While many people know SAY Studio for our work in the commercial sector, this award reflects our ability to successfully deliver across a range of sectors, exceed expectations of topcaliber clients, and importantly, make a positive impact beyond the projects themselves."
"Our focus remains on upholding design quality and innovation in an ever-evolving Dubai market, while building on the momentum of our KSA office, which celebrated its two-year anniversary in 2025. After a year that challenged and inspired the team in equal measures, we look ahead with a strong sense of momentum, continuing to diversify across workplace, hospitality, and residential."
Nicholas Harris, Managing Director of Omnium International remarked, "To be named Cost Consultancy of the Year for the ninth time at the MEC Awards speaks to a track record built over years of disciplined delivery: strong commercial judgement, robust controls, and a reputation for doing the right thing at all times. I’m very proud of our team, not just for the quality of what they deliver, but how they deliver it: with integrity, professionalism, and a real sense of ownership."
"We’re entering our next chapter with real momentum and have been appointed on numerous exciting, large-scale developments, including ARM’s Prime Dubai development. Our footprint continues to grow across the emirates, in particular in Ras Al Khaimah, where we’re seeing increasing opportunity."
Speaking to MEC, Amer Mneimneh, MENA Regional Director, Prior + Partners noted, "We are honoured to receive this recognition, particularly as we are a relatively young, eightyear-old practice operating in a highly competitive sector. The award reflects our integrated approach to urban planning, bringing together strategic planning, design, economics, and digital innovation to deliver resilient, people-centred, and implementable urban futures across the Middle East. It is also a testament to the strength of our regional partnerships and collaborative way of working."
"Going forward, we are expanding our work across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This includes major district-scale developments, long-term regional frameworks, and the further rollout of our digital innovation offering to support smarter, data-driven urban planning and delivery."
Shortlist
Omnium Resolve
Secretariat
TBH
Trowers & Hamlins
Honourable Achievement
Inshield International Consultancy
The judges' attention was drawn to HKA's nomination as it highlighted its continuing its focus on people and community, environmental responsibility, thought-leadership, and adding value to clients by making the complex clear and logical.
Speaking about the win, Jad Chouman, Partner & Head of Middle East at HKA outlined, "This prestigious award is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our people across the Middle East. Securing the Dispute Resolution accolade for the fifth consecutive year at the Middle East Consultant Awards reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and driving innovation in the industry. We are extremely proud to continue setting the benchmark for excellence in this region and beyond."
Commenting on the win, Luke Cameron, Head of Operations – Middle East at Joule Group said, "Joule Group is proud to be recognised alongside other industry-leading companies with this prestigious award, celebrating the strength and growth of our Middle East team. This achievement reflects the expertise we’ve built across the region and our unwavering commitment to delivering robust fire safety solutions."
"In 2026, we will celebrate the opening of our new office in Riyadh and Joule Group is proud to play a role in some of the most ambitious initiatives shaping the region, including Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate, Riyadh Rail, and major aviation projects. We are preparing to support landmark global events such as EXPO 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, ensuring infrastructure and innovation meet the highest standards of fire safety."
Specialist Consulting Company of the Year
The judges took note of TBH's focus on high-risk, large scale and challenging projects, and its body of positive results, working across public and private sector entities.
"Last year, we proudly celebrated our 60th anniversary; for 6 decades, we have acted as a trusted partner to our clients, delivering innovative solutions on high-risk and large-scale projects around the world. This award was a fitting way to close another successful year, working on a diverse portfolio of exciting projects across the region, from critical infrastructure to data centres and renewable energy," explained Aytug Ozkan, Director at TBH.
"Congratulations to the entire TBH team across the globe, and thank you to our clients and partners for continuing to trust us as your preferred partner.”
Shortlist
Consistent Engineering Consultants
Mirage SEED Engineering Consultants
Honourable Achievement
MEP Design Studio – PNC Architects –SOBHA Realty
Speaking to the MEC team, Nic Byczynski, Director of Building Services at AESG outlined, "I was especially proud to be able to collect the award again this year. In 2025, we had significant growth in terms of headcount, revenue and the scale and number of ongoing design projects, and so to achieve that growth, while delivering consistent quality was a challenge, but the team embraced wholeheartedly."
"We ended 2025 very strongly, securing some major awards, including a signature commercial tower in Riyadh and a number of exciting projects helping to guide clients through the integration of 'smart' strategies into building and masterplans, and we see the integration of traditional MEP and future-focused smart building consultancy as a real area of growth for us in the coming years."
Christian Somerville, Head of Project Management UAE at Compass Project Consulting remarked, "Winning this award for the fifth time is brilliant validation that we're doing something right. The team really deserve this, they're the ones solving problems and building the kind of relationships with clients that turn projects into partnerships."
"We're working on projects that genuinely excite us. The variety is fantastic: Italian-designed residences for RAK Properties, Tattu Dubai, Saudi Arabia's biggest leisure developments, a futuristic headquarters building in Abu Dhabi, and major commercial projects reshaping Riyadh's skyline. Many are under NDA, but the scope of what we're delivering across hospitality, retail, and mixed-use developments is really something special."
Sharing his thoughts on the win, Craig Tharckray, Vice President MEA- Environment at AECOM explained, "We're proud of the sustainability and decarbonisation work that the AECOM teams are delivering across the region as part of our ScopeX initiative. This award reflects our past achievements, but at the same time motivates our professionals to improve further to lead sustainability benchmarks across the industry."
"We are currently engaged on the Dubai Reef project with the DET and conducted an audit dive on area where reef units were installed about 10 months ago, to monitor how biodiversity has responded to the new habitat. The results were fantastic in terms of both marine growth on the units and fish species both within the reef units and adjacent."
Shortlist
9E
AESG
CSQ
Freeline
On the win, KEO International Consultants said, "We’re genuinely delighted to receive this recognition, especially as it reflects the strength of collaboration across our disciplines. The award is a real credit to the effort and expertise of the whole team, and to how effectively we work together to deliver complex projects. When you look at the quality of the shortlisted organisations, it’s clear the multi-discipline consulting sector is getting stronger year-on-year, which makes this recognition meaningful."
"We’re looking ahead to an exciting year, with a strong pipeline of projects and a continued focus on delivering innovative, integrated solutions that create long-term value. Creativity is a key focus this year, driving us to challenge convention, embrace the practical use of AI, and help reshape how parts of the construction industry operate."
