Speakers

Voices Defining the Future of Cities

The CTBUH Dubai Conference 2025 brings together leading voices from across the global built environment who are actively shaping skylines and communities throughout the Middle East. From architects and engineers to developers and researchers, our speakers will share critical insights, bold ideas, and project-driven experience to inspire the next era of tall buildings and sustainable urban design in the region and beyond.

Keynote Speaker

Muhammad BinGhatti

Binghatti Holding
Chairman

Muhammad is the Chairman of Binghatti, where he spearheads one of the UAE’s leading property brands. The company is renowned for developing properties that boast sheer architectural prowess and operates with an investment value exceeding AED 70 billion across numerous prime projects in Dubai.
Under his leadership, Binghatti became the first real estate developer in the world to form partnerships with global luxury brands, including Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Jacob & Co., to deliver branded real estate projects.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Malak Abu-Qaoud

Brookfield Properties
Director - Arts & Events

Malak oversees arts, culture, and events at ICD Brookfield Place, where she has been part of the team since 2020.
Prior to this, Malak was Creative Lead and Artistic Director of an international arts festival in Montreal, where she specialized in exploring the relationship between art, space, and the public.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon.

Peter Brannan

Arquitectonica
Managing Director - Asia Pacific & MENA

Peter is responsible for the management, business development, and client service of Arquitectonica’s practices in Asia and the Middle East. He has more than 30 years of experience in architectural design, management, and marketing across Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. He received a Diploma in Architectural Design and Technology from the University of Western Scotland and an HNC in Architectural Design and Technology from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Peter specializes in the management, design, and delivery of large mixed-use commercial projects in Asia and the Middle East. He has lived in Hong Kong since 1988 with his wife and family.
Panel Discussion: Sustainability Trade-Offs: High-Rise Living vs. Urban Habitats
Cities across the globe are grappling with the twin challenges of density and sustainability. Tall buildings have long been viewed as symbols of progress, yet their environmental footprint sparks debate: are skyscrapers truly sustainable compared with the horizontal spread of low- and mid-rise developments? This panel will unpack the trade-offs between building up and building out, exploring whether vertical communities can replicate the social fabric and sense of belonging found in traditional neighbourhoods.
Architects and sustainability consultants will examine emerging design strategies—such as modular construction, passive systems, and biophilic integration—that are reshaping the future of high-rise living. The discussion will also consider life-cycle carbon impacts, energy efficiency, and the role of infrastructure, mobility, and cultural context in determining which urban form delivers the greatest long-term value.
Key questions include:
- What metrics best measure the “sustainability trade-off” between vertical and horizontal development?
- How do local climate and culture influence the viability of high-rise versus low-rise solutions?
- Can high-rise efficiency gains truly offset the embodied carbon of tall structures?
- And most importantly, how can high-rise and low-rise strategies complement one another to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities?
This thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices to challenge assumptions, compare approaches, and reimagine how our cities can grow sustainably while maintaining human connection at their core.

Can Buyukcelen

MERED
Executive Director of Design & Construction

With a diverse career across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Can has built a reputation as a resilient and creative leader. With more than 22 years of experience, his diverse skill set and ability to think outside the box enable him to identify emerging opportunities, anticipate challenges, and spearhead innovative initiatives.
At MERED, Can is responsible for shaping projects from inception, guiding design, managing architectural structures and construction development, and overseeing strategy, market entry, and team building.
He holds master’s degrees in architectural history and philosophy, and in perception in interior design. Through his visionary approach and strategic mindset, Can plays a central role in leading design and construction departments while driving the company’s vision and growth.
Plenary Panel Discussion: Next-Gen Vertical Urbanism – How Leaders Will Build the Interconnected City of 2035
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Jason Carlow

American University of Sharjah
Head of Department of Architecture

Jason is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah. He holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University and a Master of Architecture from Yale University. He has taught architecture for more than two decades at institutions including AUS, the University of Hong Kong, Parsons School of Design in New York, and the Yale School of Architecture.
Jason’s research focuses on high-rise, high-density urbanism. He recently published Cities of Repetition (AR+D Publications, 2024), which provides a comprehensive documentation and analysis of Hong Kong's massively scaled, highly standardized private housing estates.
In addition to his academic leadership, Jason is an award-winning designer. His design work has been published widely and exhibited internationally at the Hong Kong/Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture, Dubai Design Week, the Venice Biennale of Architecture, and the Beijing Architecture Biennial. He is the recipient of an AIA Honor Award and the 2020 AIA/ACSA Housing Design Education Award.
Panel Discussion: Concept to Craft: Converging Theory and Professional Practice
The enduring tension between academic inquiry and professional practice in architecture often creates a perceived divide between critical thought and the pragmatic realities of building. This panel will explore that divide, examining how architectural theory and professional practice can converge to create a more integrated and impactful approach to design and delivery.

Mustafa Chehabeddine

KPF
Principal

Mustafa has designed internationally significant projects, including supertall towers, airport terminals, and urban districts. Managing multi-disciplinary teams across KPF’s global offices and collaborating with leading consultants, his projects have been widely recognized for their monumental spaces, cultural sensitivity, and technical innovation.
Mustafa’s designs are characterized by dramatic scales and curvilinear forms that blur the boundaries between inside and outside space. He is recognized as an industry leader in the adoption of new technologies, championing the use of computational design to deliver complex geometries and spatial magnitude while optimizing efficiency of form for buildability and cost. The design team for Zayed International Airport pioneered the use of parametric design to construct an award-winning terminal.
Mustafa’s work in rapidly urbanizing countries in Asia and the Middle East addresses complex city-making challenges, such as accommodating transportation infrastructure, anticipating future changes, and defining the character of neighborhoods. In Kuala Lumpur, the KLCC Cultural Hub—a major new cultural and retail center—was designed with future densification in mind. The structure is engineered to support the construction of a supertall tower above it at a later date, while ensuring the podium remains operational throughout. Shenzhen Centre, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development in Shenzhen, was envisioned to establish a unified core for the new city district.
Mustafa is a frequent speaker at organizations and conferences including Advanced Building Skins, CTBUH, MIPIM, and the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development, run in partnership by The King’s Foundation and the University of Oxford.
Presentation: Designing for context across multiple scales
This presentation will consider how architects can design for integration with the urban context across multiple scales and locations. It will span the “urban acupuncture” approach guiding London’s Covent Garden, the creation of new centres such as Gemdale Center in Shenzhen, and the urban condition of the periphery as seen at Atlantis The Royal Dubai. It will also reflect on the design process for Zayed International Airport, a building on a truly urban scale, created to serve as a symbol for Abu Dhabi.

James Chin

PNCA
Associate Director

James is an accomplished architect with nearly 30 years of global design experience, including more than two decades in the Middle East. He currently serves as Associate Director at PNC Architects, the consultant arm of Sobha Realty in Dubai, where he oversees design leadership, project management, and operational performance across the region.
Throughout his career, James has been instrumental in advancing architectural excellence and has been nominated for several prestigious industry awards in recognition of his innovative contributions. He leads the firm’s internal innovation hub along with initiatives that focus on modular construction technologies and advanced sustainability strategies, while also working in close alignment with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
James has played a central role in Sobha’s evolution toward larger, more complex towers and masterplans. To date, he has led the design of more than 30 tower projects with a combined built-up area exceeding 20 million square feet, encompassing over 19,000 residential units. Many of these developments have earned accolades across regional platforms for their design excellence and impact.
Currently, James is spearheading the design and delivery of Sobha Hartland II, a transformative masterplan featuring Sobha’s upcoming global headquarters and a 10-million-square-foot canal-lagoon district anchored by 14 residential towers. The project was recently recognized as the Mixed-Use Development of the Year 2024 by Design Middle East MENA, further underscoring James’s commitment to innovation at scale.
Among his most recent landmark projects is Sobha Central, a bold reimagining of high-density urban living through a pioneering “city within a building” concept. This integrated development unites six residential towers over a podium that seamlessly incorporates key community amenities, including a mosque, mall, medical center, nursery, park, and more. With intuitive indoor and outdoor connectivity across all spaces—from the rooftop urban park and amenity deck to ground-level retail and prayer halls—Sobha Central exemplifies a people-centric approach to design, setting new benchmarks for livability and vertical community planning in Dubai.
Recognized for his visionary approach, James continues to shape human-centric, high-density living through purposeful design and innovation.
Presentation: From Fragmentation to Integration - A Strategic Study of End-to-End Real Estate Development
The real estate sector has long struggled with inefficiencies stemming from fragmented delivery models, in which planning, design, construction, and operations are managed by separate entities. This session examines how Sobha Realty has pioneered a vertically integrated approach that unifies the entire development lifecycle—from concept design through to long-term community management—within a single organizational structure.
Using the Sobha Hartland II development in Dubai as a case study, the session will explore how both backward and forward integration can enhance coordination, reduce costs and delays, ensure consistent quality, and strengthen brand trust across every phase of a project. Participants will gain insight into how vertical integration not only improves execution but also enables developers to maintain design intent, advance sustainability goals, and create cohesive, value-driven communities.
Far from being unique to one developer, this model presents a scalable framework for urban transformation globally—one that responds to the growing demand for efficiency, resilience, and human-centered design in the cities of tomorrow.

