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Marc Goodwin Dubai architecture studios

17 Dubai architecture studios photographed by Marc Goodwin

For the next in his studio photography series, Marc Goodwin visited the Dubai offices of 17 architecture practices, including Grimshaw and Gensler. 

Unlike the cities Goodwin has previously visited for his series, such as Shanghai, London and Barcelona, there were few instances of architecture offices adapting historic buildings in Dubai.

The recent building boom in the United Arab Emirates city means there are an abundance of new office spaces for studios to chose from.

"I don't think I saw any repurposed buildings of the type I have photographed until now. However, the studios in Al Serkal and Al Quoz are industrial spaces that are giving way to art galleries and design studios at a rapid pace," Goodwin, who runs the architectural photography studio Archmospheres, told Dezeen.

"Everything south of Deira is new. There is a very pragmatic feel to most of the studios," he added. "Many have lovely views but were on the whole generic office spaces rather than branded design studios. There were of course a few notable exceptions."

"Dubai is a dynamic, exciting place with a lot going on. Putting a foot in that door and seeing the plans for the future – 2020 and beyond – was really interesting,"

Shooting in a new city bought with it new challenges, including one the seasoned photographer had not encountered previously.

"Dubai was different in that you have to get permission to take pictures outdoors. Setting up visits to shoot the interiors of studios has been the only challenge until now," explained Goodwin.

"As soon as you pull out a camera a security guard is certain to ask you for a permit. Turn the corner and repeat with the next guard. I had not experienced that before. Or anything like it. Anywhere."

Take a look inside 17 of Dubai's architecture studios:


Dabbagh Architects

In this space since: 2010
Number of employees: 6
Building's former use: new building designed by Dabbagh Architects, completed 2010


RMJM

In this space since: 2016
Number of employees: 70
Building's former use: none


Ibda Design

In this space since: 2009
Number of employees: 18
Building's former use: office


Godwin Austen Johnson

In this space since: 2009
Number of employees: 180
Building's former use: the office was an empty shell when the practice moved in


U+A

In this space since: 2014
Number of employees: 121
Building's former use: office


Hopkins Architects

In this space since: 2006
Number of employees: 90
Building's former use: car showroom


Gensler

In this space since:  2016
Number of employees: 13
Building's former use: office


SVENM Architecture & Design

In this space since: 2017
Number of employees: 5
Building's former use: warehouse


Design Worldwide Partnership DMCC

In this space since: 2009
Number of employees: 40
Building's former use: office


X Architects

In this space since: 2012
Number of employees: 50
Building's former use: office


EDGE

In this space since: 8 years
Number of employees: 44
Building's former use: office


T.ZED Architects

In this space since: 2017
Number of employees: 8
Building's former use: new office


Cultural Engineering

In this space since: 2017
Number of employees: 10
Building's former use: warehouse


Grimshaw

In this space since: 2017
Number of employees: 5
Building's former use: new office


ANARCHITECT

In this space since: 2016
Number of employees: 6
Building's former use: art gallery


Archidentity

In this space since: 2011
Number of employees: 9
Building's former use: shell and core office


Dewan Architects + Engineers

In this space since: currently under construction, will move in May of 2018
Number of employees: 450
Building's former use: Coca-Cola marketing suite

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