< PreviousWith studios in both the UAE and Oman, Tony Kettle, design prin- cipal of international architec- ture, masterplanning and design firm Kettle Collective, has worked on a number of projects in the Middle East, including a series of developments in the UAE, the Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman, four museums in Saudi Arabia and a wa- terfront project in Lebanon. With another project under construction – the Dewa Solar Innovation Centre in Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – Middle East Architect speaks to Kettle about his company’s plans for future growth in the region. Tell us about Kettle Collective. Kettle Collective was formed in 2012 by Colin Bone and myself as an international architecture and design collective. We have studios in Edin- burgh, Dubai, Muscat and Hong Kong. As a design collective we also work with local partners across the world in Russia, Malta, China, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. As a multi-disciplinary practice, we work across architecture, masterplanning, urban, interior de- sign and landscape. Our sister company, Ink, fo- cuses on graphic design including CG renders, VR and film. We have worked on a number of projects around the world, including the Lakhta Centre in St Petersburg – Europe’s tallest tower, which I led the design whilst I was at RMJM and then went on to design phase two at Kettle Collective. Discuss opening offi ces in Dubai and Muscat. Why those two cities, and what markets are you serving from those bases? Colin and I have both worked in the Middle East for over 20 years and when we set up Kettle Col- lective, we thought the ideal hub in the Middle East was Dubai. Dubai Design District (d3) hosts so many creatives that we knew that was where we wanted to be based. It has such a great atmosphere for designers and it has become a real hub for suppliers and designers alike. Soon after we opened the office, we brought in former colleague, Tony Archibold as regional director of MENA. Following the suc- cessful appointment on projects across Oman, we set up an office with good friend and local partner Muamir Al Hasny, who has now been appointed as country director. Our offices in Dubai and Muscat allow us to successfully serve clients across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. What projects in the region have you worked on? We have worked on a number of different projects with many of the major developers across the re- gion. Lately, we have been working on a number of hotels and residential projects, but we have also completed a few masterplans in Dubai and Oman. We designed the DEWA Solar Innovation Cen- tre, which is due to open later this year. We de- signed the building using a 3D-extruded form based on Islamic squares and the formula from Tony Kettle The design principal of Kettle Collective speaks about opportunities in the GCC Written by Rima Alsammarae Images courtesy of Kettle Collective MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 20 / INTERVIEWMIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM INTERVIEW / 21the golden section. I am particularly interested in nature and how that can influence buildings. We have been working with a major Dubai developer on some of their residential projects. Prior to this, we worked with them to create a “Community DNA Guideline” docu- ment for all their communities, after which we were brought on board to design various communities around the re- gion. I was particularly interested in the design DNA of the communities because it allowed us to influence the way people will live in the future. Through our research we devel- oped concepts to improve lifestyles through careful design considerations. We have recently completed the design of the new Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. This started as a validation of the masterplan and how we could introduce such a significant mixed-use development to the city and developed into us de- signing the buildings and urban realm. Another interesting project in Oman which followed our work at Al Mouj (this included The Piers and a masterplan) was the activation of the coastline from Al Mouj to Port Qaboos. It’s called the String of Pearls, and it consists of a series of zones along the coast that vary in use, featuring a wa- ter taxi system that links each zone up with the sea. What types of projects are you hoping to work on in the future? We are always looking for projects that allow us to make a dif- ference – be it a small townhouse or a large masterplan. We are always looking for clients who have a vision and the same desire to make a difference to our built environment as we do. How are you hoping to contribute to the built envi- ronment of the GCC/MENA? We enjoy the cross fertilisation of ideas from different parts of the world and share them across different markets. Re- cently a UK newspaper wrote an article about how we were “bringing Dubai to Scotland”, and how we are using lessons MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 22 / INTERVIEWlearned in Dubai to incorporate more light and improve en- ergy efficiency in an affordable housing model in Scotland. In the same way, we apply knowledge learned in other parts of the world to projects in the GCC. For example, we are working on a project that is looking into a new way of living and how technology can enhance the experience. The knowl- edge that we learned from working on the solar innovation centre about renewable energy and specific technologies was also very useful. We were also very privileged to get invited to the UAE Space Centre, which showcases some interesting technology. We are always looking at ways to help the environment. 