Louise Collins

Focal Middle East
Partner & Director

Louise is Partner and Director at Focal Middle East, steering the firm’s engineering, sustainability, and cost consulting services across the UAE and wider MEA region. She supports clients in hospitality, commercial offices, residential, education, and industrial sectors with strategic advisory encompassing engineering design, cost management, sustainability consultancy, and net-zero implementation.
With over 23 years’ experience in Europe and the Middle East, Louise has worked in roles such as Design Consultant, Principal Engineer, Project Manager, and Client Representative. She is passionate about delivering energy- and water-efficient solutions and remains at the forefront of Focal’s transformative sustainability agenda. 
Louise is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, LEED AP, holds an Executive MBA, and co-chairs the CTBUH Middle East Regional Hub.
Panel Discussion: Sustainability Trade-Offs: High-Rise Living vs. Urban Habitats
Cities across the globe are grappling with the twin challenges of density and sustainability. Tall buildings have long been viewed as symbols of progress, yet their environmental footprint sparks debate: are skyscrapers truly sustainable compared with the horizontal spread of low- and mid-rise developments? This panel will unpack the trade-offs between building up and building out, exploring whether vertical communities can replicate the social fabric and sense of belonging found in traditional neighbourhoods.
Architects and sustainability consultants will examine emerging design strategies—such as modular construction, passive systems, and biophilic integration—that are reshaping the future of high-rise living. The discussion will also consider life-cycle carbon impacts, energy efficiency, and the role of infrastructure, mobility, and cultural context in determining which urban form delivers the greatest long-term value.
Key questions include:
- What metrics best measure the “sustainability trade-off” between vertical and horizontal development?
- How do local climate and culture influence the viability of high-rise versus low-rise solutions?
- Can high-rise efficiency gains truly offset the embodied carbon of tall structures?
- And most importantly, how can high-rise and low-rise strategies complement one another to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities?
This thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices to challenge assumptions, compare approaches, and reimagine how our cities can grow sustainably while maintaining human connection at their core.

Dr. Roy Denoon

Denoon Consulting
Wind Engineering Consultant

Roy has specialized in wind engineering for more than 30 years, working on a wide range of projects around the world, from major sports stadia to some of the world’s tallest buildings. In the Middle East, his most notable projects include fieldwork during the construction of Emirates Towers; wind engineering design input for Aldar Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and the UAE Pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai; and work on Lusail Stadium in Qatar, among others. Roy also led the instrumentation of Burj Khalifa to measure its long-term responses to wind loading.
He has published numerous magazine and journal articles in the field, serves on multiple committees, and has contributed to the development of standards and guidelines in many jurisdictions. He co-authored the CTBUH Guide to Wind Tunnel Testing of High-Rise Buildings and was a primary author of both the ASCE Manual of Practice on Design and Performance of Tall Buildings for Wind and the ASCE Pre-standard for Performance-Based Wind Design. Roy is a Fellow of CTBUH.
Presentation: A quarter century of wind engineering in the Middle East: lessons learned and where next?
Dr. Roy Denoon will share his experiences in wind engineering for high-rise buildings—primarily, though not exclusively, in the Middle East—gained over nearly 30 years. He will provide historical context on the development and adoption of design approaches, highlighting how these have influenced various aspects of building performance.
Topics to be covered include wind loading, stack effect, field experiences of building performance, and outdoor wind comfort. Looking ahead, Dr. Denoon will outline the future needs associated with increased urban densification, the integration of new approaches to mobility, and the potential for artificial intelligence technologies to shape urban planning and design.

Laura Dianu

Select Group
Head of Design

Laura is an accomplished design leader with more than 13 years of international experience across the Middle East, Europe, Japan, and South America. As Head of Design at Select Group, she leads the in-house design department across a portfolio of high-profile developments, most notably Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest branded residential tower.
Her work bridges design vision and commercial strategy, championing innovation in vertical living, branded residences, and wellness-led architecture.
Presentation: Urban Wellness – Thriving in Vertical Communities
This presentation explores the vision and journey behind the creation of Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, a project that redefines urban living through an emphasis on wellness. It will highlight the spirit of collaboration that brought together diverse expertise to embed wellness principles throughout the design process.
The discussion will cover how wellness was integrated into the architecture and community planning, the challenges encountered along the way, and the innovative solutions that helped overcome them. By pushing traditional boundaries, the project demonstrates how vertical communities can evolve into thriving, holistic environments that support both individual well-being and collective resilience.

Nicky Dobreanu

Omnium International
Branch Director

Nicky works for Omnium International Ltd., an RICS-regulated project and cost management practice serving the Middle East, Europe, and the UK from five international branch offices. His experience includes pre- and post-contract construction and infrastructure services across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, and North America, on schemes valued at up to US$53 billion.
Based in Dubai, Nicky holds a Master’s in Civil Engineering, a Bachelor’s in Commercial Management, and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Arbitration. A strong supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, he serves on the RICS World Regional Board for the Middle East and Africa, the RICS UAE Regional Advisory Board, and the RICS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Panel.
Nicky’s motto is: “Don’t be the same, be better.”
Panel Discussion: Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability
The pursuit of vertical expansion in the built environment presents a complex interplay between economic feasibility, design innovation, and sustainability imperatives. Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability convenes experts from cost management, architectural design, and environmental systems to examine how these domains converge in shaping high-rise development.
The panel discussion will critically address the economic drivers of tall buildings, including capital expenditure, life-cycle costing, and long-term operational efficiency, while situating them within the broader framework of urban resilience and sustainable growth. Attention will also be given to design methodologies that integrate circular economy principles, material efficiency, and adaptive-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
By considering all these dimensions as part of a symbiotic system, the session highlights the necessity of integrated decision-making that transcends disciplinary silos. The panel aims to contribute to ongoing academic and professional discourse by articulating pathways for responsible vertical growth that align financial viability with ecological accountability and social value creation.

Alexander Drachenberg

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Design Lead

Alexander is an architect and computational design specialist with experience across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. He has worked with renowned firms such as HPP Architekten in Germany and UNStudio in Amsterdam, and currently leads the design practice at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Dubai. Recognized for his expertise in computational and parametric design, integrated sustainability, and the fusion of creativity with digital technology, he stands at the forefront of innovation in contemporary architecture.
Beyond practice, Alexander contributes academically as a lecturer in AI & Design at Canadian University Dubai, where he integrates advanced computational workflows and artificial intelligence into the design curriculum, bridging emerging technologies with architectural education.
Presentation: AI-Powered Knowledge in the AEC industry: Connecting Teams, Projects and Expertise
In today’s fast-paced architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, knowledge is often fragmented and dispersed across teams, offices, and individual expertise. This presentation explores how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to capture, analyse, and share critical project and practice knowledge, enabling a seamless flow of information across international teams and complex projects.

Kieran Duckworth

Omnium International
Main Board Director

Kieran is a Main Board Director at Omnium International, an independent global consultancy recognized for its expertise in mega-tall buildings. Omnium has delivered cost management on some of the world’s most iconic towers, including the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Tower, and The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour.
With more than 17 years in the GCC, Kieran has guided the cost and commercial management of some of the region’s most significant urban masterplans and tall building developments. His work spans large-scale mixed-use districts that integrate towers, public realm, and supporting infrastructure. Drawing on his long-standing experience in the market, he works closely with clients and design teams to balance design ambition with commercial discipline.
Panel Discussion: Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability
The pursuit of vertical expansion in the built environment presents a complex interplay between economic feasibility, design innovation, and sustainability imperatives. Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability convenes experts from cost management, architectural design, and environmental systems to examine how these domains converge in shaping high-rise development.
The panel discussion will critically address the economic drivers of tall buildings, including capital expenditure, life-cycle costing, and long-term operational efficiency, while situating them within the broader framework of urban resilience and sustainable growth. Attention will also be given to design methodologies that integrate circular economy principles, material efficiency, and adaptive-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
By considering all these dimensions as part of a symbiotic system, the session highlights the necessity of integrated decision-making that transcends disciplinary silos. The panel aims to contribute to ongoing academic and professional discourse by articulating pathways for responsible vertical growth that align financial viability with ecological accountability and social value creation.

Hussein Saqf Elhait

Egis
Regional Director of Structures, Middle East and South Asia

Hussein is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a Chartered Engineer, and a certified Program and Project Management Professional. He leads the structural design practice for EGIS in the Middle East.
With more than 20 years of experience in operations, structural design, project management, delivery, and execution, Hussein’s career also includes serving as a client representative for a major developer. He has delivered more than 50 projects spanning major infrastructure, leisure theme parks, ultra-high-rise towers, retail malls, corporate headquarters, transportation hubs, healthcare, hospitality, and commercial buildings.
A technical expert with significant commercial responsibilities, Hussein has directed operational strategies and secured P&L improvements through business analysis, continuous improvement, and performance management. He has also established and led high-performing design teams through staff development and recruitment.
Hussein is at the forefront of introducing sustainable, modern, and efficient design solutions such as DfMA and PPVC to the Middle East market as viable construction methods for high-rise buildings. He works closely with developers, vendors, and contractors to drive the shift from conventional construction to offsite solutions.
Panel Discussion: Sustainability Trade-Offs: High-Rise Living vs. Urban Habitats
Cities across the globe are grappling with the twin challenges of density and sustainability. Tall buildings have long been viewed as symbols of progress, yet their environmental footprint sparks debate: are skyscrapers truly sustainable compared with the horizontal spread of low- and mid-rise developments? This panel will unpack the trade-offs between building up and building out, exploring whether vertical communities can replicate the social fabric and sense of belonging found in traditional neighbourhoods.
Architects and sustainability consultants will examine emerging design strategies—such as modular construction, passive systems, and biophilic integration—that are reshaping the future of high-rise living. The discussion will also consider life-cycle carbon impacts, energy efficiency, and the role of infrastructure, mobility, and cultural context in determining which urban form delivers the greatest long-term value.
Key questions include:
- What metrics best measure the “sustainability trade-off” between vertical and horizontal development?
- How do local climate and culture influence the viability of high-rise versus low-rise solutions?
- Can high-rise efficiency gains truly offset the embodied carbon of tall structures?
- And most importantly, how can high-rise and low-rise strategies complement one another to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities?
This thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices to challenge assumptions, compare approaches, and reimagine how our cities can grow sustainably while maintaining human connection at their core.

Mansour Ghosheh

Emirates Steel Industries
Senior Manager - Business Development Reinforcing Products | Sales

Mansour is a senior engineering and operations leader with a strong focus on sustainable construction, steel optimization, and business growth across the UAE. As Senior Manager – Business Development at EMSTEEL Group, he champions the introduction of high-tensile reinforcing products that reduce steel consumption, minimize environmental impact, and enhance structural efficiency.
With a career spanning leadership roles at Tradex, CICON, ALAM Steel, and Union Rebar Factory, Mansour has advanced the development of prefabricated, resource-efficient solutions that cut material waste, lower carbon footprints, and streamline project delivery. His work consistently supports greener construction practices while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality.
A civil engineering graduate and certified project manager, Mansour is known for combining technical insight with strategic vision to drive sustainable innovation across the steel and construction industries.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Roberto Fabbri

Zayed University
Associate Professor and Chair of Design

Roberto is an architect, Associate Professor, and Chair of Design at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi. His work focuses on architecture, heritage, and urban development in Gulf cities and the broader non-West. A former consultant for heritage-related projects with the United Nations Development Programme, ICOMOS, and the Goethe Institute, he is also a current member of the UAE Ministry of Culture’s Modern Heritage Technical Committee. In 2024, he was the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture Fellow at MIT and received the Hasan-Uddin Khan Paper Award from the International Journal of Islamic Architecture.
Roberto’s recent research on the quotidian architecture of Abu Dhabi is currently featured in the 2025 Architecture Biennale in Venice. He has published Max Bill in Italia (Mondadori, 2011) and Max Bill. Espaces (inFolio, 2017); co-authored the double volume Modern Architecture Kuwait 1949–89 (Niggli, 2016/2017); and co-edited Urban Modernity in the Contemporary Gulf (Routledge, 2021) and Impatient Cities of the Gulf (HPA, 2022).
Panel Discussion: Concept to Craft: Converging Theory and Professional Practice
The enduring tension between academic inquiry and professional practice in architecture often creates a perceived divide between critical thought and the pragmatic realities of building. This panel will explore that divide, examining how architectural theory and professional practice can converge to create a more integrated and impactful approach to design and delivery.

Noelle Halabi

Bluehaus
Director of Architecture

Noelle is a senior leader and architect whose career spans mixed-use, hospitality, cultural, and residential projects across the GCC and Australia. As Director of Architecture at Bluehaus, she brings a strategic yet human-centered approach, blending spatial analysis with storytelling to shape spaces that enrich how people live, work, and connect.
Known for her ability to bridge vision with execution, Noelle leads with collaboration, guiding teams and clients toward outcomes that are both commercially robust and experientially meaningful.
Panel Discussion: Concept to Craft: Converging Theory and Professional Practice
The enduring tension between academic inquiry and professional practice in architecture often creates a perceived divide between critical thought and the pragmatic realities of building. This panel will explore that divide, examining how architectural theory and professional practice can converge to create a more integrated and impactful approach to design and delivery.

Nadia Ibrahim

SJ Group
Regional Sector Lead - Climate Resilience & Waste Systems

Nadia is a sustainability leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing built environment sustainability and climate resilience across the Middle East. She has worked with governments, master developers, and real estate companies to embed net zero strategies, climate adaptation, and sustainable design principles into large-scale projects. Her portfolio includes airports, high-rise towers, residential communities, sports complexes, and major mixed-use developments, where she has delivered practical solutions that improve energy efficiency, resource management, and long-term resilience.
Her expertise lies in developing sustainable and resilient solutions for urban infrastructure, supporting clients in achieving stronger ESG outcomes, enhancing asset value, and aligning with regional sustainability ambitions.
Nadia also serves as a Board Member of Advancing Net Zero (ANZ) and the TRUE Zero Waste Executive Council, and she advises on several built environment sustainability programs. In addition, she is a regular speaker at sustainability and climate conferences across the Middle East, where she shares insights on how cities and the real estate sector can transition toward a low-carbon and climate-ready future.
Panel Discussion: Sustainability Trade-Offs: High-Rise Living vs. Urban Habitats
Cities across the globe are grappling with the twin challenges of density and sustainability. Tall buildings have long been viewed as symbols of progress, yet their environmental footprint sparks debate: are skyscrapers truly sustainable compared with the horizontal spread of low- and mid-rise developments? This panel will unpack the trade-offs between building up and building out, exploring whether vertical communities can replicate the social fabric and sense of belonging found in traditional neighbourhoods.
Architects and sustainability consultants will examine emerging design strategies—such as modular construction, passive systems, and biophilic integration—that are reshaping the future of high-rise living. The discussion will also consider life-cycle carbon impacts, energy efficiency, and the role of infrastructure, mobility, and cultural context in determining which urban form delivers the greatest long-term value.
Key questions include:
- What metrics best measure the “sustainability trade-off” between vertical and horizontal development?
- How do local climate and culture influence the viability of high-rise versus low-rise solutions?
- Can high-rise efficiency gains truly offset the embodied carbon of tall structures?
- And most importantly, how can high-rise and low-rise strategies complement one another to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities?
This thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices to challenge assumptions, compare approaches, and reimagine how our cities can grow sustainably while maintaining human connection at their core.

Massimo Imparato

Canadian University Dubai
Dean, School of Architecture
and Interior Design

Massimo is an educator, curator, and sustainability expert trained in architecture under Giancarlo De Carlo, with whom he collaborated at the ILA&UD. He is the founder of StudioBau and has served as art director for several furniture design companies. He has taught at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and China, where he was appointed founding Head of the Industrial Design Department at Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University in Suzhou, before returning to the UAE as Dean of the School of Architecture and Interior Design at Canadian University Dubai.
Through his project UAE Modern, Massimo curates conferences, seminars, workshops, and installations for Dubai Design Week. As a member of the Cumulus Association, he chairs the FINDER working group, which aims to establish an assessment framework for creative scholarship in academia. His research and projects focus on sustainability and the transition to a circular economy, and his work is disseminated through international forums and publications.
Panel Discussion: Concept to Craft: Converging Theory and Professional Practice
The enduring tension between academic inquiry and professional practice in architecture often creates a perceived divide between critical thought and the pragmatic realities of building. This panel will explore that divide, examining how architectural theory and professional practice can converge to create a more integrated and impactful approach to design and delivery.

