Dubai has long been known as a place where the world’s most ambitious dreams come to fruition. My journey started at the University of Jordan in Amman and, for the longest time, my ultimate dream was to set-up my own engineering and design firm in the UAE. During my many visits to this city of dreams and the consequent struggle to bring my vision to life, I noticed the stark differences between the architecture of Amman and Dubai and the many factors, such as history, culture, geography, and economic development and how they come together to impact architecture in the two cities. I was enamoured by the beauty of it all and couldn’t wait to paint my own reality.
Cultural influences on design
Amman has a rich architectural history that dates back thousands of years, with significant contributions from the Nabataeans, Romans, and Islamic civilisations. This has influenced the design of modern buildings in Jordan, which often incorporate traditional design elements such as arches, domes, and mosaics. In contrast, Dubai has a much shorter architectural history, and the city’s rapid development in the last few decades has led to a focus on contemporary and futuristic designs. Both Amman and Dubai have diverse cultural influences, but they differ in their approach to expressing these influences in architecture. Jordan tends to focus on preserving and incorporating traditional design elements, while Dubai often uses cultural references more symbolically.
Dubai has experienced rapid economic growth and development over the last few decades, leading to a boom in construction and a focus on iconic, landmark buildings. In Jordan, economic development has been more gradual, and the focus is on creating functional, sustainable buildings that meet relevant needs, above everything else.
In their own unique way, both cities bring their own flavour to their architecture. When I was still a student studying at the University of Jordan, Amman, I always knew architecture and design were my true callings. What I didn’t know at the time were the misadventures that I would inevitably embark on and the occasional curve balls life will throw at me as I take steps to reach my biggest goals and ambitions. As the founder of a quickly expanding Dubai-based engineering and architecture firm, it’s incredible to think how far one can come when armed with sheer will and tenacity to transform her life.
As a female consulting engineer and architect in Dubai, I’ve seen first-hand how competitive the industry can be. With so many businesses vying for the same clients, it’s essential to find ways to stand out from the crowd.
I’m often asked how I differentiated my offering from everyone else, especially in the beginning, when I was still working hard to establish myself and learning the ropes of building a successful business.
Below I’ve listed five things that helped me through.
A vision for the win
Having a clear vision is crucial for your business. It’s essential to have a unique perspective on design and to be able to communicate that vision effectively to clients. By developing a signature style and honing your design philosophy, you can differentiate yourself from other designers and attract clients who appreciate your aesthetic and what you bring to the table. It’s important to be able to hold your own in a world that is too busy copying everyone else.
Informed by strategy
Managing growth is key and from my experience, I can say it’s one of the hardest things to do. It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of taking on new projects and growing the business. But without the right strategy that ensures you’re maintaining a high level of quality and attention to detail in every single project, problems are bound to arise. This calls for being very selective about the projects you take on and continuously investing in your team’s skills and expertise. Personally, I always intended to keep the firm small so I could work closely with top-rated clients, solve problems as they arise, and stay very hands-on with my team. And small doesn’t mean unprofitable. Our business is built to be extremely efficient with revenues that are typical of a 200-plus strong team.
Nurturing client relationships
Developing a strong client strategy and maintaining excellent client relations is crucial to sustainably growing your business. Building trust and rapport with clients is essential for ensuring repeat business and positive referrals. This has served as a way for me to consistently grow my business over the years. By taking the time to listen to clients’ needs and concerns, (it requires a fair share of reading between the lines) providing regular updates and being responsive to their feedback, you can create a loyal client base that will help grow your business over time.
Building a team
Managing staff is critical to ensuring high-quality work and a positive workplace culture. By investing in your team’s professional development, creating a collaborative work environment, and fostering open communication, you can build a team that is dedicated to producing outstanding work and committed to the company’s success. What most budding entrepreneurs don’t realise is that excelling at business goes beyond just being great at your core offering. It needs you to bring together a ton of creative and technical elements to take your business to new heights.
The role of branding
Lastly, branding is vital for standing out in a crowded marketplace. By developing a strong brand identity that reflects your design philosophy and values, you can create a memorable and recognisable presence that will help you attract and retain clients. Consistency in branding across all platforms is just as important.
In conclusion, the journey from Amman to Dubai has taught us valuable lessons in building a successful engineering and design firm while doing what we love, regardless of the economic climate. By embracing the unique cultural and economic contexts of each city, having a clear vision, managing growth, developing a strong client strategy, nurturing staff, and investing in branding, we can create a business that stands out from the crowd and thrives in a competitive marketplace. It takes passion, tenacity, and a willingness to learn from our misadventures to turn our biggest dreams into reality, but the rewards are well worth the effort.