Our Profile

Design International was founded in 1965 in Toronto, Canada. With truly innovative design becoming the brand’s identity, the practice quickly found its footing in the arena of architecture and has since spread its wings across the globe with headquarters in London, and offices in Milan, Shanghai, and Dubai. 

Tracing an upward graph in over five decades of architectural exploration – today, projects flourish in 45 countries, spanning across the sectors of Retail & Leisure, Mixed-Use, Hospitality & Living, and Offices. The company has pioneered many design features that have since become industry benchmarks. These include the use of glazed roofs to create covered “streets” that are flooded with daylight (Bugis Junction, Singapore) and creating malls that interlaced retail and entertainment in the same space. The Morocco Mall in Casablanca, which challenged conventions by placing the retail anchors at the centre of the mall and Il Centro in Arese, Italy, with its reimagining of the market square to attract and engage visitors, were designs that pushed the boundaries of retail architecture.

Driven by its strength in teaming passionate architects who create stories of breathing spaces that bring and bond people, they also invest a strong belief in working towards a circular economy where sustainability is embraced – each of their chosen projects reflects this too. With over 10 million sqm of built architecture, Design International is constantly evolving to the demands of time, countries and communities. Current involvements include a host of projects in Europe, India and the Middle East, as well as innovative mixed-use developments in China and residential engagements in the United States.

The DI Foundation echoes the company’s commitment to creating spaces in conjunction with sustainable and circular values while communicating its intrinsic need to associate with projects representative of a greener frontier in architecture. This initiative fosters the DI Campus, a platform where these connected minds help to build a brighter future, imparting their rich experience with the next generation of designers, and promoting an inspiring exchange of ideas.