![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBFFWMPXHRCMPGIVR7EC7AMAIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ee343db58d93d09fb1e37758ca5d51d1de23117692544626ff3947a80bfb06b0&width=400&height=225)
While architecture can be a corporate profession, Mr Gillard said it can be fun either working on a small project or planning a city
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2F74TR4CVJG5LO3ACY4523D37Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=c1da0cb83d7b530c1de8992c5c973a808dcd8c4fb4f6dee8305b77ec8d1abe7d&width=400&height=225)
Philip Gillard, 52, is managing director of global architecture firm Arquitectonica, headquartered in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JO7VZP3ROFGWJJHX6J5XF2EUVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=99d444e4488c3017b9b5eca82006d4ea7793277044c980708631ec24922e244b&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard has spent more than 20 years transforming Middle Eastern skylines as a visionary architect, working with governments and royalty to dream up cityscapes such as DIFC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K2XBLJ4C55GOFHQQ2KHJZN3NXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3484febbde3a3e7fc876517e3aa03731088691172e81834b80f5b567f2f47fcc&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard oversees ambitious ventures including Mr C. Residences Jumeirah in Dubai Water Canal and the 71-storey Aire Tower in Al Wasl, Jumeirah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E6DS7JRA4ZEERE3F6KL5US54M4.jpg?smart=true&auth=088b8166a1f5b101d7fb19bff2ed5a769a243ad5c747e9648a06f3c3252ad215&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard grew up on a council estate, left school at 16 to become a junior draftsman at a glass facades company, before enrolling on a formal architecture course
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4D3YY5FQRRFJRJLRMZLVOIKU7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=176fe2d0f5bdcb99ed26451f8e75dbecf49464c996658076c38553cc37a7788b&width=400&height=225)
He then was granted a scholarship for a master's degree in Oklahoma, before graduating from the Architectural Association in London
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYB5TF734ZGWVFDUZUYWOMFFV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d914f3ecdf2cf562f6d9c652764908ab407fcd3ef83916841a786b99f49d2e7c&width=400&height=225)
The architect's days are filled with discussing projects with team members, visiting the Mr C. building or a new site on which his team is working
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KNQBIXCQ3ZESDFNGA4GEMRY6YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0fd6c3138b6c10283d8dc1ec2053ab06e377db051d138103002c6cafe8b31e48&width=400&height=225)
During the day, Mr Gillard will step away from his desk to dust off his sketchpad and let the ideas flow
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7346YKT3MBHJ7P5KVY26Y6RUXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf475c706a23157c165b211bb04a9220a1eebdada78261368e5db0fcf465a725&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard's role also includes guiding junior colleagues and nurturing the workforce
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBFFWMPXHRCMPGIVR7EC7AMAIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ee343db58d93d09fb1e37758ca5d51d1de23117692544626ff3947a80bfb06b0&width=400&height=225)
While architecture can be a corporate profession, Mr Gillard said it can be fun either working on a small project or planning a city
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2F74TR4CVJG5LO3ACY4523D37Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=c1da0cb83d7b530c1de8992c5c973a808dcd8c4fb4f6dee8305b77ec8d1abe7d&width=400&height=225)
Philip Gillard, 52, is managing director of global architecture firm Arquitectonica, headquartered in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JO7VZP3ROFGWJJHX6J5XF2EUVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=99d444e4488c3017b9b5eca82006d4ea7793277044c980708631ec24922e244b&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard has spent more than 20 years transforming Middle Eastern skylines as a visionary architect, working with governments and royalty to dream up cityscapes such as DIFC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K2XBLJ4C55GOFHQQ2KHJZN3NXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3484febbde3a3e7fc876517e3aa03731088691172e81834b80f5b567f2f47fcc&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard oversees ambitious ventures including Mr C. Residences Jumeirah in Dubai Water Canal and the 71-storey Aire Tower in Al Wasl, Jumeirah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E6DS7JRA4ZEERE3F6KL5US54M4.jpg?smart=true&auth=088b8166a1f5b101d7fb19bff2ed5a769a243ad5c747e9648a06f3c3252ad215&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard grew up on a council estate, left school at 16 to become a junior draftsman at a glass facades company, before enrolling on a formal architecture course
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4D3YY5FQRRFJRJLRMZLVOIKU7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=176fe2d0f5bdcb99ed26451f8e75dbecf49464c996658076c38553cc37a7788b&width=400&height=225)
He then was granted a scholarship for a master's degree in Oklahoma, before graduating from the Architectural Association in London
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYB5TF734ZGWVFDUZUYWOMFFV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d914f3ecdf2cf562f6d9c652764908ab407fcd3ef83916841a786b99f49d2e7c&width=400&height=225)
The architect's days are filled with discussing projects with team members, visiting the Mr C. building or a new site on which his team is working
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KNQBIXCQ3ZESDFNGA4GEMRY6YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0fd6c3138b6c10283d8dc1ec2053ab06e377db051d138103002c6cafe8b31e48&width=400&height=225)
During the day, Mr Gillard will step away from his desk to dust off his sketchpad and let the ideas flow
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7346YKT3MBHJ7P5KVY26Y6RUXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf475c706a23157c165b211bb04a9220a1eebdada78261368e5db0fcf465a725&width=400&height=225)
Mr Gillard's role also includes guiding junior colleagues and nurturing the workforce
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBFFWMPXHRCMPGIVR7EC7AMAIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ee343db58d93d09fb1e37758ca5d51d1de23117692544626ff3947a80bfb06b0&width=400&height=225)
While architecture can be a corporate profession, Mr Gillard said it can be fun either working on a small project or planning a city
Day in the Life: The Dubai architect building a futuristic metropolis in the desert
Philip Gillard has spent 23 years working on the Middle East’s evolving cityscapes
Emma Pearson
16 January, 2024
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic