DBI, the architecture and interior design company behind the billion dollar Etihad Towers development, has set up offices in Dubai following the success of the mixed-use project.
With the aim of building on its presence in the UAE, the Australian company has appointed director of business development Middle East, Linda Van Der Walt, who will pursue new contracts in the emirate.
Van Der Walt brings a strong regional focus to the DBI team, with extensive experience in the Middle East developing new business in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Africa and India.
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Commenting on DBI's new Dubai base, Van Der Walt, said: "Over the past eight years I have been involved in the development, interior design and marketing of over 35 projects in the region.
"Etihad Towers has become an Abu Dhabi landmark, achieving a string of prestigious international awards, including an Award of Merit in the ENR, Global Best Projects Awards, which was recently announced.
"This award focuses on the challenges, risks and rewards of designing and constructing outside a firm's home country, which is something DBI has done exceedingly well for many years and I am looking forward to consolidating the company's presence in this part of the world."
According to DBI project director, Warren Coyle, the company has already notched up more than six awards for Etihad Towers since 2011. "DBI Design is developing a growing reputation internationally for its cutting-edge architecture and interior design, and these awards are a fantastic endorsement of the quality of the architecture and design coming out of the Gold Coast Australia," he said.
“For two decades now, about 50% of our business has been off-shore and we are currently working on the architecture and interior design of billions of dollars worth of new developments around the world, with projects underway in Australia, China, Taiwan, India, and the UAE.
“Australian architects are well regarded overseas and while modern technology gives us the opportunity to work on large scale iconic international projects from Australia, having a local presence adds significant strength, credibility and opportunity."
Etihad Towers comprises five towers ranging from 56 to 79 storeys, three of which sit on a podium containing a convention centre, a ballroom that can also be used as conferencing space, and retail/gastronomy outlets.
There are three residential towers containing a total of 885 apartments, one office tower, and a hotel tower, which is occupied by Jumeirah at Etihad.
"Jumeirah comprises 382 hotel rooms and 199 serviced apartments," Coyle added. "It has received significant international recognition, being named Best Business Hotel for the Middle East and Best Business Hotel Abu Dhabi at the Business Traveller Magazine Awards.
"It also earned the title of ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’ in the World Travel Awards earlier this year. It is a huge honour to continue being acknowledged alongside some of the world's most recognised architects."
In Australia, DBI Design is involved in the $1 billion triple-tower Jewel, along with the 84-level Infinity, 73-level Soleil towers and a Transited Oriented Development (TOD) The Milton in Brisbane.
DBI Design has also completed the architecture for some of the Gold Coast's iconic buildings, including Palazzo Versace and the new Soul tower, on the beach in Surfer's Paradise.
Contact: 00971 529 060841.
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