Several years after 3deluxe transformed the downtown Noor Island into a green, urban paradise, the German architecture office is designing a vibrant, attractive urban beach with a marina as part of more comprehensive tourist infrastructure measures in Sharjah City – a metropolis that is home to millions.

It’s been more than 18 months since the majority of office workers have been in the office full time. While it’s too soon to say exactly what lasting impact the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have had on the UK’s office culture, it’s clear to see that for the time being at least there is likely to be a significant shift towards a more flexible, less regimented approach to workplace-based work, with staff splitting time between home and the office, which has led to a boom in refurbishments as landlords refresh their facilities.

Modern construction projects are more complex than ever, as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry integrates state-of-the-art materials and technologies into designs to increase usability, maximise resource efficiencies and promote sustainability.

Niralee Casson came to architecture slightly later than most, having already achieved a degree in law before deciding to make the switch. With her student loan already used up, she undertook all of her architectural education on a part-time basis whilst working full-time at Assael Architecture; in 2018, she was finishing her Part 2, starting her Part 3 and working all simultaneously. Here, we talk to Niralee about her switch from law to architecture.