The best and brightest

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Aedas’ wrap around design for Dubai Metro.

What skills are most transferable to the Middle Eastern market?

Each firm has its own set of values and corporate culture but there is one overriding factor that every new recruit needs to pack in his suitcase: the ability to deliver a building.

Whatever sector or set of skills an architect brings-theatre design, transportation or hospitality design, landscape and urban design, REVIT, LEED/BREEAM, are all current favourites-they are all in demand.

The capabilities particularly sought are design and coordination of high-rise buildings, experience on large projects of over US$100million, delivery of a building on site, and the ability to mentor, teach and lead large teams of staff.

Are you finding problems with clients adjusting to culture or context once arriving in the Middle East?

There are always innumerable challenges to relocating an individual-or a family-to a new environment. We advise all our candidates who wish to relocate to the ME to visit beforehand, to take a short holiday to explore locations for a few days.

This minimises disappointment or misplaced expectations, and once this has been done, individuals can make a much more informed decision about the location, environment, culture and expectations.

Is bringing more ex-pats into the Middle Eastern market detrimental to preserving the context of the region?

Ex-pats coming into the region aren't detrimental to preserving the context of the region at all. There is some fantastic work by local ex-pats who have lived and worked in the region for years.

Until recently the architectural profession in the local markets around the Gulf has been severely limited in their scope of design excellence, innovation and technical advancement.

If anything, the talents of ex-pat architects in the Middle East has created some of the most recognised icons in the region-Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Burj Al Arab are two golden oldies that spring to mind.

Which international firms are growing most rapidly or recruiting most heavily?

Our client base ranges from small boutique design firms in Singapore to major firms in London or Paris. We have worked with more than 70% of the world's largest design firms and most, if not all, of these are currently involved in the ME.

Woods Bagot is an excellent example of a practice who has adapted internally to allow a quick but careful expansion of their business, engaging the best possible individuals for their new studio headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Another very well-known and long established local firm, following the traditional multidisciplinary consultancy model, is Cansult Maunsell. They take a very agile approach to increasing and improving their skill base and talent pool.

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