To stay at the forefront of transformation and embrace emerging challenges and opportunities across expanding horizons, we’re excited to introduce our new Middle East Director, Henry van Belle, who will be playing a pivotal part in shaping the firm’s strategic vision and roadmap in this region. With a strong background in commercial leadership, Henry has spent the past decade in the Middle East helping government entities and companies transform experiences across architecture, spatial design, placemaking, branding, and community engagement.

As you embark on this exciting journey, what does your new role entail?

My role initially will be to introduce the Studio Banana brand and 20-year legacy of European design expertise to the Middle East market. We have a rich heritage of design-driven transformation for governments and corporations, with a focus on learning centres, innovation hubs, workplaces, and community spaces.

I am pleased to have a number of partnerships already in place so we can ensure local-market expertise and on-the-ground delivery. As the volume of work starts to grow, we will focus on building the in-house team to be able to deliver larger-scale projects.

How does your role contribute to the overall goals of Studio Banana?

Studio Banana thrives on new opportunities to design environments and experiences that help organisations evolve, and nowhere else in the world is experiencing the scale and pace of transformation as that taking place in the GCC. Continuing to grow in this market seems logical.

What are the main challenges?

This region is forging a well-deserved reputation for innovation, but understanding the culture and heritage – particularly how and why decisions are made – is crucial. Earning trust from clients by demonstrating a commitment to the region is essential.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the abundance of well-established, talented designers in the market. But, there is a strong appetite among the region’s leadership for new perspectives and a fresh approach. This is exactly where Studio Banana shines: our focus is not just on the trends of today, but on designing solutions that will endure. We’re confident that the spirit of curiosity and innovation that has brought our clients sustained success in Europe for the past 20 years will serve us well here.

And your personal objective?

I enjoy working with experts in their field who are passionate about delivering world-class work. My role is to create opportunities and an environment in which they can thrive. I find it fulfilling to align their skills to help deliver the vision of inspirational leaders as part of the bigger picture of regional progress.

What’s your vision of the “ideal workplace” of the future?

The debate around remote work, hybrid, and mandatory office attendance continues. The reality is there is no one ‘right’ answer. Circumstances change from industry to industry, and from individual to individual. The good news is that most employers offer far more flexibility now than prior to the pandemic.

My belief is that workplaces are essential for culture, collaboration, learning, structure, and brand. I also think that most people benefit from regular human interaction in a (positive) work environment, especially over the longer term. All of these factors contribute significantly to achieving an organisation’s goals. So the design challenge for the ideal workplace needs to reflect these factors, but also the flexibility demanded by modern-day work and life.

One thing we’ve learnt over recent years is that change happens quickly, often unexpectedly, and that people who react well to it can thrive. Designing a workplace that caters to change – both known and as yet unknown – is critical. The days of splitting offices into departments and functions are behind us. Modularity, fluidity, and a people-first approach are important areas on which to focus.