Martin Svitak

RIBA · PMP · Chartered Architect

Senior Design Leader

Specializing in Portfolio Design Governance and
Mixed-Use Development across international markets

Part 1 Curriculum Vitae Part 2 Selected Projects Part 3 Project Record
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Senior design professional with 26 years of progressive international experience delivering complex mixed-use, residential, hospitality, and destination developments across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing tier-1 international consultants, and supporting strategic design governance on multi-billion dollar portfolios for major developers and government entities. Combines deep technical expertise with commercial acumen to balance architectural ambition with delivery realities, ensuring design quality is maintained across all project stages from concept through construction completion.

Selected Projects

Major Developments & Portfolio Highlights

THE LINE Phase 1

THE LINE, Phase 1

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

4M m² GFA 100,000 population $B+ investment

Portfolio design governance across 4M m² masterplan, managing 9 international tier-1 consultants and coordinating 15+ internal expert disciplines for THE LINE Phase 1 development.

Role: Senior Design Leader – Portfolio Design Governance
Six Flags Qiddiya

Six Flags Qiddiya Theme Park

Qiddiya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

320K m² footprint 28 attractions 2026 launch

Lead Design Manager coordinating 6 Senior Design Leaders and 15+ specialist consultants for KSA's flagship entertainment destination, achieving first-in-Kingdom regulatory approvals.

Role: Lead Design Manager – Project Design Authority
Saadiyat Grove

Saadiyat Grove, Phase 1

Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

404K m² BUA 600+ apartments 200+ retail outlets

Lead design authority directing 4 Senior Design Leaders across multiple plots and asset typologies for Aldar Properties' Cultural District mixed-use development.

Role: Lead Design Manager
Creek Walk District

Creek Walk District

Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai, UAE

113K m² BUA 5 towers Waterfront

Project Leader coordinating multi-tower residential precinct from concept through tender documentation for Emaar Properties flagship development.

Role: Project Leader – Lead Design Manager
La Vie Residential Tower

La Vie Residential Tower

JBR, Dubai, UAE

60K m² BUA G+36 tower 268 units

Project leadership from scheme design through construction completion, ensuring design-to-construction continuity and quality assurance for Dubai Properties Group.

Role: Project Leader – Design to Construction
Sobha Hartland

Sobha Hartland Portfolio

Dubai, UAE

Master-planned Mixed-use Multi-asset

Established and led in-house Design Management function, overseeing portfolio-wide design governance across residential, hospitality, education, and retail assets.

Role: Head of Design Management

Core Competencies & Leadership

Strategic Design Leadership

01

Design & Delivery Leadership

Senior leadership of complex mixed-use, residential, hospitality, and destination developments across all design stages. Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage consultant performance, and support senior design governance in developer-led and large-scale project environments.

02

Commercial & Technical Integration

Strong capability in aligning architectural ambition with cost, programme, buildability, and authority requirements. Experienced in value engineering, GFA optimisation, and resolving complex structural, MEP, and digital interfaces to protect design quality while meeting commercial objectives.

03

Stakeholder & Client Management

Trusted client-facing professional with extensive experience working alongside Development Directors, Design Directors, and government entities. Skilled in navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, managing international consultants, and supporting executive-level decision-making within regulated environments.

04

Design Governance & Project Frameworks

Experienced in supporting and implementing design governance structures, digital delivery standards (BIM/CDE), reporting systems, and approval workflows that enable consistency, quality control, and scalability across large and multi-plot developments.

05

Construction Interface & Quality Assurance

Strong background in technical delivery and construction-stage support, ensuring design intent is maintained through coordinated documentation, site engagement, and quality assurance across challenging programmes and environments.

06

Strategic Design Leadership & Mentorship

Building high-performing design teams and fostering design excellence across organizational hierarchies through strategic guidance, professional development, and collaborative leadership. Established in-house design management functions and mentored professionals across all career stages.

Career Progression

26 Years of International Experience

2023—Present

Senior Design Leader

NEOM · Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Portfolio design governance across THE LINE Phase 1 — 4M+ m² masterplan coordinating 9 tier-1 international consultants

2021—2022

Principal Architect

WS Atkins · UAE

Lead Design Manager on Saadiyat Grove (404K m²) and Six Flags Qiddiya (320K m²) flagship developments

2018—2020

Associate & Project Leader

Woods Bagot · UAE

Senior responsibility for landmark developments with Emaar and Dubai Properties

2016—2018

Head of Design Management

Sobha Developers · UAE

Established and led in-house design management function across full development portfolio

2010—2014

Senior Architect

Woods Bagot · UAE, Qatar, Bahrain

Technical delivery and construction leadership for luxury hospitality and mixed-use developments

2000—2010

Architect & Site Leadership

Europe, Middle East & Asia

Foundation phase across Czech Republic, Macau, and Bahrain establishing core architectural skills and construction delivery expertise

Professional Experience

Three Continents, Diverse Markets, Consistent Delivery

Middle East
20 Years
UAE · Saudi Arabia · Qatar · Bahrain
Leading developer-side and gigaproject portfolios across the Gulf region
Asia
2 Years
Macau SAR · China
High-rise residential and government infrastructure projects
Europe
5 Years
Czech Republic
Urban regeneration, residential, and hospitality developments

Specialized Experience Across Asset Classes

Mixed-Use Development

40+ Projects

Integrated retail, residential, hospitality, and office developments with complex stakeholder coordination and phasing strategies

Residential

High-Rise, Mid-Rise, Villas

Premium residential developments from luxury towers to master-planned villa communities across GCC markets

Hospitality

5-Star Hotels & Branded Residences

Luxury hospitality projects including international hotel brands, serviced apartments, and integrated resort developments

Entertainment & Leisure

Theme Parks & Destinations

Large-scale entertainment developments including theme parks, cultural destinations, and tourism infrastructure projects

Commercial & Office

Corporate Headquarters & Towers

Grade-A office developments, corporate campuses, and commercial towers with advanced workplace and sustainability standards

Master Planning

Mega-Projects & Urban Districts

Large-scale master plans and urban districts including infrastructure coordination, phasing strategies, and multi-stakeholder governance

Client Portfolio

Martin Svitak

RIBA · PMP · Chartered Architect

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