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INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Outstanding Debut Award
Under 30 Champion of the Year – Female
Under 30 Champion of the Year – Male
Executive of the Year – Female
Executive of the Year – Male
Honourable Achievement
Almudena Berzosa
Rosine Nabaa
Tabish Hasan
Cheryl Cairns
Sanu Mathew
Corpolgia Consulting
TBH
Consistent Engineering Consultants
Trowers & Hamlins
SEED Engineering Consultants
PROJECT AWARDS
Project of the Year – Public Facilities
Project of the Year – Hospitality & Tourism
Project of the Year – Commercial
Honourable Achievement
Salata Business Park
Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa
Palm Jumeirah Mall Expansion
Trust Engineering Consultancy
JT + Partners
Compass Project Consulting
Project of the Year – Residential Plot P09 Louvre Residence AtkinsRéalis
COMPANY AWARDS
Honourable Achievement
Company of the Year AtkinsRéalis
Architectural Company of the Year
B8 Architecture
Interior Design Company of the Year N/A
Cost Consulting Company of the Year C-Quest
Urban Planning Company of the Year N/A
Dispute Resolution & Claims Specialist of the Year
Inshield International Consultancy
Fire Safety Consultant of the Year N/A
Specialist Consulting Company of the Year
MEP Engineering Company of the Year
Project Management Company of the Year
MEP Design Studio – PNC Architects – SOBHA Realty
CSQ Project Development Consultants
Sustainable Consultancy of the Year N/A
Multidiscipline Consulting Company of the Year AECOM
Six nominations were submitted to this category, with the panel of judges compiling a shortlist of three on the night of the MEC Awards.
Berzosa's nomination stood out due to her work on re-defining Corpolgia’s brand and market positioning, driving research-based thought leadership, and expanding strategic relationships and visibility. Her nomination also noted that she has embedded a culture of measurable impact, and received positive commendation from her colleagues. The judges also commended Berzosa for spearheading the creation of Corpolgia’s Signature Leadership Executive Trainings, a comprehensive program designed to strengthen leadership pipelines within government and private sectors across the GCC.
Rosine Nabaa, Senior Consultant at TBH said, "I am incredibly pleased and humbled to be recognised. Thank you to my colleagues and clients for their support and endorsement. Being part of TBH has given me the opportunity to contribute to high-profile, flagship projects across the region. I would also like to congratulate the other professionals recognised in this category."
"Looking ahead, I am keen to expand my role as a mentor, both within TBH and for younger professionals entering the industry. A significant part of this involves a continued commitment to ED&I, ensuring our projects and our teams reflect the communities we serve and that we create pathways for the next generation of diverse talent to lead."
The judges commended Tabish's commitment to sustainability, and support in terms of the delivery of two major school projects in the UAE, ensuring both were energy and water efficient. In addition, his nomination outlined his efforts to design a LEED & Barjeel compliant super high-rise development in Ras Al Khaimah, and outlined his work in implementing an AI-based economiser operation for fresh air handling units, which achieve 1,354 hours of free cooling annually. His nomination also drew praise due to his advocacy for the use of heat pump integration in villa projects to reduce their reliance on solar thermal systems, and his focus on taking the time to mentor junior engineers within the industry.
Cheryl Cairns, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins stated, "This recognition reflects not only personal achievement but also the collaborative efforts of our team. The construction sector in the region continues to be a dynamic and transformative space, and being recognised amongst such talented professionals is truly humbling. This award reinforces my commitment to advancing excellence in legal services, and championing D&I in leadership roles across the region."
She added, "I am focused on strengthening our construction practices' capabilities in supporting the region's ambitious infrastructure and development projects. And we are particularly committed to advising on sustainable construction initiatives and projects that align with the UAE's and wider GCC's Net Zero ambitions."
Sanu Mathew, Founder & Managing Director at SEED Engineering Consultants said, "Receiving this recognition is truly humbling. This award is a reflection of the dedication, innovation, and relentless efforts of the entire team - it genuinely belongs to them. I am deeply grateful to our clients and partners for their continued trust and support."
"We aim to further strengthen SEED’s presence across international markets while continuing to deliver sustainable, innovative, and high-performance MEP solutions. We are actively embracing advanced technologies, expanding our expertise in complex developments, and nurturing talent to create long-term value for our clients. We are currently working on several hospitality projects, along with a couple of ultra-luxurious residential developments.”
Jasminka Usanovic, Executive Manager at Trust Engineering Consultancy highlighted, "Our participation in the 2025 Middle East Consultant Awards is something we value deeply. We are very proud to be part of this journey and to contributing to raising the benchmark of excellence within the consultancy and the built environment sector in the region."
"Looking ahead, we are is focused on strengthening long-term partnerships, as trust remains the foundation of every project we deliver. We aim to reinforce our presence across the Middle East region, while continuously evolving our practice's capabilities, through the integration of artificial intelligence-driven technologies, advanced BIM implementation, and sustainability-led design."
10 nominations were submitted to this category and following the first round of eliminations, 7 projects were given the greenlight for the shortlist.
The Hilton Marjan Island Beach Resort & Spa project caught the judge's attention due to its design, elegant spatial composition, contextual integration, architectural harmony, as well as experiential luxury. Beyond its aesthetics, the project also represented a new typology in hospitality design, where relaxation and entertainment coexist harmoniously.
The judges also noted that the project responds to the emirate’s strategic transformation into a global tourism destination, aligning with rising visitor projections and large-scale hospitality investment across the island.
This project caught the judge’s attention as it demonstrated operational excellence, tenant coordination mastery, strong stakeholder alignment, value creation, and risk mitigation over a three-year period.
Christian Somerville, Head of Project Management UAE at Compass Project Consulting said, "This recognition really means something because that project was genuinely complex. Delivering a landmark retail destination on time and to spec, and in a live environment isn't easy, but our UAE team made it look effortless. What excites me most is our people; Compass Academy is developing project managers and cost consultants who love what they do, and when your team's engaged and growing, everything else follows naturally."
The judges recognised the project due to its visionary planning, cultural stewardship, and environmental sensitivity and standing as the Kingdom’s first highaltitude luxury destination.
Commenting on the win, AtkinsRéalis remarked, "This award reflects the artistry and vision behind the residences; a blend of luxury, heritage, and sustainability inspired by the cultural legacy of the Louvre. It’s a project that elevates everyday living into something extraordinary."
"We will continue to deliver residential projects that combine design excellence with environmental responsibility, creating communities that foster connection, pride, and a sense of belonging."
The judges commended the company for earning a Great Place to Work certification in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, its mandatory ED&I performance objectives for all people managers, and effort to host equity workshops with Christensen Consultancy to deepen its understanding of equity vs. equality. The company also scored points for its culture of innovation, allyship and psychological safety.
Speaking about the win, AtkinsRéalis noted, "This recognition is a testament to the strength of our global team and the impact of the projects we deliver. It reflects how our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation translates into tangible outcomes, building resilient infrastructure, advancing decarbonisation, and setting new benchmarks for the built environment."
The company scored votes with the judges due to its commitment to design, impressive scale, and its demonstrated growth in the last 12 months, with 53% annual growth, over 60 active projects across 13 different countries, and a 13% increase in employees.
The judges also commended the firm's leadership for continuing to cultivate a culture where mentorship and creativity co-exist, while its architecture, interior design and landscape practices seamlessly integrate into a single powerful narrative.
Speaking to the MEC team, Kristina Bråteng, Founder and Creative Director of B8 Architecture said, “We are absolutely thrilled about winning and being recognised and we cannot wait to submit our new projects next year.” Cost Consulting Company of
Speaking about the recognition, Paul Kelly, Managing Director at C-Quest remarked: "It was a real honour for us to receive this prestigious recognition. The award reflected the collective effort, commitment, and technical excellence of the entire C-Quest team, as well as the trust placed in us by our clients across the region. We were proud to be recognised among industry peers and saw this as encouragement to continue raising standards in cost consultancy and project delivery."
"Looking ahead, we will further develop our newly opened Sri Lankan office to support scalable & world-class delivery as a centre of excellence, whilst building on our existing AI cost database to enhance cost measurement and data-driven cost intelligence."
Commenting on the win, Shady S. Ateem, Senior Partner at InShield International Consultancy said, "It is a proud and affirming milestone for us; the award recognises the dedication of our dispute resolution and claims management team in delivering value across complex, high-stakes projects throughout the region. It underscores the importance of pairing technical capability with strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and sound professional judgment."
"Going forward as a company, we aim to further explore digital platforms, data analytics, and AI tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in claims management, supporting informed decision-making and proactive risk management."
Nine nominations were submitted to this competitive category however - following two rounds of eliminations by the judges - a shortlist of five companies was announced on the night of the MEC Awards.
The judges were drawn to the company's submission for a number of reasons but primarily due to the MEP design studio's significant body of work and innovations in terms of MEP consultancy over the past 12 months, particularly through its parent company’s Sobha One project. The judges commended the firm for its cuttingedge MEP design here, as it has enabled the project to be the UAE’s first Super Low Energy Building, and therefore showcases the studio’s focus on sustainability, digitalisation and cost-efficient design.
Speaking about the win, Ryan Bray, Partner at CSQ Project Development Consultancy stated, “Receiving this recognition is a meaningful moment for the entire CSQ team. It reflects the depth of experience across our project management function, and the consistent effort that goes into every stage of project delivery. This award reinforces the value of that approach and the trust that our clients place in us."
He added, "Looking ahead, our focus is on strengthening our role in complex, large-scale developments across the UAE and KSA, while continuing to expand into emerging markets such as Ras Al Khaimah. We are also investing further in our people and delivery systems to support more integrated, multidisciplinary project management."
Speaking to the Middle East Consultant team about the recognition, Asif Shafi, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, CI & PgM, MEA at AECOM remarked, "AECOM is honoured to have been recognised in this highly competitive category. This win is the result of the commitment of our employees towards our vision of delivering a better world and the trust placed in us by our clients to deliver their most important projects."
He added, "Going forward, AECOM will continue to maintain its focus on the vibrant Middle East market, working closely with our colleagues in the global business to bring the best technology and sustainable solutions in planning, design, construction management and project management to our clients."
70 Clayton Vallabhan speaks with Annie Baillie, Design Director at Place Dynamix about the importance of landscape architecture and how it affects wellness in the public realm ⁄
78 Jason Saundalkar talks to Dan Sibert, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners and Ailsa Connery, Design Principal at 1508 London about Solaya, a coastal residential project that’s anticipated to become one of Dubai’s most prestigious addresses
Going behind-the-scenes with the region’s top construction consultants and industry trailblazers
Middle East Consultant’s Clayton Vallabhan speaks with Annie Baillie, Design Director at Place Dynamix about the importance of landscape architecture and how it affects wellness in the public realm
For over 25 years, Place Dynamix has helped design parks, plazas, residential complexes and civic destinations. It has helped create climate-responsive and sustainable spaces that are the ‘spaces between buildings.’ With its expertise in public realm, the company has worked closely with developers, municipalities and the RTA, among others to develop a sense of serene, through landscape architecture for the people that live and work in these places.
Annie Baillie, Design Director at Place Dynamics thinks as a community, it’s important to encourage people to be more sustainable, and that comes with movement.
Baille says, “The UAE has grown exponentially over a very short period of time. And when you look at the success of other major cities of a similar scale, one thing that stands out is the ability to move people around without the need for cars.”
The UAE has grown as a car centric country. Largely because of how it was formed and the distance between emirates, as well as the distance between the central business district and other liveable communities.
“Going to work is the biggest movement pattern of our lives. For 5 days a week, we have to get from home to work, and inherently, we jump in our car. This is because public transport doesn't take us from where we are to where we need to go. There is a disconnect between some of that public transport, if it starts in one place that doesn't end immediately, to where we need to end,” adds Baillie.
She thinks the facilitation of moving people either by foot, bicycle, scooter, or even by public transport, is a definite need and a demand on the public realm to deliver that.
“This is where we're starting to fall behind because the public realm is not quite there. To be able to enable everyone, wherever they live and to be able to move seamlessly, without the need of car.”
“The growth rate has happened so fast that some things just cannot keep up. This is where we are at the minute, trying to make do, but not in the best possible way,” continues Baillie.
Baillie has worked closely with both master developers like Emaar, Dubai Holding and Damac, as well as smaller developers who have erected a single tower on a plot. The difference she sees is master developers create big communities, whilst smaller developers focus on individual units like residential towers or commercial buildings.
