d3 welcomes international architecture firms Santiago Calatrava, Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects and Benoy 

Dubai, UAE, 26 October, 2016:  Four titans of world architecture, Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners and Benoy, will open offices in Dubai Design District (d3) this year, moves that underline d3’s emergence as a global design hub.  

[today’s] announcement was made as part of Dubai Design Week, a city wide initiative that celebrates design across Dubai with many of the installations and activities taking place at d3. Collectively, the new d3 creative partners are responsible for redefining modern architecture, creating some of the world’s most spectacular and innovative buildings.  

The Dubai arrivals of Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners and Benoy coincides with a revival in fortunes for the global architecture industry. Major public spending programs in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, combined with an influx of major projects and residential builds, has sparked a sector-wide recovery following the last global economic downturn. Since 2010, the architecture industry has expanded by 2% to 4% each year and is forecasted to reach a peak value of $221.7 billion in 2017.

For the MENA region the outlook is even brighter. According to the MENA Design Outlook Study, a project commissioned by the Dubai Design and Fashion Council and supported by d3, the region’s architecture market is expanding at a faster pace than the global industry. Faced with dwindling revenues from crude oil, countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in infrastructure projects as a way to jumpstart economic growth and create jobs. The result is that the MENA architecture industry is forecast to grow at a rate of about 7.4% until 2017 *. What’s more, MENA revenues for architecture services have been growing at a quicker rate than the global industry since 2010. 

Within a currently fragmented global architectural market, four key trends stand out: Companies are seeking cost-optimization and outsourcing wherever possible, operating on a ‘design and build’ policy; Residential construction and mega projects such as the recent Dubai Observation Tower by Santiago Calatrava dominate as key market drivers; Sustainability and Smart design features heavily in the region, highlighted by Dubai’s implementation of 21 Smart Initiatives at d3; International architects are incorporating Islamic design into their work to pay homage to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer at d3, commented: ‘We are extremely proud that Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners and Benoy have chosen to make d3 their new home. d3 is fully committed to supporting the development of the region’s design industry and the architecture market is a key component of this.  We currently have over 30 architectural practices located at d3 but we are dedicated to ensuring that each and every brand that joins us – ranging from small design start-ups to iconic global brands – is part of a fully-fledged creative community that sits at the heart of our architectural design scene.”

Tariq Khayyat, Head of Region for Zaha Hadid Architects, commented: ‘With 30 years’ experience in the Middle East and North Africa, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) is currently working with visionary clients throughout the region on fifteen transformational projects. ZHA’s new MENA headquarters at d3 continues our longstanding commitment to the region. As a creative hub for many disciplines, d3 will establish a collective research culture, enabling many different talents and ideas to feed into each other and make the discoveries that will benefit all. Through research and collaboration, we are able to address important issues in a meaningful way that contribute to the development of more ecologically sustainable and inclusive societies. Marrying concepts of connectivity and integration with the tremendous advancements in design technologies, material developments and construction practices, ZHA is working with the rich histories and diverse cultures of the region to build its remarkable future.’

Gerard Evenden, Senior Executive Partner of Foster + Partners, commented: “The emergence of Dubai as a global design destination, is exemplified by the success and popularity of d3. We have been heavily involved in its conception, through our projects for the Creative Community and Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), and our continued presence in d3 reflects our commitment and belief in Dubai as a centre for design and innovation.”

Paul Priest, Head of MENA Studios at Benoy, commented: “As a multi-award-winning international Architecture, Masterplanning, Interior and Graphic Design firm, Benoy has been present in the Middle East for almost a decade now and our move to d3 is really a pivotal step in our commitment to both Dubai and the region. We’re excited to have our Dubai Studio now established in d3 and we truly see how the community on our doorstep will further enhance the work that we do.”

Since launching in April 2013, d3 has attracted a diverse portfolio of architectural firms and industry professionals including a number of large and medium sized companies like RMJM, SSH and Viktor Udzenija, Wanders Wagner and Grimshaw Architects. Through its cutting-edge design, d3 has established a dynamic community for the region’s designers and design enthusiasts to live, work and play. Furthermore, d3 has enabled its business partners to connect and collaborate to answer the growing demand for key new architectural buildings.

Michael Byron, Resident Director for SSH, commented: ‘SSH is proud to have been the first architectural firm to open its Design Studio in d3 having just celebrated our first anniversary here. In our inaugural year in Dubai, we have worked on over 120 projects in the Emirates. The office continues to grow, and the expansion opens up opportunities to increase our capabilities in key areas of our business including architecture, engineering, infrastructure as well as construction management and supervision. We look forward to successfully delivering a collaborative, integrated approach to meeting or exceeding our client’s needs and shaping the built environment of Dubai and the Middle East for years to come.’

Viktor Udzenija, CEO of Viktor Udzenija Architecture + Design, commented:  ‘Viktor Udzenija Architecture + Design is a multidisciplinary design studio with works ranging from architecture on large scale commercial projects to high end residential interiors as well as design of limited edition furniture objects. Being in d3 has given us a strategic position to grow our business and target clients that focus on innovative and sustainable designs of highest quality as well engage in the vibrant and growing design scene of Dubai.’ 

Through its unique design and dedicated creative community, d3 is home to the world’s leading brands, inspiring work that changes the world of design. With the introduction of industry pioneers such as Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners and Benoy, d3 continues to grow its portfolio of business partners, evolving into the architectural hub of the Middle East.