Woods Bagot moves into its self-designed Dubai HQ

Home to all teams working across the Middle East, One Central Dubai is Woods Bagot’s most recent HQ opening. Designed by the firm’s own architects, the new workspace promotes collaboration with a vibrant layout that encourages connectivity and brings people closer together.  

Featuring flexible spaces to support contemporary styles of working, the new studio embodies WB’s design ethos. “During the design stages for the interiors, we wanted something that would reflect the WB credo – ‘people architecture’ – while also emphasising the importance of wellbeing, sustainability, and creating a collaborative environment,” says Richard Fenne, Director and Executive Regional Chair of the firm. The studio achieved this by adopting a variety of sustainability and biophilic features to improve environmental performance and wellbeing for staff. 

Bringing people together was a central element throughout the design. Woods Bagot manifested this ideal in the reception area through a symbolic reference to the traditional ‘Majlis’ – a symbol of ‘coming together’ as well as being a nod to Middle Eastern culture and craftsmanship. 

A simplistic material pallet weaves throughout with earthy and natural undertones to promote warmth and closeness. The layout and the materials selected in Woods Bagot reflect its global studio brand, whilst containing elements that speak to this unique location in the Middle East. 

Merging its reception with a pantry increases the office’s sense of arrival. Providing space for individuals and teams, the area comprises an open studio as well as a multi-function room that can be repurposed as a boardroom, and for social activities and classes. Furniture and equipment has been carefully considered to improve the quality of daily life in the studio. Greenery prevails throughout the interior, while continual views of an external tree canopy evokes connectivity with nature, supporting biophilic principles.

“Having been here a few months now, we are very happy with the outcome,” comments Samer Charara, Principal and Dubai Studio Chair. “It’s been wonderful celebrating the new space with the team – as well as being able to welcome our clients and global colleagues in too.”