Her experience also stretches across working for the municipality and RTA.
“The difference between private and public sector is that the contrast is quite extreme. Master developers are obviously trying to raise the bar and set the standard because they're selling a product, whereas the municipality is facilitating for the population. This makes the approach different, but the goal inherently the same,” explains Baillie.
The goal is to create communities and infrastructure, aids to move people around and provide people some entertainment to make their lives a little more comfortable.
Refurbishment is starting to unfold in the region, particularly in Dubai. This has particularly been noticed in older communities in Al Barsha or Mizhar.
These communities were built at a time where public realm was not necessarily high upon the agenda. What the RTA has come to recognise is newer developments are applying international best practices.
“We've got lovely pathways, cycle tracks and planting in streets. It's all very ordered and organised. What those older communities didn't have was just that. They had a carriageway and then they had a strip of dirt between the carriageway and their plot."
“Some landowners decided they were going to fill in the gap and decorate the landscape. Nevertheless, the character of those areas is quite different from a new development. The RTA recognised that it was not allowing for safe passage of pedestrians, because there was no formalised walkway. Cycling too was not formalised or noticeable,” says Baillie.
Nowadays newer best practices are followed in places, and new pathways and cycle tracks have been constructed.
Baillie continues, “We were uplifting existing parks, creating new parks and new open spaces. We brought these spaces up to standard with new developments. The RTA is rolling out much more of these projects but we were the pioneering exercise.”
She mentions that most of the time, it’s the landscape architect that is the go-between for various departments, this is seen more commonly with municipalities and departments within the RTA in Dubai.
“We are naturally calmed by being around greenness. The sound of birds, the sound of insects, all of these things become something that our brains can focus on and be in harmony with.”
ANNIE BAILLIE
“There's some diplomacy that's needed working with organisations like this, because there are departmental approaches that some deem inflexible, because of the nature of what they do with areas like utilities. Then here are other departments that want fluidity of creativity and want to meet aspirations and elevate standards. Trying to merge both can be difficult. It takes time, and conversation. Sometimes not everything can be solved in one discussion. This is where private and public departments differ,” says Baillie.
Further expanding into the inherent value that landscape architecture lends to the area and community within the public realm, Baillie says that the discipline covers many different areas of urban development.
When seen from this perspective the public realm itself is the area between buildings. It services every function of an individual’s day-to-day life, including areas like power, water sewage and telecommunications.
Baillie says, “These are all things that invisibly happen in our buildings, however, to be able to give you that in your building, those things have to move through outdoor spaces. What we find is that in some areas, the surface treatment was not particularly good.”
Speaking about University City Boulevard in Sharjah, Baillie explains how traditionally you could just drive straight off the
“Anything that really draws us outside and gets us walking and being sociable is important, because once you're outside with other people, it facilitates the building of a community.”
ANNIE BAILLIE
carriageway into this compacted area of sand, under which all those utilities are lying.
She says, “You could stop, beep your horn, someone would come out, take your order from the little cafe outside. Then 2 minutes later he would give you your tea, and you could get back onto the carriageway. The right of way itself was facilitating those businesses, but it was not servicing everybody. It wasn’t servicing pedestrians who were living in the buildings above or even behind.”
“What we did on this project is that we worked very closely with the municipality and utility engineers, to create a more organised movement corridor and formalised parking. There was resistance from the traditional people that were used to rolling off the road, but eventually they figured that following this route was fine, and they could still get their order.”
The businesses were still operating, despite the temporary disruption, however what happened was people living behind that community started to come out and use the street as a high street, she confirms.
“The formalised area, the paving outside, the seating that we created, the cycle track that we implemented all started to attract all types of users - pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This created the means for more businesses to function, but they did so in an area that was much better looking and better functioning. As a result of this the property values started to elevate. It became a destination now,” Baillie adds.
It was noticed that people started spending more time in the area, which in turn gave rise to more businesses opening and higher interaction with the environment.
Another important aspect, when designing spaces for pedestrian comfort, is shading, Since the UAE weather is really warm, shading plays a very important role in the public realm. When people step out of their homes, they’re immediately in the public realm. It is at that point a decision is made on whether to walk or drive.
“If the public realm is shaded, whether there might be a colonnade outside of your building built into the architecture along the street, or maybe that's a specific shade structure, or even just trees, then you have a choice. A choice to be able to walk down the street to your local shop or the choice to walk to
the train station or the choice to walk your child to school. The shade itself gives you the ability to tolerate the heat.
“We're now seeing temperatures that are reaching very close to 50-degrees Celsius in the middle of summer. In unshaded environments, the immediate impact on you, from the direct sun, is overbearing, and you can only really tolerate it for a very short time. Under the shade of a tree, you can tolerate it for longer. The difference you feel in shade allows you to use that space for longer. This impacts your daily lifestyle,” explains Baillie.
With the climate in the UAE being what it is, there is nothing more fundamental than producing shade, because without it, people are forced to move from one air-conditioned place to another. The connectivity of that shade is important too, she remarks.
“You can tolerate maybe 50-100m at the most of exposed sunlight. Continuity can come in the form of a colonnade, so you might travel a little bit under the shade of a building. Perhaps even a little bit further under the shade of a tree. You might want to cross the street because the orientation of the building is casting shade naturally onto that side of the walkway. This is all dependant on the movement of the sun throughout the day.”
“Shade is what we will follow, and we will go further out of our way to follow it. This makes it is absolutely fundamental to our tolerance of the summertime climate, which is very overbearing, and will continue to be so,” continues Baillie.
Another growing trend across the Middle East is an added focus on wellness. This has become a very hot topic; more
developers are seeing the benefit of wellness, and this covers a multitude of sectors.
There are several pillars of wellness of which landscape architects tend to address. These include wellness in physical activity, mental wellness and the wellness of communities.
“Anything that really draws us outside and gets us walking and being sociable is important, because once you're outside with other people, it facilitates the building of a community. Community wellness is very important to your feeling of belonging, in the place that you live,” says Baillie.
Baillie says that mental wellness is also important to everybody. “This is how we feel at the end of the day after work. After having a hard day, it is important to find solitude on a bench under a tree and just sit for 5 minutes.”