Chris Jones

10 Design
Chairman

As Chairman, Chris is responsible for setting the vision for 10 Design and driving its strategic growth globally, working alongside the CEO, regional Managing Principals, and Design Principals.
With more than 25 years of international experience, Chris has played a fundamental role in the firm’s progress and success across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, having served as Managing Principal for 10 Design’s studios in the region for over a decade. He has a proven track record of designing, delivering, and managing projects across all stages, from masterplans, mixed-use developments, and residential and retail projects to commercial, education, and civic buildings.
Throughout his career, Chris has forged close partnerships with a wide variety of clients, working collaboratively to bring their vision to life. Having lived and worked in global cities including New York, Dubai, London, and Istanbul, his wealth of experience and forward-thinking leadership continue to play a crucial role in strengthening the firm’s position as a thought leader and pioneer in the industry.
Presentation: Urban Fabric: Repair – Reveal – Reposition
This presentation explores the urban morphology of destinations, drawing on regional and international benchmark projects that have successfully advanced liveability, sustainability, and connectivity.
Through these case studies, it highlights a strategic and holistic approach to urban development that responds to context, climate, and culture—revealing each site’s potential and creating a renewed sense of place. By reimagining spaces for the future, the presentation demonstrates how thoughtful design can enhance quality of life and promote economic growth.

Yahya Kaddoura

AtkinsRealis
Associate Principal

Yahya is an award-winning architect, urban designer, and strategist with more than 12 years of experience transforming visionary concepts into landmark developments and architectural masterpieces across the MEA region. He specializes in front-end design and has delivered a diverse range of projects spanning master planning, residential, commercial, hospitality, business parks, and mixed-use developments across continents.
Key high-rise projects in Yahya’s portfolio include Grand Bleu at Emaar Beachfront in Dubai, Kifaf 1 Twin Towers in Dubai, Al Maryah Commercial Towers in Abu Dhabi, and Upper Hill Twin Towers in Nairobi.
Yahya’s ethos is rooted in collaborative design thinking, working across disciplines to provide effective and innovative solutions that create world-class developments. Driven by a passion for innovation and design, his journey continues to explore beyond the norm—designing cities of the future, building community, integrating nature, reducing environmental impact, and creating memorable spaces and experiences.
Presentation: Architecture Intelligence
What if the way we use artificial intelligence could transform the way we run architectural practice?
This presentation takes the audience beyond basic prompting into the world of advanced prompt engineering—not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a shift in mindset. It explores how architects can rethink the way they design, streamline operations, create smarter workflows, and unlock new layers of creative potential.
It is not just about better prompts; it is about becoming the maestro in leading a world where creativity meets intelligence.

Yahya Jan

NORR Group
President & Design Director

For Yahya, design is a creative process that challenges us to combine our understanding of life, science, and art. Where these aspects overlap, he believes First Principle thinking can reveal solutions that expand our understanding of reality.
Based in Dubai, Yahya is President & Design Director at NORR. With 37 years of global experience, he leads the firm’s design efforts in the Middle East and Asia. Yahya completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Princeton University. A licensed architect in New York, he lived and worked in the United States for 14 years before moving to Dubai in 1996. Since then, he has played a pivotal role at NORR, bringing to life visionary projects throughout the region.
Yahya believes that great design, done right, can solve many of humanity’s challenges. For this to happen, he advocates an inclusive approach—one that invites open-minded exploration where owners and designers fully participate in the process.
He promotes integrated design as a way to transform the built environment, seeing it as a patient search—equal parts analytical and intuitive. Central to his philosophy is a multidisciplinary approach that brings together owners, architects, engineers, and others to unlock hidden potential. Today, Yahya leads a highly motivated and multicultural team of designers and doers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Manila, all dedicated to excellence.
Yahya’s built work includes signature office, residential, and hotel towers, retail malls, and mixed-use developments. A winner of numerous international awards, his design and research have been featured at conferences and in leading publications worldwide.
Presentation: The Story Of Ciel
This presentation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic push and pull of the design process, told through the fascinating and honest story of designing Ciel, now nearing completion in Dubai. At 373 meters in height, this signature tower is set to become the tallest hotel in the world.
In a city renowned for its verticality, the design of Ciel is ambitious: redefining vertical living by introducing naturally ventilated, landscaped terraces throughout the tower’s height. The presentation emphasizes the design “process” as much as the final “product,” sharing the story of a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary effort.
It recounts how a team of architects, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, alongside interior designers, worked together to make the project a reality. A study in simplicity amid complexity, this presentation details the many forces—contextual, structural, environmental, and programmatic—that shaped the design of Ciel.

Shaun Killa

Killa Design
Design Partner

Shaun is an award-winning architect with more than 29 years of international experience. Driven by design excellence, his philosophy focuses on innovative, low-carbon, sustainable buildings and on challenging architectural norms to create expressive and timeless forms. This approach has led him to design numerous highly recognizable projects, including Almas Tower, Dubai Opera House, and Bahrain World Trade Centre—the world’s first large-scale integration of wind turbines on a building.
In his early career, Shaun received multiple global awards, including the ENR Newsmaker Award in New York, the Global Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction for the Lighthouse Tower, and the CTBUH Best Tall Building in the Middle East Award for Bahrain World Trade Centre.
Shaun established Killa Design in Dubai in 2015. Since then, he has delivered signature projects including the award-winning Museum of the Future, Shebara Resort, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the Address Beach Resort, W Hotel Namaste, Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club, Aykon Twin Towers, and the Office of the Future—the world’s first occupied 3D-printed building.
Shaun has been ranked the “Most Powerful Middle East Architect” by Construction Week in 2017, 2021, and 2022, and his firm was named “Architectural Firm of the Year” in the Middle East for four consecutive years, most recently in 2023. Killa Design also won “Best Young Firm” at the Architizer A+Awards in 2023 and was recognized among the world’s leading architectural practices in Building Design’s WA100 in both 2024 and 2025.
Throughout the design process, Shaun devotes significant time to mentoring and supporting the next generation of architects. The studio fosters a flat “design-led” dialogue that encourages collaboration across teams. Shaun is also a keynote speaker at multiple global conferences, inspiring architects and developers to question the status quo and to focus on sustainable buildings and masterplans that improve urban habitats, enhance livability, and reduce carbon emissions from the built environment.
Today, Killa Design is home to more than 120 architects.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Marina Kindelan

AESG
Director of Facades, ME / APAC

Marina is the Façade Director for the Middle East and Asia Pacific at AESG. Holding a Master’s in Architecture and a Master’s in Façade Engineering, she has dedicated her career to advancing façade design with a strong focus on performance, buildability, and sustainability while maintaining a balance with aesthetics.
She has further strengthened her expertise through the RICS Expert Witness Certificate Programme, supporting her role in dispute resolution and independent tribunal proceedings. Throughout her career, Marina has been committed to raising the standards of façade design, shaping strategies and approaches that deliver resilient, high-quality, and sustainable outcomes across diverse contexts.
Panel Discussion: Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability
The pursuit of vertical expansion in the built environment presents a complex interplay between economic feasibility, design innovation, and sustainability imperatives. Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability convenes experts from cost management, architectural design, and environmental systems to examine how these domains converge in shaping high-rise development.
The panel discussion will critically address the economic drivers of tall buildings, including capital expenditure, life-cycle costing, and long-term operational efficiency, while situating them within the broader framework of urban resilience and sustainable growth. Attention will also be given to design methodologies that integrate circular economy principles, material efficiency, and adaptive-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
By considering all these dimensions as part of a symbiotic system, the session highlights the necessity of integrated decision-making that transcends disciplinary silos. The panel aims to contribute to ongoing academic and professional discourse by articulating pathways for responsible vertical growth that align financial viability with ecological accountability and social value creation.

Nihal Karagöz

Dubai Holding Real Estate
Director - ESG

Bio to be published. Please check back for updates.
Session abstract to be published. Please check back for updates.

Marija Krsmanovic

LWK & Partners
Senior Architect

Marija is a Senior Architect at LWK+P in Dubai with more than a decade of professional experience spanning Europe, South America, and the Middle East. She has worked on a diverse portfolio of international projects across more than 10 countries.
Having lived and worked in Slovenia, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, and Qatar, Marija brings a rich cultural perspective to her work. She is also actively engaged in professional competitions, with numerous award-winning entries.
Panel Presentation: Generative Futures: AI in Architecture and Design
This presentation explores how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the way architectural design is conceived, translated, and delivered, with a particular focus on tall building design.
The discussion will examine practical applications of AI across the design process—from early-stage concept generation to design optimisation—highlighting how machine learning can enhance creativity, accelerate workflows, and support broader sustainability and efficiency goals.
Attention will also be given to the balance between human intuition and algorithmic intelligence, offering insights into the evolving role of architects in an AI-augmented future.

