Interview with Drew Gilbert

Drew Gilbert ("DG") interviewed on Friday, 4 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

DG : Creating innovative solutions to current problems is a passion of mine. Being part of creating pieces that provide a positive impact on the world, especially with our current environmental issues that we are facing I am a firm believer of the importance of carbon-negative architecture. Being an architect I was fortunate to work on many prestigious projects, But to me, every project is special enough to find creative solutions. Staying on the cutting edge of technology has allowed me to verify design directions, immerse clients into their projects, and to keep up with today’s fast-paced deadlines.

How did you become a designer?

DG : 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.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

DG : 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.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

DG : 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.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

DG : 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.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

DG : 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.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

DG : 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.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

DG : 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.

What is your day to day look like?

DG : 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.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

DG : 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.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

DG : 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.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

DG : 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.

What is your biggest design work?

DG : 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.

Who is your favourite designer?

DG : 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.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

DG : 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.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

DG : 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.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

DG : 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.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

DG : 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 Profile