Behind the Scenes at AMA with Andy Shaw, Managing Partner

AMA's studio is located in JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers), a large mixed-use development near Dubai Marina and Emirates Hills, with around 80 high-rise towers. This was my first time visiting their office, and to my surprise, it’s located on the 42nd floor. I was welcomed by Andy Shaw , the Managing Director, and also had the chance to meet Naji Mahmoud , the Design Partner, before he headed to a client meeting.

One of the first things you’ll notice is the view - it’s incredible. From their office, you can see Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and beyond. So far, it’s the best office view I’ve seen in Dubai, and I’ve visited quite a few practices.

After spending nearly half a day with the team and enjoying lunch (thanks, Andy!), it was clear that AMA has a great studio culture. I observed how the team interacts, how they support each other and got to know more about their projects and involvements.

But let's dive behind the scenes.

Projects and Involvement

AMA is known for its luxury villas, hospitality, landmarks, interiors, and masterplans across the Gulf. If you’ve been to Dubai Marina, you might have noticed one of their projects, the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club - a mixed-use scheme. I used to walk past it often when we lived in Dubai Marina, taking my dog, Otto for his evening stroll along the harbour.

In the Gulf region, it’s common that many projects are under NDA, meaning they can’t share all their work on their website.

Andy showed me various schemes, and I’d describe their designs as elegant and contemporary. Throughout their projects, you’ll notice an earthy palette, creating calming spaces. Our conversation shifted to competition work.

“We only do paid competitions as we need to value our own time and run a profitable business.” Andy explained.

One of Andy’s favourite projects was the Nobu Hotel and Residences in Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. “It was a great project overall - a good client, a clear brief, and the end result was beautiful.” Andy

When taking on new projects, it’s important to involve juniors, taking them on-site to understand the process. If a project is already underway, the project architect visits once a week.

Stephan Lohale , Project Architect, shared, “I’m currently working on multiple luxury villa schemes in Abu Dhabi, and I’ll visit the site tomorrow. These types of projects are incredibly fast-paced, and it’s important to stay in contact with the Site Project Manager to ensure everything is running smoothly.”

What pleasantly surprised me was when Andy mentioned in passing, “We don’t hold internal meetings. We like to be as efficient with our time.”

Another way they achieve this is by outsourcing some of their renders. Stephan showed me a few, which are being used in brochures, and let me tell you… they are stunning.

Using the team’s time effectively makes a lot of sense, allowing them to focus on design, technical drawings, site visits, client interactions, and researching new materials.

"We try to work smart and very efficiently, through evolving, digital based workflow. People work on multiple tasks across multiple projects, and are not stuck in project teams. We avoid things we think offer low value such as internal meetings and physical study models." Andy

Zeyana Khamis Al Aamri , a junior architect who studied at Sheffield University, noted that working on schemes in the UK vs. Dubai is very different. Climate differences require the use of materials suited to extreme heat and humidity. “Sustainability is something we always present to our clients. Even small changes can make a big impact.”

The Use of AI within AMA

“Our working hours are 40 hours per week, so we have to be mindful of our time and ensure it’s used effectively. AI assists us with workflow, digitisation, and image creation”.

Unsurprisingly, given his advocacy for AI, the team seemed fully on board, noting that it allows them to focus more energy on clients and design by using AI tools to streamline and enhance internal office management processes.

Office Culture, Development and People

It’s clear from walking around the office and seeing how the team interacts that they get on well. The atmosphere is calm and friendly. Zeyana said, “Even if you have a stressful day, people are here to help and support you.”

Andy believes in creating a safe working environment where staff can approach anyone with questions. Bullying is not tolerated here. When I asked about the team structure, he said, “We don’t have a hierarchy and none of the management sits in a glass box.”

Another thing which I found great was, that not only do they work 40 hours per week but they also have no overtime policy. "We commit to leaving the office on time, and work smart to achieve that. There are a few exceptions across the year in very busy periods but it is rare and followed by time in lieu, when our staff can take the time off."

What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at AMA?

As I walked around the studio, I asked the team, “What do you like most about working at AMA?”

• The people
• Exposure to different projects and stages
• A calm, supportive office environment
• Transparency from the management team
• Access to site visits, networking events, and a broader industry perspective
• Really good PCs!

Professional Development

Given the fast pace of the Dubai market, I wondered how they keep up with professional development. AMA ensures time to train and develop skills. New ideas are welcome and Andy recognises that networking is essential to professional growth. As Chair of RIBA Gulf Chapter , he attends many events and always takes staff along. Since moving to Dubai, I have attended various networking events, which have really helped me understand the working culture, the people, and how business is conducted - it's mostly based on trust.

Zeyana explained, “We don’t have a specific mentor as such, but we all support each other in different ways.”

Internships

AMA takes on at least two interns each year, ideally before summer. Andy says, “We pay our interns, and that will never change.” Internships are common, but paid ones are less so.

I met Shahnoor Amer one of their interns at Heriot-Watt University, and after her summer internship ended, she continued to come here once a week. That is just another great way to support the younger generation of architects. As we all know, it's hard to beat hands-on experience, and you can learn a lot from surrounding yourself with other architects and professionals.

Andy says, “We pay our interns, and that will never change.”

Skills and Qualities When Hiring

When hiring architects, which skills and qualities are most important? After spending time with the team, I see why a good team fit is essential. The AMA team collaborates, is open-minded, offers advice and values each other's thoughts.

Regarding design experience, Andy says, “Since we work on high-end schemes, attention to detail and a good eye are vital. Strong technical and visual skills, and experience with contemporary design, are what we look for.”

What would you want to see in a portfolio?

“When applying, we prefer a sample portfolio under 10MB and ideally fewer than 16 pages. As a Managing Partner, I have a busy schedule and can’t go through 70 pages. A clean layout, short project descriptions, and experience with software like Revit, Rhino, Enscape, and Lumion are key.

When we interviewed candidates, those who did very well kept good eye contact and smiled. Anyone with a big ego, who is not willing to collaborate or support others will not fit in at AMA." Andy

What Does the Future Hold for AMA?

What's next... is always a big question but knowing which direction you want to go is important, especially from a business perspective.

“We’d like to grow, but it must be organic and at the right time. We like the way of working that comes with being a boutique scale studio. We are selective on the type of projects we work on and are looking to build on the resorts and hospitality work we are doing right now. We’re already getting some international projects and continue building strong client relationships across the industry.” Andy

As I packed my bag and booked a taxi home, I asked Andy, “What do you want people to know about AMA?” He said, “We aspire to be a good place to work and it would be seen as a failure if that was ever not the case. We strive to provide a safe environment where every opinion is valued. Bullying isn’t tolerated, and we’re not a sweatshop. A good office culture leads to motivated people and better designs. For clients, we emphasise quality service and responsiveness. High quality is something we’ll never compromise.”

My Final Thoughts

As I write this article with Piper, our foster kitten - no, let’s be honest, our newly adopted kitten- sleeping on my desk, I find myself reflecting on AMA. What stands out most is the people and the respect they have for each other. Andy, who's been with AMA for over seven years, places a huge emphasis on quality while also supporting his staff, and I think that truly shines through.

There’s no doubt in my mind that AMA plays an important role in Dubai’s architectural scene and shows how a balanced work culture can drive both creativity and teamwork.

Thanks again to Andy, Naji, Steph, Zeyana and Shahnoor for not only their time but also for taking part in this mini-series. I hope this will help other professionals gain a deeper understanding of what practices are like in Dubai while also showcasing the human side.