“We’re a big firm, but we still operate like a small firm,” says CEO
In an era of rapid urban development and architectural innovation, Dewan Architects + Engineers boasts homegrown success. As the UAE-based firm celebrates its 40th anniversary, CEO Ammar Al Assam shared with Arabian Business the company’s journey from a small local operation to a 700-strong international powerhouse, with global growth in the pipeline.
Founded in Abu Dhabi in 1984, Dewan Architects + Engineers has expanded far beyond its UAE roots. With offices now spanning Cairo, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, the company has set its sights on doubling its revenue in the next five years through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
“The DNA of Dewan has always been ambitious, yet conservative in how we grow,” Al Assam explained. This approach is exemplified by the recent acquisition of Design Lab, a move that enhances Dewan’s expertise in the booming hospitality sector.
The firm’s expansion strategy isn’t limited to the Middle East. Dewan is actively pursuing opportunities in Southeast Asia and Africa, specifically Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, “When you say you’re from Dubai or the UAE, wherever place you go in the world, they’ll be willing to listen,” Al Assam noted.
Technology plays a crucial role in Dewan’s growth. The company has embraced building information management (BIM) tools and is exploring AI applications to enhance efficiency.
However, Al Assam emphasised that client satisfaction remains at the core of their operations, even as they expand.
As Dewan looks to the future, the focus is on sustainable growth that preserves the company’s culture while adapting to new markets and technologies. “We want to deliver buildings and places that make people feel good,” Al Assam said, encapsulating the firm’s vision for the next 40 years and beyond.
Despite its growth ambitions, Dewan remains committed to maintaining the quality and personal touch that has defined its work for four decades. “We’re a big firm, but we still operate like a small firm,” Al Assam emphasised. “It’s a very flat organisation. The interaction between the leadership team is completely transparent.”
Looking to the future, Al Assam envisions Dewan evolving into a more comprehensive multidisciplinary firm. “We might get into more engineering disciplines, we might get into project management, we might enhance certain disciplines we have internally,” he said.
However, he stressed that this growth would be carefully managed to preserve the company’s culture and values.
“The legacy we want to leave is that we are a firm that respects its profession, respects its people, respects its colleagues. And we want to deliver buildings and places that make people feel good,” Al Assam concluded.
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