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- Commercial
- Development Creation
- Destination Development
- Engineering
- Food & Beverage
- Health & Wellness
- High-Rise Buildings
- Higher Education
- Hospitality
- Interior Design
- Island Developments
- Master Planning
- Mixed-use
- Nature Reserves
- Public & Civic
- Public Realm & Landscape Architecture
- Residential
- Retail
- Sustainability
- Waterfront Developments
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Haydar K. Hassan
Haydar Hassan is the CEO and the Managing Partner of AE7. Aside from overseeing the financial health of the company and securing a continuous flow of projects, he is primarily involved in the visioning, planning, and pre-development phase of projects. He is a hands-on leader, eagerly jumping into sketch, critique, brainstorm, review, and revise ideas for most of the projects in the office. His endless flexibility and excellent prioritization skills are vital as he switches from project to project, all at different phases and posing different challenges. He also leads project presentations to the client and works with his teams to balance ideas for developments with pre-feasibility studies and financial models, establishing designs that will maximize profit and best utilize existing conditions.
Haydar has garnered the respect of his team by insisting that they do their homework and produce their best designs in every stage of the project and in every aspect. He is adamant that this level of attention and care is how work should always be done. His design standards promote consistent growth of his team and create exceptional solutions for the client. Through his deep understanding of the client’s perspective, he instructs his team to put themselves into the shoes of the client, listen to their objectives, and relay information with the “whole picture” in mind. Acting as the architect, developer, financier, and cost estimator, depending on what is required, is fundamental in building mutual trust with a client.
AE7 is built on the philosophy that great design is thinking in an unconventional way, one that is not limited by existing context and will stop at nothing to deliver the maximum development value. When you link individual components of a master plan accordingly, it transforms into a way of life. The world is no longer siloed; there is a constant blend of culture, people, habits, and differences. Haydar believes AE7 is a truly international company, one that combines these different components into one organization that fosters a sense of integration in communities around the world.
Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Damascus, Syria, 1985
Membership of Professional Associations:
Registered Architect, Pennsylvania, USA, 1993
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Society of Engineers UAE, 2004
Recognized Educational Facility Planner (REFP)
Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)
Tomas Gulisek
Dubai, UAE
Principal | Design Director | Board of Directors | Managing Director AE7 KSA office
Tomas Gulisek is a Design Principal at AE7. His unique insight into integrating design and technology provides a distinctive quality to all of his projects. As the go-to guy of AE7, he has an uncanny ability to digest and instantly comprehend problems and craft sensitive and focused solutions. Tomas is an internationally recognized designer who has worked in the US, Europe, and MENA. His strength lies in the diverse range of projects he has worked on, from residential and commercial to healthcare and higher education.
Today, Tomas is primarily involved in design, marketing, and development. He strives to be as hands-on with his team as possible, from the initial vision stages of projects to implementation. He places critical importance on the intricate details and the efficiency and quality of the final product. Tomas’s design philosophy hinges on a perceptive understanding of the client’s wishes, where they are coming from, and their positioning in the market. This becomes the cornerstone of each project from which he builds trust and becomes their ally.
Tomas’s passion for design is palpable in each project he takes on. He is gifted at harnessing his knowledge, expertise, and creativity to mold components that will make a project thrive. His tactic is remaining open to criticism, researching endlessly, and always bringing new ideas to the table. But, above all, Tomas is most inspired when he sees projects become a reality and are finally available for the world to see.
Education:
Master of Architecture, Slovak Technical University, Bratislava, Slovak, 1993
Membership of Professional Associations:
Registered Architect, New York, USA, 1999
American Institute of Architects (AIA), 2000
Society of Engineers UAE, 2008
John C. H. Kim
As a Design Director and Principal for master planning and hospitality, John delivers intensity and passion for the creative process. His ability to harness innovative and strategic thinking with the architectural design process transforms the built environment into an experiential masterpiece, a key for any destination development. He brings his design expertise to each of his projects, first crafting a visual story and then transforming clients’ opinions into tangible destinations.
Throughout his career, John worked as a creative and design director for major architecture, exhibit design, and communication firms, providing architecture, design, advertising, marketing, and creative management experience solutions. John has a Bachelor of Architecture from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University and has lived and worked in the US, Hong Kong, Australia, and Dubai.
John believes that architecture is the perfect amalgamation of poetry and engineering. While a space must be functional, it also must be meaningful, visually stimulating, and provide for a better environment for the community. It must be programmatically sound and allow users to inhabit the space. John acts as the gatekeeper of the project vision and ensures that the final construction is a unified reflection of these characteristics.
In his designs, John draws from client aspirations, the site context, nature, and even memories. His intuitive approach grants him the ability to recreate experiences for users of the space, utilizing colors and structures with carefully selected silhouettes that together evoke emotional responses. Seeing his projects come to life, impact communities, and architecturally create a story has garnered him international accolades and recognition.
Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 1991
Membership of Professional Associations:
Registered Architect, New Jersey, USA, 1994
Ibrahim Altahan
Principal | IT Director | Board of Directors
As AE7’s IT director, Ibrahim is crucial to the day-to-day operations of the firm. On a typical day, he is primarily involved with IT and finance, but after discovering his natural ability in business operations he has also expanded his role to incorporate various HR disciplines such as software and payroll. Operating several teams in different time zones presents unique challenges, but Ibrahim’s flexibility allows him to balance these issues with ease. Having the opportunity to build relationships with people from all over the world is something Ibrahim considers one of the greatest benefits of his role.
Ibrahim’s involvement in information technology (IT) and computers is professional as much as it is a passion rooting back to his early years as a student. Today, he hopes to instill this same level of passion in his team. Ibrahim’s leadership approach hinges on delegation. He believes in training his team well so that they have the confidence to tackle new opportunities and leverage their existing experience to gain more. The relationships Ibrahim has built throughout his career inspire him to continuously elevate his performance and knowledge wherever possible.
Education:
Successful Property Development (Executive Course), Institute for International Research (IIR), Dubai, UAE, 2008
MBA, IMHI (Joint Program by Cornell University and ESSEC Business School), Paris, France, 2005
Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) Exchange, Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration & Johnson Graduate School, Ithaca, New York, USA, 2004
Bachelor’s Degree in International Hospitality Management, Hoge Hotel School Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands, 2001
Jeff Wetzel
As the Practice Director of US operations, Jeff oversees multiple offices and supports AE7’s growth through the implementation of forward-thinking business development initiatives. Driven by his goal of strategically expanding AE7’s national footprint in the North American region, Jeff spearheaded the opening of the Pittsburgh office in 2014. Throughout his career in the US and the Middle East, Jeff has gained the experience required to fluently manage the daily operations, team engagement and coordination, and delegation of key tasks to support the seamless functioning of the firm.
