Nellis

Managing Partner

Lee Nellis, a Chartered RIBA Architect from Scotland, has over 12 years of experience in the region and established the architecture division at XBD Collective in 2016. The primary goal was to form a design team that focusses on a creative approach while leveraging collective expertise.

With the team's initial focus on the residential market, hospitality and commercial projects quickly followed, adding to a growing and impressive portfolio. Nellis continues to apply his innovative design philosophy and vision, creating architectural projects that reflect the client's needs and aspirations. He contributes his insight and knowledge to the team, fostering a creative ethos and facilitating synergy and collaboration. Some of the most prolific projects within the Dubai residential sector include the St Regis Residences and The Solar House.

Nellis comments: "After the pandemic and the end of Expo, I believe that the Design Industry were a little cautious for their next move. However, I believe that the strengths of being an architect are always ones of research, learning, creation, and pushing the boundaries. Essentially, the entire Industry thinks this way as well. Therefore, I envisage that the industry shall thrive in the years to come, as the Gulf Region is a pioneer of innovation. With the economy doing really well, and large scale masterplan developments being continuously announced all over the region, designers can only benefit from the opportunities. Nowhere else in the world is this currently offered, and the types of projects are attracting great global talent to move and work here. The Middle East's industry has a promising future, and I am proud to be a part of it."

Mirko Sala Tenna is a designer and architect who established Etereo Design studio in Dubai in 2017. He specialises in architecture, interior design, landscape design, product design, and yacht design. Etereo, a vibrant, artistically abundant Italian heritage dotted with influences from the Middle East and harmoniously brought together with passion, was born as a result of his astute understanding of architecture.

His goal as a creative inventor is to design soulful and inspiring spaces that encourage creativity. This approach drives all of his projects, pushing him to go beyond the brief and create unique spaces based on human experience.

"A space must breathe in order for the people who live in it to breathe, " feels Mirko.

Architecture and design are central to the studio's ethos, and they encompass a wide range of different functions required to see a project through from start to finish.