DSA Digest Issue 19 | 2022 Year-End Edition

The official newsletter of DSA Architects International

Another year has come and gone! 2022 has been a great time for growth and unlocking new potentials here at DSA. Over this past year, we have received multiple awards and recognition, added new team members, opened a new office, built new relationships and won exciting projects We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients and

for the trust. The success of DSA is based on the relationships we have built over the years, and we wouldn’t be where we are without you.

Recognition

Highly Commended for Architecture Firm of the Year at the Construction Week Awards 2022

DSA are honoured to receive the Highly Commended award for Architecture Firm of the Year category at the recently concluded Construction Week Middle East Awards 2022, competing with other top architectural firms in the region.

The ceremony took place on the 24th of November at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai and was attended by DSA representatives, Saher Shah - Senior Associate and Jophy Thomas - Associate.

This recognition is dedicated to all our staff who are the most critical aspect in the success of DSA and the projects we are proud to have delivered over the years.

Designs For Success!

When it comes to signature projects, the team at DSA Architects International have a proven track record of incredible success. Their efforts combine international expertise with local knowledge to produce glorious designs that are statements in and of themselves.

In the MEA Markets’ UAE Business Awards, the team were named Most Sustainable Architectural Design Consultancy 2022 We dig a little deeper to uncover the foundations of their remarkable achievement

Since being established in 1985, DSA Architects International has grown into one of the leading Architectural Design & Lead Consultancy Services Businesses in the UAE, offering clients a way of creating unique, exciting and timeless architectural experiences. With multi-award-winning projects across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia, they have garnered a reputation for excellence that is second to none.

It’s little wonder, therefore, that the projects delivered by DSA are creative, innovative, respectful of their surroundings, and have a focus on structured, managed, and collaborative delivery. By working closely alongside their clients throughout the development process, the team guarantee that the vision they proposed at the start of the process will be carried through to the end. Having delivered projects in over 30 countries for many different types of clients, from large corporations to government entities, from private developers to individual investors, the ability of the team to adapt to suit specific challenges is clear indeed.

Since opening their doors, the team have worked for clients in a variety of sectors, including hospitality, residential, commercial, retail, and education. Each has proven to have unique demands, beyond their clients’ requests, which is why they have trusted the DSA team to tailor their services to meet the specific needs of the occasion. The teams approach means that their projects always push boldly forward, but draw on a project’s location and cultural traditions to guide the development of the final designs.

As a company that has grown significantly over the years, one of the more impressive features of DSA is the retention of its various team members. Many of the team have been with the company for over ten years, taking advantage of a culture of growth and development that focuses on the priorities of the individual. All team members are hired primarily because of their personality and character. A good work ethic is hard to instill, but team players who want to improve themselves can pick up new skills with ease.

Looking ahead, the team at DSA see enormous potential in a growing market. There is a health pipeline of business in place which means the team is well placed to deliver, in terms of planning and resource availability. Expansion is the order of the day, with new ideas and proposals being put forward. Over the next year, the DSA team intend to implement exciting plans to introduce a new specialist inhouse department within the business, designed specifically to complement the architectural and lead consultancy disciplines already in residence. The improved market conditions, compared to the last few years, make this the ideal opportunity for the firm to grow in a measured and organic way.

When looking for impressive design that blends into the landscape whilst standing apart as something special indeed, there’s little that is quite like DSA Architects International. Their exemplary approach has brought them incredible success. We look forward to their bold new plans, and the way in which they have transformed how many see the industry. We can’t wait to see witness what they will do next!

Peter Davison has been with DSA for over 15 years and has recently taken on the challenge of becoming the company’s new Managing Director for the Middle East. Davison plans to pilot DSA Middle East into a new era of growth and expand on the remarkable service the company has inspired to deliver over the years, drawing on his extensive technical background from experience in the UK and the Middle East.

DSA Architects International is a global leader in architectural design & lead consultant services, delivering iconic, sustainable buildings and environments from strategic locations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.

"We combine 'International Expertise with Local Knowledge' to realise signature projects, from creative inception to completed handover, with a unique passion and ' can do' approach," shares Davison.