From the beginning, Jeff has placed importance on hiring the right people. While the proper experience and qualifications are vital, he insists that it is equally important to hire flexible, “up for anything” employees who demonstrate a strong desire to learn. Jeff strives to maintain an office atmosphere of engaged collaboration, ensuring that every employee has a say around the table regardless of experience level. Leading the office in this way allows team members to learn from a variety of diverse backgrounds, experiencing tools and methods they may not have been familiar with before.
As AE7 has grown in North America, Jeff has overseen an array of projects from all market sectors. His ability to coordinate multiple offices through his strategic implementation of management procedures, delegation of responsibilities to key members, and ability to make sound decisions align seamlessly with this role. His overarching goal is to strategically open AE7 offices across North America as he continues to expand the national footprint.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 1996
Bachelor of Architecture, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 1996
Membership of Professional Associations:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
TiE Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
NCARB Certified
Shef Emam
Principal | Director of Engineering | Board of Directors
Between meeting with potential clients, overseeing proper resource and staff allocation, negotiating scope, deliverables, and fees with new clients, and guiding AE7’s global growth, Shef is always willing to roll up his sleeves and step in wherever necessary. He is known to regularly check in with authorities’ engineers to discuss their latest codes and standards and visit construction sites to observe contractors’ progress and quality of work. He finds himself drawn to clients and team members with a passion and vision for positive impact. His most exciting projects are the ones that at first glance seem impossible to achieve.
Shef’s dynamic portfolio includes engineering healthcare facilities, hotels and resorts, retail, educational, residential, and commercial developments throughout North America and the Middle East. Since joining AE7 in January of 2015, Shef has worked closely with his in-house architects on many prominent projects including the Imperial College of London Diabetes Center, Abu Dhabi Military Hospital, Five Luxe Hotel, Palm 360, Entisar Tower, Deira Island, Al Fatan Towers and Meydan One Mall.
Shef believes in empowering employees by ensuring he has the right people in the right positions. He allows his team ample room to manage their projects on their own, but always encourages them to come to him for consultation. His ability to speak to his staff as an engineer first and as a manager second facilitates an intellectual dialogue that yields productive results. With upwards of 35 years in the industry, he easily addresses technical issues that arise and crafts creative yet practical solutions. Passing on this knowledge to the next generation is very important to Shef. He understands that these younger architects and engineers are the future leaders of AE7.
George Girgis
As Principal and member of AE7 leadership, George is heavily involved in the vision business plan of the firm including both short- and long-term planning. His excellent management and organizational skills complement a broad range of design, technical, and commercial experience that allows him to efficiently navigate projects through their different phases. Prioritization is key to George’s success; he is regularly managing the staffing levels to avoid overloading one person or team. The timeline maintenance processes he puts into place ensure employees and projects stay on schedule and on budget.
George’s slogan is “Get the job done, whatever it takes”. He believes there are two types of people: those who want to find issues and those who want to find answers. George’s rule with his team members stipulates that before asking him for advice, they must first have taken time to brainstorm possible solutions. They may not be great ideas, but it is the effort and mindset that matter. This mentality is one that George drums into everything he does, even preferring to use the words “concerns” or “challenges” rather than “problems”.
Above all, George enjoys working with the other principals and considers them good friends. He is motivated by the positivity he sees in the AE7 culture and how different it is from the typical corporate world, such as AE7’s open-door policy. The ability to oversee such unique projects alongside a talented and supportive team is one that he does not take for granted.
Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Cairo University, Egypt, 1994
Diploma in Project Management for Engineers, American University in Cairo Egypt, 1996
Membership of Professional Associations:
LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional, USGBC, USA
Syndicate of Engineers, Egypt
Society of Engineers, UAE
Erik Hokanson
As Principal and Designer Director at AE7, Erik spearheads not only marketing and business development but also the high-level design aspiration for mixed-use and masterplan developments. These rewarding, highly engaging projects that present challenges from both a logistics and architectural standpoint are where his skills are best exhibited. He has proven himself essential in the delivery of award-winning, high-profile projects. Erik is locally and internationally recognized for his commitment to sustainable design, exceptional competency and strong leadership skills which complement the fundamental principles of AE7.
With many of his projects located in Dubai and the Middle East, Erik has learned to navigate the challenges of transforming an otherwise barren landscape into a must-see destination, complete with a story and overarching theme that draws from the existing natural landscape. He leverages these flat, natural features as a baseline to initiate his intuitive design approach while considering the economics and business plan behind the site. This balance between design aspirations and budget/timeline restrictions is one that Erik has cultivated throughout his brilliant 20+ year career.
Erik’s inherent ability to listen to client aspirations and turn their vision into a realized master plan development is one he demonstrates constantly. He leads his design teams by example, instilling in his team the responsibility and reward that comes from designing spaces and places that people seek out to make memories and build community. Watching a project grow from sketches on paper to a developed space has motivated Erik throughout his career as he turns innovative vision into reality, keeping clients equally excited and impressed.
Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Kansas State University, USA, 1992
Membership of Professional Associations:
Registered Architect, New York, USA, 1996
AIA Pittsburgh Chapter, Board of Directors, 2001 – 2004
AIA Pittsburgh Design Awards Committee Head, 1999 – 2001
Fuad Mohammad
Principal | Head of Infrastructure | Board of Directors
Head of AE7’s infrastructure design team, Fuad has worked in the Dubai area for many years providing both regional government departments and strategic planning authorities with simple yet refined solutions to challenges. As one of Fuad’s strongest motivators, these challenges push him to constantly explore new solutions and think bigger than “what has worked before.” His solutions are rooted in the best value for his clients, offering flexible, innovative results.
Fuad’s role is centered around building strong client relationships that are grounded in mutual trust and understanding. It is one of the aspects of his job that he enjoys most. Equipped with his holistic understanding of infrastructure design, Fuad skillfully leads his team with an emphasis on collaborative teamwork. He oversees coordination between all disciplines and authorities to develop the most efficient, safe, and reliable designs that meet the demands of each project.
He believes that patience is one of the most important qualities to master in this role, something he has demonstrated consistently throughout his career. He strives to learn more and more each day, as he recognizes that each generation comes equipped with new ideas that translate to unique, innovative solutions.
Marwan Houry
Dubai
Principal | Vice President of Strategy | Head of Business Development | Board of Directors
Marwan is an energetic and proactive leader, who is experienced and well-rounded US licensed and registered Architect with over 25 years of global experience in the field of buildings and architecture. In his current role at AE7, Marwan leads AE7 Strategy and heads Business Development across the MENA region, where he engages his deep expertise and forward-thinking approach, and plays a key role in strengthening AE7’s market presence and driving growth across it’s diverse portfolio. A member of the Board of Directors, Marwan contributes to strategic decisions for the company’s continued growth, development and success. He promotes a healthy work environment and positive culture for AE7 team. Marwan previously led AE7’s Global Operations, running efficient, effective and profitable operations, while leading the Project Managers and Architectural team to achieve excellence in delivering projects and exceeding client expectations.
