Design Forum 2023

Andrea Godon joined Dubai Design District (d3) in 2015, where she is responsible for executing the vision of a design-driven retail experience that combines new-to-market concepts, startups and a variety of original dining concepts. She has been instrumental in both building d3 as a unique retail destination for a community of creatives and in positioning d3 and Dubai as a global hub for talent and innovation. Prior to joining d3, Gordon had over 15 years of experience in international retail and marketing across Europe and the US holding roles at Value Retail, Federated Department Stores, the Guggenheim Museum New York, and Sotheby’s International.

With over 30 years of global design and management leadership experience, Darryl Custer brings a high level of expertise as a senior design operations executive striving for “best in class” results for KEO’s clients. Custer said: “I always consider it a great honour when a client entrusts me with their project investment and my goal as director of the design division is to do whatever I can to deliver on the promise.” Earlier, Custer was a part of the Callison RTKL Asia Limited – Hong Kong, where he focussed on new client development, local recruiting, design and project management oversight and leadership for an office of 40 full-time staff serving multiple sectors (Healthcare, Retail and Commercial) through multiple service lines (Master Planning, Architecture, and Interior Design). Some of his key projects included Van Don SEZ Master Planning Project in Quang Ninh, Vietnam; Hannam D3 Mixed-Use Project in Seoul, Korea; Lippo Bekasi Berat Mixed-Use Project in Jakarta, Indonesia; amongst others.

Govind Shepley started his career in the urban landscape of central London working as a designer for several award-winning agencies. Deciding after a few years to travel & gain experience Internationally having been inspired by global design, he lived and worked in Belgium and Spain before settling in the GCC. After 10 years of International experience within some leading design agencies, Shepley took the risk to pursue his passion and set up his own design company in Dubai. ‘TwentyOne06’ focuses on projects in the hospitality industry, but has delivered projects across several industries.

Steven Velegrinis is Head of Masterplanning at AECOM Middle East and Africa. His work has focussed on the multi-disciplinary intersections between urban planning and landscape architecture and he has led design teams since 2003. Over the past 23 years, he has practiced in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf. His recent work has included urban design projects such as the Expo 2020 Masterplan, District 2020 Legacy Masterplan, NEOM Regional Land Use Masterplan, Dubai Design District Masterplan, Bogacay Creek Masterplan in Antalya, The Mount Masterplan in Muscat, Le Marais Masterplan in Rabat, Morocco, and the Hatta Tourism Masterplan.

Driven by design excellence, Shaun Killa is an award-winning architect with international experience spanning over 26 years. Throughout his career, Killa has focussed his design philosophy on buildings and masterplans that are sustainable, innovative, contextually inspired and have a holistic approach to the natural and economic environment which has led to numerous highly recognisable iconic projects. Killa spent 16 years as Director of Architecture at Atkins before co-founding the Killa Design studio in 2015. He has worked on signature projects, including the award-winning designs for the Museum of the future, the newly opened The Address Beach Resort, a W Hotel in Mumbai, Vida Hotel in the Dubai Marina, Aykon Twin Towers in Dubai, and the Office of the Future, the first occupied printed building in the world. Recently the firm has won a zero energy ultra-luxury resort in the Red Sea.

Rasha Alkady is an architect and interior designer with over 15 years of international experience. Alkady has worked for prestigious organisations such as dwp, KCA International, and Hirsch-Bedner Associates in Dubai. In 2013, she launched her own studio called Studio KAD, with a team of talented and like-minded designers and architects, specialising in architecture, interior design, and landscape. Alkady with her team has worked with some of the world’s leading hotel brands, developers and individuals including Kempinski, Marriott, Hard-Rock, Emaar, and MAF, and has also delivered some interesting projects for the royal families in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.

The founder of My Pick One interior design studio, Marianna Piccolo, has always had a sense of refined aesthetics due to her upbringing in Puglia, Southern Italy, where she was always surrounded by it. She pursued a degree in interior design at the prestigious Polytechnic University of Milan. After attaining her degree in 2007, she trained and harnessed her skills under Marco Piva, the well-renowned Italian interior designer, and architect. Under his guidance and mentorship, she developed rational approach to design, charged by creative freedom. Piccolo moved to Dubai in 2008, to work as a design consultant for high profile companies such as RW Armstrong, Sinergo S.P.A, and Al Tayer Group. Then, she launched her own design practise My Pick One in 2014.

Andy Shaw is an architect and educator based in Dubai. He is a key partner within AMA’s design team, who have just completed the striking centrepiece ‘Harbour Master’s Building’ in the new Dubai Harbour development. AMA’s floating hotel GAIA project features the fusion of emerging technologies to create a sustainable project connecting people with nature, two design themes that drive Andy’s design philosophy. The project was featured in Downtown Design’s ‘Shape of Things to Come’ exhibition and has since been published all over the world. In 2020, Shaw was elected to the role of Chair of the RIBA Gulf and through the COVID period has helped RIBA create a digital output with webinars engaging audiences across the whole region and the rest of the world.

Ramy Samir holds a Master of Science from Politecnico di Milano in addition to BSc in Architecture from University Alexandria, Egypt. Practising as an architect and urban planner, Samir worked at different firms on a range of projects covering master planning, office buildings, residential, retail, healthcare, and culture. His experience spreads in different phases starting from conceptual designs to project delivery.

Drew Gilbert is an architect and urbanist. Gilbert fuses technology with design to create unique and responsive solutions. From private villas to mixed-use communities, from boutique resorts to destination hotels, his macro-to-micro experience has led him to become a well-balanced designer with an eye for context, culture, and climate. With a focus on developing contemporary projects that push the boundaries of design and create sustainable and lasting solutions that are profoundly relevant to place and purpose. LEED Accredited, Gilbert is committed to a brighter future, advocating sustainable design strategies and cradle-to-cradle thinking for long term impacts on the built environment.

George Arvanitis is RMJM Dubai’s Director of Masterplanning and Urbanism. From the USA to Europe and several years in the Middle East, Arvanitis has spent over 25 years building his professional portfolio. His earliest large scale projects include Airport master planning and mixed-use masterplans such as the Reem Island developments in Abu Dhabi. Arvanitis has a focussed interest in delivering human-centred sustainable developments and environmentally responsible design approach.

For over past 25 years, Paul Haslam has been actively working in the façade, doors, and entrance system sector on some of the world’s most iconic building projects. In 2018, Haslam was instrumental in forming Bauporte Gulf, the Middle Eastern arm of Europe’s leading door and entrance system company. The company specialises in custom-designed entrances and unique revolving doors, including the world’s largest revolving doors. This year, the Bauporte Gulf team delivered the Gulf regions tallest, all-glass revolving doors at the Museum of the Future for the Dubai Future Foundation.

Rajesh Patil's profile boasts a long-standing career working with renowned names in the international shop-fittings and interior industry. Working at Havelock One's HQ in Dubai, he is responsible for developing the group’s strategic partnerships with important local, regional, and global players in the retail sector in the Middle East region, promoting the brand's bespoke manufacturing capability.

Christian Merieau honed his skills from the foundations of interior craftsmanship rising to the ranks of senior management. After an early education in hotel administration, he obtained a degree in Interior Design in 1989, and later qualified as Interior Architect in Geneva, Switzerland. Merieau relocated to Dubai 2005, as managing director for well-known international design firm. He brings a wealth of experience of over 30 years of designing international projects to his position of managing director of MMAC. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and was listed on several occasions as one of the most influential designers in local Interior design magazines.