The aForm Show

Welcome to show everyone! This week we are joined by Yahya Jan, President and Design Director at Norr Group. Needless to say, Yahya has contributed to the skyline of Dubai across multiple decades. He has quite literally seen the city of Dubai & the region evolve. Undoubtedly, this has gained him invaluable insight into the industry. We look forward to unpacking a lot today, so without further ado, lets get into it!

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Hello & welcome back to the show! Today we are joined by Pratap Mendonca & Geetha Nayak from Design Infinity. With humble beginnings in 2012, Design Infinity has experienced rapid growth in recent years! The delivery of challenging projects, on time & within budjet - have earned them a reputation that is unparalleled in the market! Today, we are here to find out how this came to be, so without further ado. Lets get into it! 

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Welcome to show everyone! This week we are joined by Alina Valcarce, Founder and design director of Valcarce Architects. Alina has lived & worked across multiple continents. This has undoubtedly helped in a forming a unique architectural perspective rooted in context & culture. So without further ado, lets get into it! 

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Welcome to the show everyone! This week we are joined by Michelle Lim, Senior Business Development Architect from RSP. Historically, there has always been a gap between the talented architect & the art of generating business. However, like any skill, Business development & sales can be worked on. Michelle joins us today to share her expertise & insights on this very topic & we cannot wait to dive in! So without further ado, lets get into it! 

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Welcome to the show everyone! Today we are joined by Morne Pienaar, Associate Director, Architecture with the Cities + Places team at Jacobs, Dubai. With a truly diverse portfolio of work, Morne brings a wealth of experience across of the realm of Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture & place making! We are beyond excited to have him on the show! So without further ado! Lets get into it!!

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Today we are joined by a very special guest! Intern Sveta has played a pivotal role in the aForm Show journey! She now spreads her wings in the pursuit of a masters degree in Barcelona! Prior to her departure, we were able to quickly catch up with her & discuss her key learnings! She shares her insights for fresh graduates & designers looking to enter the GCC design ecosystem! We are beyond proud to have her on the show! So without further ado, let's get into it!

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Today we are joined by Veena Kanchan - Founder and Director of Interior design, and Siddharth Ramnathan – Partner and Director of Architecture at VS Design Studio. Their shared passion and drive towards creating spaces that focus on human experiences and their connection with nature is remarkable. They are known for bringing forth some very exciting architecture and interior design projects to the GCC every year. Their speciality in bespoke and comprehensive design solutions is projected in the flawless harmony of architecture, interiors, and landscape in their projects. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the show. So, without further ado, let’s meet Veena and Siddharth!

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Today we are joined by Mohammed Adib, partner and Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects + Engineers. With projects all over the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa, he is involved with establishing the studio design language & establishing new markets. He is also the owner and managing director of Intercon, an interior design firm in Barcelona. Over the last 30 years, he has left his mark all around the world, starting from his time in university. It is a pleasure to welcome him on the show. So, without further ado, let’s get into it

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The INDEX exhibition in Dubai has been a leader in bringing together designers from across the country! This week we are joined Shuchita Gupta, Senior Conference Manager/Head of content at DMG events! Affectionately known as "Shu" in the industry, Shuchita is the powerhouse, operating behind the scenes of INDEX. Tune in this week to hear about how the event continues to evolve with industry! Also tune in for her insights into what designers are thinking about in 2023! So without further ado, lets get into it! 

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After a long time coming, this week we are joined by Lee Nellis! He is the managing partner at XBD Collective, based in Dubai & London. With a vast portfolio of work, Lee brings a unique perspective to the business of design. His experience in Dubai within the luxury residential/hospitality sector is unparalleled. Needless to say, this is reflected in the growth seen at XBD collective. We are super excited to him on the show! So without further ado, lets get into it!