After witnessing the massive destruction that war had caused in his home country of Lebanon, Marwan was inspired to find a way to contribute to its restoration, and that’s how he was drawn into a lifelong journey in the field of Buildings and Architecture. After contributing to the design and construction of some mega projects in Lebanon in the 1990’s (Beirut International Airport, Beirut Central Business District and Lebanese University-Main Campus), Marwan then moved to the US where he completed his Master’s in Architecture and established a professional career that stretches over 25 years of diversified architectural work. His professional experience spans the fields of leadership and management, business development, business operations, project management, project development, construction administration, and closeout procedures. Marwan’s experience also includes working on projects in multiple building sectors like healthcare, higher education, k-12 schools, science & technology, libraries, commercial, industrial, multifamily residential, and civic buildings in the US and the Middle East.
Marwan is an active member of AIA (American Institute of Architects), NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards), and is a LEED accredited professional with a LEED AP BD+C specialty. He promotes sustainability and creativity in building design and construction and champions the implementation of BIM and AI technologies to deliver well-coordinated projects, resulting in cost and time savings for clients. He has a track record of successfully leading project teams who consistently meet clients’ budgets and schedules while exceeding expectations.
As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member, Marwan is licensed to coach, speak, train, and facilitate on approved personal and professional development content. He is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach on topics of leadership, growth, development, and career at institutions and events in the US and globally.
Throughout his career, Marwan has spent considerable time reaching out to new clients, establishing client bases in new areas, and diversifying the market reach. He possesses strong leadership skills in leading people and teams and is well organized in managing processes and projects. His core competencies include strong networking skills, building lasting professional relationships, creating and adding value, and promoting efficiencies within operations including processes, resources and staff. He has a strong belief in transparency, fairness, and collaboration across offices and disciplines, and he projects positive energy that focuses on finding solutions and building bridges.
One of Marwan’s greatest passions lies in giving back to the community, leadership growth, and team development. He has dedicated countless hours to community groups, getting involved in programs that support college students’ career advancement and leading local youth groups in the US. Marwan asserts that leadership is not a position, but rather a perpetual influence that must be cultivated. His approach centers around the question, “How do I make my teams’ lives better?”. He believes the answer lies in understanding that each person has their own unique set of motivators, and everyone will be led differently. Marwan ensures that his team knows the “why” behind what they do, encouraging them to explore their own passions, and formulate their own definitions of success, while embracing growth opportunities that come their way. His objective is to develop other leaders who grow the firm by raising their leadership potential and empowering others to grow into leaders in their own right.
Marwan was drawn to AE7 because of the qualities he saw exemplified in leadership. He believes the AE7 way of operating, harnesses everyone’s strengths and leverages their abilities to create a dedicated, harmonious team. Marwan believes strongly in collaborating and working with others to continue to make AE7 the “Employer of Choice” for career seekers. He believes that this is done by the fair workplace environment supported with passion, an open-door policy and internal collaboration, and enhanced by the highly energetic culture of client focus that AE7 promotes.
Jimmy Tadros
Principal | Head of Architecture | Board of Directors
Jimmy brings over 20 years of experience delivering projects across an array of market sectors. He has developed skills relating to design and planning (urban and buildings), project and design management, contract negotiations, and value engineering. He firmly believes that the determining factor in any architectural design is being well-rounded and equipped with the right tools, an ideal he strives toward at every opportunity.
Having spent half of his career working for residential and commercial real estate companies, Jimmy has gained valuable background knowledge and insight that gives him an edge as a design architect. With financial experience as well as a comprehensive understanding of how economic factors influence real estate development, Jimmy approaches each design with a comprehensive perception that enables him to align his vision with the long-term goals of the client.
A significant portion of Jimmy’s role is spent developing relationships with internal teams of senior staff as well as clients and stakeholders. He makes a conscious effort to work closely with project stakeholders from the initial stages of a project, which guarantees a seamless design process that captures the client’s vision without going over budget or compromising on the most valued features. Jimmy’s versatility and expansive technical knowledge make him a valuable asset to all of his projects.
Maya Bsaibes
Maya is a Principal and Head of Interior Design who believes that there is no room for an overarching theme in her work, no one “design approach.” Applying one design approach uniformly to all projects ensures that the final design falls short of what could be. She believes that each project takes on its own unique identity and style and must be treated as the distinctive entity that it is. Her love of design stems directly from this belief. Listening in a different way allows her to translate a client’s vision into something that they can see in front of them and experience for themselves.
Maya has seen a shift in the responsibility of designers over the years. In creating a retail space, designers are now crafting a complex, multi-faceted experience rather than just a “retail store”. They are creating new destinations where people will come together, connect, and interact with one another as well as with their environment. One of Maya’s greatest strengths is reimagining these spaces, addressing how people will come through the space and what will attract them. As she looks at a project from many different perspectives, she sees the whole picture and designs at a level above expectations for any given space.
Maya has been involved in all phases of design from programming through furniture design and documentation. Aside from retail, she has also worked on projects in residential and hospitality.
Teresa Bucco
Teresa is a Principal at AE7 who thrives in a collaborative environment, working with internal teams, consultants, clients, and contractors at various project phases. At any given time, she can be found having an impromptu design discussion, leading a consultant coordination meeting, or presenting a new concept design to a client. While these constantly evolving responsibilities involve a varying degree of design and problem-solving proficiency, Teresa navigates them with ease.
Teresa draws her inspiration from an array of past experiences that change with each project. Whether it is an urban environment, wooded site, run-down building, or historical structure, each opportunity comes with a program, function, and group of people who need to operate in those physical circumstances. She believes connecting these people with their environment is the ultimate inspiration, as well as transforming the spaces in which they work, play, and live.
Ahmed Eldakroury
Dubai, UAE
Principal | Technical & Commercial Director
Ahmed, currently Principal, Technical Director at AE7, has over 25 years of experience in design management with a majority gained in the Gulf area between Qatar and UAE. His expertise lies in design, site supervision/construction administration, and project management. Over the years, Ahmed has applied his simple, solution-oriented approach to a variety of project types, most in the residential and hospitality market sectors including villa complexes and residential and hotel buildings and towers. From fee proposal preparation to assisting staff with daily design issues and monitoring design production, Ahmed continuously delivers efficient and exceptional results.
