Interview with Drew Gilbert

I was a natural born designer, always trying to create my reality. Architecture didn’t become my career, it is who I am. Providing solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face today is my passion. I started drawing and designing really young and I taught myself Photoshop at the age 12. During working with Perkins+Will I enjoyed utilizing creative solutions to solve problems in designing globally where I was able to be part of spreading influence across Europe, Middle East, North Africa, USA, and Asia.

Each step of the design process often don’t fit in a perfect mold, some projects stem from a sketch, others from a philosophy; but there are steps within the process that if considered at the right time will ensure a successful project. Sustainable Strategies is one of these steps that if not considered in the beginning will most likely result in simple add-ons, rather than fully integrated solutions in the design. Using virtual and BIM during design has proved to be a great technique to validate designs in early stages.

When designing I feel I am in a great reality where I can create great architecture where possibilities are endless which helps to create innovate solutions and thinking outside the box.

At the age of 13 I self-learned Photoshop and AutoCAD, I was always eager to learn new architectural tools and explore new ones. I started designing cars and houses since at a very young age, and when I drew them I always believed that there will be more powerful tools to communicate the designs better, and that fueled my passion to always explore the newest and latest modeling and rendering tools. That environment has allowed me to nurture my passion.

Creating a better future and designing for the people has always influenced my design drive. I’ve always had big dreams, and desire to drive the force of making the future. I see myself owning my design studio fostering the need of futuristic solutions that carries a positive impact on the environment and people's life styles. Embodying a comprehensive and naturalistic design process to fuse urbanism and architecture to prioritize the enrichment of human life, benefiting the individual and supporting the evolution of the communities with significant contributions to humanity responding to the climatic, ecological and social emergencies of our time.

I think its useful to be well diverse with the latest design tools and techniques that help in saving time and creating a more professional results. Its important to include sustainability in the early stages of the design and not wait until the last steps of the projects.

Combining Technology and Architecture has become an important aspect that we as designers, artists, and architects can't ignore. Communicating designs to clients or other designers or other people in other fields is a critical stage in any project. The future of design communication will be the result of blending Virtual Technologies and AI, this communication will better link the abstract language of architecture to further audiences.

During my workday it is distributed among meeting with clients, supervising design teams, designing and rendering for the projects. Throughout my off days I enjoy drawing, creating VR/AR//MR projects, researching, learning, and exploring new design tools for the best and latest softwares available. I enjoy submitting design competitions to spark new influence with new and fresh ideas.

I always like to keep up with the latest design and rendering software. With the newer versions there are much more flexibility to create complex and creative designs, that would be limited with the older software. I believe it is critical to keep up with the new materials and products in the market and what impact they have on the environment and people. The more limited we stay as designers, the more limited our designs would be. Always should keep up and compare. Staying in the forefront of innovation, I launched my own NFT collection for future homes and meta mansions, focusing on sustainable conscious designs and design freedom for the next wave of disruptive, digital innovation.

A good design is determined by how well it will impact the people's lifestyle, the environment impact, and functionality. The more efficient it is the better. To develop contemporary projects that push the boundaries of construction and design, and create sustainable and lasting solutions that are profoundly relevant to place and purpose enhancing the built environment.

Once the design efficiently satisfies the criteria and solves the problems of the projects with simplistic yet creative solutions that will carry a positive impact in the region and on the people. Emphasizing on Inclusive Urban Design aiming to create spaces and value that contribute to an attractive and future-proof living environment unlocking the intangible value of sustainable urbanization by creating public spaces and opportunities for social inclusion allowing the cultural fabric to flourish.

My Modular Net Zero Apartments project is one of my favorites. What I like particularly about this project is the possibility to design and build a project that would provide a great experience for the people along to positively impacting the environment with carbon-Negative structure with the addition of space flexibility to the residents using the modular structure.

Tadao Ando, his "haiku" effect focuses on combining the nothingness with void spaces to create a simplistic art that plays with natural light and dimensions that follows natural forms of environment for zen designs.

Being Dubai based Architect, the opportunity to be involved in multi cultural teams and clients is vast. A city where the lifestyle and culture is broad and vast. Allowing the projects to flourish from cultural core. As a designer, I focus to identify and create flexible spaces that reinforce togetherness and maintain the identity of spaces with designs that encompass a timeless sense. For each project it is paramount for the designs to sync with Climate, Culture, Community, and Client’s needs. We ask ourselves how we can elevate the experience of users. And how can Architecture bring communities together where differences are celebrated, creating a Sense of Place Through Architecture and Design promoting Togetherness.