Arvind Kumar

Hydro Building Systems Middle East
Commercial Director

Arvind is an engineer, MBA, and LEED GA with a passion for architectural aluminium. In the Greater Middle East markets, he works closely with building designers, architects, consultants, developers, and contractors to deliver innovative façade and aluminium solutions.
His work ranges from designing panoramic sliding doors for luxury residences to developing bespoke aluminium façade systems for high-rise buildings. Through his association with TECHNAL and WICONA—part of Hydro Building Systems and one of the world’s leading sustainable aluminium system manufacturers—Arvind actively contributes to addressing climate change by promoting low-carbon, circular solutions for the building envelopes of tomorrow.
As an Associate Member of the Society of Façade Engineering (SFE), Arvind also shares building envelope trends with students in architecture schools, while learning from the wider construction academia. This ongoing exchange keeps him closely connected to emerging design innovations and underscores his philosophy of lifelong learning.
Session details to be published. Please check back for updates.

Ron Klemencic

Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA)
Chairman and CEO

Ron is Chairman and CEO of Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), an award-winning structural and civil engineering firm founded in 1920 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. He has worked on projects in 29 states and 25 countries, including multi-block developments as large as 11.5 million square feet and buildings as tall as 112 stories. Widely regarded as one of the preeminent high-rise structural engineers practicing today, Ron is sought after by developers, architects, and contractors worldwide for his creativity, big-picture approach, and ability to consistently deliver cost-effective and inventive designs. His portfolio includes iconic projects such as Salesforce Tower in San Francisco; 150 North Riverside, Aqua, and St. Regis Tower in Chicago; and Rainier Square in Seattle.
Ron has championed numerous innovations throughout his career—from implementing performance-based seismic design for high-rise buildings in the mid-1990s, to developing and applying the first-of-its-kind, non-proprietary SpeedCore structural system in the early 2000s, to advancing performance-based wind design and structural fire design in recent years.
A past five-year Chairman of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Ron was named a Fellow by CTBUH and received the organization’s Fazlur Khan Lifetime Achievement Medal in 2016 in recognition of his excellence, leadership, and impact in structural engineering for the design and research of tall buildings and the built urban environment.
Presentation: SpeedCore: Game Changer!
The Rainier Square development in Seattle features a 1.4 million-square-foot, 58-storey, 260-metre-tall mixed-use tower as its centrepiece. Bracing this tower against wind and seismic demands is a new structural system: the Concrete-Filled Composite Plate Shear Wall (CF-CPSW) system, more widely known by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) as SpeedCore.
Early estimates suggested the system would reduce the original 32-month construction schedule by eight months. In reality, the project was completed in just 22 months—10 months ahead of schedule—marking a groundbreaking achievement in tall building delivery.
A second SpeedCore project, 200 Park Avenue in San Jose, California, has also recently been completed. This 20-storey office tower, featuring large 5,000-square-metre floor plates, realised cost savings of USD 10 million and a three-month reduction in its construction schedule, building on the success and lessons learned from Rainier Square.
Several new projects in Boston and New York City are now being designed and constructed using this revolutionary system.
Developed by MKA in collaboration with Purdue University and the University at Buffalo, with generous support from the Charles Pankow Foundation, AISC, and the Steel Institute of New York, SpeedCore is now ready for global implementation. Ron Klemencic will share details of these projects, the system itself, research findings, lessons learned, and prospects for the future.

Yannic Leveque

Acciona Living & Culture
Vice President Middle East

Yannic is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in architecture and construction, specializing in the design and delivery of high-profile projects across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He is currently the Middle East Vice President at ACCIONA Living and Culture, where he leads efforts aligned with the company’s mission to foster economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social progress.
His expertise spans the creation of museums, luxury tourism projects, and hospitality developments. Notable achievements include leading the architectural design of the Clinique La Prairie in Amaala, luxury villas on Laheq Island for Red Sea Global, the Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, and the Václav Havel Building for the European Parliament.
With a strong commitment to cultural and destination development, Yannic plays a key role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, helping to redefine the future of the cultural and hospitality sectors in the Middle East. A passionate professional, he enjoys collaborating with diverse teams to deliver high-impact projects that blend innovation, luxury, and cultural significance.
Plenary Panel Discussion: Next-Gen Vertical Urbanism – How Leaders Will Build the Interconnected City of 2035
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Juho Löytönen

KONE
Expert in High-Rise Vertical Transportation

Juho is an expert in high-rise vertical transportation and Offering Manager at KONE, where he is responsible for the company’s global high-rise product portfolio and other solutions supporting complex major projects. In this role, he drives the development of KONE’s core high-rise offering and ensures the delivery of innovative vertical transportation technologies tailored to the most demanding buildings worldwide.
With nearly two decades of experience, Juho has contributed to the design and delivery of vertical transportation solutions for landmark projects such as 122 Leadenhall (The Cheesegrater) in London, Bloomberg’s European Headquarters, and the Elizabeth Line. His expertise spans high-rise engineering, customer solutions, and the integration of new technologies into complex urban developments.
Juho’s career at KONE began in 2006. Over the years, he has advanced through multiple engineering and leadership positions, including roles in design, engineering management, and customer solutions in both Finland and the UK. Since 2023, he has been leading KONE’s global high-rise offering for major projects.
Session details to be published. Please check back for updates.

Dr. K. Suresh Kumar

RWDI Group
Principal & Vice President - Global Consulting

Currently based in Dubai, Suresh is a recognized leader in wind engineering, serving as Vice President – Global Consulting. With more than 35 years of international experience as a wind engineering researcher and consultant, he has made significant contributions to the field.
Suresh spearheaded the establishment of RWDI’s fifth wind tunnel in Trivandrum, India, where he successfully led a team of 50 technocrats for 15 years before moving abroad. He has worked as a wind consultant on many iconic structures worldwide, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the world’s tallest tower—and several confidential supertall towers.
Suresh has published and presented numerous papers in international journals and conferences, and he remains professionally active worldwide.
Presentation: Exploring the Nuances of Wind Load Calculations on Tall Buildings
Wind load is one of the primary lateral forces acting on tall buildings, with significant influence on their structural design. Accurate assessment requires careful consideration of multiple parameters, including return period, wind speed, wind profiles, aerodynamic coefficients, structural dynamics, and damping ratios. This presentation explores the complexities and nuances involved in calculating wind-induced responses in tall buildings.
Particular focus will be given to the ambiguity surrounding the selection of key parameters such as return period, damping ratio, minimum load limits, and diaphragm configurations in complex structures. The discussion will address how these choices can be navigated by relying on well-established engineering practices, unless compelling new research indicates more effective approaches.
The objective is to apply pragmatic engineering judgment while avoiding unnecessary conservatism, in alignment with broader sustainability goals. This ensures both structural integrity and responsible material use in the design of modern tall buildings.

James Marvin

PNCA
Chief Executive Officer

James is the Chief Executive Officer of PNCA Architects, with more than 40 years of experience in architecture, construction, and design leadership. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Architecture, he began his career with a hands-on approach, combining practical experience in design and build practice with a deep passion for architectural innovation.
Since taking the helm at PNCA in 2015, James has guided the firm through a period of exceptional growth and transformation. Under his leadership, the practice has expanded from a 60-member team to a multidisciplinary studio of more than 900 professionals across eight disciplines. PNCA’s portfolio today includes design contributions to more than 95 projects—over 55 completed and 40 ongoing—spanning 50 million square feet across a diverse range of typologies and geographies. This growth has been achieved while preserving a flexible, project-led team structure, allowing for agility and precision in execution.
James has been instrumental in evolving PNCA into a fully integrated practice with in-house expertise across architecture, structural engineering, MEP, interior design, landscape architecture, façade engineering, POD design, master planning, and more. His leadership fosters a culture of design excellence, sustainability, and collaborative innovation, enabling the firm to deliver forward-thinking solutions that respond to both local context and global benchmarks.
With a career shaped by international exposure, including collaborations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, James brings a global perspective to his work. He has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including CEO of the Year at the Architecture Leaders Awards 2025, Outstanding Achievement at the Future of Architecture Summits and Awards 2025, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Design Middle East Architecture Leaders Awards 2024.
Driven by a belief in purposeful, human-centric design, James continues to steer PNCA with a vision rooted in creativity, adaptability, and long-term impact within the built environment.
Presentation: From Fragmentation to Integration - A Strategic Study of End-to-End Real Estate Development
The real estate sector has long struggled with inefficiencies stemming from fragmented delivery models, in which planning, design, construction, and operations are managed by separate entities. This session examines how Sobha Realty has pioneered a vertically integrated approach that unifies the entire development lifecycle—from concept design through to long-term community management—within a single organizational structure.
Using the Sobha Hartland II development in Dubai as a case study, the session will explore how both backward and forward integration can enhance coordination, reduce costs and delays, ensure consistent quality, and strengthen brand trust across every phase of a project. Participants will gain insight into how vertical integration not only improves execution but also enables developers to maintain design intent, advance sustainability goals, and create cohesive, value-driven communities.
Far from being unique to one developer, this model presents a scalable framework for urban transformation globally—one that responds to the growing demand for efficiency, resilience, and human-centered design in the cities of tomorrow.