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Today we are joined by Monica Arango, Founder of C’est Ici Design. Originally a lawyer by profession, Monica is now known for her minimalist design approach with C'est Ici. Needless to say, Monica comes with a unique portfolio of work spanning across the MENA region. It is a pleasure to have her on the show. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Today we are joined by Kourosh Salehi - architect, urbanist, educator & design director at LWK & partners.  His artistic background allows him to strike a perfect balance between art, architecture, aesthetic and function. The philosophies of ‘Contextual Metabolism’ drives his design approach to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable . It’s a pleasure to have him on the show. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Today we are joined by Zain Javaid, Creative Designer at Endpoint. This graduate of The Canadian University of Dubai, is a passionate designer who challenged himself to follow an unconventional path after his bachelor’s degree in Architecture. His work in wayfinding and signages at Endpoint is the bridge that translates brands to the built environment. With over a decade of experience from his solo design venture, ZainJDesign, he has worked within a diverse range of design niches that facilitated his experience in brand innovation. So without further ado, lets get into the episode!

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This week we are joined by Manjra Yadav from Jacobs. With close to 15 years of professional practice, Manjra comes with a diverse portfolio of work across multiple continents. In this episode, we talk about her journey, key learnings & much more!

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This week we are joined by Peter Jackson, Architect Advisor to The Rulers Office.

With a varied portfolio across multiple continents, Peter has also dedicated a lifetime to the study & preservation of buildings.

In this episode, we go on a journey through Peters work & talk about his inspirations, key learnings and much more!

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This week we are joined by Fabidha Safar-Rahman, Design Director & Founder of Design Matter!

In a few short years, Design Matter has exploded onto the local design scene with truly innovative design solutions!

Their passion shines through their work & they have received recognition across the board!

Recently, Design Matter have added on a shiny new residential design department as well!

A lot to unpack in this episode, so without further ado! Lets get into it!

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Today we are joined by MAK from KDSV. This designer has been part of & designed some truly unique experiences! 

From the stairway to heaven & the boost pod, every project MAK is involved with, really challenges architectural thinking.

Its not about the space, its about the experience.

Its a pleasure to have him on the show. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by a returning guest to talk about a really exciting project! When we last spoke to Bass Ackermann from HIVE Coliv, we discussed the design of coliving spaces. We talked about design opportunities & potential pain points. Since then, HIVE has been successfully delivered & is in operation! Infact, todays recording comes from HIVE directly. Needless to say, HIVE has received great recognition for its design, community & overall success. So without further ado, lets get into it.

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On this weeks episode, we sit down with Drew Gilbert. He has established himself as a definitive voice for architects within the metaverse! In this episode, we do a deep dive into all things metaverse. We talk about smart contracts, cryptos, the designer influence, fidelity models, scripting & much more! A word of caution - this episode is for the designer that already has a basic understanding of the space. If that is not you, we recommend prior homework or skipping this one! We wont mind! So without further ado, lets get into it! 

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Today we are joined by Dina Murali, design director & co-founder of DZ Design!

Dina brings a wealth of experience within the hospitality & luxury residential space.

Brands like the Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriott & more, have been beyond impressed

with her approach to solving design problems. Dina brings a unique perspective to the

industry & we are keen to unravel her inspiration!

So without further ado! Lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by Firas Alsahin! Co-founder and design director of 4Space Interior design!

Over the last 2 decades, Firas has been recognized as one of the leading designers within the region.

With recently delivered projects within the F&B sector in Dubai, such as Papa & Jun’s, Firas and his team are re-defining the sector, one project at a time.

Furthermore, under the banner of Meta4Space, Firas and his team have launched their first NFT collection, known as the Metachair society.

Really exciting stuff! There is a lot to unpack with this episode, so without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by Marina Mrdjen. She is the founder of Intelier, a marketing agency with tailored solutions for the architecture, ID & construction sector. Prior to Intelier, Marina was the editor for Commercial Interior Design magazine, affectionately known as CID. Marina has been able to add value to her clients over the past decades & and delivered far beyond expectations. If you are a designer, thinking about marketing & its relevance to our field? You do not want to miss this one!

So without further ado, lets get into it

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This week we are joined by Fadi Sarieddine!

An architect that has a true passion for design across various fields, scope & materials.

