Bahrain’s premier design firm dwp is notable for its versatile portfolio and multicultural ethos, says LIZ O’REILLY

Founded in 1994, Design World Partnership (dwp) is a global design consultancy with more than 450 professionals delivering architecture, interior design and planning consultancy across Asia, India, and the Middle East.

Its goal is ‘to utilise our combined strengths to deliver an exceptional and unique level of service to our customers and to distinguish both our clients and ourselves through exemplary performance’.

Zanic: Transplanted from Thailand to Bahrain

THE BEGINNINGS

dwp came to Bahrain in 2006, brought to the island by sponsors Hala Yateem and Fawaz Behzad. Starting out with just two people the office now employs around 60.

Founding partner Kristina Zanic says: “Our partners found us on the internet and were interested in some of the work we had done, they came and met us in Thailand as they felt there was a need for designers in Bahrain. We came, had a look and thought it would be a good opening for us as there was a lot happening in this part of the world.”

At the initial set-up, much of the work was corporate such as for Bahrain Mumtalakat and various banks. The company’s first hospitality project was the redesign for the guest rooms of the InterContinental Hotel which is due for a facelift starting later this year.

Early projects also include Bahrain’s Somerset Suites but at that time the office was small so much of the work was done from the Thailand office. dwp was also later awarded the contract for Somerset Doha.

With business becoming ever busier the company recruited extra people and also transferred staff in from other offices around the world. In 2007 Zanic made the decision to move to Bahrain from Bangkok. “I liked the diversity of the portfolio – at that time we were pushing some clients in bringing various design elements on board.”

With her arrival dwp was awarded projects at Raffles City and the Capital Club. “I would consider the Capital Club one of our signature projects and an important one for us because it’s a place which attracts business CEOs and other decision makers,” says Zanic. “It was a very unusual situation as we were putting a club, with everything that entails, such as kitchens, into an office building.”

Amwaj Gateway show apartment

For the future there are projects in various sectors from the refurbishment of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers to a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, a large-scale residential development in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and individual villas at the island development Durrat Al Bahrain.

Zanic says: “In the last year we have really defined the office, we have lifestyle, commercial and community divisions. For example, dealing with health centres and museums, which is something I would like to become more involved in.

“Another aspect that we are particularly working on here is trying to educate people on good design, helping our local clients see the added value of working with designers.”