52 percent of the world’s carbon footprint comes from the built environment, therefore even the smallest improvement will have a significant global improvement. As architects I believe that this is our responsibility and we must work tirelessly to improve. The Dewa Solar Innovation Center Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman River Clyde Crossing in Scotland MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM INTERVIEW / 23GAJ CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN THE UAE take his place as a partner in the fi rm, to which I immediately said yes,” Johnson said. “We chose the name Godwin Austen Johnson because my father’s architectural practice had been called E Austen Johnson. It also sounded better than Godwin and Johnson, and it implied there were more of us than there were!” The opportunity was incredible, added Johnson, but unfortunately the summer of 1989 was also the beginning of a major recession in the UK and the new partnership was badly affected until it entered an international architectural competition for the design of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. GAJ’s participation was based on Johnson’s experience in the region, as he had been responsible for the design of the Emirates Golf Club a few years earlier when he was managing partner of his previous practice in Dubai. After GAJ won the competition, Johnson immediately set up new offi ce in Dubai. In the 30 years since, the practice has delivered a number of projects across the hospitality, education, leisure, residential and commercial sectors, as well as masterplanning. It’s also expanded its services to include interior design, specialist lighting and MEP. The fi rm’s projects list includes the Royal Mirage (UAE), Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Hotel (UAE), Bab Al Shams (UAE), Al Khawaneej Villa (UAE), as well as the masterplans for Muscat Bay (Oman), Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Chedi Khorfakkan (UAE), and Makkah Land (KSA). GAJ has also recently announced it MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 24 / BRAND VIEW Award-winning architecture and design practice, Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), is celebrating 30 years in the Middle East, marking three decades of successful, landmark projects in the region and a bright future for its emerging architects. Established by managing partner Brian Johnson in 1989, who merged with Michael Godwin of Godwin and Cowper, a UK fi rm that dates back to 1847, GAJ’s fi rst project in the Middle East was the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, which would open several years later in 1993 and become so iconic it’d be emblemised on the 20 Dirham note. “One day Michael told me that his partner John Cowper was retiring, and out of the blue, he asked me if I would like to The award-winning architecture and design practice celebrates three decades in the region and looks ahead with excitement Brian Johnson Al Bait, SharjahDubai Creek Golf ClubMIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM BRAND VIEW / 25 will work on a new school in Saudi Arabia and a clubhouse in Pakistan. “I believe working with this multi-disciplinary, forward-thinking group of professionals provides a good environment, which helps and guides me toward being a better designer and taking an active role in key projects,” said Faizal Razak, junior interior designer at GAJ. “Having set a solid foundation for design in the region, GAJ has created a platform for young designers and architects like me to be inspired and nurtured.” Scott Hett, mechanical engineer at GAJ, added, “There is a clear and defi ned pursuit to deliver projects at a consistent level of commendable quality at GAJ, and it is a value that I aspire to. As part of my professional development and my position within GAJ MEP, I continually strive to better contribute to the delivery of our projects and to the client’s requirements.” Despite the fi rm’s success, and its ongoing adaptability to shifting market demands, longevity was never a concern for Johnson – and perhaps that’s because timing was always on his side. Between launching the fi rm’s Dubai offi ce and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, Johnson had ample time to grow the fi rm and establish roots in the UAE. The period between 2001 and 2008 in particular saw “amazing expansion”, he said, in terms of offi ce size and expertise. “I had been working in Dubai since I was 25 years old,” Johnson added, “with only a couple of years work in London before that, so it never crossed my mind to wonder how long the practice would exist for – especially since one of the most interesting things about life as an architect in Dubai is the huge array of different design opportunities that are on offer.” While well-timed expansion, thoughtful leadership and maintained client relationships are some of keys to the fi rm’s success, its recruitment of emerging talent helps carry the fi rm from the present to the future. It also works to ensure its family of employees are constantly kept up to date on market trends, sustainable solutions and newly available technology. “GAJ is always keeping up with trends through events, seminars, suppliers and constantly bringing out the best in their team members who come from different backgrounds,” said designer Aya Faour. “An element of project delivery that proves signifi cantly important during shifts in the market or economy is effi ciency,” added Hett. “Software and technology are constantly advancing, creating new or improved means of making our personal and professional lives easier and more effi cient. GAJ supports its teams by creating a work environment that welcomes and promotes innovation.” “None of our achievements would have been possible without the tremendous support and commitment of the GAJ employees at all levels, both now and