Living and working in the United Arab Emirates as an expatriate architect for nearly 40 years, Samir Daoud has led Diar Consult Architectural Office with a keen eye on the region’s socio-cultural evolution. He has witnessed firsthand how, in emerging economies like the UAE, social values and concepts of luxury, comfort, and lifestyle develop rapidly. These transformations stem from cultural shifts, economic growth, and the integration of education, tolerance, and a cautious openness to Western democratic values.
Architecture serves as a mirror to these changes, physically manifesting newly emerging values and shifting social priorities. Sophisticated architectural and interior design have become the benchmark for prestigious living, especially among the prominent and aspiring classes. Many of these individuals, once deeply rooted in local traditions and Arab-Islamic history, previously favoured classical, rigid design forms. At the time, architecture in the UAE either relied on strict classical planning or incorporated a blend of Persian and Indian influences, often confused with local Arab culture.
Majority of prominent class society favoured a formal design approach and pursuit of rigid and axial classicism, relying on some common rhythmic forms, idioms and elements that resonated well with power and status. This is best reflected in Samir Daoud’s designs of the Royal Palace in Nad Al Shiba, Dubai and The Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi Mussafah area in his 90’s architecture. It took years for this elite class and upper social strata of the UAE society to break away from the dogma of formality and rigidity to ultimately accept more creative adaptations of regional architecture with freer utilization and adaptations of its various architectural vocabulary and idioms.
The architecture of the renowned One&Only Royal Mirage and Al Qasr Hotels in Dubai, designed by international architects, was a breath of fresh air in the city’s architectural landscape. With new versions of Arab Regional Architecture, these hotels broke free from traditional forms and set new standards of luxury, finesse and refined interiors.
Royal Mirage: Designed by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo, completed in 1999
Al Qasr (Madinat Jumeirah): Designed by DSA Architects International, completed in 2004
These hotels were an eclectic hybrid of local architecture enriched with North African and Moorish Architectural flavour. This sensitive mix and harmony of Arab architecture produced a new generation of regional architecture that was well sought after but hard to emulate. They became a healthy reference for local architects, an eye opener, that resulted in newer forms of creative adaptations added to local architectural heritage. Samir believes that any such creative adaptations of culture and architecture, when sensitively delivered in the local environment in harmony with local socio-cultural values and climate, begin to acquire local respect, affinity and acceptability. This is cultural transformation at its best manifestation of Art and Architecture.
Samir Serope Daoud, Chairman and Principal Design Architect of Diar Consult, was amongst the local pioneering designers in the region who dedicated a significant part of their careers in pursuit of the truth about regional architecture and adaptations thereof. He pursued successful such transformation and liberation of boundaries of the then prevalent architectural language to suit the comfort zones of this particular class of the society and their expectations for new lifestyles and luxury living. Samir Daoud’s designs of Royal Palaces in the UAE during the 2000’s, like the “Sea Waterfront Al Qibab Palace” on Al Sufouh road Dubai became a landmark that broke away from the older moulds of neighbouring palaces of the royal families along the same road. Equally significant interpretation in his regional architecture was his design of the “Sunset Palace” in Abu Dhabi for the Royal family – a design that attracted considerable attention, admiration and praise by the Abu Dhabi community.
With time, the UAE embraced modernity, technology, and sustainability. Dubai, in particular, has become a global hub, engaging with international service providers, technological advancements, and progressive ideas. This exposure has created a growing demand for modern architectural designs. Today, the majority of Diar Consult’s clients seek contemporary concepts that integrate bold visions of luxury, cutting-edge technology, and smart home automation. Luxury living now extends beyond material opulence to expressions of personal identity and refined aesthetics.
At the commercial level, major real estate developers in the UAE are in constant competition to outdo each other. They aim to attract investors with branded residences and iconic architectural designs, whether in apartment buildings, villas, or mansions. This race for innovation has led to skyrocketing property values, raising the standards of fine living in just a few years. Diar Consult has actively contributed to this transformation, crafting designs that align with cultural progress and elevate quality of life.
Diar Consult’s designs showcase creativity and innovation, exemplified by projects such as ‘Bait Al Bahr’ on an exclusive island in Abu Dhabi, the ‘Sky Garden Home’ in Abu Dhabi, the ‘Motor Show-House’ on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, and the 2024 Luxury Lifestyle award-winning ‘Waterfall Villa’ in Abu Dhabi. Each of these designs, crafted by Samir Serope Daoud, reflects a commitment to cutting-edge technology, bold aspirations, and the evolving expectations of a society that values luxury and comfort.
When a society strives to elevate its aspirations and quality of life while embracing luxury, it rightfully deserves to enjoy the rewards of its progress.
Author: Samir Serope Daoud, B.Sc.Arch, Dip.(Urb.Des.), AADip.(Plan), Chairman & Principal Design Architect – Diar Consult.
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