The aForm Show

Today we are joined by Ryan Sailsman, director of architecture at Jones Architecture & Design, also known as JAD. Ryan has acquired a wealth of knowledge across multiple markets & building typologies. Most importantly, he brings a holistic design approach to the project lifecycle! In this episode we discuss how failures can fuel your fire! We talk about the power of networking & persis...

Today, a special guest joins us on the show! Hanine Salman Abi-Ali  is an XR designer with DEWAN architects & engineers! She prides herself on bridging design from the physical to digital realms! Hanine is a leading voice on all things VR/AR/MR within the architecture space! There is much to learn in this episode, so without further ado, lets get into it!  . . . . Follow our awesome guest! . ....

Welcome to the show everyone! Today we are joined by Marko Runjic - Managing Director of Point Concept Studio! Marko has been pivotal in the design and delivery of truly unique retail offerings across the region! His attention to detail is unparalleled & today, we aim to uncover his insights & experiences along his design journey. So without further ado, let’s get into it. . . Follow our a...

Welcome to the show, today we are joined by Miriam Llano, founder and managing director of Amphora. Miriam has spent close to decade honing her skills within the PR/Marketing space of the Middle East A&D industry. With a fast-growing list of clients at Amphora, Miriam prides herself in working with both international brands & designers. Amphora offers a truly unique approach to brand commu...

Welcome to show everyone! This week we are joined by Yahya Jan, President and Design Director at Norr Group. Needless to say, Yahya has contributed to the skyline of Dubai across multiple decades. He has quite literally seen the city of Dubai & the region evolve. Undoubtedly, this has gained him invaluable insight into the industry. We look forward to unpacking a lot today, so without further...

Hello & welcome back to the show! Today we are joined by Pratap Mendonca & Geetha Nayak from Design Infinity. With humble beginnings in 2012, Design Infinity has experienced rapid growth in recent years! The delivery of challenging projects, on time & within budjet - have earned them a reputation that is unparalleled in the market! Today, we are here to find out how this came to be, so...

Welcome to show everyone! This week we are joined by Alina Valcarce, Founder and design director of Valcarce Architects. Alina has lived & worked across multiple continents. This has undoubtedly helped in a forming a unique architectural perspective rooted in context & culture. So without further ado, lets get into it!  . . Follow our awesome guest! Alina Valcarce  -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIN⁠...

Welcome to the show everyone! This week we are joined by Michelle Lim, Senior Business Development Architect from RSP. Historically, there has always been a gap between the talented architect & the art of generating business. However, like any skill, Business development & sales can be worked on. Michelle joins us today to share her expertise & insights on this very topic & we cann...

Welcome to the show everyone! Today we are joined by Morne Pienaar, Associate Director, Architecture with the Cities + Places team at Jacobs, Dubai. With a truly diverse portfolio of work, Morne brings a wealth of experience across of the realm of Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture & place making! We are beyond excited to have him on the show! So without further ado! Lets get i...

Today we are joined by a very special guest! Intern Sveta has played a pivotal role in the aForm Show journey! She now spreads her wings in the pursuit of a masters degree in Barcelona! Prior to her departure, we were able to quickly catch up with her & discuss her key learnings! She shares her insights for fresh graduates & designers looking to enter the GCC design ecosystem! We are beyon...

Today we are joined by Veena Kanchan - Founder and Director of Interior design, and Siddharth Ramnathan – Partner and Director of Architecture at VS Design Studio. Their shared passion and drive towards creating spaces that focus on human experiences and their connection with nature is remarkable. They are known for bringing forth some very exciting architecture and interior design projects to the...

Today we are joined by Mohammed Adib, partner and Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects + Engineers. With projects all over the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa, he is involved with establishing the studio design language & establishing new markets. He is also the owner and managing director of Intercon, an interior design firm in Barcelona. Over the last 30 years, he has left...

The INDEX exhibition in Dubai has been a leader in bringing together designers from across the country! This week we are joined Shuchita Gupta, Senior Conference Manager/Head of content at DMG events! Affectionately known as "Shu" in the industry, Shuchita is the powerhouse, operating behind the scenes of INDEX. Tune in this week to hear about how the event continues to evolve with indus...

