Diba Salam is the founding Principal and Creative Director of Studio DS, a dynamic London based architectural studio with bureaus in Dubai and Bangkok. She founded the practice in 2012 after leading national and international projects, such as Imperial College, White City, London and Aldar’s Yas Island Hotels in the United Arab Emirates.

Diba has made research a key part of her entrepreneurial business by analysing place making, smart designs and neuroscience in architecture. The studio’s core values are to create efficient, adaptive, and effective communities through design by establishing stakeholder needs. Each solution is uniquely tailored to maximise the social economic and environmental potential of each individual site, celebrating exceptional detail craftmanship through modern methods of construction.

She has a hands on integrated approach to the studio and, from the outset, has been fully involved in all work stages of the projects. From developing the brief with the client, creating unique concepts, working collaboratively to achieve complex planning consents, working with contractors and specialist craftsmen in achieving high quality construction, and ultimately building a relationship with occupiers to ensure the building is used to its potential.

Key to successful design is understanding the principles and pressures in delivering projects of varying scales, from large complex buildings, delicate cut and carve refurbishments and highly crafted furniture. Diba’s work with AFR’s sister company Veretec provided an opportunity to provide a broad mix of specialist architectural and commercial advice to clients, contractors, and design practices. Her holistic approach to design is deeply rooted in Studio DS design philosophy.

Research forms an essential part of Studio DS’s ethos. Through research we achieve design excellence through testing ideas. Diba has collaborated with industry leaders and government bodies, such as Government Construction Client Group’s BIM paper.

• British Council, Paper on Public Realm, Dubai

• UK Green Building Council, Retail Lab

• Smart Cities & Smart Design, RIBA & UKTI

• Architecture and Neurology, Virtual and Augmented realities

• Disaster Relief Homes/Shelter

• BIM, Building Information Modelling, Technology, Contract, COBie & Post Operational Needs. (UK Government Report and Podcast).

• Residential homes for mature citizens with medical network facilities

• Sustainable Hotels

• Sustainable Facade Systems

• Parametric Algorithms for Architecture & Urban Design

• Parametric Geometries for Architecture & Interior Design

• Prefabricated Hotels/Housing Templates

Shaikha joined Studio DS as a Director of the Dubai office. Post Graduation from the American University in Dubai, Shaikha received her architectural training in Japan’s leading Design Company Nikken Sekkei in Tokyo.

Her keen passion in the Real Estate market lead her to join the Dubai Land Department where she is currently leading the Buildings Team in the technical affairs department, focusing on, Monitoring, Auditing and Classifying buildings in Dubai.

She has worked closely with the studio principal, Diba Salam, in the setting up of Studio DS’s office in Dubai and brings with her a broad knowledge and experience within the region’s property sector.

Shaikha is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Construction law and dispute Resolution, and she has also been nominated for Dubai Government Excellence program for its 21 Edition.