You don’t have to look far in Dubai to see Dr. Mohammad Baydoun’s influence. But if you expect him to walk you through a highlight reel of iconic structures, you’d be mistaken. His focus is elsewhere on the purpose behind the projects.
“A building has to make sense long after the ribbon is cut,” he says, sitting comfortably in a quiet corner of his office. There’s no flash in the way he speaks. Just clarity.
For Dr. Baydoun, architecture isn’t about how tall a tower rises or how polished the finish is. It’s about the connection a structure forms with the people who use it. “I always go back to the basics,” he tells me. “What’s the function? Who’s it for? How does it sit in the place it’s built?” That kind of grounded thinking comes naturally to someone with deep roots in both academia and the real estate development world.
We talk about tradition not as a contrast to modernity, but as a constant companion. “You’ll always see traces of the past here,” he says, referring to Dubai. “That’s how it should be. We’re not just designing for now, we’re building in a place where stories run deep.”
He doesn’t shy away from sharing architecture on social media either. For him, it’s an extension of the work. “If someone who’s never studied design can understand why a space feels right—or starts asking questions about the city around them—that’s a win. Architecture should be part of public conversation.”
His recent work on Cavalli Couture reflects that thinking. It’s not just a project meant to impress, it’s meant to communicate. “Design should hold its own, sure. But it should also listen. That’s when it becomes lasting.”
Mentorship is another quiet but consistent part of his career. “I had mentors who gave me room to grow. Now it’s my turn to create space for others,” he says. “Young architects bring their own energy. Our job isn’t to mold it. It’s to let it breathe.”
Toward the end of our conversation, I ask what still drives him. The answer is straightforward. “It’s knowing that someone will live there. Eat, rest, build a life. That’s not something you forget.”
So when you see the title “Architect of the Year” next to his name, it’s not just about recognition. It’s about the quiet intent that guides his work—measured, thoughtful, and always rooted in purpose.
To see more of his ongoing projects and reflections on design, follow Dr. Baydoun on Instagram
