Leading global multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering design group RSP (headquartered in Singapore) established its new Global Design Design Studio in Dubai on 28 November 2024.
The office inauguration was attended by His Excellency, Mr Kamal R Vaswani, Singapore’s Ambassador to the UAE, together with Mr Raziff Aljunied, Singapore’s Consul-General in Dubai.
Located within the Mashreq Bank Headquarters building in Downtown Burj Khalifa District, RSP’s Dubai team will lead the firm’s global operations, including design and expansion.
The opening of the studio is an important milestone for a multitude of reasons—for harnessing potential growth in the Middle East, expanding its international expertise in creating people-centric, innovative, and sustainable designs for clients in the region, and marking RSP Dubai’s 15th year anniversary.
Michael Magill, Managing Director of RSP Dubai and Global Creative Head of RSP, shared his excitement about this next stage of growth with the opening of the Global Design Studio, “The Middle East is a strategic growth area for RSP with increasing demand, particularly in ecological designs that are energy-efficient and sustainable—a core strength of RSP, especially the team in our Singapore headquarters.
“As the firm’s Global Design Studio, we are expanding and developing our team and capabilities in Dubai by tapping on the international expertise of our colleagues across different geographical areas.”
RSP’s ethos of fostering creativity, collaboration, and sustainability is perfectly captured in the design of the new studio. The open-plan layout was intentionally chosen to spark spontaneous collaboration to make it easier for teams to connect and work together. In the conference rooms, the city views provide a backdrop to inspire creative thinking. Sustainability played a huge part in the decor, with carbon-neutral carpets made from 100% recycled content and Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze products selected for use. Additionally, furniture from the previous office was repurposed and refreshed for the new space.
As the UAE continues to establish itself as a leader in sustainable development, the country aligns itself further with Singapore’s vision for smart, future-focused cities. Both nations are committed to advancing sustainable infrastructure, promoting green energy, and fostering innovation in urban planning.
“I am delighted to see Singapore companies succeeding in the UAE,” his Excellency Kamal R Vaswani said, welcoming RSP’s Global Design Studio. “RSP is a well-established and well-regarded Singapore company. RSP Dubai has played a significant role in the design of many iconic buildings in the UAE. Expanding its footprint here will likely help it to access even more opportunities here and in the region. I hope that their success will encourage even more Singapore companies to consider opportunities in the UAE, and the region as a whole”.
RSP Dubai is known for its diverse and impactful design work. Examples range from the iconic St. Regis Palm Tower and Nobu Hotel & Branded Residences on Saadiyat Island, to the award-winning Ellington Beach House and the visionary Karl Lagerfeld Villas. The firm’s institutional projects, such as the Khalifa University campus expansion and the BAPS Hindu Mandir cultural complex, highlight RSP’s ability to create designs that resonate with local communities.