“The closeness with nature is restorative, that much we know. The colour green has that restorative feel to it. It signifies regeneration. We are naturally calmed by being around greenness. The sound of birds, the sound of insects, all of these things become something that our brains can focus on and be in harmony with.”
“The removal of the stress and going into a calm, natural place helps us individually, socially, as families and as communities. So, it's really important that when we design open spaces, we are designing to facilitate activity and the building of community, and we're also designing for mental wellness. To create those quiet places,” says Baillie.
Here, Baillie explains that as a seasoned landscape architect, she’s always been mindful of this, as this is something that she learnt about in her training about human psychology and human behaviour.
“We inherently design for this, but now it's becoming internationally aware. The subject of wellness is something people are becoming more demanding of, and developers are seeing the benefit of designing wellness in their developments because that's an attractor to investors,” Baillie points out.
The future is about green communities and amenities. It's about children being able to go out and play safely in the streets, or as simple as walking your child to school. These things matter to discerning investors who are investing in places that they would like to live with their family, she outlines.
Wellness is also a major component now in all developments in the public realm. The RTA is looking at ways to incorporate it in all forms of development, she states.
“It's already in-built in the delivery of what RTA want to do in elevating the quality of their public realm in older communities. Whether people realise it or not, giving people pathways, cycle ways and public parks is all touching on the subject of wellness,” continues Baillie.
On another development, at One Central, the development was designed by Hopkins Architects, and Baille thinks the buildings and external spaces are beautifully proportioned at human scale.
“The difference you feel in shade allows you to use that space for longer. This impacts your daily lifestyle.”
ANNIE BAILLIE
“The landscape at street level has matured well in the last few years to deliver an attractive street scene of tall trees casting dappled shade over the sidewalks with simple, elegant understorey plants softening the paving.”
“Despite the liveliness of the street, it feels calm and controlled. The landscape does not stop there; private office terrace gardens offer exclusive use to employees and guests in those offices – a chance for a quick break to recharge, take a private phone call, have an informal meeting or an office event,” adds Baillie.
Making her closing remarks, Baillie says the development presents the opportunity to get close to nature, to rest, relwax, recharge and enjoy a pleasant and calm surrounding despite standing in the heart of the CBD.
“Wellness was embedded in the design of One Central, even before the term became popular. That is what landscape architects do – we understand what we all need and want from our external environment and we know how to translate and deliver it in public and private spaces,” concludes Baillie.
Middle East Consultant’s Jason Saundalkar talks to Dan Sibert, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners and Ailsa Connery, Design Principal at 1508 London about Solaya, a coastal residential project that’s anticipated to become one of Dubai’s most prestigious addresses
with the developer’s vision, and what sets it apart from other premium residential offerings in the city.
In Q4 2025, Dubai Holding and Brookfield Properties announced the launch of ‘Solaya’, a residential project that is expected to become one of Dubai’s most coveted addresses. The project is taking shape in Jumeirah 1 and will span 9 buildings across 40ac and boast a collection of 234 beachfront residences.
The project is designed by Foster + Partners with interiors by 1508 London, and is said to reflect the brand heritage of Meraas. The project is said to bring together architectural precision, understated elegance, and seamless indoor–outdoor living, all framed by panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.
Here, Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Middle East Consultant sits down with Dan Sibert, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners and Ailsa Connery, Design Principal at 1508 London to discuss how both firms are bringing the project to life in line
Commenting on Foster + Partners’ involvement in the project, Sibert states, “Solaya is a landmark coastal development that embodies refined living, where the city meets the sea. The vision for this project, developed in collaboration with Meraas and Brookfield Properties, aims to deliver architectural precision and understated elegance. Foster + Partners was appointed to design the residential components of this coastal development. The intention for the masterplan is to create a large public space that is genuinely accessible and beneficial to the community. We were then appointed to design the residential components of the development, which are located on either side of the scheme and connect with the park.”
Connery adds, “The project is a distinctive beachfront residential development, each residence benefiting from beautiful views of the water and the city skyline. 1508 London was responsible for the interior design and internal spatial
planning of the development. At 1508 London, we see Solaya as a project that perfectly encapsulates the essence of understated elegance- crafted interiors that are refined, intentional, and possess a serene sophistication. Our approach embraces a pared-back aesthetic that provides a timeless canvas for elevated contemporary living.”
Connery adds that 1508 London has extensive prime residential experience in London and Dubai, and says that her firm was approached by Meraas and Brookfield Properties at the early stages of the project. “We have a long-standing relationship with co-developer Meraas, having collaborated on numerous landmark projects across both regions,” she emphasises.
Discussing the developer’s vision and brief to both firms and if there were any special requirements, Sibert highlights, “A key feature of the development, and our work, is to ensure that these 9 buildings are surrounded by incredible native greenery, with every apartment orientated to maximise views and celebrate indoor-outdoor living by the beach. This approach allows us
to contribute to a brand-new civic space for Dubai, taking the form of a spectacular landscaped park at the heart of the site, while creating exceptional homes.”
“From the outset, the client’s vision was clear - to create a design that genuinely reflects its beachfront setting. The interiors were intended to capture a relaxed coastal atmosphere through every element of design: layout, proportions, and materials,” Connery confirms.
She notes, “While the brief was open to interpretation, the resulting concept stands out within Dubai’s landscape of premium residential developments. Solaya distinguishes itself with an interior design philosophy that values timeless elegance over ostentation, with a design language rooted in its beachfront locale.”
Ailsa Connery, Design Principal at 1508 London.
“ The transition from Dubai’s bustling city to its serene coastline is designed to be a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
DAN SIBERT
With regards to the inspiration behind the project’s architecture and design, Sibert explains that the site’s unique nature served as his firm’s primary inspiration. “We used this to create a vision for Solaya which blends the buzz of the city with the calm of the sea, offering private homes set among native landscaping. Each home is designed to make the most of views and provide seamless indoor-outdoor living. The beach park at the centre of the development is set to become a well-known city landmark,” he shares.
Asked about the project’s design language and how it enables it to stand apart from other premium residential offerings in
Dubai, he says, “Solaya brings greenery into everyday life. The transition from Dubai’s bustling city to its serene coastline is designed to be a smooth and enjoyable experience, featuring public spaces for relaxation and recreation.”
