Architecture Social

Stephen Drew speaks with Andy Shaw about his work as Managing Partner at AMA, chairing RIBA Gulf, moving from the UK to Dubai, teaching while running a business and what candidates should understand about architecture careers in the Gulf.

Show Notes

Architecture careers in the Gulf can offer major projects, international teams and a different pace of work, but the move still needs proper research.

Stephen Drew speaks with Andy Shaw about his work as Managing Partner at AMA, chairing RIBA Gulf, moving from the UK to Dubai, teaching while running a business and what candidates should understand about architecture careers in the Gulf.

The conversation covers:

  • What it is like to move from the UK to Dubai for architecture work
  • How AMA, Dubai Harbour and cultural projects shaped Andy's practice experience
  • What teaching adds to practice leadership
  • Why RIBA Gulf matters as a professional network
  • What candidates should ask before relocating

____

▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsso_xpM3MU

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/andy-shaw-riba-gulf-architecture-careers/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

____

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Andy Shaw and RIBA Gulf
  • 04:00 Moving from the UK to Dubai and the Middle East
  • 10:00 AMA, Dubai Harbour and cultural projects
  • 17:00 Teaching while running a practice
  • 24:00 RIBA Gulf and regional professional networks
  • 31:00 Career differences between the UK and UAE
  • 39:00 What candidates should research before relocating
  • 47:00 Final reflections on architecture careers in the Gulf

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.