Davison Peter

Managing director, middle east

DSA ARCHITECTS INTERNATIONAL

With more than 35-year history, DSA has grown into an internationally recognised and renowned company, with a strong reputation for excellence in the hospitality, residential, commercial, retail, and educational sectors., The company is delighted to have more than 500 projects throughout more than 30 nations, including: Aquaventure Phase III in Dubai, UAE, One&Only The Palm Resort in Dubai, Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach Resort in Dubai, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai, The Oberoi Centre in Dubai, Vida Hotel in Downtown Dubai, and others.

Some of their current commissions include the Qiddiya Water Park Hotel in Saudi Arabia, the Raffles Hotel & Residences in Jeddah, the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa, the Four Seasons Hotel in Jeddah, and the Amaala Boutique Resort and Wellness Core Resort on the Red Sea.

DSA is renowned for developing distinctive, exciting, and timeless architectural experiences that always have a sense of place that relates to their locations and cultural traditions.

"We are working with prestigious developers on several exciting residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments this year, which we will announce very soon. We are also expanding with the opening of a new office in the rapidly growing metropolitan city of Hyderabad Our operations in the city will now be boosted by a strong and competent team that has been put in place. Our new DSA branch is slated to open in September, and we are eagerly anticipating it "

Project Launch

Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa is Now Open

Jumeirah Group is continuing its expansion plans with the unveiling of a new resort in the Middle East, the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa. It officially opened its doors in November, offering a relaxing retreat and restorative getaway to its guests.

Resting majestically on the unexplored, pristine beaches of Bahrain’s West Coast, the new resort aims to provide unparalleled Arabian hospitality with a focus on wellbeing. It features elegantly designed hotel and villa rooms, family suites and exciting dining experiences, entertainment, as well as impressive leisure and wellness facilities, including Jumeirah Group’s award-winning Talise Spa.

The design of the property is inspired by flowing waters and ripples of the Arabian Gulf, and the rhythm of waves are incorporated throughout the resort. It also boasts ocean views surrounded by greenery and waterways.

As the design architect and lead consultant, DSA are proud to add another prestigious project to our evergrowing portfolio.

Launch of Hyatt Regency Erbil Residences

Earlier this year, Hyatt Regency Erbil Residences has launched its 93 stylishly furnished serviced apartments located in the business district by the World Trade Center Erbil.

DSA Architects International in conjunction with Haluk Ozdogan of Access Hospitality, were appointed to complete and transform the previous residences to meet all the expectations of its Hyatt branding in 2017.

DSA’s involvement ranged from consultation on the apartments to the redesign and fitting out of the public areas and back of house. The lobby, reception, meeting rooms, catering and restrooms were all given particular attention to create modern, long stay business orientated accommodation.

“On this project we coordinated with interior designers, taking on their proposals and seeing them through to construction that included high-quality bespoke furniture Specialist consultant input was also coordinated for the residences. The development is ideally placed to fulfil the Hyatt Regency mission of bringing people together and fostering connections, a vital role in an uncertain world Working on this project gave us all an insight into another culture, a lively world well worth seeing which we got to know through this project.” - Mike Scott, DSA Group Managing Director

The residences' adjoining 204-guestroom hotel, Hyatt Regency Erbil, is expected to open in 2026, as part of the Regency brand's expansion in the Middle East.

Project Progress

Six Senses to Open an Eco-Lodge on the Zambezi

Six Senses has commenced work on its first project in Sub-Saharan Africa, which will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. The new development is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe’s breath-taking Victoria Falls region.

Anticipated to welcome guests in 2025, the new ecoresort will include an exclusive collection of stilted accommodation, comprising of 54 rooms, each with private terrace and suspended pool, as well as a spacious restaurant, lounge, spa and wellness facility. All with spectacular river views and being wellintegrated with the natural African landscape.

With its trademark ethos of conscious travel, Six Senses are committed to offering the lightest possible footprint and preservation of indigenous flora and present wildlife. DSA are privileged to work on this project together with the development team of Worth International, SIP Project Managers, DSGN Interior Designers, CKR Consultant Engineers, Turner Townsend, & Landmark Studios.

The design is based on a modular system consisting of a series of stilted timber and steel structures, all located along the Zambezi riverbank and elevated few meters above the ground.