He continues, “This approach, aligned with the forwardthinking vision of Meraas and Brookfield Properties, enables the new residential buildings to be designed from the insideout, allowing each home to have uninterrupted views of the coast and skyline. This creates a unique and varied external architectural expression. Green spaces around the residences add privacy, while keeping residents connected with nature.”
Part of the developer’s vision for the project was for it to feature understated elegance and create a sense of indoor-outdoor living. To address these requirements, Sibert notes that the project features rough-cast stone from the local area for the buildings’ walls, which give them a natural, textured feel that connects to the beach setting. “In contrast, the balconies have a precise, modern finish, highlighting the mix of natural and crafted materials,” he points out.
“The design blends indoor and outdoor spaces, bringing greenery into the apartments to keep residents closely
connected to nature. Homes feature courtyards, balconies, and terraces that seamlessly combine natural elements with comfortable living spaces. Ground-floor homes open to private gardens, while full-floor penthouses have private lifts, pools, and panoramic 360-degree views. Between the buildings and the beach, landscaped areas create a sense of calm as residents arrive, easing the shift from the busy city to the relaxed beach atmosphere – a key part of the experience,” he states.
Connery adds, “A seamless flow of materials from indoor to outdoor spaces enhances the sense of openness and connection to the surroundings. Natural travertine flooring, textured plaster finishes, and timbers blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, fulfilling the project’s vision of indoor–outdoor living. Carefully considered circulation maximises views and connectivity, while generous terraces extend the living and bedroom spaces. Expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing frames panoramic vistas of the Gulf and Dubai skyline, reinforcing the feeling of continuity between inside and out.”
Asked about challenges or key considerations that had to be taken into account with regards to the project’s design, he
notes, “It was essential to create a sense of unity between the different areas of the masterplan, as there are 6 new residential buildings on the peninsula that extends from the mainland and 3 new buildings to the north of the public beach. All buildings share the same architectural language and are woven together with greenery.”
Adding to this, Connery says, “The collaboration between the developer and design team has been a seamless partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence and quality. The result is a development that exemplifies the expertise and dedication of all involved. While every project presents its challenges, the level of care and consideration invested throughout the design process positions Solaya for a smooth and successful delivery - befitting its place among Dubai’s most prestigious residential offering.”
Shifting focus to the project’s interiors specifically, Connery tells MEC that the material palette at Solaya was meticulously curated to achieve a timeless, tactile quality that harmonises with the beachfront context. She says, “Light-toned travertine flooring was selected for its natural warmth and subtle
“ The interiors were intended to capture a relaxed coastal atmosphere through every element of design: layout, proportions, and materials.”
AILSA CONNERY
variation, lending refinement without excessive polish. Complementary materials such as polished plaster and light veneers further enhance the serene coastal character.”
Here, Connery also notes that the developer's comprehensive brief for the Solaya residential project called for a timeless, design-led approach, rather than one driven by current market trends.
She continues, “A neutral, coastal-inspired palette provides the ideal backdrop for relaxed, oversized furniture and bold, sculptural forms. Tactile fabrics and materials invite touch, contributing to an atmosphere of calm and understated elegance. Every design choice was made
to ensure longevity and authenticity, avoiding fleeting fashions in favour of enduring elegance, creating elevated living spaces.”
Making her closing comments, Connery explains that the project incorporates a number of sustainable and wellness focused elements.
She concludes, “Sustainability and wellness are central to our design philosophy, reflected in both the amenities and the residences themselves. Designed as forever homes, the residences are generously scaled and adaptable for family living. Exceptional-quality materials and thoughtful design contribute to longevity and enduring comfort.”
88 Why Architects and Urban Planners must work together ⁄
94 Wayfinding as an emerging ecosystem of KSA’s megacities ⁄ 100 A ‘Day in the life’ with Norman McComb, Sustainability Advisory Director, +impact, Serco
A curated collection of reports on the latest industry ideas, trends and critical issues
Architects and urban planners who traditionally operated in seperate domains are now coming together writes Amir H. Griess
of SharpMinds Consulting Engineers
Through engaging all diciplines from the outset, designs can balance architecture, usability and sustainability.
The United Arab Emirates has built cities at a pace few countries have experienced. Ambitious masterplans, iconic architecture, and rapid urban expansion have transformed desert landscapes into global hubs. Where the challenge lies in such endeavours is the coordination between architects and urban planners, whose collaboration will increasingly determine whether UAE cities function as cohesive, people-centred environments or fragmented collections of objects.
Decisions at the building level influence mobility patterns, energy use, public health, and social interaction across the city. When architecture and planning operate in isolation, urban development risks fragmentation, reducing efficiency and its ability to respond to human needs.
Architecture and urban planning have traditionally operated in separate domains, but this approach is finally being re-evaluated. Architects shape how people experience and access buildings and structures, while planners organise systems, infrastructure, and long-term city development. When these perspectives are not aligned, cities risk
becoming inefficient, fragmented, and uncomfortable. The UAE is taking steps to address this challenge. Initiatives such as the Dubai Urban Think Tank & Design Lab bring together government agencies, developers, researchers, and community representatives to explore collaborative processes that prioritise quality of life and long-term urban resilience. These efforts demonstrate that when multidisciplinary teams work together from the outset, it is possible to create neighborhoods and districts that are functional, human-centred, sustainable, and responsive to the region’s unique climate conditions.
Successful urban design relies on early and coordinated collaboration between planners, architects, landscape designers, and engineers. When teams work in isolation or are brought in at different stages of a project, building functionality,
accessibility, and integration with green spaces or public areas may not fully align.
By engaging all disciplines from the outset, designs can balance architecture, usability, and sustainability, ensuring every building, park, and neighbourhood contributes meaningfully to the community. This collaborative approach lays the foundation for achieving ambitious long-term visions, such as Dubai’s Urban Master Plan 2040, which seeks a connected, sustainable, and future-ready city for generations to come.
When architects and planners collaborate, cities become more sustainable, resilient, and people-centred. Joint efforts allow:
• Passive climate strategies: Coordinating building design and street orientation reduces energy use and improves thermal comfort
“As the UAE continues its transition toward more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready cities, breaking down professional silos is no longer optional.”