I am working with OBMI, with more than 80 years of passion in the industry. OBMI has become renowned for architecture. Gilbert represents the firm internationally on abroad client meetings and leads design teams on variety of projects in the MENA region, with a focus on developing contemporary projects that push the boundaries of construction and design, and create sustainable and lasting solutions that are profoundly relevant to place and purpose enhancing the built environment.

Gilbert has founded META VTD; an XR technology hub to connect minds with the future of architecture and further research using Artificial Intelligence in design. He continues his passion in embracing biophilic design across all stages of designs for a Carbon-Negative buildings, and developing modular building construction system enhancing flexibility and sustainability as part of his patents. With his modular building system patent, he aims to provide a substitute for traditional construction methods by reducing 90% of waste to landfill, using less energy, reduction in project timeframes, and flexible to future changes.

I haven't attended the award events yet, but I will be soon. I've attended many other award events as well. The A'DESIGN Awards celebrates innovative projects, the agencies, the people behind them and exceptional out-of-the-box leaders within the design community. By submitting to a prestigious award like the A'DESIGN Awards it would provide the nominees with exposure as they are standing out from the rest and to market their organizations and projects to a large audience, and it’s fantastic to be recognized and celebrate the victory with your company, clients, and contractors.

Drew Gilbert Design is my laboratory—a space where ideas are pushed to their limits, where boundaries are questioned, and where design solutions are pursued without compromise. It is a small, agile studio that thrives on freedom and flexibility, allowing each project to be approached with complete creative control. The goal is to distill every design problem down to its essence and craft the most refined, innovative, and tailored solution possible.

Design is the ultimate act of problem-solving, an intricate dance between form and function, between constraint and creativity. It is both a science and an art, requiring rigorous analysis and an unyielding pursuit of beauty. While design is subjective, one truth remains: the more time and thought invested, the better the outcome.

Private residences, particularly villas, hold a special place in my practice. The scale is ideal—not so vast that the essence of the project gets diluted, yet large enough to explore depth and complexity. Residential architecture is deeply personal; it is a dialogue between designer and client, between space and inhabitant. It allows for a degree of freedom that is often missing in larger, more bureaucratic projects.

My favorite design is always the next one. Every project is a step forward, a refinement of thought, a further honing of my craft. The completion of a work is not an endpoint but a launching pad for the next exploration.

The first project that felt truly mine was a G+23 Residential Tower in Abu Dhabi. That project reaffirmed my belief in the power of architecture to shape experiences and enhance lives.

3D modeling is my preferred medium. There is something profoundly meditative about conjuring space from nothing, sculpting a vision into existence with precision and fluidity. It allows an immediacy of exploration that sketches or physical models cannot replicate.

Late at night, when the world quiets and distractions fade. Music fuels the process, and there is something about the nocturnal hours—the darkness, the solitude—that sharpens focus and heightens imagination.

I prioritize design excellence, spatial experience, material composition, and sustainability. Each project is an opportunity to push the boundaries—whether in form, function, or execution. The goal is always to achieve an elegant synthesis of innovation and timelessness.

The design process is a rollercoaster, oscillating between deep frustration and absolute euphoria. The initial phase is often overwhelming, with a multitude of challenges to solve. But as the ideas crystallize, there is a rush, a flow state where time dissolves and everything aligns seamlessly.

A deep sense of accomplishment, tempered by the inevitable realization that every project is a stepping stone to the next. The joy comes not from the completion itself but from seeing how a space is inhabited, how it enriches daily life.

A successful design is one that fully resolves its challenges—contextually, functionally, aesthetically. It must respond to its surroundings, respect the natural environment, align with the client’s needs, and be executed with precision and integrity.

Proportion is the foundation of all great design. Beyond that, I evaluate contextual response, material composition, construction quality, and innovation.

Architecture is a lasting legacy, often outliving its creator. As such, architects bear immense responsibility. Our work shapes not only individual lives but entire communities. We must build with foresight, ensuring that what we create enhances rather than depletes the environment, and that it serves not just the present but the future.

Design is being profoundly reshaped by artificial intelligence. AI is revolutionizing how we analyze, iterate, and optimize, enabling unprecedented levels of precision and exploration. The future belongs to those who harness technology while retaining the irreplaceable human touch.

As an Architect, I don't hold exhibitions.

Inspiration comes from a deep engagement with context—both physical and human. Listening to clients, understanding their aspirations, absorbing the nuances of a site. Creativity is fueled by curiosity, by constant exploration, by an openness to seeing the world differently.

Simple yet complex. I prioritize problem-solving over ego, ensuring that the design serves the project rather than the designer’s self-expression. The result is work that is deeply personal to each client, rather than a signature style imposed on every project.

