Two years after it established itself in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with a Dubai studio, Hong Kong based global architecture practice LWK + PARTNERS launched its second studio in the region. The LWK + PARTNERS Riyadh studio, which has begun to operate, is the firm’s 12th office in the world as it continues to expand its global footprint.
Since the inception of its Dubai studio as the MENA regional headquarters in 2018, LWK + PARTNERS has been collaborating with noted private developers as well as governmental organisations in the region to build a diversity of inspiring urban projects, including mixed use developments, public infrastructure, luxury residences and more.
In Saudi Arabia, the practice has seen a rising demand for its work as levels of investment from within the country and overseas, particularly from China, increase. In fact some of the Dubai studio’s first commissions were for Saudi clients that reached out for new retail typologies and mixed use environments that seek to challenge perceptions and buck trends.
Working alongside the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, LWK + PARTNERS has contributed to the country’s built environment through master planning exercises, framework consulting and digital transformation solutions for major projects, leading to efficient, future proof deliveries. Upcoming projects will also include a major transportation development and a province wide masterplan which features a complex programme of initiatives and wide variety of key stakeholders.
The new Riyadh studio will be led by Kerem Cengiz, LWK + PARTNERS Managing Director, MENA, and Usama Aziz, a new Director. Despite the current global challenges, the practice is confident that time is right to expand and strengthen strategic strongholds in the quick transforming MENA region.
We’ve always had the intent to ‘go-out’ while staying actively engaged in key markets. We have a forward looking imagination parallelled by dynamic corporate governance with a strong management team.
K. Cengiz, Managing Director, MENA, LWK + PARTNERSAs Saudi Arabia refocuses its national economy with Vision 2030 to reframe the country as a regional and international powerhouse of education, arts and culture, tourism and commerce, LWK + PARTNERS Riyadh team sees real potential in the market and looks to bring in global insights together with diverse project experience to make cities a better place for people. It aims to shore up Vision 2030 through urban planning exercises, transportation projects and diverse urban solutions responding to the needs of evolving cities.
As Saudi Arabia, the GCC region’s biggest construction market, continues to thrive, the new Riyadh office will ride on the firm’s existing client networks and Partnerships as well as international experience to bring quality urban landscapes to life.