After a long time coming, this week we are joined by Lee Nellis! He is the managing partner at XBD Collective, based in Dubai & London. With a vast portfolio of work, Lee brings a unique perspective to the business of design. His experience in Dubai within the luxury residential/hospitality sector is unparalleled. Needless to say, this is reflected in the growth seen at XBD collective. We are...

Today we are joined by Monica Arango, Founder of C’est Ici Design. Originally a lawyer by profession, Monica is now known for her minimalist design approach with C'est Ici. Needless to say, Monica comes with a unique portfolio of work spanning across the MENA region. It is a pleasure to have her on the show. So, without further ado, let’s get into it! . . Follow our awesome guest! Monica Arang...

Today we are joined by Kourosh Salehi - architect, urbanist, educator & design director at LWK & partners.  His artistic background allows him to strike a perfect balance between art, architecture, aesthetic and function. The philosophies of ‘Contextual Metabolism’ drives his design approach to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable . It’s a pleasure to have him on the show...

Today we are joined by Zain Javaid, Creative Designer at Endpoint. This graduate of The Canadian University of Dubai, is a passionate designer who challenged himself to follow an unconventional path after his bachelor’s degree in Architecture. His work in wayfinding and signages at Endpoint is the bridge that translates brands to the built environment. With over a decade of experience from his sol...

This week we are joined by Manjra Yadav from Jacobs. With close to 15 years of professional practice, Manjra comes with a diverse portfolio of work across multiple continents. In this episode, we talk about her journey, key learnings & much more! . . Follow our awesome guest! Manjra Yadav   - ⁠ LinkedIN | Instagram Jacobs - Website | LinkedIN | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube . . This episode w...

This week we are joined by Peter Jackson, Architect Advisor to The Rulers Office. With a varied portfolio across multiple continents, Peter has also dedicated a lifetime to the study & preservation of buildings. In this episode, we go on a journey through Peters work & talk about his inspirations, key learnings and much more! Follow our awesome guest! Peter Jackson   - Instagram . This epi...

This week we are joined by Fabidha Safar-Rahman, Design Director & Founder of Design Matter! In a few short years, Design Matter has exploded onto the local design scene with truly innovative design solutions! Their passion shines through their work & they have received recognition across the board! Recently, Design Matter have added on a shiny new residential design department as well! A...

Today we are joined by MAK from KDSV. This designer has been part of & designed some truly unique experiences!  From the stairway to heaven & the boost pod, every project MAK is involved with, really challenges architectural thinking. Its not about the space, its about the experience. Its a pleasure to have him on the show. So without further ado, lets get into it! . Follow our a...

This week we are joined by a returning guest to talk about a really exciting project! When we last spoke to Bass Ackermann from HIVE Coliv, we discussed the design of coliving spaces. We talked about design opportunities & potential pain points. Since then, HIVE has been successfully delivered & is in operation! Infact, todays recording comes from HIVE directly. Needless to say, HIVE has r...

On this weeks episode, we sit down with Drew Gilbert. He has established himself as a definitive voice for architects within the metaverse! In this episode, we do a deep dive into all things metaverse. We talk about smart contracts, cryptos, the designer influence, fidelity models, scripting & much more! A word of caution - this episode is for the designer that already has a basic understandin...

Today we are joined by Dina Murali, design director & co-founder of DZ Design! Dina brings a wealth of experience within the hospitality & luxury residential space. Brands like the Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriott & more, have been beyond impressed with her approach to solving design problems. Dina brings a unique perspective to the industry & we are keen to unravel her inspirati...

This week we are joined by Firas Alsahin! Co-founder and design director of 4Space Interior design! Over the last 2 decades, Firas has been recognized as one of the leading designers within the region. With recently delivered projects within the F&B sector in Dubai, such as Papa & Jun’s, Firas and his team are re-defining the sector, one project at a time. Furthermore, under the banner of...