Shonn Mills

Whitby Wood Mills
Managing Director &
CTBUH Board of Trustees Chairman

Shonn is a long-standing champion of design and innovation with more than 30 years of experience in the design and management of large-scale building and transport infrastructure projects. He began his career as a bridge designer, working on several long-span bridges in California and across the West Coast of the United States.
After relocating to London in 2007, Shonn shifted his focus to building engineering, delivering a wide range of long-span projects such as stadiums, airports, and metro stations in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This work led to the design of complex, multidisciplinary building structures, including high-rise buildings.
In 2014, Shonn relocated to Singapore to establish Ramboll Buildings Asia, where he continued to apply his expertise to tall building structures, modular buildings, and prefabrication. Four years later, he was appointed Global Director of High-Rise Buildings at Ramboll Group, where he grew the team from 50 to more than 250 employees and expanded the group’s footprint to nine countries, including Australia and the United States.
In 2023, Shonn co-founded his own global practice, Whitby Wood Mills, which focuses on impact engineering design. He has been active with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat for more than a decade and has served as a member of its Board of Trustees since 2021. Shonn has participated in multiple international conferences and co-authored the CTBUH Guide: Smart Technology for Tall Buildings.
Presentation: Ctrl + Alt + Build: Rebooting the City
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Fernando Morante

Egis
Technical Director Facade and Specialism

Bio to be published. Check back soon for more information.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Priya Mrinal

Woods Bagot
Principal

Priya is Principal and Regional Delivery Stream Leader at the Dubai studio of Woods Bagot, where she has been an integral part of the team for more than a decade. During this time, she has played a key role in the successful delivery of some of the Middle East studio’s most high-profile projects, including Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, Uptown Tower in JLT, SO/ Uptown Hotel, La Vie Residential, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Bluewaters Retail District, The Index Tower, and City Walk Residential in the UAE, among others.
Known for her calm, collaborative approach and well-rounded expertise, Priya leads with diligence and a commitment to excellence, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards.
Presentation: Urban Wellness – Thriving in Vertical Communities
This presentation explores the vision and journey behind the creation of Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, a project that redefines urban living through an emphasis on wellness. It will highlight the spirit of collaboration that brought together diverse expertise to embed wellness principles throughout the design process.
The discussion will cover how wellness was integrated into the architecture and community planning, the challenges encountered along the way, and the innovative solutions that helped overcome them. By pushing traditional boundaries, the project demonstrates how vertical communities can evolve into thriving, holistic environments that support both individual well-being and collective resilience.

Dr. Kevin Mueller

Thornton Tomasetti
Vice President

Kevin is a Vice President in the Protective Design and Security practice at Thornton Tomasetti. He specializes in physical security, structural and façade blast analysis, hostile vehicle mitigation, explosives safety, and structural fire engineering. He has managed projects across a wide range of sectors and clients, including the Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, US Federal Government, US Federal Reserve, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Department of Aviation, Amtrak, the Smithsonian, professional sports teams, aerospace research facilities, and various confidential private developments.
Kevin is a voting member and former chair of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 216 Fire Protection Standards Committee, a voting member of ACI 133 (Disaster Reconnaissance) and ACI 370 (Blast and Impact Load Effects), and an active contributor to the CTBUH Fire and Life Safety Committee. He is also involved with AISC TC8 (Fire Protection) and the SFPE CPQ (Professional Competency, Credentialing & Qualifications) Committees.
Presentation: Role of Protective Design and Security in the Middle East: From Master Planning to Construction
The history of the Middle East is complex, tracing back to ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, whose rise and fall have shaped the region’s geopolitical rivalries, territorial disputes, and present-day security concerns. Today, threats to the built environment continue to evolve—from vehicle-borne explosives and suicide bombers to active shooters, hostile vehicles, commercial aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
As architects and engineers, we share the responsibility to collaborate with local authorities and project stakeholders to design safe and secure buildings and infrastructure. Yet the wide range of threats and the constantly changing security environment often result in a highly complex design process for high-profile buildings in the Middle East.
This presentation will address the implementation of protective design and security throughout the entire design process, including the determination of design basis threats and the establishment of an acceptable level of post-event building damage.

Parvathi Nampoothiri

Buro Happold
Partner - Middle East Urban Strategies Lead

Parvathi is a planner, urban designer, and strategic thinker with 20 years of experience working in the UAE, KSA, Canada, and the USA. She leads Buro Happold’s Urban Strategies team in the Middle East, delivering a range of projects across cities in the region. She draws on her deep experience as a city planner with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality and Transport and the City of Markham in Canada.
Her work spans the development of strategic plans and policy through to detailed planning, consultation, and delivery focused on urban transformation and placemaking at the district and block level. She has led a wide range of projects including master plans, urban regeneration plans, public realm strategies, smart city plans, urban design guidelines, street design manuals, streetscape plans, and development regulations, integrating multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
Parvathi is passionate about making cities better for people and the planet, striving to create places and communities that are vibrant, healthy, and sustainable.
Presentation: From Neighbourhoods to Streets: Placemaking for Vibrant Urban Life
Placemaking helps shape urban environments by fostering vibrant, inclusive communities through human-scale design, community engagement, and the integration of buildings with public spaces. This presentation will explore how placemaking can transform neighbourhoods, streets, and open areas into places where people feel welcome and inspired to connect. Emphasizing collaboration across all scales—from city-wide plans to individual spaces—it will highlight strategies that support social interaction, accessibility, and a strong sense of belonging. Attendees will gain insight into how practitioners can work together to create environments that invite people to linger, participate, and thrive.

Ill Sam Park

Foster + Partners
Partner Architect

Ill Sam studied architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and joined Foster + Partners in 2006. He has worked on a wide range of award-winning projects across Asia and the Middle East, including the World Trade Centre Souk mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi, the Alif Mobility Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, and the Coral Bloom sustainable hospitality project in Saudi Arabia.
With a strong interest in innovation, sustainability, and user-focused design, Ill Sam’s work is exemplified by the ICD Brookfield Place project in Dubai, which has received multiple awards, including LEED Platinum certification.
Since relocating to Dubai in 2016, Ill Sam has managed a number of major projects in the region.
Additional session details to be announced. Check back soon.

Andreas Klok Pedersen

BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group
Partner & Design Director

Andreas is the Design Director of BIG London and a member of the practice’s global Board of Directors. He has been with the firm since its founding and has led projects of all typologies and scales in locations around the world, with a focus on Europe and the Middle East. Key recent work includes Google’s new UK Headquarters, now in the final stages of construction in King’s Cross, London; Ocean House on the Palm in Dubai; the Saadiyat Island Cultural Masterplan and related assets in Abu Dhabi; and the new Chedi Wadi Safar Hotel in Riyadh.
In Amsterdam, Andreas recently completed the riverside Sluishuis residential development, where residents can access their homes by car, foot, or boat. In Denmark, he led the Aarhus Harbour Masterplan, a mixed-use redevelopment of a former industrial site featuring housing, a hotel, a theater, public spaces, and a harbour bath. He has also been responsible for the Qiddiya Master Plan, an entertainment-focused city for 600,000 people west of Riyadh; MÉCA, a sculpted cultural centre in France; and the 220-meter-tall Shenzhen Energy Headquarters in China.
Andreas has spearheaded several of BIG’s strategic planning projects with a focus on sustainability, including Plan for the Planet, the firm’s ongoing research program to create a blueprint for a carbon-neutral planet, as well as Loop City and Mars Science City.
In addition to his architectural and master planning work, Andreas lectures internationally on BIG’s current research and projects. He has taught at the Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, the AHO School of Architecture in Oslo, and served as Studio Director at the Strelka Institute for Architecture and Urbanism in Moscow.
Plenary Presentation: Plan for the Planet
This presentation will outline a global plan for achieving a carbon-neutral planet while addressing the fundamental challenges of energy, transport, industry, biodiversity, resources, pollution, water, and food security. The session will consider what it would actually take to stop the net emission of greenhouse gases and the practical implications of this ultimate goal. By framing the steps required for a 100% sustainable human presence on Earth—capable of supporting up to 10 billion people—the project aims to highlight the scale, urgency, and opportunities of building a truly sustainable future.

