I have worked with XBD Collective since I moved to Dubai two years ago. My current role is as a Project Architect. One of the best things about working for XBD is that a typical day for me is far from typical. Every day will change depend on the needs of any given project.
In the early stages of a project I will meet with clients often to understand their needs. As the project develops I will work with the team here to design to the clients requirements. Further along in the process I will coordinate with all of the other disciplines involved in the construction of a luxury villa. During the construction period I will visit the site and attend meetings with contractors in order to ensure that the design intent is being achieved on site. All of this is done to guarantee that the needs of the client are being met at all times.
I work on 4/5 projects at a time. They are often at different stages of the design process, some in concept & some on site. The assignments for these projects will vary depending on their design stage. Early in the process my tasks will be to have regular client meetings presenting design ideas. Later in the process I will be visiting projects to coordinate with our site team.
As a Project Architect I have one main responsibility - the smooth management of design projects.
The main relationships that I have within the team are with my Design Manager, Ferran, and with our site coordinators. Project architects sit between both of these roles, managing both design and construction tasks. I also work closely with Architects & Junior Architects in the early stages of the design process to discuss and execute conceptual designs.
As a Project Architect our relationship with the client is imperative to the success of a given project. We work very closely with clients in the early stages of the design process to understand their needs, budget, and taste in order to design fulfilling projects for them. Maintaining a strong relationship based on communication and trust allows for the project to move smoothly and ensures the best possible result for the client.
Outside of this, we work with contractors, suppliers, and other disciplines throughout a project’s lifecycle. Working closely with MEP, structural engineers and interior designers, the Project Architect balances all of the different inputs that are involved in building a successful piece of architecture.
