18 February 2025
Leading with Purpose: A Day in the Life of Kerem Cengiz
What does it take to lead in architecture and design today? According to Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director – MENA at LWK + PARTNERS, it’s a balance of routine, adaptability, and a relentless passion for innovation.
In an exclusive interview with Construction Week, Kerem offers a behind-the-scenes look into what fuels his leadership style from high-level decision-making to daily rituals that keep him grounded, focused, and future-ready. It’s a candid portrait of a leader who sees process not as limitation, but as a driver of creative freedom.
“Leadership is less about control, and more about cultivating conditions for others to excel. For me, it’s about clarity of direction and alignment of purpose not just with clients, but also across the team,” Kerem shares.
A Career Shaped by Transformation
With over two decades of global experience, Kerem’s career has mirrored the transformation of cities across the Middle East and beyond. From overseeing mega-projects to navigating regional shifts, his approach has always been grounded in strategic foresight, empathy, and an evolving mindset.
He reflects on how his leadership has matured through change embracing introspection and process as tools for both personal and team growth. This is evident in the way LWK + PARTNERS approaches every brief — not just as a design challenge, but as an opportunity to curate value across cultural, spatial, and human dimensions.
Discipline Meets Creativity
Kerem’s daily routine, built on early starts, reflection, and structured planning, is not about rigidity it’s about intentionality. It creates space for spontaneity and the unexpected moments of insight that often lead to the most innovative ideas.
“Discipline allows me to make room for inspiration,” he says. “In our line of work, creative sparks need structure to transform into impact.”
Read the full feature on Construction Week
