Power 20: Top Architects

Atkins
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Middle East Architect ranks the biggest players in global architecture by regional presence – based on staff numbers – and looks at what has made their name in the GCC

We all know the last year or so has been tough.

Even the biggest and brightest stars of the world architecture scene have felt the impact of the recession. Some established architectural practices have been forced to withdraw from the GCC region, while others have cut staff numbers. However, the main international players in general remain.

Middle East Architect has looked for those big name architecture brands that are still showing commitment to their work in the region and maintaining a local base. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of 20 of the biggest global architects working on the ground in the GCC.

Candidate companies were first selected based on global size, then ranked by regional presence - based on the number of permanent staff in the GCC. Some global firms took issue with the methodology, arguing that since a large proportion of its Middle East design work is carried out elsewhere, their rank would not represent their regional involvement. As a consequence, Foster + Partners, SOM, Allies & Morrison and Aukett Fitzroy Robinson do not feature. Perkins + Will are is also not included, though has more than a dozen staff based in Middle East offices.

1 Atkins
2,000 staff in Middle East with 213 architects

The UK’s Atkins has a massive presence in the region with 2,000 permanent staff and 213 architects. It has played a key role in the emirate for a number of years, most notably as designer for the iconic Burj Al-Arab, which helped define Dubai on the international stage.

More recently it has been involved with the landmark infrastructure project, the Dubai Metro, providing full multidisciplinary design, design coordination of civil works including geotechnical and site investigations, and construction supervision of tracks, underground stations and maintenance depots. The first line opened on 9 September 2009, although there is some debate when the remaining lines will open.

The firm has also designed the 400 metre-high 64-storey DIFC Lighthouse Tower, which will be the world’s first hot-climate, low-carbon, high-rise tower to aspire to a LEED Platinum rating.

Away from the emirate, Atkins has also provided master planning, architecture, landscaping, environment, transport, civil engineering and project management services for Durrat Al-Bahrain, which is expected to house a population of 60,000. Founded in 1938 by Sir William Atkins and formerly known as WS Atkins & Partners, in 2009 Atkins was appointed as the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympics.

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Just missing the top spot, but the firm claiming the most architects, Kuwait-based KEO International has performed well against its regional peers. Significant projects, such as the $750 million Lusail mixed-use development and the even larger Barwa Financial Centre (the design for which was released in October 2009) – both located in Qatar – have kept the firm focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable, mega developments.

KEO’s work on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi includes NREC’s Al-Reem Mall, covering a total GFA of 360,000m2. Still on Reem are the Carina Views; four residential 25-storey towers designed by the firm. On surrounding plots are the two 300-metre ‘Wings’ developments designed by KEO in 2009. Other design projects in Abu Dhabi include ‘South of Shamkha’ – the AED 10 billion ‘new town’ that will contain 10,000 villas for nationals, as well as other facilities, spread across 43 km2, and surrounding areas like Khalifa City.

In Kuwait, KEO is working on the Al-Othman Complex, a large commercial and retail complex starting construction in March. KEO also has design projects underway in Dubai, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt and Lebanon.

3 RMJM
276 staff in Middle East with 51 architects

The Scottish-based firm RMJM has had a continuous presence in the Middle East since 1970 and – despite having to lay-off a number of staff as the downturn hit in 2009 – employs almost 300 people in its offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha.

At present Dubai’s office features 51 architects with further staff tasked with interior design, landscape design, visualisation and construction assurance. Most recently the firm announced that glazing work on the iconic Capital Gate Tower, designed by the firm and under construction next to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is now complete. It also designed the Aviation Club Hotel by Dubai Creek.

RMJM is one of the world’s largest architectural practices employing over 1000 people located in 16 international offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

RMJM has ongoing projects in more than 17 countries and across a wide range of industry sectors including education, commercial, industrial, regeneration, leisure, retail, residential, scientific research, healthcare, and public buildings.

In October 2009 the firm was awarded the Islamic Architecture Award at Cityscape for its work on the Zliten Al-Asmariya University for Islamic Science in Libya.