Budding architects spotlight Atkins

Over twenty students were given an insight into the world of architecture through Atkins eyes. A world of inspiration, innovation, excellence and sustainability.

Students were led on an interactive tour of the key Atkins projects including the Burj Dubai Lake Hotel, Bahrain World Trade Centre, Burj Al Arab, Trump Tower and the Barr Al Jissah (Shangri-la) resort.

From concept to reality the young Architects were treated to a feast of the latest multimedia project presentations and saw first hand how, from buildings and railways to education, Atkins is at the forefront of incorporating sustainable design into the built environment.

'Atkins is very much geared up for sustainable projects. It's an exciting time for architecture… my advice to you all is to understand sustainability and what it means, because it will dramatically affect your career as an Architect,' said Atkins Regional Head of Technology, Richard Smith.

This message was stressed again when the students met the leading architect behind the Bahrain World Trade Centre, Shaun Killa, who encouraged them to push boundaries and keep sustainability at the forefront of their work.

'Continuously push yourselves, continuously critique yourselves and most importantly as young Architects, know as much as you can about sustainability. While it's already a high priority for Atkins, it will soon be top of the architects agenda across the world,' he said.

Atkins was chosen by the students because it's one of the world's leading providers of professional, technologically-based consultancy and support services and one of the leading multidisciplinary design firms in the Middle East region, now ten times bigger than a decade ago.

Atkins is also the pre-eminent rail consultant in the region, able to deliver world class rail expertise in the Middle East from a local base.