I live and work in Dubai, a city that is a melting pot of ideas and innovation. The flexibility here allows for the exploration of possibilities that might not be feasible elsewhere. Compared to where I’m from, Dubai offers a vast range of resources and a forward-thinking design culture that continually challenges convention.

I focus exclusively on design, surrounding myself with trusted technical collaborators who handle execution. This ensures that my clients receive both a visionary approach and a streamlined process.

answer this question separately:

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

It begins with understanding—deeply listening to the client, their lifestyle, their aspirations. From there, the concept 'cooks' in my mind before taking shape through narrative-driven presentations, site analysis, and spatial explorations. Unlike many, I prioritize early 3D development, as space is best understood three-dimensionally.

1. A high-performance mechanical keyboard, 2. An ergonomic chair, 3. A well-calibrated monitor, 4. Sketchpad and fine-tip pen, 5. A custom-built PC.

A typical workday starts with a quiet moment and a cup of tea, followed by immersing myself in ongoing projects. I begin where I left off the night before, refining details, iterating designs, and exploring possibilities. Meetings and discussions with clients or collaborators punctuate the day, ensuring alignment between vision and execution. Late evenings are often the most creative—when distractions fade, and design can flow uninterrupted.

The more you do, the better you get. Mastery is a product of repetition, refinement, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Design is not about imposing your will but about deeply understanding the problem and crafting the best possible solution. Never stop learning—each project is an opportunity to evolve.

The greatest joy is changing lives through design. The challenge is the subjectivity of the field—design is never truly 'finished,' and success often depends on external forces beyond one’s control.

Proportion. If the proportions are wrong, nothing else will save the design.

Adaptability is paramount. The world of design is in constant flux, with new technologies, materials, and methodologies emerging rapidly. A designer must possess a keen eye for proportion, an intuitive understanding of space and materiality, and the ability to critically solve problems. Equally important is the capacity to listen—to clients, to context, to constraints—and translate that information into thoughtful design solutions.

My toolbox is a hybrid of digital and traditional methods:

3D modeling software (Rhino, SketchUp, and Revit) for spatial exploration.

Rendering engines (Lumion, V-Ray, and AI-assisted tools) to visualize.

BIM for integration and coordination.

AI-powered design tools for optioneering and rapid iteration.

A sketchpad and pencil for quick ideation and concept generation.

I work until I feel the design has reached its next milestone. I don’t rush creativity but allow the process to unfold naturally. Since I enjoy what I do, time becomes fluid—I push as far as I can each day before fatigue sets in. The key is knowing when to step away, recharge, and return with fresh eyes.

It depends entirely on complexity. Some designs take days, others weeks. A residence, for instance, might take several weeks to fully conceptualize and refine, while a smaller project could be resolved in a matter of days. The goal is never speed—it’s depth of thought and quality of execution.

The answer: efficiency, discipline, and an unwavering passion for design. When you truly love what you do, the work finds its rhythm.

Realizing that within a firm, design is a collaborative effort, often requiring compromise. While collaboration is valuable, I sought an avenue where I could maintain creative control over the final product, leading me to establish my own design practice.

I’ve had the privilege of designing private residences for individuals at the highest levels, including world leaders. The goal is always the same—crafting spaces that reflect their unique personalities, lifestyles, and aspirations.

Private villas. They provide an ideal balance between scale, complexity, and creative freedom. The process is intimate, the design solutions highly customized, and the turnaround is fast enough to maintain momentum and excitement. The challenge of distilling a client’s aspirations into a tangible form is one I deeply enjoy.

To continue crafting high-quality private residences while expanding my explorations in design technology.

I develop the designs myself. Having full control over the vision ensures that the final outcome is cohesive, uncompromised, and true to its original intent. For technical execution, I collaborate with trusted specialists who bring precision and expertise to the detailing and construction phases.

Currently, I’m working on a project with a particularly complex site and a demanding program. It’s still in its early phases, but the client is highly engaged, allowing the process to unfold naturally. These are the types of projects that excite me most—ones that require a deep level of problem-solving and innovation to arrive at a solution that feels both inevitable and unexpected.

Instagram: @drewgilbert_

Design is an evolving discipline, shaped by new technologies, cultural shifts, and emerging challenges. As AI and computational design continue to advance, I believe the role of the designer will shift from pure form-making to curating and refining complex systems of solutions. The ability to synthesize multiple layers of data while maintaining a human-centered approach will define the next generation of great design. Ultimately, design is not just about buildings or objects—it’s about the experiences they create and the lives they shap