Ahmed is motivated by the constantly evolving technology in the construction market. As these new innovations influence the industry in increasingly significant ways, Ahmed continues his research to remain up-to-date and apply the most relevant techniques to his design solutions. His leadership abilities, paired with his skills in technical design, quality control, and overseeing the specification department seamlessly align in this role. He most enjoys interacting with projects in every phase, implementing construction methodologies, and continuously coordinating with industry manufacturers.
Mahmoud Ghunaim
Principal | Head of Amman Office
As principal and head of the Amman office, Mahmoud is a leader well-versed in the value of employee appreciation. He describes his leadership style as “firm but fair”, constantly encouraging his team to grow and, most importantly, share knowledge and experiences with each other. In his office, he believes it is the responsibility of the older industry veterans to pass on the insights they have gained in their careers to ensure continued success.
Mahmoud is most inspired by his work in construction. He loves being on-site and watching as the buildings progress. The project type, in his opinion, is less important than the way it is constructed. He is a skilled project manager with a keen eye for detail who genuinely enjoys a challenging project, particularly one that need extra attention to successfully meet the scheduled deadline.
The way Mahmoud works is the way he lives – putting his full time and attention into his projects, his team, and his career. He strives every day to put his full self into all that he does, as he has demonstrated throughout his career. From 2013 to today, he leads his office with a forward-thinking vision as he guides his team’s growth and the office’s regional expansion.
Florian Klein
Principal | Head of Düsseldorf Office & Landscape
Florian is a Principal and head of our office in Düsseldorf, Germany. From luxurious villa gardens to large-scale master plans, he has a diverse range of project experience coordinating from concept design stage through the completion of construction documents. He would call himself an “all-rounder” who ensures that our project visions are successfully designed for the further construction phase. In his words, the aesthetics of a project can be impressive, but developing sound solutions that address the projects’ social responsibility will ensure the project stands the test of time.
Client management responsibilities come quite naturally to Florian. His ability to bring different opinions to the table diplomatically and calmly listen to varying points of view is demonstrated daily. He invests his time in involving the right people from the beginning of the project through its multiple phases, believing that this mutual collaboration between the client and the designer ultimately creates a stronger, more valuable finished product. In maintaining this close relationship, Florian ensures that his design is wholistic, marrying the creative components with the technical and socially responsible.
Florian is a multifaceted designer whose flexible nature allows him to transition easily from project to project. He seeks to incorporate elements that create healing spaces for all people —a philosophy that is inspired by his volunteer gardening with the handicapped. Florian and his team in Oberhausen have added a new level of dimensionality and innovation to a multitude of AE7 projects that will leave lasting positive effects for years to come.
Mohamed Mohasseb
Principal | Director of Construction Management & Administration
As the Director of Construction Management & Administration, Mohamed boasts a superb track record of managing a broad range of project types. His confidence in working with technical experts from any industry is a major asset as he negotiates contracts, manages budgets and schedules, analyzes progress reports, and tracks business development efforts. His proven ability to think critically, quickly solve complex problems, and supervise design excellence has given him a reputation for high standards.
Today, Mohamed’s experience centers primarily around development, project, and construction management. With each project taking on its own identity, new challenges arise on a regular basis. One of Mohamed’s greatest motivators, he welcomes these challenges as they offer new opportunities for growth. On his teams, Mohamed promotes continuous education and advancement and recognizes that as technology changes even year by year, the value in being exposed to as many new experiences as possible cannot be overstated.
On Mohamed’s team, nobody succeeds alone. Collaboration and synergy among his colleagues are paramount, which is why he operates under an “open door policy”. He is adept at delegating responsibilities, remaining accessible for questions, and most importantly, fostering a sense of trust among his team. His focus on perfecting the project management process, along with the care and attention he gives to the development of his team, will continue to drive him forward as he progresses in his career and takes on increasingly complex projects.
Philip Wilkinson
Philip is a Principal in our Pittsburgh office focused on leading teams that design complex master plans and retail destinations that attract residents and visitors alike. His ability to evaluate the existing characteristics of a site and assess its compatibility with the program allows him to design careful phasing and scalability strategies that save developers time and money.
For Philip, the multi-faceted nature of each master plan development is both the appeal and the challenge. The surroundings, goals, and aspirations of the client and experience of an individual in the space must seamlessly come together to cultivate a modern and desirable new destination. Understanding this from day one and designing precise project phases to hit these targets is where Philip excels in his design work.
Philip thrives at working with an array of clients, whether they come with a “blank slate” or specific goals for their space. He views each destination as an exciting new challenge, carefully collaborating with each client to add new features that add long-term value. In his words, the AE7 difference is our ability to see the potential in a project and constantly vision with the client to transform their space in ways they had not originally thought to be possible.
Mohamed Abdelfatah
Director of Structural Engineering
Mohamed is a Structural Engineer at AE7 with over nineteen years of structural engineering experience in the UAE. His priorities in this role include attending technical meetings with clients or authorities, addressing his team’s tasks as necessary, or coordinating with other internal disciplines to ensure seamless integration into the final product. He enjoys all project types, as each one is a bit different from the last. He has gained the most experience in projects consisting of residential buildings, malls, hotels, education, and high-rise buildings.
Mohamed takes a meticulous approach to his design process. He typically begins a concept design by considering the architectural drawings, requirements, and constraints they impose. He then develops a detailed drawing with calculations that show the details needed for authority approval and construction. Structural design books, codes, and other resources are also invaluable tools that he uses regularly to ensure accurate results for the client.
Mohamed’s principal qualifications include site technical support, value engineering, writing technical reports, and a variety of software such as Autodesk, Sci, and BIM. He has worked diligently throughout his career to continually develop these skills, though he considers this one of the most enjoyable parts of his job. He truly enjoys managing his teams’ work plans and finds satisfaction when a project offers new opportunities for growth. Mohamed strives to continue building his portfolio with different project types and applying what he has previously learned to new situations.
He is registered as an unlimited structural engineer in Dubai municipality and a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISTRUCT).
Mohammad Abu Sakhilah
Director of Legal and Contracts
Throughout Mohammad’s experience in contract administration, he has worked in a variety of project types, including high-rise buildings, hotels, corporate offices, and residential buildings. Through this experience, he realized that his background in contractual administration could be beneficial to successfully manage the construction process and contribute to successful projects from the initial stage to the final delivery. Today, he uses this knowledge to protect the company from potential risk and liability, provide the best possible return on projects, and maintain a positive and robust reputation in the market.
On top of managing construction projects, Mohammad regularly addresses contractual issues, disputes, and claims to ensure a seamless construction process. He is a knowledgeable decision maker who strives to define his goals according to AE7’s strategy and then prepare an appropriate plan to maximize the desired results.
