How studying architecture in Dubai led me to become a 'rising star'

Alan stated that his professors had a profound impact on him, both personally and professionally. He said: “They were able to provide me with a balance between academic excellence and the reality of working in the field of architecture.  The professors exceeded my expectations.” 

The faculty within the Department of Architecture provides a truly global perspective within the architecture field, representing a broad range of backgrounds and countries including the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, Greece, and the Middle East.  

Upon graduating from CUD, Alan joined an engineering firm in Dubai and he rapidly acquired valuable experiences.  Within a year, he successfully oversaw the construction of a significant logistics centre, situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, the UAE's longest highway and the location of many of Dubai's most prominent skyscrapers. 

“A few years later, I joined the team delivering the masterplan and key projects for Mina Rashid, Dubai’s manmade marina and cruise terminal.  This was a massive learning curve and I enjoyed thoroughly it.” Alan said. “Over the last four years, I’ve had the honour of being a designer at the Orange Design Group, with the privilege of being part of numerous bespoke, award-winning projects within the residential and hospitality sector.”

For the past four years, Alan has been the driving force behind the aForm Show, the premier architecture and design podcast in the region.  The show is designed by designers, for designers, and has garnered popularity within the design ecosystem, playing a crucial role in elevating the profile of the industry. 

Alongside his professional roles, Alan has always kept one foot in academia taking part in external juries, giving lectures and working part-time at several universities across the UAE.  He is still closely affiliated with the Canadian University Dubai, as an advisory board member in the School of Architecture and Interior Design. 

Alan stated: "The most enjoyable aspect of my time at CUD was collaborating with my peers, who have now become industry peers.  The connections we forged while working together in the design studio have become lifelong.  We have remained in contact and continue to help elevate one another as we progress through our professional journeys.  While we once focused on discussing projects on campus, our conversations now revolve around a broad range of topics, including suppliers, contractors, clients, deadlines, budgets, and more.”

Alan credited his BSc in Architectural Studies from CUD for instilling in him a sense of curiosity, stating: "Through the design studio, I learned to think beyond the ordinary and to extend the limits of design by exploring multiple possibilities.  The faculty helped drive my tenacity and taught me how to stand by my principles and design thinking.”

Alan’s advice is concrete: “Say yes to any and all opportunities!  Architects often develop an interest in various fields and subjects as time progresses.  Pursuing opportunities that extend beyond traditional architecture school should not be disregarded or dismissed.  In reality, diversity fosters the development of holistic designers.  Every opportunity presents a chance to learn and brings us one step closer to achieving our objectives.” 

Photo by Roman Logov on Unsplash