Fadi Sarieddine design studio is truly, multi disciplinary studio.

The design team has delivered multiple spaces which push the design envelope & have designed truly unique furniture.

A good showcase of the their talents, would be the recently completed co-living project known as HIVE Coliv in JVC

So without further ado, lets get into it

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This week we are joined by Adnan Ihsan. He has been part of & delivered multiple projects across NY, LA, Dubai & East Asia.

Currently, Adnan is a design team lead at RSP. He has a passion for design and this is clearly reflected in his love for sketching!

Adnan is also a regular visiting crit at many universities & is known for sharing his expertise with passionate students!

So without further ado, lets get into it.

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On this weeks episode, we are joined by Baharash Bagherian, a master planner and entrepreneur. He has been a part of multiple developments that have gone on to redefine the urban fabric of multiple cities. Currently, he is the CEO at URB, a leading multi-disciplinary team of urban planners, architects, landscape designers & engineers. Together, they aim to design the next generation of sustainable cities! So without further a do, lets get into it.

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This week we are joined by Dr. Bhakti More, Deputy Chairperson & Associate Professor at The School of Design & Architecture for the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai campus. Dr.Bhakti has been instrumental in molding in the next generation of architects in the city. She has been a champion for elevating the design community by contributing research & insight. Dr.Bhakti truly aims at bridging the gap between the professional practice and academia. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by an architect & researcher, Eman Ismail Abdellatif. She specializes in the sound arts & its correlation to architecture. Needless to say, Eman comes with a unique perspective on modern architecture. Her projects are centered around promoting values, identity, culture and enhancing the abilities of users, using the built environment. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects + Engineers. He joined Dewan in 2001, and has taken the lead in developing and implementing the strategic plan for the growth of Dewan into a regional multi-disciplinary and multi-market leading A&E firm. Dewan has successfully set up regional offices in Qatar, Saudi, Iraq and Philippines in the last 7 years.

In this episode we discuss the heritage and legacy of Dewan, on-going portfolio, business growth, new markets & of course, the Metaverse.

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This week we are joined by Carla Conte, founder & creative director of Brand creative. Carla and her team provide a truly holistic development & execution of brand. This is done through their offering of brand strategy, graphic design & of course, interior design. Undoubtedly, this has allowed for Brand Creative to capture a unique market niche & win multiple accolades as well. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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With over 3 decades of professional practice, today we are joined by Darryl Custer. He is the executive director of the design division at KEO International Consultants. With a vast portfolio of work across North America & Asia, Darryl brings a unique, global insight to the GCC sector. We are truly excited to have him on the show today, so without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week we are joined by Duncan Denley from Desert INK. Over the last 2 decades, Duncan has successfully delivered multiple projects across the region and has literally, transformed the design landscape of the city. He is a champion of local flora & fauna & this can be best seen in action at the sustainability pavilion, within Expo2020. So without further ado, lets get into it.

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On todays show we are excited to welcome Ahmed Bukhash. Considered to be one of the leading architects of the city, if not the region, Ahmed completed his undergrad studies in the US at Wentworth University. He then, went on to attain his masters degree in Japan which undoubtedly, has left a very lasting impression. Since then he has contributed to many developers & authorities within the city of Dubai & started up his practice Archidentity. So further ado, lets get into it.

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On today’s show we are joined by Govind Shepley from Twentyone06. Early on, Govind explored multiple streams of design education before landing on architecture + design. This undoubtedly helped mold his design ethos, visual communication & much more! On this episode we talk about the birth of Twentyone06. We get into the nitty gritty of running a successful boutique design firm in Dubai. We discuss the business of design, a learning mindset and of course, some really cool on-going design work within the studio! Lots of key take-aways if you are a sole practitioner and/or lead a team!

