I trained as an architect in Bangalore, India and have spent most of the last 25 years in the Gulf, first in Bahrain and then in Qatar, where I have lived and worked since 2004. My early years were in themed design — designing and building thematic environments/ experiences in India predominantly. Spent some time at the Gold Coast in Australia working with Sanderson group, trained to operate a profile cutter CNC machine - these were used to cut modular profiles for thematic facades - PU/ polystyrene & PU hardcoat. Applied what I learned at the Sanderson facility to construction on site and added thematic rockwork with shotcrete. Masterplanning theme designed parks, story boarding, show control and animatronics were some invaluable experiences during my years doing theme design - exciting stuff. Unusual apprenticeship for a current design director but perhaps a useful one: you learn quickly that an idea is only worth what someone can actually build.
Since then the work has scaled: from working as a project Architect for a Sports City in Bahrain to directing design for what is definitely the single largest workplace interior design project - the QatarEnergy HQ in Doha. Enjoyed working/ training at L&O's Hong Kong office in between. Billion+ USD projects like the Doha Festival City mall, Al Shaqab Equestrian Center, QatarEnergy's ten headquarters towers were an absolutely joy to manage, deliver successfully and police as design guardian. I enjoy hospitality projects and working with demanding requirements of operators while balancing the employer's spend - luxury resorts for Hyatt, Hilton and Chiva-Som, and desert retreats on environmentally sensitive sites are some examples. As Executive Director at AEB I carry both the design and the account — the quality and the numbers.
Today I am as focused on relationships and processes, as I am on design: developing new contacts, engaging in diverse conversations, mentoring current partners and service providers, and adopting new methods and simplicity that artificial intelligence has taught us how to work. AEB's 3DS service grew directly out of a reality 360-degree capture initiative I led on QatarEnergy HQ, and I am now building today relevant business ideas within the practice. I love a challenge I love to build and I love it where I can add value.
I do my best work where the brief is ambitious, the constraints are real and someone senior needs a straight answer about what is deliverable. I am Living Future Accredited and I argue for regenerative design - socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative (Living Future).
