On Dubai projects, global design firms often get the concept and mix all wrong

As Dubai continues to cement its position as a global hub for real estate and design innovation, we find ourselves at the intersection of international ambition and local reality.

The city has long attracted celebrated architects and design firms from around the world, eager to leave their mark on one of the most dynamic skylines on the planet. But in the rush to import global design trends, there is a growing tendency to overlook something fundamental: context.

Too often, we see developments shaped by foreign firms who bring creative ambition — but lack the understanding of Dubai’s climate, infrastructure, and lifestyle. These aren’t simply aesthetic mismatches.

They are missed opportunities to design intelligently, sustainably, and in alignment with how people actually live here.

One of the most overlooked aspects is climate responsiveness. Dubai’s weather is not a mere inconvenience to be overcome - it is a central design challenge that demands deliberate solutions. Projects conceived without adequate shading, airflow planning, or solar orientation quickly become impractical for year-round use.

Outdoor spaces, in particular, risk becoming purely decorative — visually impressive, but functionally redundant for six months of the year.

A recurring ‘blind spot’

Parking is another recurrent blind spot. Many international design firms base their calculations on urban models that prioritize public transit and walking — admirable in theory, but not yet reflective of how most Dubai residents move through the city.

Insufficient parking allocations create long-term operational issues, especially in premium developments where convenience and livability are paramount.

Some imports just won’t do the job

There is also a growing concern around the overuse of imported materials and systems ill-suited to the region’s environmental conditions. Materials that perform well in European or North American climates often deteriorate faster under Dubai’s intense heat and dust.

Maintenance becomes costlier, replacements harder to source, and residents ultimately bear the consequences. Conversely, our local manufacturing ecosystem is increasingly sophisticated — offering durable, sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives that are better aligned with both environmental conditions and construction timelines.

These issues are not simply technical oversights; they reflect a deeper misalignment between concept and context. While international firms bring valuable perspective and design expertise, their success in this region depends on meaningful collaboration with local developers, architects, and consultants who live and work within the dynamics of this market.

Designing for Dubai requires more than imported ideas. It requires insight, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to serving the people who will live in, work in, and engage with these spaces every day.

The future of architecture in this region belongs to those who understand that context is not a constraint — it is the foundation of good design.