Four Seasons Hotel Jeddah

Significant progress is seen on the construction site of the Four Seasons Hotel in Jeddah. The installation of the southern steel bridge has started and façade stone cladding mockup has been installed on site.

Anticipated to open in 2024, the upcoming luxury hotel and branded residences will have exceptional views of the Red Sea and easy access to Jeddah’s dynamic commercial hubs.

African Luxury Tented Camp

Onwards & Upwards

Congratulations

onyourpromotion!

Middle East

Star of the Month

September

October November

Star for the month of September for stepping in to help when others are not available and taking on more work even when her plate was already full. She did it with grace and things ran incredibly smoothly.

Star for the month of October for consistently managing tight deadlines on projects, actively supporting Revit Assessments and assisting other projects by guiding the external consultants on DSA BIM Standards & Modelling.

Star for the month of November for constantly challenging himself and being open to more responsibilities, being adaptable on any given task and completing them to the best of his ability, and for the encouraging attitude and team spirit he brings to DSA.

Promoted from Senior Architect to Project Architect | Team Leader

Promoted from Document Controller to Document Control Team Leader

Shaistha Begum

Saifudheen Elembilatt

Pappu Keshari

Promoted from Senior Architect to Project Architect | Team Leader

Sibu Koduvathara

Senior Arch Technician

Manoj Kumar Accounts Assistant

Maureen Omana

Document Controller

New Team Members

MIDDLE EAST OFFICE

Reshma Johnson Project Coordinator Joined on 12 Sept 2022

Nikhil Coutinho Project Coordinator Joined on 12 Sept 2022

Raina Kochuvareed Project Coordinator Joined on 19 Sept 2022

George Malik Senior Design Manager Joined on 26 Sept 2022

Suhail Aldroubi Senior Design Manager Joined on 6 Nov 2022

Mansoor Mohammad Junior Architect Joined on 7 Nov 2022

Chathura Arachchige Junior Document Controller Joined on 21 Nov 2022

Arun Kumar HSE Officer Joined on 29 Nov 2022

BELGRADE OFFICE

Nadezda Vukovic Architect Joined on 17 Aug 2022

Nikolina Gordic Architect Joined on 22 Nov 2022

Ivana Milovanovic Architect Joined on 23 Nov 2022

HYDERABAD OFFICE

Hussain Mohammed Architect | BIM Coordinator Joined on 19 Sept 2022

Naga Mahesh Uddandam BIM Manager Joined on 19 Sept 2022

Nivitha Chelladurai BIM Coordinator Joined on 27 Sept 2022

Venkata Katta BIM Coordinator Joined on 3 Oct 2022

Prakhar Baranwal BIM Coordinator Joined on 10 Oct 2022

Mohammed Osman Khan Architectural Technician Joined on 25 Oct 2022

Sarath Chandra Yamuzala Architect Joined on 3 Nov 2022

Sanika Dol Landscape Architect Joined on 27 Nov 2022

Mabel Biju Landscape Architect Joined on 27 Nov 2022

Vaibhav Gupta Junior Architect Joined on 7 Nov 2022

Dayananda Sharanappa Architectural Technician Joined on 14 Nov 2022

Shashaank Sharma Architect Joined on 21 Nov 2022

Archana Khare Architect Joined on 5 Dec 2022

Vinay Sripati Architectural Technician Joined on 5 Dec 2022

Surya Mannar Architect Joined on 5 Dec 2022

Venkata Viswa Sayam BIM Technician Joined on 5 Dec 2022

Socials

Hyderabad Office Visit

Diwali Celebration at Kochi Office

DSA Middle East directors, Peter Davison and Tim Goodall visited Hyderabad in October to meet the team members of our newly opened office branch.

DSA Managing Director for KSA, Tim Goodall visited our Kochi to celebrate the festival of lights with the whole team.

FitzeCorporateStepsChallengeFinishers

Our team has successfully completed the Dubai Fitness Steps Challenge on the Fitze UAE app. Manoj Kumar won first place with 960,211 points, followed by Danny Villarama with 588,614 points, and Saifudheen Elembilatt at third place with 412,964 points.

There were 33 participants from DSA who have taken on the challenge with an accumulated steps of over 7 million within 30 days. Well done to everyone who've participated!

DSAMiddleEast Year-EndParty

Designed to Deliver.