Page 24 - December 2020 January 2021

COVER STORY | DESIGN INTERNATIONAL

Driven by Passion

Founded 55 years ago in Toronto Canada, Design International strives to realise
buildings and open places that can become social condensers that inspire the
interaction of people and their communities. Here, RLI sits down with CEO Davide
Padoa, London Director Hearan Kim and Milan Director Roberto Sibiano to discuss

how the company has operated through the pandemic and what the future holds.

SiliCOn CEnTRal
Dubai, UaE

ruly innovative design is the bedrock of Design Maximo Shopping Centre in Rome – featuring the
International and has become the brand’s identity. largest collection of restaurants in an Italian mall, Ada Mall
After quickly gaining traction in the architectural in Belgrade – awarded as the most successful lifestyle
T arena, the company has continued to grow across destination in Serbia, Da Vinci Village in Rome Fiumicino
the globe and now has its headquarters in London, with – the largest retail park in southern Europe, and Forsan
additional offices in Milan, Shanghai and Dubai. Central Mall in Abu Dhabi are among our latest completed
This year has been a challenge for every company, and CEO projects of 2019-2020.
Davide Padoa felt that the pandemic accelerated the need for In the coming year they will be launching Silicon Central
change, strengthening people’s need to meet and socialise. in Dubai, Sharjah Central in Sharjah, Urban Village in Riyadh,
“Despite the incredibly challenging year, we have managed to LuLu Mall Trivandrum and LuLu Mall Lucknow in India, Livat
maintain our 100-strong and talented team, and we pushed Changsha and Livat Shanghai in China, as well as Maximall
hard by taking on board several new design competitions and Pompeii as well as the Gran Reno Shopping Centre. In total,
we have won the highest number of bids ever in a single year, the new gross lettable area will exceed one million square
including the most recent, Zhuhai Outlet Mall near Macau with metres and more than 1,000 new physical stores will open
developer CR Land.” within the upcoming developments.

24 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021