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On today’s show we have Tariq Khayyat! Tariq is an architect, designer and university lecturer with over 15 years of experience in delivering international work across complete project lifecycles. In 2018, Tariq founded Tariq Khayyat Design Partners, a bespoke design-led practise providing architectural and design solutions to private clients & developers. His work around the globe, uses research and innovation to create design solutions that respond to the ever-changing market needs. Prior to establishing TKDP, Tariq worked at ZHA, beginning as a Project Director and Designer in London and eventually heading the studio in Dubai. We are very excited to have him on the show today. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

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This week we catch up with Hana Younes from Dabbagh Architects. With a slew of well received, built projects, Hana brings a wealth of experience to our audiences across the entire project lifecycle. In addition, we also catch up & see whats changed in her design ecosystem, since episode 01! 

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On this week’s episode, we are joined by Raha Milani and Maryam Karji, co-founders of ArchiSense Studio, an interdisciplinary design firm based right here in Dubai. Since establishing their practice in 2018, this dynamic duo have gone on to developing a portfolio of work in contemporary architecture, interior design and landscaping. With a focus on residential and commercial projects, their work seamlessly integrates cultural and local relevance with modern design elements. We are very excited to have them on the show with us today. So without further ado, let’s get into it!.

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Today we are joined by Fatima Al Zaabi, Noora Al Awar, and Afnan Saeed. They are the founding partners of Studio D04, bonded over the same vision and passion for Architecture and design. Fatima’s specialty lies in exploring advanced digital fabrication methods. Noora’s work focuses on exploring material processes with influences of traditional concepts derived from her surroundings. Afnan is eager to push the boundaries on Architecture and design by exploring new details and aesthetics. Together, this dynamic trio has led a range of diverse projects in the UAE that leverage indigenous Arab & Emirati design elements. Their designs can easily be described as unique, modern and progressive, with a sensitivity to local living and community needs. As three female, Emirati architects, they are paving a way for young, home-grown, female-owned practices. We are super excited to have Fatima, Noora, and Afnan on the show today. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

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On this week’s episode we are joined by Arjan Pit, Managing Director at UNStudio! Arjan completed his education at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and has since developed an extensive portfolio of work across Europe, China and the Middle East. Having lived and worked in multiple parts of the world, he has a broad interest and understanding of cultural diversity, sustainability and shaping the ‘future’ of cities in intrinsically different ways. Locally, he has been a part of many groundbreaking projects here in the region. We are very excited to have him on the show with us today and to delve deep into his design manifesto. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

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On today’s episode, we are joined by Prabhanjan Kambadur of RSP! With over 20 years of experience under his belt, Prabhanjan brings in a wealth of technical and creative knowledge in planning for and delivering large-scale and complex projects across a variety of market sectors. His experience ranges from master planning of cities and town centres to establishing urban design guidelines for integrated developments, design of technology parks and mixed-used developments across Middle East and Asia. 

Prabhanjan joined RSP Architects in 2001 as a Senior Architect and worked his way to becoming a Director. In the process, he has managed and led a diverse team of planners, architects and engineers on several award winning projects in the region. We are very excited to have him on the show today so without further ado, let’s get into it!

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After what seems like an eternity, the aForm show was back out at a LIVE event. INDEX 2021 was a massive success for designers in the city of Dubai! The sentiment of onward and upward was undeniable. As part our special coverage, we catch up with Antony Lovell from SHURE. We discuss their new line of microphones & speakers that integrate seamlessly into any interior design. We discuss why these products elevate audio quality & the nuances for designers to consider when using them. 