Morné Pienaar

Jacobs
Design Director, Cities & Place

Morné is Design Director with Jacobs’ Cities & Places team in Dubai, where he leads design excellence across the Middle East. He champions a forward-looking practice that blends traditional design thinking with advanced creative workflows, cultural insight, and storytelling.
At Jacobs, Morné and his team are shaping a vision for resilient, human-centered cities—stitching together buildings and landscapes into the connected ecosystems of tomorrow.
Panel Discussion: Sustainability Trade-Offs: High-Rise Living vs. Urban Habitats
Cities across the globe are grappling with the twin challenges of density and sustainability. Tall buildings have long been viewed as symbols of progress, yet their environmental footprint sparks debate: are skyscrapers truly sustainable compared with the horizontal spread of low- and mid-rise developments? This panel will unpack the trade-offs between building up and building out, exploring whether vertical communities can replicate the social fabric and sense of belonging found in traditional neighbourhoods.
Architects and sustainability consultants will examine emerging design strategies—such as modular construction, passive systems, and biophilic integration—that are reshaping the future of high-rise living. The discussion will also consider life-cycle carbon impacts, energy efficiency, and the role of infrastructure, mobility, and cultural context in determining which urban form delivers the greatest long-term value.
Key questions include:
- What metrics best measure the “sustainability trade-off” between vertical and horizontal development?
- How do local climate and culture influence the viability of high-rise versus low-rise solutions?
- Can high-rise efficiency gains truly offset the embodied carbon of tall structures?
- And most importantly, how can high-rise and low-rise strategies complement one another to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities?
This thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices to challenge assumptions, compare approaches, and reimagine how our cities can grow sustainably while maintaining human connection at their core.

Benjamin Piper

INTEGRITY
Architectural Design Director

Benjamin leads INTEGRITY architectural design office in Dubai and has more than 25 years of experience shaping the built environment through architectural and master planning projects across the Middle East, India, China, the US, and the UK. He has held leadership roles at globally recognized firms including Gensler, Perkins+Will, Atkins, and Killa Design, bringing expertise to a wide spectrum of project types with a focus on luxury hospitality and residential, commercial, and complex mixed-use developments.
His work is defined by a passion for architecture and a dedication to creating designs that are both visionary and contextually grounded. With an emphasis on intelligent, sustainable solutions and a belief in the transformative power of design, Benjamin approaches each project with artistic integrity and technical rigor. He has led the design of iconic buildings such as Como Residences, Solara Tower, BLVD Address Hotel, VIDA Hotel, and the Ritz-Carlton Diriyah Gate, along with other flagship developments for leading developers that push the boundaries of form, function, and integration.
An advocate for design-led thinking, Benjamin holds several technology patents from MIT for computational design tools and regularly contributes to the academic field as a visiting critic and speaker. His practice reflects a commitment to design excellence, innovation, and collaboration, helping to shape some of the most significant architectural projects across the region.
Presentation: Beauty = Value: Transforming the Value of Material Through the Power of Design
The beauty of natural forms is the product of evolution, where form follows survival and efficiency. This presentation explores how architecture can mirror this principle, transforming material into value through design.
Using Como Residences as a case study, the session demonstrates how a site-specific, logical response generated a unique, fluid form that harmonises with its context. The outcome was not only aesthetic beauty but also extraordinary market value—culminating in Dubai’s highest penthouse sale at AED 500 million.
The presentation reframes beauty as an economic driver, showing how sensitive and responsive design can unlock unprecedented value.

Patrick Rouse

Deyaar Development
Chief Development Officer

Patrick is a seasoned real estate executive with more than 20 years of experience in developing and delivering complex, large-scale mixed-use projects across multiple markets and asset classes. He is currently the Chief Development Officer at Deyaar Development. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer of LITE Development & Consulting, a company that provides innovative and customized solutions for real estate development and investment opportunities.
Patrick has extensive expertise across all aspects of real estate development, from feasibility and design to construction and handover. He has worked with leading clients, consultants, and contractors including Emaar Properties, Dubai Holding, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, John Sisk & Son, and WSP. He has played an instrumental role in the success of notable projects such as Address Skyview, Burj Vista, Oasis Hospital, Cairo Festival City, and Dubai Festival City. His core competencies include contract management, cost management, and project control. Patrick holds a BEng in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Real Estate Investment and Finance, and two Postgraduate Diplomas in Construction Law and Contract Administration, and Project Management.
Passionate about creating value and delivering excellence for clients and stakeholders, Patrick brings a global perspective and strategic vision to his work. He has worked in Ireland, Australia, Egypt, and the UAE, and is driven by the challenge and opportunity of developing and transforming real estate landscapes while enhancing the quality of life for communities.
Presentation: Redefining Urban Life - A Deep Dive into Deyaar Development’s Transformative Projects
The residential market in the United Arab Emirates has undergone a remarkable transformation, characterized by innovative approaches to city-making in a challenging desert environment. This evolution highlights the potential for creating vibrant, sustainable communities that cater to diverse lifestyles. Deyaar Development stands at the forefront of this transformation, pioneering projects that not only redefine urban living but also resonate with the cultural and environmental context of the region.
One of Deyaar’s flagship projects is Marcasa, a residential tower in Dubai Maritime City. Inspired by ocean waves, the project offers waterfront apartments, duplexes, and penthouses with panoramic views of the Persian Gulf and Dubai’s skyline.
In contrast, Regalia represents the pinnacle of luxury living in the heart of Dubai. This iconic residential tower boasts breathtaking views of the city skyline, offering residents an unparalleled lifestyle experience. Its architectural design blends modern aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, providing state-of-the-art amenities. Regalia not only caters to high-end buyers but also enhances Dubai’s urban landscape, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a global hub for luxury and sophistication.
Rivage showcases the allure of waterfront living, combining aesthetic beauty with functional design. Located on Al Reem Island, Rivage by Deyaar features one- to three-bedroom residences, duplexes, sky villas, and sky palaces with custom interiors and resort-style amenities. The residences promise breathtaking sea, mangrove, and city views. By promoting a lifestyle centered around water and nature, Rivage attracts both local and international buyers.
Another project, Aya Beachfront Residences in Umm Al Quwain, redefines coastal living. With undulating terraces and sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and Al Khor mangroves, Aya blends visionary design with the natural landscape.
Deyaar’s latest development, DWTN Residences, rises as a new landmark in Downtown Dubai’s illustrious skyline. Six distinctive ecosystems elevate everyday experiences into extraordinary moments, reimagining vertical living through carefully crafted environments tailored to life’s multifaceted rhythms. Positioned at the intersection of innovation and elegance, DWTN Residences commands its place as a destination where life’s finest experiences converge.
Together, these key projects illustrate the dynamic evolution of the residential market in the UAE. They not only exemplify innovative design and luxury but also reflect Deyaar’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement. As the UAE continues to navigate the challenges of desert living, these developments pave the way for future urban growth that prioritizes resident well-being, environmental stewardship, and cultural identity—ultimately shaping the future of city-making in the region.

Kourosh Salehi

LWK & Partners
Global Design Principal

To be published shortly. Check back again soon.
Panel Discussion: Concept to Craft: Converging Theory and Professional Practice
The enduring tension between academic inquiry and professional practice in architecture often creates a perceived divide between critical thought and the pragmatic realities of building. This panel will explore that divide, examining how architectural theory and professional practice can converge to create a more integrated and impactful approach to design and delivery.