AMIR H. GREISS
• Walkable, accessible neighborhoods: Integrating land-use planning with architectural design enhances connectivity and encourages active mobility
• Efficient infrastructure: Aligning building siting with transport, water, and energy systems improves resource efficiency at scale
• Social wellbeing: Designing shared public spaces and integrating residential, commercial, and recreational functions promotes community interaction and mental health
The UAE’s sustainability agenda reinforces that climate goals cannot rely solely on technology. Urban structure and human movement must be considered from the outset, requiring planners and architects to operate as a unified team.
Amir H. Greiss, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SharpMinds Consulting Engineers
To achieve these outcomes, collaboration must be intentional, structured, and grounded in real stakeholder input. From my perspective, the following steps are essential:
• Integrate from the outset with clear initiation points: Architects and planners should be engaged during pre-concept and feasibility stages of master planning, ideally initiated by the client, public authority, or lead consultant. Early coordination—triggered by shared project objectives such as density targets, mobility frameworks, or environmental constraints— ensures that spatial, social, and infrastructural considerations evolve together rather than being retrofitted later
• Establish joint goals: Defining shared performance metrics for sustainability, mobility, economic viability, and social outcomes at the beginning aligns priorities across disciplines and minimises siloed decision-making as the project progresses
• Incorporate direct end-user feedback: Engagement should extend beyond professional stakeholders to include residents, visitors, and other end users of specific communities. Structured feedback mechanisms such as workshops, surveys, or pilot studies help capture the differing values and needs of subgroups, ensuring that spaces respond to lived experience rather than assumed behaviours
• Leverage multidisciplinary tools: GIS mapping, urban simulation, and environmental modelling can inform both architectural and planning strategies
• Maintain communication: A communication plan should be established early, defining the frequency, format, and purpose of coordination across teams. Ongoing dialogue is less about reacting to external changes and more about ensuring continuity, surfacing overlooked issues, and generating new ideas as complexities emerge throughout the design process
• Promote institutional frameworks: Government initiatives like the Dubai Urban Think Tank & Design Lab provide models for structured collaboration between public agencies, developers, and design teams
Well-aligned cities attract investment, talent, and innovation. Misalignment prioritises aesthetics over performance, undermining efficiency, resilience, and quality of life. Collaboration ensures that buildings, streets, and public spaces function together as a coherent system, rather than isolated assets.
As the UAE continues its important transition toward more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready cities, breaking down professional silos is no longer optional. Collaboration is not a constraint on ambition, it is the condition that allows cities to function as cohesive, living systems.
Cities that work are actually cities that think holistically. And holistic thinking begins when architects and urban planners sit at the same table, from the very first conversation.
With Saudi Arabia announcing so many megaprojects, the approach to wayfinding needs to change too writes John Joseph of Blue Rhine Industries
As Saudi Arabia embarks on one of history's most ambitious urban transformations, a critical question emerges: How do you help people find their way through cities that don't yet exist? The Kingdom's megaprojects (NEOM, Diriyah Gate, the Red Sea Project, and the ongoing expansion of Riyadh) represent more than architectural marvels. They demand an entirely new approach to wayfinding, one that treats navigation not as a design afterthought but as a living ecosystem integral to urban success.
Traditional wayfinding has long been reduced to signage systems and static maps; but in Saudi Arabia's emerging megacities, this narrow conception proves inadequate. These aren't merely large cities; they are laboratories for reimagining how humans interact with urban environments.
Consider NEOM's The Line, a 170km linear city that fundamentally challenges conventional urban geometry. How does one orient themselves in a city without traditional centres, landmarks, or the cardinal directions that have guided urban navigation for millennia? Diriyah Gate presents a different puzzle entirely, where contemporary development interweaves with 300 year old heritage sites. The way-finding solutions here must respect historical authenticity while serving modern needs.
The answer lies in understanding wayfinding as an ecosystem: a complex, adaptive network of physical, digital, social, and cognitive elements that evolve with the cities themselves.
This layer includes more than signage; it encompasses spatial design itself. Saudi Arabia's megacities have the rare opportunity to embed navigability into their fundamental structure. Street layouts create natural sight lines, and architectural landmarks serve as intuitive reference points. Public spaces calibrate themselves to human perception.
The physical environment can either facilitate or obstruct wayfinding at every scale. A well-placed plaza becomes a memorable node in the mental map, whereas a confusing intersection creates anxiety that ripples through the entire navigation experience.
Saudi’s Vision 2030 is led by digital transformation, and wayfinding must participate in this shift. Yet, we are talking about something more sophisticated than GPS apps. Augmented reality can guide visitors through historical Diriyah while narrating its story in real time. AI-powered systems adapt directions based on crowd levels, time of day, and individual preferences. Indoor and outdoor navigation flows seamlessly without the jarring disconnect that users experience in most contemporary cities. Effective wayfinding builds spatial confidence and mental maps rather than reducing users to passive followers of blue dots on screens.
“A well-placed plaza becomes a memorable node in the mental map, whereas a confusing intersection creates anxiety that ripples through the entire navigation experience.”
JOHN JOSEPH
The Kingdom's megacities are also designed to build global relevance while maintaining cultural authenticity. This duality presents genuine challenges for wayfinding systems. Arabic must take primacy without marginalising other languages. Symbols and iconography need to resonate across cultures without defaulting to bland internationalism. In short,
Wayfinding helps build spatial confidence and mental maps, which allow people to actively navigate new spaces.
navigation systems must understand both the Western tourist's expectations and the Gulf resident's spatial logic.
This isn't simply translation work. Different cultures conceptualise space differently. Some navigate by landmarks, others by cardinal directions, still others
by relative positions and distances. A truly sophisticated wayfinding ecosystem accommodates multiple spatial cognition styles simultaneously.
Human interaction remains crucial to
navigation, despite our increasingly digital world. The Kingdom's hospitality culture creates unique opportunities here. Trained ambassadors positioned strategically throughout these megacities serve as living wayfinding resources. Community-generated navigation tips integrate into digital platforms, creating crowdsourced knowledge layers. Spaces designed to encourage locals to become informal guides tap into Saudi Arabia's cultural strengths.
This social layer also builds community. When residents feel confident enough in their spatial understanding to help others, they develop stronger connections to place. The megacities need this sense of ownership and belonging to transform from projects into genuine communities.
The Kingdom's megaprojects arrive at an inflection point where 5G infrastructure, edge computing, and sensor-dense environments converge to enable responsive cities that read occupant needs in real time. Perhaps the most profound shift lies not in technology itself but in how these systems learn. Machine learning models trained on millions of navigation decisions will surface patterns invisible to human designers, revealing how people move through space versus how planners assume they will.