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This week we are joined by Varsha Vasant from RMJM. She is an architect with six years of experience in the Architecture industry in Dubai. She has recognized for her contributions to many projects. Key elements to her success have been, her enthusiasm, passion & soft skills. She thrives in think tanks and collaborative environments. Varshas life experiences have helped her in keeping calm and resilient in times of stress. She is consistently driven by every opportunity to learn/grow and believes this is a mindset that has to be exercised into being. Varsha can also be loosely described as a jack of all trades. Someone who is open and willing to explore new things constantly. She's dives passionately head deep into just about anything she's doing whether that is architecture, design, art, music or movies. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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This week, we are joined by Jason Burnside. He is one the few architects in the city of Dubai, that has seen its evolution over the last two decades. In 2001, Jason left London to join Godwin Austen Johnson, affectionately known as GAJ. Since then, he has been part of & led, many projects that have gone on to be design & commercial successes. Having worked across various market sectors, Jason is known for his midas touch across the education sector. Infact, he is considered to be an industry leader for the same. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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On this weeks episode, we have Steve Glitz. He has been part of design ecosystem within the GCC for some time now. Being from the recruitment space, he has a constant pulse on how our industry operates & moves. Steve has been living and working in Dubai since 2015, specialising in recruiting design professionals for international architectural consultancies, Real Estate Developers and Government Authorities within the architecture & design sector currently working for Redpath Partners. They are an international recruitment business that focuses solely on providing services to the Property & Construction industries who interact with clients at all stages of the property lifecycle, from capital and funding to design and delivery across a global network of offices in Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Hong Kong, and London.

Steve has developed an extensive network of clients and candidates across the Middle East partnering with some of the world’s most prestigious architectural design firms, who boast some of the region’s iconic projects. Since joining Redpath Partners, Steve has been given the opportunity to work on some of the regions large-scale masterplanning projects and is currently focused on supporting the development of Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030, building out design teams on a number of exciting projects across the Kingdom. We are really excited to have Steve with us today, so without further ado, lets get into it!

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With over one and a half decades of experience across a diverse portfolio, today we are joined by Mahmoud Shahin from P&T Architects and Engineers. Mahmoud has worked on a diverse range of projects across AME & APAC regions. He is known for his architectural flair & attention to detail. He is able to design and deliver projects successfully with a key understanding of engineering systems & foresight to potential road blocks. Over the years Mahmoud, has transitioned into promoting the design side of the business & has demonstrated fantastic leadership skills with multiple sized teams. We are excited to unpack this episode, so without further ado, lets get into it!

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On this weeks episode we have Wisam Allami. A proud alumnus from the University of Sharjah & founder of LAMI Architects, Wissam has spent close to a decade honing his skills in contemporary design. His approach is a careful balance between functionality and aesthetics. Detailing, is a critical design phase that truly translates a project from a rendering to reality. This phase is of particular interest to Wisam & his team. Thier built work truly does speak for itself. So without further ado, lets get into it.

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With close to two decades of award-winning work, we are joined today by Ralf Steinhauer. He is a truly seasoned professional & has been responsible for delivering many key landmarks in the region. Ralf believes in a holistic approach to design & is known for being the vertex of the design studio, project site & academia. Apart from his time RSP, Ralf also is a guest professor at my alma mater, Canadian University of Dubai! So without further ado, let’s get into it!

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On todays show, we are joined by Andy Shaw. With a vast portfolio of work across Europe and the middle-east, Andy is considered to be seasoned designer in the field. With close to two decades of experience, he has been part of & delivered many high profile projects. He is the managing partner of AMA design, visiting professor at the Heriott-Watt University & Chair of the RIBA gulf chapter. If there ever was a bridge between professional practice & architectural education, Andy would definitely be it! We have a lot to unpack in this episode, so lets get into it!

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Our guest today is David Daniels! David is currently the Director of Architecture at SSH UAE right here in Dubai. David has been part of the success story of SSH UAE from the very beginning & has helped shape, quite literally, 'the design direction of the practice. This is reflected in SSHs recently awarded works both in Dubai & across the region. 

Prior to SSH, David spent a significant amount of time with both Glenn Howells Architects & Hopkins Architects in London, where in he refined his craft. Both practices are part of a much larger community in terms of their location & social context. We are sure David would be able to explain better than we ever could! These roots have helped David envision, a vital sense of social context in his work. After being part of SSH, for close to 6 years now, its safe to say that David has been able to create his own little piece of Marylebone, right here in Dubai Design District. This can be clearly seen in one particular market segment that SSH specializes in. The cultural projects out of SSH Dubai have gone on to receive multiple awards & acclaim from peers & rightly so!

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