Andy Shaw on RIBA Gulf, Dubai and Architecture Careers

Andy Shaw’s Architecture Social episode is useful because it gets beyond the lazy Dubai career headline. The Gulf can offer major projects, international teams and a different pace of work, but it is still a serious professional move that needs research.

Andy brings three useful perspectives: practice leadership at AMA, teaching, and his role with RIBA Gulf. That mix makes the conversation valuable for candidates thinking about the UAE and for practices trying to understand the region properly.

Watch: Andy Shaw on architecture careers in the Gulf

Andy Shaw’s experience in Dubai gives candidates a more grounded view of Gulf careers than the usual lifestyle pitch.

Listen: Andy Shaw on RIBA Gulf and Dubai practice

The original episode audio is useful if you want the full conversation around RIBA Gulf, AMA, teaching and the reality of working in Dubai.

You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.

Why the Gulf attracts UK architecture talent

Dubai and the wider Gulf can offer scale, speed and project types that many UK candidates do not see every day. Masterplans, hospitality, cultural work, high-end residential and complex mixed-use projects can all sit in the same market.

That does not mean the move is automatically right. The strongest candidates look past the skyline and ask better questions: what will I actually work on, who will I learn from, how is the team structured and what will this move do for my long-term career?

What Andy Shaw’s perspective adds

• A practice leader’s view of running projects in the UAE.
• An educator’s view of talent, learning and professional development.
• RIBA Gulf context rather than a purely commercial relocation pitch.
• A practical sense of how UK experience can translate into a different market.
• A reminder that culture, teaching and leadership matter as much as project scale.

Go deeper with Architecture Social

These related Architecture Social episodes add more context once you have the practical framework.

Watch next: architecture careers in the Gulf

This later Architecture Social conversation keeps the Gulf career theme going, with a sharper focus on what candidates should understand before making the move.

Listen next: architecture careers in the Gulf

This follow-on episode returns to the Gulf career question with more candidate-facing detail on moving, working and building a career in the region.

You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.

What candidates should think about

• Check whether the role gives you project responsibility or only production pressure.
• Ask how the practice supports professional development and regional learning.
• Research salary, accommodation, benefits and cost of living before comparing headline pay.
• Use salary guidance and recruiter advice to sense-check the offer.
• Prepare interview examples that prove adaptability, communication and delivery judgement.

Common mistakes

• Assuming every Dubai role means glamorous design work.
• Ignoring contract detail because the project sounds exciting.
• Not asking how decision-making works across client, consultant and delivery teams.
• Underestimating how quickly practices expect people to adapt.
• Forgetting to keep evidence of your role, responsibilities and project outcomes.

Architecture Social view

Stephen’s recruiter view is that an international move should sharpen your story, not confuse it. If Dubai or the Gulf gives you scale, responsibility and stronger evidence, it can be a powerful chapter. If it is just an escape, be careful.

Next step

Watch or listen to Andy Shaw’s episode, then browse current architecture jobs and use the resources to tighten your CV, portfolio and interview examples before making a move.