Page 49 - RLI November 2019

DESIGN PROFILE | BREWER SMITH BREWER GROUP

More Than FESTIVAL PLAZA
Dubai, UAE

Architecture

Delivering architecture in Dubai since 1976, Brewer Smith

Brewer Group has developed and expanded to become an
award-winning, multi-disciplinary company with offices in

locations across the globe. Here, RLI speaks with Andrew
Bereza, Group Partner at BSBG to discuss what’s new and

what lays in wait.

stablished as an architectural firm in the UAE; The new high-end office space in Holborn and the talented staff and clients, and they never walk away from something investment in top end hotel “Architecture is a more
Brewer Smith Brewer Group was founded upon team assembled in it is the most important investment the that is perceived as ‘too difficult’, giving confidence and and retail developments,
the three pillars of architecture, engineering and group has made in the last 12 months, according to Bereza. assurance to clients who are looking for long-term partners. targeted at really pushing the advanced, more technical
E interior design. The company now has studios “Our most important investment will always be in our The Group is very much a relationship-focused business tourism sector in countries animal with more reliance
in Dubai, Ho Chi Minh and London and its principles people, and the team we’ve put together here is one that and they pride themselves on the amount of long-standing like Vietnam, Malaysia and
embrace a sustainable and technological approach to will stand us in good stead moving forward.” relationships they have with their clients, some of which Singapore. Meanwhile the on technology than at any
design and delivery, adopting the latest advancements in Recently completed projects for BSBG include the 304- stretch back more than 20 years. Bereza believes this speaks Middle East continues to be point previously”
building technology and techniques to offer unique and room Aloft City Centre Deira hotel in Dubai, which opened well of the trust placed in them to consistently deliver the exciting for the company,
innovative solutions. in early 2019. Next was the completion of the design and highest level of value and efficiency in architecture. particularly Saudi Arabia and the reforms there which have
“As an international practice, coming from Dubai and delivery of a 92,000sq m expansion to The Dubai Mall, “Architecture is a more advanced, more technical animal had a huge impact on leisure and retail projects.
entering the UK market for the first time, we couldn’t be named the Zabeel expansion and they completed the 348- with more reliance on technology than at any point previously. “Whether acting as the design or executive architect, we
happier with the way this past 12 months have worked out,” room five-star JA Lake View Hotel. We have a reputation for international BIM leadership, which add value at all stages of the project cycle. We are a true
explains Andrew Bereza, Group Partner at BSBG. “We are an This month the business is due to complete the handover comes from the investment we have placed into training and lead consultant in the fact that we take ownership and we
established name in Dubai, where we’ve worked to deliver of Festival Plaza, for which BSBG is the design architect and adopting new software over the last decade,” states Bereza. drive projects forward. I would call us an A-Z architectural
projects with Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid for instance, lead consultant taking the project through to completion. By remaining as a privately-owned business, BSBG, despite practice, with a multi-disciplinary depth of talent that enables
and I’m sure in time we will reach the same level in London.” During the next 12 months BSBG expect to see strong its size, can drive business in a way that portrays a true us to work proactively on solving problems and delivering
The company has certainly started on the front foot in progress on its two London hotel projects, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit. Each of the partners still work on projects, top-class solutions,” explains Bereza.
the UK, after being engaged by London + Regional Hotels Foster + Partners-designed Dorchester Hotel and Residences and this will always be the way, enabling clients to speak to “We are very focused on capitalising on the success of last
to work on delivering two prestigious and challenging hotel and the prestigious project The Island, both of which they are informed members of senior management at all times. year, and to remain as a reputed architect that clients with
refurbishments at the former Green Park Hilton and the working on in a lead consultant capacity in Dubai. After the opening of its office in London, the Group now has projects in London really should be speaking to – whether
Radisson Portman Hotel. The latter of these will become the BSBG maintain and nurture the strong relationships they offices in three continents. Aside from London, they operate that’s in a design or lead consultant capacity.”
second Nobu Hotel in London. have by always showing complete commitment to projects, a studio in Ho Chi Minh in Asia, where there is huge ongoing www.bsbgroup.com

DORCHESTER HOTEL & RESIDENCES JA LAKE VIEW HOTEL
Dubai, UAE Dubai, UAE

DUBAI MALL
Dubai, UAE
NOVEMBER 2019 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 49