Saudi Arabia isn't just building cities. It's constructing a laboratory where next-generation wayfinding will be prototyped, tested, and refined before spreading globally. What works in NEOM in 2030 may well become the standard in Singapore, Copenhagen, and Toronto by 2040.
Each month Middle East Consultant (MEC) sits down with an executive from the built environment to get to know them better from a professional and personal standpoint. Through the ‘Day in the life’ focus, we learn more about their role, achievements, how they progress through their work days, how they handle stress, advice for the next generation and more. This month MEC sits down with Norman McComb, Sustainability Advisory Director, +impact, Serco.
Share a brief about yourself and your role I’m a lifelong Environmental nerd attempting to demystify Sustainability (see what I did there?).
With almost 20 years of international experience in Saudi Arabia, UK, Ireland, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Nauru. I have multi-sector experience with public sector, finance, insurance & loss adjusting, infrastructure, construction, REITs, sovereign wealth funds, heavy industry, oil & gas, international development, and bilateral agencies.
Over the last several years, I have transitioned away from technical engineering & sciences into strategic advisory across the full spectrum of ESG and sustainability.
I’m currently two months into my role with +impact, Serco’s advisory business, tasked with expanding our sustainability advisory capabilities principally within The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, as well as supporting our existing global offices across Asia Pacific, and UK & Europe.
In your current role what is the achievement you are the most proud of and why?
As mentioned I am only two months in so this is a tough one. I would say I am proud to have joined a company that not only has a strong brand and credibility in the market but somewhere where I can really make an impact. Speaking to clients has really solidified this and I’m also proud to share our differentiator – I’ve said ‘We’re different because we Do’ and ‘Full Life Cycle Delivery Partner a lot in the past two months’ but it’s great to go to the market with something no one else can offer them.
Take us through your morning ritual from the time you wake up to arriving at the office. Please be as detailed as possible.
My morning is typically focused on family and fitness. An ideal morning is squeezing in a gym session prior to a school drop at 6:50am.
I’m currently embracing my “father figure” and functional fitness capacity to lift my family of 3 at least 100m away from any danger.
Being a vegetarian, my breakfast can be quick and snappy, typically focusing on protein intake for the day ahead, and a large coffee for my drive to work. My commute ranges from a 40 – 50-minute drive, during which I listen to a podcast or music.
Outside of being driven/self-motivated, what drives you forward and motivates you to do better?
As a sustainability professional most of us have followed our passion, this is the core motivation. I’m very lucky that whatever I work on adds value and delivers better outcomes.
A fundamental pillar in my life is gratitude. When you reflect with gratitude, particularly after the fact, you realise how lucky and privileged you are. I’m always seeking to improve how I can be more positive and grateful for the life I have.
How does your day begin at the office? What does your first hour look like?
Greeting my colleagues → grabbing a lemon & ginger tea and glass of water → check my diary → prioritise tasks for the day.
What does your lunch hour look like? How do you spend it?
I don’t usually have a set lunch hour, if I have a window, I’ll make sure to plan it around a quieter part of the day. Now I’m into my 40s (the new 20s), I try to be more selective on how I refuel physically and mentally at work. Whether it’s homemade food or take away, I think more about what I’m going to eat, rather than a quick snack and back to work. I genuinely will try to disengage with work for at least 30-45 minutes and focus on family, hobby and investment/retirement planning. After this I feel energised and ready to refocus on my work.
“Do not underestimate the power of people that lift you up, have your back, and that you can trust, especially living an expat life.”
What do you to refocus yourself and maintain productivity as the day progresses?
Taking a proper break, like I mentioned in an earlier question, helps me to reset.
If I need to get busy, typically placing headphones on and listening to music will help me stay focused, and this also has the added benefit of people not approaching to interrupt.
Personally, my home office is where I’m most productive. Prior to COVID I ran my own business which required a lot of remote and home office work, my ‘study den’ is where I do my best work.
What is your ethos on life/work balance? How do you balance the two and ensure you make the most of each day?
Family matters most, be present for them - everything else is secondary. I’m blessed with a beautiful wife and two kids. Seeing my family happy and flourish are my motivators, and for them to flourish, I need to be on point, which requires a healthy mind and body.
How do you wind down your workday? Take us through your last hour at the office?
I don’t typically have a wind down, the commute home allows me the space to decompress so I can be present with my family when I get home to them. I usually listen to music to help me unwind, or several podcasters.
Therefore, in that last hour I usually try to get as much done as possible because my after-work schedule is dictated by my duties as a father, husband, and sports club member/coach.
The construction industry can be quite stressful – how do you handle stress? What tips can you share with our readers on the healthiest way to deal with stress?
1. Put family first, they are your safe place
2. Surround yourself with good friends you can confide in
3. Have clarity in your longer-term goals and keep focused on reaching them
4. Stay fit in mind and body
5. Practice gratitude
How do you make big decisions for your business - take us through your process.
50% of the time ask for forgiveness. (We all know the Middle East is fast paced and agility and the ability to move quickly is key.) The other 50% of the time, engage, explain, enthuse, then execute.
Share one aspect of your role that you like at +impact, Serco, and conversely, one aspect that you dislike.
I work in Sustainability – what’s not to like about that? Typically, you’ll find most Sustainability folks work in this profession because of a passion. Serco’s purpose is to impact a better future, something I completely align with.
My passion was environmental restoration, hence my pathway as a remediation engineer. Throughout my career I’ve been very lucky. Because of my science and engineering grounding I’ve been able to work across multiple Environmental and Sustainability roles and remits, from Environmental Impact Assessment, International Development
Safeguards, Contaminated Land Studies, Management Systems, Environmental Due Diligence for Investment / Divestment, Environmental Loss
Adjusting, ESG, Sustainable Finance . . . but herein lies the challenge. Sustainability is wide-ranging, diverse, and not well understood.
What Sustainability means to each one of use will vary, this is why contextualising conversations is
critical. There’s no one hymn sheet for Sustainability solutions, it needs to bespoke, mapped to the client, economic landscape and external drivers influencing their business – I don’t dislike this, but the challenge is whether those receiving the message are listening or want to understand, as opposed to preconceived ideas formed through inquisitive research (enabled by AI).
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