Andy Shaw, Managing Partner at AMA, Chair of RIBA Gulf Chapter

Architecture careers in the Gulf can offer major projects, international teams and a different pace of work, but the move still needs proper research.

Stephen Drew speaks with Andy Shaw about his work as Managing Partner at AMA, chairing RIBA Gulf, moving from the UK to Dubai, teaching while running a business and what candidates should understand about architecture careers in the Gulf.

The conversation covers:

• What it is like to move from the UK to Dubai for architecture work
• How AMA, Dubai Harbour and cultural projects shaped Andy's practice experience
• What teaching adds to practice leadership
• Why RIBA Gulf matters as a professional network
• What candidates should ask before relocating

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Andy Shaw on RIBA Gulf, Dubai and Architecture Careers

Watch the video on YouTube: Andy Shaw, Chair of RIBA Gulf interview

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Andy Shaw and RIBA Gulf
• 04:00 Moving from the UK to Dubai and the Middle East
• 10:00 AMA, Dubai Harbour and cultural projects
• 17:00 Teaching while running a practice
• 24:00 RIBA Gulf and regional professional networks
• 31:00 Career differences between the UK and UAE
• 39:00 What candidates should research before relocating
• 47:00 Final reflections on architecture careers in the Gulf

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