One of Mohammad’s primary goals is to create a positive working environment for his teams while providing the required support for them to reach their goals. He regularly monitors his team’s performance and ensures they are working efficiently, boosting productivity and product quality. His distinguished problem-solving and analytical skills paired with his time management and communication tactics optimize client satisfaction, making him an asset to any project team.
Mohammad Al Feheili
Director of Electrical Engineering
Mohammad has spent more than half of his career working with various high-rise, commercial, residential, and hospitality projects. Today, most of his focus centers around the design and construction phases of a variety of different project types. Spearheading strategic engineering planning and tracking projects comes naturally to Mohammad. Whether he is establishing budgets, allocating resources, or providing technical guidance to the engineering design and site teams, he meticulously sifts through project parameters to identify ways to improve cost efficiency, always prioritizing client-specific needs.
Mohammad most enjoys projects involving healthcare buildings and mixed-use commercial buildings such as malls, sports arenas/stadiums, schools, and skyscrapers. These project types offer new opportunities to use electricity in innovative ways while ensuring safety and reducing utility costs. He enjoys building relationships with clients, especially those who are equally excited to create an exceptional final product. Mohammad’s approach with his clients is to communicate clearly, timely, and consistently throughout the project. He accomplishes this by setting agendas and recording meeting minutes, establishing open lines of communication, and encouraging them to be forthcoming with their opinions from day one. Setting realistic expectations of what and how they are going to deliver ensures the client receives outstanding results.
Aside from ensuring his team has the necessary resources to achieve their work goals, Mohammad also strives to give consistent and helpful feedback, maintain an honest line of communication, and regularly meet with his team individually to discuss team dynamics. He believes leading in this way is the most efficient path to continuously delivering successful projects. Paired with his strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to remain level-headed in high-pressure situations, Mohammad is an exceptional addition to any project team.
Flavy Dmello
Director of HR and Administration
Flavy has been with AE7 since 2013 and is our Director of HR and Administration. With exceptional attention to detail, she effortlessly manages multiple, constantly changing tasks, all with competing deadlines. This ability to focus her attention and prioritize ensures the timely completion of all tasks, regardless of the challenges that may arise.
An excellent team leader, Flavy describes her leadership style as “leading by example”. By emphasizing communication among her team, she upholds this ideal by ensuring the workload is appropriately balanced according to both skill level and time available.
Offering 10+ years of HR management experience and a proven background of successfully transforming disorganized HR organizations into cost-efficient strategic entities, Flavy is an asset to the AE7 team. Her strengths are best exemplified in her ability to build HR departments from the ground up. Working every day to manage 500+ employees in multiple locations and time zones, Flavy receives a great sense of satisfaction when she sees her teams motivated to perform at peak levels.
Bharat Harwani
Practice Director
Bharat is a senior architect experienced in whole design development followed through construction and excels in sustainable design implementation. Most of his experience lies in mixed-use, residential, and hospitality projects, as well as commercial and master plan developments. Across all market sectors, Bharat is most interested in the influence that technology continues to add to design and enjoys seeking solutions that meticulously incorporate these new demands.
Of all trends currently impacting the industry, Bharat believes sustainability and environmentally conscious design to be the most impactful. From the initial meeting with the client to crafting sustainable solutions that are tailored specifically to each site, he works with different concept options until he determines the best solution for the space.
Bharat’s efficient leadership skills and ability to perform exceedingly well working in a dynamic team environment facilitate his ability to repeatedly deliver results that go beyond client expectations. His extensive technical knowledge, paired with his project management experience, allows him to lead the design team in our rapidly expanding office and oversee a multitude of signature projects.
Yasser Ibrahim
Dubai, UAE
Project Director
Yasser’s design career has consisted of an array of projects in the commercial, residential, and mixed-use sectors. These projects, varying in size and type from conception through to construction completion, have resulted in a vast network that includes consultants and clients from both public and private sectors. Maintaining these relationships and continuing communication, Yasser lays the groundwork for mutually beneficial connections that allow for seamless, highly functional aesthetic design solutions.
Whether it is a difficult coordination meeting or solving critical project issues, every day Yasser encounters new challenges, something he considers to be one of the most rewarding attributes of his role. Regardless of the challenge, Yasser works diligently with his team to arrive at the optimum solution that ensures the client’s schedule and budget remain on target. Over the years, Yasser has refined his design approach to better satisfy the clients’ desire for efficient design in terms of materials, space planning, cost, etc. He begins each of his projects by first initiating an honest conversation with the client and establishing three categories of project characteristics: required, preferred, recommended.
Yasser’s enthusiasm and creativity are palpable in his work. He is a natural problem-solver, constantly searching for the most efficient resolution to any problem. He loves working with his colleagues and plays an active role in the development of his team through commitment, trust, and shared respect, building healthy working relationships in the process. Having developed strong photography skills outside of work, Yasser remembers his most rewarding accomplishment at AE7 thus far – taking professional photographs of a completed project that he had once seen as only “lines on a page” in a pre-concept sketch.
Tamer Ismail
Design Director
Tamer is a design director at AE7 with a background most prominently involving hospitality, mixed-use, and public realm projects. He demonstrates intricate knowledge of architectural practices as he oversees projects of various scales, styles, budgets, and timelines. His creativity and practical understanding of structure and materials help him to develop projects from their inception to the concept stage, all the way through the final construction and realization of the project.
Context is the driving force behind Tamer’s design creation. As he leads his design team, he stresses the importance of forming a multifaceted understanding of the existing site context. This involves a lot of trial and error, research, and a natural curiosity, but always delivers a superior final product that encourages the public to visit and fully utilize the space.
Tamer considers himself incredibly lucky to be able to work on projects of this scale and prestige on a regular basis. Each new project offers a significant opportunity for growth, requiring rigorous work and practiced skills. Above all, Tamer says that he is building for the people, and values the chance to leave so many lasting contributions behind in the process.
Siji Kunnath
Director of Graphic Design
Siji is a Director of Graphic Design at AE7. Initially drawn to the field by his passion for construction and graphics, he has honed his natural creativity through comprehensive experience and now uses his knowledge to efficiently manage his design team. With each new design, he paints detailed pictures of the projects in his mind and effortlessly translates them into a visual reality.
Siji’s daily functions include coordinating with managers from all AE7 offices, determining their project needs, and assigning design work to his team accordingly. He is also heavily involved in final postproduction, verifying the proper quality of the graphics and animations before sending them to clients. Siji is an excellent multi-tasker, sometimes juggling 20-30 projects at a time. It’s challenging work that takes patience, but it also builds confidence and allows him to become a better leader. He has a genuine passion for renderings and animation reality and believes that the best reward is continuously delivering final designs of exceptional quality.
