Welcoming Emily Mottolese, SOM Middle East Practice Leader, to Dubai

It’s been a busy year, and I’m pleased to share some big updates to our Middle East and North Africa practice as we look forward to 2025!?

Meet the SOM MENA Team?

I’m delighted to share that Emily Mottolese , SOM Managing Principal and Middle East Practice Leader, has recently relocated to our Dubai office from New York City!??

Emily has been instrumental in our Middle Eastern presence for nearly fifteen years. She oversaw the establishment of our Dubai office in 2016 and has led key projects in the region, including Kuwait University’s Administration Facilities, Al Hamra Tower also in Kuwait and the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain.?

As well as overseeing the design of our new Dubai studio (more on that to follow!), Emily shared our approach to building sustainably in the Middle East at the inaugural Liveable Cities X Summit in Dubai on the Everything Architecture stage last month.??

Through the lens of several of our projects, Emily discussed how the built environment can help to promote and contribute to national social, sustainable, and economic objectives.?

From our National Commercial Bank, completed in 1983 in Saudi Arabia, to our newest partnership with Energy Vault, we’re demonstrating how architecture can advance sustainability while also furthering economic development.?

Most recently, we’ve been commissioned to design two new iconic metro stations for Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA). Located at Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Silicon Oasis, the new stations will form part of Dubai Metro’s upcoming Blue Line expansion. Learn more here.?

Our new Dubai office?

Whilst we’ve only moved a floor up in the Maze Tower, our new Dubai studio better accommodates our growing team and demonstrates our sustainability approach through the use of locally-sourced materials and fittings.?

A few weeks back, we welcomed a few friends and collaborators to preview our new space and celebrate our deepened commitment to the region. Please let us know if you’re in town–it would be our pleasure to show you around!

Success at the AIA Middle East Design Awards 2024?

In Qatar last month, two of our projects were recognized at the prestigious AIA Middle East Design Awards.??

Following its success at the AIA International Design Awards in October, the U.S. Consulate General Dhahran received an Honor Award in the Built Architecture category whilst Sultan Haitham City in Oman was awarded with an Honor Award in Urban Design and Planning.?

Brian Kleiver, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP , Middle East Director of Architecture, attended the ceremony on behalf of our team.?

Both projects define new benchmarks for sustainable design in the region.?

The new consulate uses the language of the region’s vernacular architecture to promote a sense of community and provide the gravitas required for a diplomatic facility. Drawing upon regional architectural heritage, the design includes several innovative features that contribute to its character while mitigating the region’s soaring temperatures.?

Sultan Haitham City is designed to foster an inclusive future for Oman’s growing population through a new model for sustainable development. Currently under construction, the project will provide a mix of housing types within walking distance to new public amenities, parks, and vibrant open spaces.?

Going up

In Jeddah, we have just celebrated an exciting milestone on our Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences at the Corniche.?

Construction has been completed on the project’s suspended bridges, the largest in the Middle East. Set to earn a spot in the Guinness World Records, the bridges span 60 meters long and 130 meters above sea level and weigh 2,500 tons.?

Designed to accommodate the incredible growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, once fully constructed in 2026, the project will comprise 249 guest rooms and suites, serviced apartments for short- and long-term stays and over 70 private residences. With a spectacular view overlooking the Red Sea, the project is designed to offer an unparalleled luxury lifestyle experience and builds upon SOM’s long and international history of working with the Four Seasons.?

SOM in person

I attended Cityscape Global last month in Riyadh along with my colleagues, Nyirabu Nyirabu, AIA NOMA (who is based in our Riyadh studio) and Brian Kleiver. It was fantastic to see our Sultan Haitham City project on display in addition to reconnecting with Maathar Said Al Nabhani from our client team.?

Whilst I was there, it was brilliant to check in on some construction progress on several projects in the city.?

In October, Derek A. R. Moore , our Airports Practice Leader, was invited to lead an intensive 15-day studio to a group of fifth year architecture students at the Université Tunis Carthage .

Intended to equip the next generation of architects in Tunisia with the skills to tackle the country’s infrastructure challenges, Derek offered insights and learnings on urban mobility with reference to projects such as Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore and the Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport.?

In September, Peter J. Kindel AIA ASLA RIBA , our Cities and Climate Lead, presented a keynote lecture at the Circular Cities Summit 2.0 in Dubai.?

Exploring the future of sustainable urban development in the Middle East and the application of circular design principles in urban planning, Peter showcased four scales of circularity—the region, the city, the district, and the building—using SOM projects, including the Bahrain National Plan and Sultan Haitham City.??

And looking ahead to next year, Design Associate Alexander Drachenberg will be speaking at Dubai’s Desert Architecture MENA Forum in February. Alexander will be part of a panel exploring best practices in design, construction and technology innovations for sustainable desert architecture. Register here to attend.?

And finally...

The Wall Street Journal delves into our Sultan Haitham City project as part of their Breaking Ground video series. The piece explores how our vision provides an alternative to city-building in the Middle East through its use of passive design strategies that provide respite from Oman’s extreme climate of long, high temperature and humid summers.?

And my fellow Partner Bill Baker recently spoke with AGBI - Arabian Gulf Business Insight about the feasibility of building super-tall towers in the future, even taller than the Burj Khalifa! Find out more about our research-based findings here.?

As always, feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions about our work described here or more generally. Very happy to connect!