RSP, a leading global multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering design group headquartered in Singapore, established a new Global Design Studio in Dubai to broaden its business in the Middle East. The official inauguration of the space took place yesterday on Thursday, 28 November 2024, attended by His Excellency, Kamal R Vaswani, Singapore’s Ambassador to the UAE, together with Raziff Aljunied, Singapore’s Consul-General in Dubai.
As RSP’s designated Global Design Studio, the Dubai team will lead the firm’s global design and expansion. Located within the Mashreq Bank Headquarters building in Downtown Burj Khalifa District, the opening of the studio is an important milestone for RSP group in harnessing potential growth in the Middle East and expanding its international expertise in creating people-centred, innovative and sustainable designs for clients in the region. It also marks a significant milestone for RSP Dubai which celebrates its 15th year anniversary this year.
Michael Magill, Managing Director of RSP Dubai and Global Creative Head of RSP, shares his excitement about this next stage of growth with the opening of the Global Design Studio, “The Middle East is a strategic growth area for RSP with increasing demand, particularly in ecological designs that are energy-efficient and sustainable – a core strength of RSP, especially the team in our Singapore headquarters. As the firm’s Global Design Studio, we are expanding and developing our team and capabilities in Dubai by tapping on the international expertise of our colleagues across different geographical areas.”
The new studio perfectly captures RSP’s ethos of fostering creativity, collaboration, and sustainability. The open-plan layout was intentionally designed to spark spontaneous collaboration, focus pods that make it easy for teams to connect and work together. Plus, the stunning city views from the conference rooms provide the perfect backdrop to inspire creative thinking. The studio’s focus on sustainability is clear in the materials chosen, which include carbon-neutral carpets made from 100% recycled content and Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze products. The team has also opted to repurpose and refresh furniture from the previous office.
As the UAE continues to establish itself as a leader in sustainable development, the country’s alignment with Singapore’s vision for smart, future-focused cities is more evident than ever. Both nations are committed to advancing sustainable infrastructure, promoting green energy, and fostering innovation in urban planning.
His Excellency Kamal R Vaswani welcomed the opening of RSP’s Global Design Studio, saying, “I am delighted to see Singapore companies succeeding in the UAE. RSP is a well-established and well-regarded Singapore company. RSP Dubai has played a significant role in the design of many iconic buildings in the UAE. Expanding its footprint here will likely help it to access even more opportunities here and in the region. I hope that their success will encourage even more Singapore companies to consider opportunities in the UAE, and the region as a whole”.
RSP Dubai is known for its diverse and impactful design work, from the iconic St. Regis Palm Tower and Nobu Hotel & Branded Residences on Saadiyat Island, to the award-winning Ellington Beach House and the visionary Karl Lagerfeld Villas. The firm’s institutional projects, such as the Khalifa University campus expansion and the BAPS Hindu Mandir cultural complex (that won highly commended at the identity Design Awards 2024), highlight RSP’s ability to create designs that resonate with local communities.
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