FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely! Our portfolio includes a diverse range of prestigious residential projects, with notable examples such as Riviera and Solar House. These exceptional properties are located in sought-after areas such as Emirates Hills, The Palm Jumeirah, and Jumeirah Bay, showcasing our expertise in crafting luxurious living spaces in prime locations.
We're proud to mention that several of our projects, including Riviera and Solar House, have received international recognition and awards for their outstanding design and architectural excel- lence. Our work has also been featured in renowned publications such as Forbes, highlighting the high selling prices achieved and Architectural Digest Middle East, praising the innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Each project in our residential portfolio reflects our commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and dedication to exceeding client expectations. We invite you to explore our showcase of completed residential projects to experience the caliber of our work firsthand.

We offer residential and commercial architecture, residential and commercial interior design, residential and commercial landscape design, commercial master planning and residential asset appreciation services.

The total completion time for each project varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on the size of the project and what services are being carried out.
For example, projects that require interior design services only can be completed in 6-12 months, however, new build houses or commercial projects that require architecture, interior design, master planning and landscaping will take longer.

Our site coordination team works closely with contractors and suppliers on site to ensure that the project is managed efficiently and that project deadlines are met.
The team ensures that designs are executed to the highest standards, following guidelines from the relevant authorities. We have a highly experienced and knowledgeable team who have worked in the industry and region for a long time and are skilled in executing projects to the highest quality.

We work with Architect of Records who deal directly with local and governmental authorities. They submit the drawings with our supervision and guidance. We act as stewards for the design throughout every step of the submission process.

XBD liase directly with contractors during the Tender phase of the project and with suppliers throughout the process of the project. This can be an intimidating part of the project for clients, in light of this we work to represent your interests to all outside parties.

Choosing the architectural or interior style for your villa, hotel and any other kind of project can be a big task. We work through mood boards, inspirations, and design options with our clients to make sure that no matter the client's taste, we work to achieve the highest quality of design for each project.

We work with a variety of budgets, depending on the client, location and scope of work. The most important factor for us is to take on projects for which we can deliver exceptional results for the end user – whether it's a penthouse apartment, residential, or commercial villa, office space, or mixed-used high-rise tower.

The majority of our projects are in the MENA region, however we have also worked on projects in the UK, India, Europe, Bangladesh, and Africa.

We have worked on many existing structures in both architecture and interior design – whether is is demolishing a building completely and starting from the ground up, or, refurbishing and existing structure; our team is capable of bringing our clients' visions to reality.

We have a talented team of architects and designers who are well versed in the rules and regulations of different authorities and developers.
We collaborate closely with many high profile developers in the MENA region so we are constantly in the know regarding new regulations and processes.

The Company was founded by renowned Norwegian Interior Designer and entrepreneur Ellen Søhoel in 2015.

However, Ellen has been working in the industry for more than 25 years, and established herself in Dubai in 2002.

There is a huge focus on creating a positive Company Culture within the studios and offices! This includes a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration across departments.
Employees are encouraged to work together, share ideas, and leverage each other's strengths. You can learn more about our company culture and hear insights from our team members here.

Our working hours are 8:30am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday including a 1-hour lunch break.

The team creates a supportive atmosphere where members feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks. Constructive feedback is encouraged and viewed as a means for growth. Our team operates with a clear, shared vision and common objectives. You can learn more about individual team members here.

Our employees are entitled to 22 working days per year, following successful completion of probation.

Yes, we cover this for staff members only (as per UAE Labour Law), if family members to be included, will be at employees’ cost.

Employee reviews are carried out every 12 months, however, at XBD we believe in continued learning and a proactive approach. Our teams are constantly having open discussions in order to continuously learn and conquer any issues or difficulties that arise.