Insights

Sometimes we forget the power of alliances, especially those built over many years. The Gulf nations are going through a difficult period today...

Having operated my architecture practice outside of the region for the past 10 years, I made the decision to return to the Gulf two years ago – and chose Bahrain. Why?

High-end restaurants can be outlets for pure escapism, transporting us out of the everyday and into another world...

There are places that don’t pretend to be modern. They simply look as if they’ve always been there...

Health and wellness villages should not look like hospitals. In fact, hospitals should not look like hospitals! They’re often associated with a cold corridor, the smell of disinfectant, and the feeling that life has paused...

I remember a time when interiors aimed to purely impress. ‍Today, in the Gulf countries, something different is happening. The premium real estate market is set to grow from $747 billion in 2024 to $1.09 trillion by 2032...

Creating educational spaces is about far more than aesthetics and fashion. A well-designed school or campus should be functional and practical but also rooted in the philosophy of the institution it serves...

The global cultural landscape is becoming depressingly uniform. This applies to all market segments, from middle to luxury, and most sectors – particularly hospitality, retail and residential...

Healthcare facilities should promote holistic wellbeing. This includes residential aged care developments where hospital facilities and lifestyle amenity coexist...

Culture has never been more important. Why? In an age of creeping global sameness, we need differentiators both to stand out and to instil meaning...

Contemporary education design tends to be generic and often focuses on effect rather than meaning. Schools, however, are cultural institutions - which should reflect the culture and intent of both the institution and the community it serves...

In today’s geopolitically uncertain world, food security is one of the keys to national security. Small nations with urban populations, or those with arid climates, face food security risks if traditional sources of fresh food imports dry up for reasons beyond their control...