Paul Matelic
Vice President of Middle East Projects | Head of Atlanta Office
Paul excels at creating destinations that foster a sense of place and encourage community growth. He believes that a successful development is rooted in an understanding of the program, site context, and climate. Throughout his career, he gained experience in program management and strategic visioning, for projects large and small. As the Vice President of Middle East Projects, Paul brings his global background, extensive portfolio of work, and personable approach to help AE7’s growth in the Middle East, specifically in Saudi Arabia.
Paul describes his design philosophy as “practicality mixed with the whimsical”, utilizing creative modernism to imbue the place with life and blend the traditional elements with the contemporary. His projects reflect his passion for the built environment and demonstrate his expertise in crafting spaces that draw people in, change the way they interact, and even reimagine the ways in which they go about their day. Paul views his work in architectural design as tapping into greater power, one that allows him to initiate positive change. It’s this sense of responsibility that pushes him to develop unique, high-quality designs with each new project.
His most notable experience includes Design Lead for the KAPSARC Community Masjid, Riyadh, KSA; ITCC Digital City Retail Strategy, Riyadh, KSA; the Oqyana Yacht Club/Yacht Club Hotel/Dive Center, Dubai, UAE; As Sih Neighborhood Expansion, Madinah, KSA; and KAPSARC Community Development, Riyadh, KSA. In addition to professional practice, over the years Paul served as a visiting professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, Boston Architectural College, and Lawrence Technological University.
Hugo Pipa
Dubai, UAE
Director of Master Planning & Urban Design
It is clear to all who work with Hugo that he has a true passion for master planning. He believes every new project is inspired by a multitude of different fragments pulled from existing places, past experiences, and client aspirations, all coming together to create a brand-new destination. Hugo maintains that the process of envisioning a day in the end-user’s life, from the moment they step out of their home to when they return, is an incredible opportunity to utilize design & planning to improve all aspects of their daily lives from the beginning.
Over the years, Hugo has been involved in the master planning of several large, high-profile development projects, covering tourism, mixed-use developments, residential communities, and commercial market sectors. His ability to understand conceptual large-scale planning and detail-level design enables him to translate conceptual ideas into an unforgettable environment for end-users. His over 20 years of experience working with multiple design methodologies and tools has equipped him with the skills necessary to deftly change perspective and rethink a design until the best solution has been achieved.
Hugo most enjoys alternating between tasks, jumping in to help his team wherever possible. Whether he is helping with design, production, or sketches, the flexibility to step in as necessary keeps his days exciting and offers him chances to share advice with his colleagues. Hugo believes a successful leader guides with the intention and conscious effort to help others, something he exemplifies through his work every day.
Mohamed Ragab
Dubai, UAE
Project Director
Mohamed is an outstanding Projects Director at AE7, with over 19 years of professional experience in design development, coordinating and managing residential, commercial, hospitality, and high-rise buildings projects. He is successfully managing multidisciplinary teams across a spectrum of projects, from master planning, residential developments to high-rise towers, malls and retail. Mohamed also possesses experience in green building and sustainability principles, showcasing his great character.
As an Architectural Engineer, Mohamed mixes his vast professional experience with his results-driven attitude and plethora of skills to successfully develop designs and oversee multiple projects simultaneously, making him an invaluable asset to AE7.
Srinivasa Rao
Director of Mechanical Engineering
Srinivasa is the Director of Mechanical Engineering for our Dubai office. His experience spans a wide range of project types including residential, hospitality, mixed-use, tall towers, and sustainable design. His comprehensive knowledge of building codes pertaining to construction methods and procedures and the design of HVAC, plumbing, and firefighting systems has allowed him to manage projects of all sizes and styles with strict adherence to even the most complex budgets and schedules.
With a keen eye for spotting and troubleshooting project bottlenecks, Srinivasa has a proven ability to manage staffing levels to properly execute the requirements as per the project schedule. He monitors the quality of work through the review and approval of shop drawings, material, equipment selection, and calculations, as well as regular coordination and progress meetings with the contractor. His detail-oriented and measured approach to project management continually delivers final products of commendable quality and efficiency.
Yusra Saleh
Executive Director AE7 KSA
Yusra is Executive Director of AE7’s Riyadh office, overseeing at the highest level all KSA-based projects and proposals from both a managerial and technical standpoint. She is also responsible for building relationships with current and future clients. Yusra enjoys the challenge of integrating different disciplines, work streams, and stakeholders into thoughtfully designed, cohesive urban projects.
KSA is undergoing unprecedented urban development. Yusra has witnessed first-hand as the country’s focus has shifted toward urban regeneration, sustainable practices such as environmental conservation and rehabilitation, and the establishment of an architectural identity that embodies a contemporary interpretation of traditional architecture and building techniques. These trends have influenced new ways to elevate the quality of life, provide open spaces for entertainment, mobility, and tourism, and most importantly, impact the conception and design of new real estate developments.
Yusra’s management style is fair but firm, promoting a positive work environment that is flexible depending on context and situation. Prioritizing collaboration is paramount in her office, as well as giving due credit to every member of the team. She empowers her staff to deliver quality experiences for all within the built environment, regardless of project complexity. She hopes to instill in others the same passion that she holds for developing KSA projects, inspiring them to expand the business, connect with new clients, and advocate for the preservation of the country’s architectural identity.
Michal Sistik
Michal leads the design team at AE7’s Bratislava office and focuses largely on the early stages of AE7 projects, including conceptual design and master planning. Michal establishes and oversees multiple design teams within the architectural studio that work parallel with each other. This allows the office to handle multiple projects simultaneously and deliver efficient and creative results to our clients. Michal oversees the design of these projects, in addition to distributing work and coordinating with other principals.
When beginning any project, Michal’s design approach starts with properly listening to the client and gaining a thorough understanding of their goals. He then moves into comprehensive research of the existing site context and surrounding neighborhoods. He believes the success of a project hinges on the ability of his team to fit the clients’ wants and needs into the existing environment, all while maintaining exceptional quality.
As a leader, Michal works hard to develop the skills and abilities of his staff and places an emphasis on the importance of working quickly and flexibly, without sacrificing design excellence. He has established an efficient workflow within the studio that allows AE7 to provide the client with a complete and comprehensive representation of the design vision early on.
AE7’s methodology is closely mirrored by Michal’s approach to design. He strives to deliver unique additions to his designs, surprising the client with features they may not have originally thought possible. In doing so, he effectively guides his team in capturing their creative energy to deliver on a client’s design vision.
Moosa Swaidan
Middle East and North America
Vice President
As a Vice President at AE7, Moosa guides the path to global growth and operational efficiency, with a focus on innovation, quality, and identifying opportunities in real estate development.
