27 May 2025
LWK + PARTNERS at INDEX Dubai 2025: Advancing Holistic Sustainability in Architecture
LWK + PARTNERS proudly contributed to the dialogue on sustainable design at INDEX Dubai 2025, with Mithun Paul Varghese, Director, taking part in a CPD-certified panel session hosted by the RIBA Gulf Chapter at INDEX Design Talks, Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme:
“Holistic Sustainability: Architecture’s Path to a Greener Tomorrow”
Moderated by Maya Cochrane, RIBA Gulf Chapter Treasurer, the session explored how sustainable practices are evolving to embrace more than just materials. It focused on strategies that integrate passive design, energy efficiency, regenerative principles, and the social and cultural impact of architecture.
Panelists included:
+Craig Howard, Studio Director – BDP
+Jonathan Ashmore, Founder – ANARCHITECT
+Farah Naz, Director of ESG & Innovation – AECOM
+Jennie Binchy, Director – Binchy & Binchy
+Mithun Paul Varghese, Director – LWK + PARTNERS
In his remarks, Mithun emphasised the importance of a systems-thinking approach to sustainability, where architecture becomes a tool for climate resilience, community wellbeing, and urban adaptability. He shared examples from LWK + PARTNERS’ regional portfolio, where design innovation is balanced with functionality and environmental responsibility.
Key takeaways from the session included:
+Holistic sustainability requires cross-disciplinary collaboration, from engineering to placemaking
+Material selection is just one piece of a broader sustainability puzzle that includes lifecycle performance and end-user behavior
+The role of design leadership in steering change and embedding sustainability into the DNA of every project
+Opportunities for architects in the MENA region to set global benchmarks through climate-responsive design
This panel reaffirmed our belief that sustainability is not a constraint—but a catalyst for smarter, more meaningful design. At LWK + PARTNERS, we continue to push boundaries through strategies that future-proof our buildings and communities alike.
