Good night & good luck

Two and a half years ago, I arrived in Dubai filled with equal parts trepidation, anticipation and ambition. My goal was simple – I even remember telling my boss on my first day – I wanted to create the best architecture publication in the Middle East. I wanted to write the most well read and well respected design magazine available in the region. Full stop. I had some competition from international publications that enjoyed sporadic distribution here, but when I arrived, there wasn’t an architecture magazine for the Gulf, about the Gulf. At the very least, there is one now.

While I could probably write for hours about the successes, failures, trials and tribulations I’ve faced during my tenure, this last editor’s letter isn’t about me. Frankly, it’s not about Middle East Architect either.

I’d like to spend this last column talking about the people. The professional relationships I’ve made through my association with ITP and Middle East Architect have been fantastic. During my time with MEA, I have met the Nouvels, Hadids, Gehrys, Peis and other ‘starchitects’, but I have no doubt that the structural and design professionals working in this region represent some of the most creative, intuitive and talented minds in the industry. I have tried my best to capture their knowledge and experience in these pages. Only they can say if I’ve done them justice.

To my readers: Your comments, emails and phone calls have been welcomed and appreciated, and while they’ve not always been met with the most timely of responses, I have heard what you’ve said. I owe a significant portion of my development as a journalist and an editor to your feedback and for it, I thank you. I hope my successor will be able to experience the same level of candour.

I would be remiss not to mention the advertisers. A B2B magazine is nothing without the financial support of the industry it serves. While I have always endeavoured to keep a very firm line between editorial and advertorial content – much to the chagrin of some of you! – I think we have always enjoyed a mutual appreciation of each other’s necessity. Whether it came during the annual awards, the conferences or in the magazine, your support has been invaluable and I am grateful that in MEA you saw something worth supporting.

The last group of people that deserve recognition are my colleagues and co-workers. Whether you’re involved in design, production, sales, editorial or photography, you have helped make this magazine what it is. I know it goes unsaid too often but I simply could not have done this without you, all of you. As I embark on my next journey, I bring with me a little piece of Middle East Architect. I am both humbled and privileged to have been a part of it.

So, as I sit at my desk in the final hours as MEA editor, I give to all of you the immortal words of Edward R Murrow: “Good night and good luck.”

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