A Civil Engineer with an Executive MBA, Moosa’s background compliments his problem-solving, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. With over 20 years of experience in construction, design, and client representation, he provides a holistic perspective that promotes a comprehensive and effective approach.
Zeiad Tolba
Dubai, UAE
Design Director
Zeiad is a highly accomplished and results-driven Design Director at AE7, with a diverse and extensive background in creating innovative and aesthetically pleasing environments, across various building typologies. He is a seasoned professional, adept at translating visionary concepts into tangible, functional, and visually striking realities. Moreover, he possesses proven professional experience over 14 years in the UAE, spanning projects across various sectors such as residential, commercial, airport, and hospitality, along with a distinguished track record in master planning and urban planning for destination development. His experience also spans globally, with projects in the UAE, KSA, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, China, Azerbaijan, and the USA.
As a seasoned Architect, Zeiad is known for pushing creative boundaries and introducing innovative design solutions, which align with project goals, client objectives, and industry trends.
Mohammed Zannouneh
Design Director
Mohammed is a Design Director at AE7 with a primary focus on hospitality and residential projects. His designs are driven by his passion for unlocking each project’s full potential. He skillfully manages the constantly evolving dynamics between project location and existing context, clients’ visions, and end-user experiences. Mohammed strives to ensure that clients are not only satisfied with their end results, but also excited and actively involved in the design process.
Mohammed’s success is derived from exceeding expectations in completing assignments, designing projects, managing his team, and collaborating with clients. His approach focuses on meeting high standards while building relationships with clients and his team. He believes mutual respect is vital in establishing close relationships and is grateful to have such a supportive and motivated team. His excellent leadership skills help him achieve success by listening closely to others’ needs and goals and leveraging his problem-solving abilities to pull from past experiences and apply them to current challenges.
Mustafa Jamal Aldin
BIM Director | BIM Technologies
As AE7’s BIM Director, Mustafa brings over an illustrious 25 years of architectural experience, demonstrating his proficiency in design, training, and BIM/Software management. His extensive technical knowledge in Building Information Modelling (BIM) is complemented by his adeptness in image manipulation, illustrations, and interactive multimedia. Mustafa has served as a strategic and tactical partner for numerous architectural and engineering organizations, offering guidance in CAD/BIM planning, deployment, implementation, and training strategies. Additionally, he has provided instruction and support for various Autodesk and Adobe products across diverse educational levels, assisted by his City and Guilds Certificate in AutoCAD.
With a Master’s in Architecture Computing and Design, Mustafa has amassed significant project experience across various sectors, such as residential, hospitality, commercial, retail, education, public realm, destination development, and mixed-use/master planning. This experience also spans globally, with projects in the UAE, KSA, UK, Qatar, Germany, and Vietnam.
Roberto Claverie
Roberto’s innate curiosity and unquenchable thirst for novel experiences make him the ideal leader for the Business Development & Strategy Divisions in Europe. His role is more than a mere job title; it’s a perfect alignment with his passion for exploring diverse and intricate business landscapes. This drive enables him to effortlessly dive into new ventures or seamlessly integrate into ongoing projects, each time infusing a wealth of industry insights.
A master strategist and visionary, Roberto stands out as a seasoned advisor, project and design manager, and an inspirational team leader. He possesses a remarkable knack for crafting long-term strategies and key objectives, all aimed at catapulting organizational growth to new heights. His deep grasp of project economics and contractual nuances equips him to analyze challenges from multifaceted perspectives, consistently delivering the most effective solutions.
Navigating the intricate maze of the architectural project cycle is where Roberto truly shines. In a realm where decisions carry immense financial weight, his expertise becomes invaluable. His career journey has been dedicated to mastering this complex cycle, earning and bolstering client confidence in new ventures. It’s a challenging pitch, no doubt, but one that brings him immense satisfaction and fulfillment.
Roberto’s leadership journey is defined by constant growth and empowerment. He fosters a culture of discovery and potential in his teams, entrusting them with significant responsibilities while strategically setting checkpoints to minimize risks. His ultimate aspiration is to be a mentor, imparting his rich reservoir of experiences to the younger generations, thereby paving the way for their accelerated success in the ever-evolving business world.
Ziad Isaac
Senior Associate | Marketing and Branding
Ziad is the Senior Associate of Branding and Marketing, with extensive experience in Jordan and the UAE that spans over 20 years. He oversees AE7’s global branding and manages project branding, signage, wayfinding, and the company’s social media presence. His expertise spans a wide range of design work, including magazines, books, brochures, flyers, and logos. Ziad excels in creating branding and identity solutions, wayfinding, and signage for both large and small-scale projects. Additionally, he is proficient in developing inhouse materials for pre-qualifications, proposals, and competitions.
His comprehensive skill set and international experience make him a valuable asset to AE7’s branding and marketing efforts.
Yasser Elsayed
Senior Associate | Interior Design
Yasser has spent more than 2 decades gaining extensive knowledge and experience in the interior design field. Most of his time has been spent working on mega-projects in the hospitality, residential, healthcare, retail, and mixed-use sectors. He excels at client liaison and easily translates client expectations into actionable objectives. His thorough knowledge of the technical aspects of this role blends seamlessly with his creative inspiration to help his projects reach their fullest potential.
Intimately familiar with all phases of a project, Yasser ensures all technical factors are executed efficiently and professionally. He manages his design teams, engineers, and technicians with the client’s requirements in mind, guaranteeing not only that those expectations are met but also that the final product exceeds the highest standards.
Yasser draws his design inspiration from his everyday life. Blending his own design ideation with established client requirements comes quite naturally to him, which enables him to think “big picture” and coordinate value engineering while avoiding changes to the concept design. As Senior Associate in Interior Design, he aims to reach his full potential and further his growth within his team, ultimately using his skills and experience to achieve AE7’s overall vision and objectives.
Mohammed Alrayess
Senior Associate | Infrastructure Engineering
Resolving critical project obstacles is one of Mohammed’s greatest strengths as a Senior Associate in Infrastructure Engineering. He most enjoys infrastructure master planning projects that offer opportunities to take on new challenges. Staying abreast of the ever-changing technological enhancements and project details, Mohammed thrives in the fast-paced environment that infrastructure projects present.
Mohammed approaches his projects by challenging himself to keep the full picture in mind – from safety, quality, and integrity to incorporating sustainability practices when possible. He draws many of these ideas from his seniors and their experiences. His commitment to quality is exceptional; he is dedicated to analyzing new solutions to determine how they can be incorporated into future projects.
