Atkins expands Saudi design, engineering services with key hires
RIYADH, April 5, 2021
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is expanding its design and engineering services in Saudi Arabia to meet the needs of the country’s growing mixed-use developments, leisure and entertainment industries.
This sees the appointment of new senior positions to support the company’s existing projects and new market opportunities.
David Manfredi, Director of Architecture and Building Engineering, is leading Atkins’ Saudi building design team working closely with the regional business and global team of experts to understand and deliver clients’ visions.
An award-winning architect, Manfredi possesses a uniquely balanced range of conceptual, project delivery and business skills. His approach embraces design concept and critique, technical delivery, studio culture and team development, and the exploitation of digital transformation, said the statement from SNC-Lavalin Group.
Manfredi has 25 years of experience, 18 of which have been in the Middle East. He has run his own practice, has been a tutor and lecturer in design, construction, and professional practice, and has worked on projects across the GCC, Asia and Australia.
Bradley Caruk has been posted to the newly formed role of Creative Project Director, Saudi Arabia.
Working closely with Atkins’ design teams, Caruk brings with him international expertise in spearheading major innovations in the creative themed leisure and entertainment destinations, championing cutting-edge technologies and concepts that redefine the customer experience and setting new industry standards.
This will help set a new precedent for Atkin’s creative services in the theming and entertainment sectors.
Caruk comes with 25 years’ experience across the US, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, and has founded several creative companies over the past decades.
More recently leading a team of writers, designers and architects, he conceptualized the show design for seven major attractions for the Ocean Flower Island currently under construction off the north coast of Danzhou, Hainan, China, said the statement from SNC Lavlin.
He also provided his creative expertise to Sony Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios, EA, Activision, LucasArts, Paramount Studios & Universal Studios, to name a few, it added.
In addition, Edward McIntosh, who is leading Atkins’ architectural design team in the Middle East, is currently based in Saudi Arabia to support the design business expansion and provide in-country strategic advisory to major projects.
McIntosh has 18 years of experience leading international architectural design teams and projects in sports, commercial, retail, residential, and hospitality markets in South America, UK, China, South East Asia, and the Middle East.
He started his career in Ecuador where he delivered several commercial and hospitality projects incorporating innovative low-carbon construction materials. He also worked for 6 years at Populous in London where he successfully led the design of more than two dozen arena, stadia and sports masterplan projects, said the statement.
He also led the Grimshaw’s South East Asia design team focusing on retail, hospitality, workplace, transit-oriented development and sports projects, it added.
Vasushree Mohta, Design Director, Master Planning, Middle East, has been with Atkins for 12 years and has led the urban design team to deliver world-class projects across the GCC.
Mohta is leading flagship master plan projects in the kingdom including King Abdullah Financial District and Diriyah Gate project that aim to create the leisure, culture and entertainment focal points within mixed use urban precincts.
Atkins is spearheading urban master plans that emphasize on user experience and draw in design experts early in the process to create urban districts that are cohesive, synergetic and deliverable with a clear focus on the project vision as the main driving force.
