Our Profile
The journey
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.

Our Awards
2021
Arabian Property Awards
Retail Architecture Dubai - Silicon Central
Asia Pacific Property Awards
Retail Architecture India - Lulu Mall Trivandrum
2020
RLI Awards
Designer of the Year
Most Anticipated Opening - Silicon Central
2019
RLI Awards
Future Project Award - Tunis Garden City
2018
European Property Awards
Retail Architecture Italy - Caselle Open Mall
Arabian Property Awards
Best Mixed-use Architecture Abu Dhabi – Reem Towers
2017
European Property Awards
Retail Architecture Serbia - Ada Mall
European Property Awards
Retail Architecture Italy - Maximall Pompeii
RLI Awards
Designer of the Year - Highly commended
2016
RLI Awards
Future Project Award - Kingdom City Mall
MAPIC Awards
Best New Shopping Centre - Il Centro
International Property Awards
Best shopping mall - Silicon Oasis
Africa & Arabia Property Awards (IPA)
Retail Architecture - Silicon Oasis
European Property Awards (IPA)
Retail Architecture - Maximall Pompeii
2014
RLI Awards
Designer of the Year - Design International
Central and South America Property Award
Best Retail Architecture - Mall of Guadalajara
Central and South America Property Award
Best Mixed-Use - Mall of Guadalajara
2013
RLI Awards
Designer of the Year - Design International
Arabian Property Awards
Best Retail Architecture - Metn.Point
2012
RLI Awards
Most Innovative Retail & Leisure Concept - Morocco Mall
MIPIM Awards
Best Shopping Centre - Morocco Mall
MAPIC Awards
Best Shopping Centre - Morocco Mall
ICSC Global Awards MENA
Design and Development (Gold)
Guinness World Record
The largest in-store shop fa?ade - Morocco Mall
2011
RLI Awards
Future Project Award - Cleopatra Mall
2010
International Property Awards
Best Retail Architecture Worldwide - Cleopatra Mall
MAPIC Awards
Best Shopping Centre - Odysseum
International Property Awards
The International Architecture Award (retail) - Cleopatra Mall
2009
International Property Awards
Best Retail Architecture Morocco - Morocco Mall
Arabian Property Awards
The Architecture Award - Morocco Mall
Our Clients
As an international practice, we work with clients from all over the world; from large companies with global reach to individuals who may have interests in one specific city. Whatever the size or scale of the project, our clients all share one goal: to create buildings that attract and engage everyone who visits them.
We have worked with some of our clients for many years and have built close working relationships with them. They tell us that some of the reasons they like working with us include: our focus on working collaboratively with our clients so that we co-create projects in line with their needs; our ability to set new trends; and our capacity to articulate local stories so that all our buildings work in harmony in their surroundings and also provide a tailored experience for visitors.