throughout our history,” said Johnson. “My hope is that the practice will continue to go from strength to strength as we become more focussed on delivering high-quality products on time and on budget.” Dubai CollegeScott Hett Serena Residences The Palm Faizal RazakAya Faour26 / COVER STORY MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COMMEA speaks with curator Adrian Lahoud, who says the triennial is an invitation to ‘radically rethink’ questions about architecture and address climate change – ‘the most urgent challenge facing humanity today’ Sharjah Architecture Triennial Written by Rima Alsammarae Images courtesy of Sharjah Architecture Triennial The coastal emirate of Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates – and it’s considered the cultural capital of the country. Among the many cultural centres, government institutions that support art-led initiatives, and the ongoing regeneration of heritage spaces, the emirate’s creative realm is further defined by the upcoming Sharjah Architecture Triennial. The latest move in connecting the city’s motiva- tions with its architectural past and future, as well as a step towards rethinking its urban and environ- mental footprint, in addition to that of the wider Mid- dle East, North Africa and South Asia, the triennial was launched as a non-profit initiative and is legally housed under the Sharjah Urban Planning Council and funded by the Government of Sharjah. Chaired by Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the team behind the initiative is formed by its partners including the Di- rectorate of Town Planning and Survey; the American University of Sharjah’s College of Architecture, Art & Design (CAAD); the Sharjah Art Foundation; and Bee’ah. The curator of the triennial, Adrian Lahoud, ar- chitect, urban designer and dean of the School of Architecture at London’s Royal College of Art, spoke to MEA about the event ahead of its launch in Novem- ber 2019. According to Lahoud, the theme ‘Rights of Future Generations’ is an invitation to “radically rethink” fundamental questions about architecture and its power to create and sustain alternative modes of existence. “The theme prompts us to interrogate the fact that, while individual rights have expanded over the past few decades, collective rights, such as rights of na- ture and environmental rights have been neglected,” he said. “Following various lines of enquiry around housing, education and the environment, the triennial seeks to question and decolonise architectural discourse; it uses architectural design as an opportunity to re- alise these alternative modes of living, including new concepts of buildings, cities, landscapes and territo- ries, and to consider how these may be better adapted and understood as part of contemporary life and pos- sible futures.” MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM COVER STORY / 27Rights of Future Generations intends to explore how in- heritance, legacy and the state of the environment are passed from one generation to the next, and how present decisions have long-term intergenerational consequences, as well as how other expressions of co-existence, including indigenous ones, might challenge dominant western perspectives. Lahoud noted that inherent in the theme is a commitment to address climate change as the most urgent challenge facing humanity today. “Through its exploration of how particular conditions in the Global South produce unique relationships between hu- man beings and the environment, the triennial seeks to bring awareness to specific models,” he said. “Ones that allow inter- acting and living with the environment, rather than dividing ourselves from it.” In addition to raising awareness via the exhibition and pub- lic events, the triennial has formed the Rights of Future Gen- erations Working Group. Its mission is to advance the pro- tection of future generations’ fundamental rights in a world where climate change is dramatically shifting along socio- economic, legal, gender, racial and political dimensions. The group will collaboratively produce the Sharjah Charter MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM 28 / COVER STORYInterior view of Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah. Image by Ieva Saudargait Opposite: Al-Qasimiyah School, Sharjah Opposite: Adrian Lahoud, curator of Sharjah Archi- tecture Triennial Al-Qasimiyah School Al-Qasimiyah School to be presented as part of the triennial, which Lahoud hopes will prove to be a significant moment in the ongoing global discourse around climate change. “I believe that architecture as a practice holds a key role in addressing climate change,” Lahoud said. “However, in order to leverage this potential, we must move away from the ex- tractive and exploitative models that dominate architectural practice. We are at a point of ecological collapse and one fact must not be ignored: that the sites, regions and populations most immediately and irreversibly threatened by climate change are the same ones that face regimes of global socio- economic extraction and exploitation. “Valuable insight can therefore be drawn from paying at- tention to existing social struggles at the frontline of climate change, including indigenous ones. There is a particular prob- lem with the western ontological distinction between humans and the environment. This distinction views architecture as ‘shelter’ from the environment, thereby validating land grab and resource extraction. Human history offers a myriad of ex- amples of alternative social orders, of relationships between humans and other beings that evolved according to various beliefs and practices, and through these examples we might MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT / 08-11.19 / WWW.MIDDLEEASTARCHITECT.COM COVER STORY / 29Next >