- Tell us about yourself, your business journey, and your contribution to the UAE.
For over forty years, I have been fortunate to be invited to work in very different countries and cities across the globe. Being part of such a wide range of cultural, economic, and political circumstances has shaped and inspired me. Our offices have realized over two hundred projects, ranging from residential and public buildings to cultural institutions, commercial projects, and urban planning. Each of these projects has required an entirely different approach and brings new experiences.
Over the years, I have learned that architecture becomes most interesting when it can unite contradictions. This is what I call ‘mastering complexity’: bringing together history and progress, economy and emotion, sensitivity and sensuality, without one overpowering the other. I recognize that the leadership of the UAE has done this very well. That is why I was excited to set up our new base here a couple of years ago. We are aiming to bring our international experience into direct dialogue with the UAE. My personal contribution is not about promoting one exclusive signature style. It is about embracing diversity. About understanding the complexity of a place and transforming it into architecture that both inspires and belongs to its place.
- What does receiving the 9th Golden Excellence Award under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan mean to you?
For me, an award gains meaning when it recognizes more than just an image or a single project. I see this Award as recognition of our way of working. Combining ambition with responsibility and aligning imagination with the discipline of realization. To my understanding, His Highness’s work in the UAE reflects these values, and therefore it is a great honor to receive this recognition specifically under his patronage. We are truly grateful.
- How do you view the role of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in shaping the UAE’s society?
The UAE demonstrates every day what it means for many cultures and ambitions to share the same society. The National Tolerance Program actively strengthens tolerance and coexistence through government, society, culture, and international cooperation. Diversity only truly becomes valuable when connections are forged between these differences, I believe. That is why I see tolerance and coexistence as active principles. In architecture, we face a very similar task: connecting diversity without erasing identity. A successful city allows different scales, functions, and people to coexist, while still forming an inspiring and recognizable whole.
- What opportunities do you see emerging in your industry over the next few years?
The coming years will offer architects extraordinary technical possibilities. Artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, and new environmental technologies will increase the speed and scope of what we can design and improve the quality of life. What will remain scarce is judgment. Technology can create possibilities, but it cannot decide what deserves to exist. The real opportunity is to use these tools to master complexity and create places that people truly value and embrace. For me, this is also one of the strongest forms of sustainability.
- What are your company’s key plans and growth priorities for the future?
Our priority is to apply decades of international experience to new projects in the UAE, where design, engineering, selection of materials, and execution of the works can be treated as one continuous responsibility. We want to connect multiple experiences with different ways of working, while continuing to learn from the region itself.
Growth itself is not the goal. For me all our efforts only make sense when they strengthen our ability to realize work of lasting quality. Ultimately, I believe architecture should do more than simply perform. It should stimulate, engage, and offer solace. Architecture, at its best, must make us more aware of the beauty of life.
Standalone pull quote (accompanying page): “We see strong potential for continued growth in Dubai and the wider region. As we expand, our focus will remain on creating future-ready developments that deliver lasting value, adapt to changing lifestyles, and contribute meaningfully to healthier, more sustainable communities. For us, growth is not only about how much we build, but about the lasting impact of what we build.” — Erik van Egeraat
