Beyond Design
Architectural and design studio — Dubai and East Africa.
One Studio
Infinite Possibilities
Beyond Design Architectural Consultancy LLC is a multidisciplinary studio headquartered in Dubai, with an active design presence in Zanzibar and across the East Africa and Indian Ocean region.
Our 60+ professionals combine deep creative capability with practical delivery experience, ensuring that every project is developed with attention to aesthetics, functionality, buildability and long-term asset value.
Our work spans ultra-luxury beachfront resorts and branded residences, mixed-use urban master plans, destination wellness retreats, fine dining environments and heritage restoration. In every case, the design language is specific to its place: the Swahili coast, the Indian Ocean, the realities of a tropical climate.
Business Bay, Dubai.
Our studio on the 20th floor in Business Bay is where every project comes together — architects, interior designers, engineers and technical teams working side by side under one roof. 60+ professionals. Two regional hubs. One integrated design studio.
Four Disciplines. One Vision.
We bring master planning, architecture, interior design and lead consultancy under one roof — not as disciplines working in parallel, but as a single authorial vision. When you appoint Beyond Design, you appoint one studio that owns the outcome from the first site sketch to the final issued-for-construction document.
Master Planning
Strategic planning that defines the project vision, land use, zoning, density, circulation, phasing, and development potential.
- Site analysis, feasibility and constraints
- Coastal, beachfront and over-water planning
- Land-use zoning and key-count optimization
- Phasing, density and infrastructure strategy
Architecture
Context-led architectural design shaped around function, climate, culture, constructability, and lasting value.
- Concept through IFC documentation
- Over-water and coastal structures
- Luxury resort and hospitality typologies
- Detailed design, specifications and BIM coordination
Interior Design
Refined interior environments developed through spatial planning, material selection, finishes, lighting, furniture, and bespoke design details.
- Interior narrative, concept and spatial zoning
- FF&E direction, schedules and specification
- Bespoke joinery, finishes and material palettes
- Full IFC interior documentation
Lead Consultancy
Integrated coordination across architecture, interiors, MEP, structure, landscape, and specialist consultants — the client has one number to call.
- Consultant coordination
- Design management
- Technical review and quality control
- Delivery oversight
How We Begin.
No templated packages, no generic scopes — every engagement starts the same deliberate way.
You Reach Out
Send an enquiry with your site and vision. We respond personally with a time to talk.
- Direct response from the studio
- A time to talk, not a form queue
Site & Brief Review
Before we design anything, we need to understand the site, the constraints, and what success actually looks like for you.
- A clear-eyed read of the site
- Honest alignment on scope
Concept Direction
An honest first read on typology, scale, and design direction — grounded in the realities of the site.
- Typology and scale fit
- Early concept direction
The Proposal
A tailored scope covering master planning, architecture, interiors, and consultancy — outlining approach, timeline, and investment.
- A tailored scope, not a template
- Approach, timeline & investment
Design Begins
Once we're aligned, the studio gets to work — one team, one vision, from first sketch to final handover.
- One team, one vision
- First sketch to final handover
The Studio Behind the Work.
Recognition.
Who We Build For.
Two Decades, Two Studios, One Vision.
Five Reasons Our Clients Return.
One Integrated Design Vision
Master planning, architecture, interiors, and technical documentation are developed under one studio — one clear design language from the wider site vision to the smallest interior detail.
Single Point of Accountability
As lead consultant, Beyond Design coordinates the specialist teams and manages the design process through a single accountable structure.
Delivery Beyond Concept
Projects are developed from concept through detailed design, BIM coordination, IFC drawings, and construction-stage design support, reducing risk and improving delivery clarity on site.
Operator-Ready Design
Designed in alignment with international brand, hospitality, and operator standards, supporting smoother approvals, operational efficiency, and long-term asset performance.
Place and Climate Led
Each project is shaped by its location, climate, culture, and environmental context. From the Swahili coast to the Indian Ocean setting, the work is designed to belong to its place.
Heritage, Public Realm & Community.
Beyond hospitality and residential developments, our portfolio extends into heritage restoration, public realm enhancement and community-focused projects across Zanzibar — from UNESCO-listed landmarks in Stone Town to civic gardens, healthcare landscapes and social welfare facilities.
- Old Fort ZanzibarRestoration & public realm redesign
- High Court MuseumAdaptive reuse, conservation
- Hamamni HamamHistoric bathhouse restoration
- Karavan SeraiHeritage redesign
- Africa House GardenLandscape restoration & public realm enhancement
- Mnazi Mmoja GardenHealing landscape & garden redesign
Studio Notes.
Anantara Zanzibar recognised for World's Best Hotel Architecture in Africa →
Ahead of its 2027 opening, Anantara Zanzibar Resort & Residences has been recognised for World’s Best Hotel Architecture in Africa.
Beyond Design now operates across two global studios →
With a growing presence in East Africa alongside its Dubai headquarters, Beyond Design now runs project delivery across two global studios.
20+ landmark projects delivered across four disciplines →
Master planning, architecture, interior design, and lead consultancy — Beyond Design has now delivered more than 20 landmark projects as one integrated studio.
Common Questions.
Every engagement starts with a site and brief review, then an honest first read on concept direction, before a tailored proposal covering approach, timeline, and investment. Design only begins once we're aligned.
You work directly with the studio's leadership. CEO Karla Seliman leads the creative vision personally, from first sketch to final handover, across every project the studio takes on.
Both. The studio's projects range from Infinity Developments' landmark resorts to private residences — from Ras Al Khaimah to Zanzibar.
Let's build something extraordinary.
Whether it's a landmark hospitality development, a private residence, or a masterplanned community — tell us about your project and we'll reach out personally.
Get In Touch ↗