Dr. Yianni Spanos

Expo City Dubai
Vice President – Sustainability

Yianni is Vice President – Sustainability at Expo City Dubai, where he oversees all sustainability activities, including the implementation of new initiatives, reporting, and safeguarding the quality of the living environment. He also focuses on Expo City’s sustainability certifications and the delivery of its decarbonization activities.
A strategy and sustainability leader with more than 25 years of experience in energy transition, climate change, and sustainable strategies for major projects, Yianni is known for developing and delivering advanced solutions that recognize the interconnectedness of different programs, align technical delivery with budgets, and support stakeholder communication and engagement. He has provided consultancy and advisory services across a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, hospitality and leisure, renewable energy, sports, real estate, and urban planning.
Yianni has been based in the Arabian Gulf region since 2013, working closely with global event organizers and developers of future world destinations.
A Chartered Engineer, Yianni holds a PhD in Physics from Coventry University and a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD. His undergraduate and postgraduate studies focused on engineering, construction management, and building services. He is a member of the Energy Institute, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.
Panel Discussion: Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability
The pursuit of vertical expansion in the built environment presents a complex interplay between economic feasibility, design innovation, and sustainability imperatives. Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability convenes experts from cost management, architectural design, and environmental systems to examine how these domains converge in shaping high-rise development.
The panel discussion will critically address the economic drivers of tall buildings, including capital expenditure, life-cycle costing, and long-term operational efficiency, while situating them within the broader framework of urban resilience and sustainable growth. Attention will also be given to design methodologies that integrate circular economy principles, material efficiency, and adaptive-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
By considering all these dimensions as part of a symbiotic system, the session highlights the necessity of integrated decision-making that transcends disciplinary silos. The panel aims to contribute to ongoing academic and professional discourse by articulating pathways for responsible vertical growth that align financial viability with ecological accountability and social value creation.

Mithun Varghese

LWK & Partners
Director

Mithun is a Director at the Dubai studio, recognized as a motivated and ambitious post-contemporary design thinker with more than 20 years of international experience spanning all aspects of architecture and master planning. His career reflects a profound understanding of the architectural process from inception to realization, encompassing a wide range of project types and scales.
His involvement in landmark projects across the Middle East demonstrates his ability to integrate innovative concepts with regional specificity, embodying the fusion of thought, architecture, and technology. This approach facilitates the creation of environments that not only respect but also enhance the human experience within built spaces.
Mithun’s passion for design extends beyond the traditional boundaries of architecture, embracing objects of human interaction across diverse scales, including industrial, graphic, and toy design. This multidisciplinary perspective reflects a philosophy that imbues every artifact with meaning through a reconstructive, global, and human ethos. By championing interdisciplinary thinking, he ensures that his work resonates on functional, aesthetic, and emotional levels, contributing to the broader discourse on design and architecture.
His ability to balance creative vision with practical application across urban, public, cultural, and commercial developments further underscores his significant contributions to the field.
Panel Presentation: Generative Futures: AI in Architecture and Design
This presentation explores how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the way architectural design is conceived, translated, and delivered, with a particular focus on tall building design.
The discussion will examine practical applications of AI across the design process—from early-stage concept generation to design optimisation—highlighting how machine learning can enhance creativity, accelerate workflows, and support broader sustainability and efficiency goals.
Attention will also be given to the balance between human intuition and algorithmic intelligence, offering insights into the evolving role of architects in an AI-augmented future.

Dr. Mohamed Shahtout

Emirates Steel
Head of Product and Market Development

Mohamed is the Head of Product and Market Development at Emirates Steel. With more than 26 years of experience in the steel industry across Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE, he has led strategic initiatives in product innovation, market expansion, mill management, and large-scale project execution.
He holds a PhD in Production Engineering (Metallurgy) from Alexandria University, a Diploma in Business Management & Administration from the American University in Cairo, and a Business Strategy Diploma from Harvard Business School.
Mohamed has been instrumental in developing value-added wire rod grades, high-strength rebar (ES600), high-strength structural steel, and advanced steel for high-performance applications. He has also directed major flat steel projects and championed sustainable steel solutions tailored to regional and global markets.
An active contributor to international forums, Mohamed has authored and presented numerous technical papers on sustainable innovation, advanced steel grades, and process optimization, bridging industry and academia to support a net zero urban future.
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.

Ollie Wildman

Ramboll
Head of Design, High Rise & Complex Buildings

Ollie is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers based in the UK. Since joining Ramboll in 2007, he has led the design and creative direction of the UK business, shaping engineering solutions from the earliest stages of each project. His approach blends innovation with a deep understanding of client needs, and he is a passionate advocate for design thinking—leading critiques, mentoring junior staff, and tutoring at the Bartlett School of Architecture.
Ollie brings extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary engineering teams across diverse sectors and scales, including multiple tall buildings. He leverages digital tools to develop dynamic concepts and communicates ideas with clarity and flair. A recognized leader in offsite construction and DFMA strategies, Ollie has delivered signature projects using precast concrete, timber, and modular systems. He also advises clients on the strategic adoption of offsite methods and champions the reuse of structural materials and low-carbon design.
Plenary Presentation: Grounded Sustainability: Beyond Buzzwords in Tall Building Design
In an era where sustainability must move beyond aspiration into action, this presentation will explore how the Middle East—particularly Dubai—can lead by example in delivering grounded, realistic progress in the built environment. The presentation will challenge conventional approaches to sustainable design and execution, urging clients and stakeholders to embrace responsibility not only in concept but also on-site, where quality often falls short of intent.
Drawing on global lessons while remaining rooted in local realities, the presentation highlights the urgent need for performance-based energy frameworks—such as NABERS—over spreadsheet-driven models like BREEAM. With energy prices rising and climate resilience becoming a cornerstone of long-term asset value, the message is clear: using less is more impactful than offsetting more.
Dubai’s reputation for labor-intensive delivery presents a unique opportunity to invest in education and skills development, transforming the city into a beacon of upward mobility and technical excellence. Circularity, still elusive in practice, becomes attainable when site-level skills are elevated. This presentation invites the audience to rethink sustainability—not as a checklist, but as a culture of performance, equity, and resilience.

Maria Yandulova

Dubai Holding
Senior Design Manager

Maria is a Senior Design Manager at Dubai Holding with a master’s degree in architecture and more than 16 years of international experience in design and management. She has contributed to shaping Dubai’s skyline through major developments and currently oversees luxury projects.
Her role spans the full lifecycle of design—from initial concept to site supervision. Maria prioritizes sustainability and embraces a people-focused design approach that enhances both user experience and environmental impact.
Panel Discussion: Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability
The pursuit of vertical expansion in the built environment presents a complex interplay between economic feasibility, design innovation, and sustainability imperatives. Building Up Responsibly – The Chemistry of Economics, Design, and Sustainability convenes experts from cost management, architectural design, and environmental systems to examine how these domains converge in shaping high-rise development.
The panel discussion will critically address the economic drivers of tall buildings, including capital expenditure, life-cycle costing, and long-term operational efficiency, while situating them within the broader framework of urban resilience and sustainable growth. Attention will also be given to design methodologies that integrate circular economy principles, material efficiency, and adaptive-use strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
By considering all these dimensions as part of a symbiotic system, the session highlights the necessity of integrated decision-making that transcends disciplinary silos. The panel aims to contribute to ongoing academic and professional discourse by articulating pathways for responsible vertical growth that align financial viability with ecological accountability and social value creation.

Andy Veall

WSP Middle East
Structural Design Diretor

Andy has more than 28 years of experience as a structural design engineer. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with leading architectural firms to provide innovative solutions for large-scale, complex structures, specializing in tall buildings. His portfolio spans landmark projects across the United Kingdom, United States, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
Notable contributions include his involvement in iconic projects such as Atlantis The Royal, the Sheikh Zayed Museum, Nakheel Tower in Dubai, Seven World Trade Center in New York, and the United Tower in Kuwait, among others. Andy’s career has been enriched by extensive international experience, with significant tenures at WSP offices in London, New York, the UAE, and Mumbai.
Driven by a passion for structural efficiency and aesthetics, Andy champions the use of hand sketching in the early phases of design and leads the WSP Middle East technical working group, which is dedicated to fostering technical excellence across the team.
Presentation: Shaping Icons - The Structural Design Story of Atlantis The Royal
Atlantis The Royal in Dubai stands as one of the most iconic architectural and engineering achievements on the Palm Jumeirah. This presentation highlights the structural innovations that enabled its bold and distinctive form, focusing on the project’s key components and assemblies.
The session will explore how advanced analysis, material optimization, and innovative construction methodologies came together to transform an ambitious architectural vision into a built reality—pushing the boundaries of conventional structural design.

Hala Yousef

JLL Project & Development Services
Director, Sustainability Engineering

Hala leads the sustainability engineering arm of JLL UAE. As Director of Sustainability Engineering, she heads a team of professionals delivering world-class solutions for some of the UAE’s leading developers across a range of project portfolios.
With more than 15 years of experience in sustainability across the MEA and APAC regions, Hala has worked on pioneering projects involving WELL, Fitwel, LEED, GSAS, Green Star, and NABERS certifications. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Mechatronics Engineering.
Hala’s expertise spans sustainable building design, decarbonization implementation, sustainability certification, ESG and GHG reporting, One Planet Living, business analysis, corporate sustainability strategies, net zero carbon commitments, and both construction and operational sustainability.
Presentation: Delivering a Residential Tower with Low Carbon Steel
Session details to be announced. Check back soon for more information.