Mohammed works to create an engaging professional environment that empowers his team to explore new approaches with focus on innovation and continuous development. Through providing effective performance communication, coaching, and career development, he supports a cooperative and productive working environment and sets a solid foundation for addressing rapidly changing job
Arghya Banerjee
Dubai, UAE
Senior Associate, Masterplanning and Urban Design
Arghya has a wide range of professional experience, spanning over 15 years in Master planning, Urban Design and Architecture projects for both public and private sectors, including work in the Middle East and India. Arghya has an M. Arch degree in Urban Design working as a Master Planner – Urban Designer in AE7 Dubai studio. He has undertaken and participated in the delivery of a number of major projects of different scales, varied site sizes and involving residential, commercial, mixed-use developments, urban regeneration and city branding Projects. Arghya has specific interests and skills in understanding the spatial structure, form and functionality of cities, regions and urban places. This enables a strong contribution to the realization of urban development projects from their conceptualization through to spatial Design and delivery. His skills are complemented by consultation, workshop facilitation and project coordination experience.
Hossam Elkady
Dubai, UAE
Senior Associate, Masterplanning & Urban Design Manager
Hossam Elkady is a highly accomplished Senior Associate, Planning & Urban Design Manager at AE7, with an impressive career spanning over 15 years. Hossam combines his extensive expertise with a rich educational background to oversee a diverse range of projects, from complex urban developments to residential and commercial designs, ensuring each project begins with a robust and thoughtful strategy. His work is characterized by a deep understanding of the planning process and proficiency in the latest design technologies and tools, allowing him to create innovative and practical solutions tailored to the needs of clients.
Excelling in communication, Hossam builds and leads passionate design teams across several countries, simultaneously. His strategic thinking and clear communication have led to numerous successful projects, showcasing his ability to convey complex ideas effectively and manage multifaceted design processes. Additionally, Hossam’s experience with teaching at prestigious international institutions has enabled him to educate students globally. This experience has refined his leadership and communication skills and empowered him to inspire and mentor the next generation of architects and designers, utilizing engaging and innovative approaches.
Committed to excellence and a collaborative approach, Hossam is an invaluable asset to AE7. His ability to foster strong relationships and promote teamwork ensures that every project is executed to the highest standards, from the initial concept to final construction.
Rasha Hammad
Dubai, UAE
Senior Associate, Senior Project Architect
As a Senior Associate, Senior Project Architect at AE7 for the past 13 years, Rasha possesses over 17 years of proficient experience in the UAE. She is a well-seasoned architect with broad professional experience working on developments across different sectors, such as hospitality, healthcare, education, and mixed-use.
Her dedication to sustainable design principles and a full understanding of commercial restraints and budgets of projects makes her a valuable asset to the design team at AE7. Additionally, Rasha retains a strong interest in addressing each project from the clients’ perspective, while meeting their goals and vision remains a top priority.
Lamees Himmo
Dubai, UAE
Senior Associate, Senior Project Designer
As a Senior Associate, Senior Project Designer at AE7 for over a decade, Lamees practices architecture and design as a relevant and responsive medium that can accommodate design excellence in the proposed resolution. With her dedication to clients’ needs and meticulous attention to detail, she creates individuality in each design project, reflecting the clients’ goals and aspirations.
As a Senior Architect with 18 years of experience in architecture, interiors, urban design, and master planning, she has taken part in projects in the UAE, Qatar, and KSA. The projects include sectors such as Corporate/ Commercial, Residential Complexes, Housing Units, Mixed-Use, Retail, k-12, Higher-Education, Healthcare, Hospitality & Leisure.
Lamees believes a successful architectural practice requires a design approach and process that tackles the creative and unique design solution, while assessing its compliance with Building & Safety Codes and Project and Construction Management.
Haitham Hussien
Dubai, UAE
Senior Associate, ELV Engineering
Haitham Hussien is a highly accomplished ELV/ICT Engineer with over 15 years of international consultancy experience. As a Senior Associate ELV Engineer, Haitham expertly manages the design and supervision of a broad range of ELV systems. His areas of expertise include Structured cabling, Passive/Active networks, Telecom networks, Smart Automation Systems, A/V, Public Address, CCTV, Access control, IPTV, and Building Management Systems.
Haitham’s extensive career has taken him around the globe, providing consultancy services for a wide variety of high-profile projects across Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, KSA, Kenya, Vietnam, and Iran. His portfolio includes significant projects such as airports, hospitals, oil and gas facilities, military complexes, hotels, mixed-use buildings, banks, office buildings, museums, universities, shopping malls, industrial projects, and schools.
Additionally, Haitham volunteers in the ICT industry, serving as the BICSI UAE Country Chair and being involved in the BICSI Middle East Conference every year, enriching his approach to engineering by contributing to the advancement of industry standards and practices. His continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional development ensures he remains at the cutting edge of technological advancements in the ELV sector. His extensive credentials, international experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence drive him to deliver exceptional results and support the growth and success of his team and projects.
Andrew Morrell
Andrew is a Senior Associate and the Senior Interior Design Manager at AE7 and leads the Jacksonville, Florida office. His broad range of experience brings clients’ design and functional aspirations to life. Andrew has experience across multiple project types, with a passion for hospitality and healthcare design.
His internationally influenced design solutions, paired with his local experience, inspire his hospitality design thinking. Andrew’s passion for worldwide travel distinguishes him from others in the industry, offering a unique global perspective that influences his designs and results in one-of-a-kind experiences.
His approach to healthcare design is inspired by his background in hospitality, with a focus on creating calm and healing environments that are also functionally efficient. He enjoys the varying degrees of complexity found in healthcare and embraces the challenge of adopting ever-changing best practices.
With extensive experience managing project phases from concept through construction, Andrew is adept at balancing client needs with the project budget and schedule. He maintains open lines of communication throughout the project management process. A reliable and proactive team lead, Andrew sees the value in his team’s contribution and leverages them to set the team and project up for success.
Martin Vargan
Senior Associate, Projects Design
As a Senior Associate of Projects Design, Martin is well-versed in handling projects ranging from small boutique designs to large urban planning developments. It is the variety of different projects that keep him engaged and constantly seeking the next new challenge. Whether he is using the latest modeling tools and technologies in his design process, working on business development, or thinking big-picture to design “lifestyles around destinations”, Martin is skilled at translating the clients’ goals for any space into concrete designs with practical applications.
Martin spends most of his time working on the beginning stages of projects, including studies. He understands the importance of getting these first few phases correct and works diligently to establish a solid foundation and set each project up for success. To Martin, the best inspiration is watching projects move from concept all the way through to construction. He has worked on numerous building typologies including high-rise buildings, retail, residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and urban planning developments.
Communication and maintaining a collaborative mindset are skills Martin identifies as most valuable, particularly in this field. He is energized by the relationships he has built with his colleagues and works hard every day to maintain a friendly work environment that promotes teamwork.