Gensler, the global architecture, design and planning firm, has announced the appointment of Steven Velegrinis as design director of its Middle East operations, where he will take on a global role, but with an initial focus on the MENA region and KSA in particular.
With more than 30 years of experience as an urban planner, designer, and landscape architect, Velegrinis’ interests and works revolve around the idea of ecological urbanism, sustainable and resilient cities and places.
He has recently worked on a number of high-profile projects, including leading the Dubai Expo event masterplan, legacy masterplan and public realm design. He has also worked on the Ras Al Khaimah landscape strategy and guidelines; NEOM landscape strategy and guidelines; Al Arous masterplan in Jeddah; the Wadi Safar masterplan in Riyadh, the DGDA supervisory area strategy; and a series of confidential design competitions in KSA.
“As a firm we have historically attracted the best in the business; Steven is another example of our success in this firm-wide goal. By the same token, hiring Steven is a step forward for Gensler as we continue to grow a global centre of excellence in ecological urbanism and climate change reversal projects,” said Tim Martin, managing director of Gensler Middle East.
“Our firm’s borderless focus allows our global cities’ teams to offer a broad spectrum of project types. All this comes strategically ahead of COP28 in Dubai and Gensler’s reports of excellence in the sustainability space increasing in numbers. Our global goal is to become the leader in sustainability for the built environment,” he continued, adding that Velegrinis was well placed to build upon Gensler’s current Master Planning practice.