What was the thinking behind setting up an office here?
SU: Nearly one third of our projects are in the Middle East and so we had to be here. It was an incredible opportunity as so many operators are opening up here and 80% of our business is repeat business, much of it through the operators and so if they want to be here, so do we. MS: We don’t necessarily actively look for new hotspots or areas of growth. HBA follows its clients around the world. CID: What challenges do you face designing in Dubai? MS: Maintaining the quality with the strict time schedules is a challenge. Then sourcing the materials we want without making any compromises. SU: Also, everyone wants to do better than the one they did before or that their competitor did recently, so they commission the best architect, the best contractor, and best consultant and interior designer. These firms can be at opposite ends of the world and so communication is often a challenge. MS: On the other hand, that’s a positive aspect because they do want you to push the boundaries and to see
