Attributed by Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director, Nolte FZE

Across the built environment, design is entering an era defined by accountability. The kitchen is at the heart of this, as one of the most resource-intensive parts of any building. From forests to finished, choices in material sourcing, production, and longevity have become a barometer of how seriously the industry treats sustainability.

In the UAE, this shift is supported by national frameworks like Net Zero 2050 and the Energy Strategy 2050, which aim to cut carbon emissions and reach 50% clean energy by 2050. Dubai Green Building Regulations, the Dubai Municipality Green Building Regulations, and the growing number of LEED-certified developments have made responsible design the new standard for both developers and manufacturers.

The heart of sustainable design

The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, making material choice a powerful lever for change. As such, kitchens’ value is no longer judged only by finishes but also by carbon footprint, recyclability, and contribution to healthier indoor air quality. New-gen kitchens must combine aesthetics and functionality with ethical material use, low-emission production, and circularity. Every surface, fixture, and joint carries a story of how resources were sourced, processed, and designed for long-term use. This is increasingly prioritised by developers and homeowners as reports forecast demand for green buildings in Dubai alone to rise by 25% this year.

Certified sourcing as a foundation

Wood remains the backbone of kitchen manufacturing, with more than 70% of designs using wood or wood-based materials. This makes responsible forestry critical to preserving global biodiversity and maintaining the credibility of sustainable design. Certifications such as FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) are now the international benchmarks for ethical origin of materials.

Across the region, these standards are becoming decisive factors in project specifications. Data from the FSC shows that between 2018 and 2021, the number of certified forest areas increased by 31%, a sign that sustainable sourcing is essential for climate resilience and market access.

By choosing certified products, builders and manufacturers ensure each certified kitchen contributes to global conservation efforts and reinforces the industry’s transition toward transparent, verifiable value chains.

A lifecycle approach to kitchen manufacturing

Responsibility is most effective when viewed as a continuous cycle rather than a single design choice. It begins with selecting responsibly managed raw materials and extends through manufacturing powered by renewable energy, resource-efficient logistics, and thoughtful packaging.

In production, the focus is on durability, repairability, and recyclability. Energy efficiency and material optimisation are supported by reusing by-products. For instance, Nolte utilizes wood waste for 98% of its thermal energy needs. Building on this, strategic energy management helps improve overall efficiency, reduce costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.Regional sourcing and digitally optimised transportation help minimise emissions. Across the sector, climate-neutral manufacturing initiatives and industry pacts aligned with the UN’s 1.5-degree target are shaping how furniture is produced and assessed. Packaging waste is transferred to certified partners for recycling, with disposal certificates issued to ensure full compliance. Even at the point of sale, there is a shift toward informed retail experiences that promote awareness of material health and lifecycle impact. 

At the end of the chain lies circular design: ensuring that kitchens can be repaired, recycled, or repurposed rather than discarded. Each of these stages connects environmental care with responsible business practice, forming the foundation for a genuinely sustainable design economy.

Building value through longevity

Green buildings in the UAE are projected to grow from US$6.94 billion in 2024 to US$15.5 billion by 2032, driven by regulation and consumer demand. Within that growth, interior elements such as kitchens play a pivotal role in achieving ESG targets and maintaining compliance with evolving green codes.

Durability and quality are also financial strategies. Products built to last reduce replacement costs, limit resource consumption, and build confidence among clients. Similarly, certified sourcing strengthens brand reputation, demonstrating that sustainability reporting and craftsmanship can coexist. The result is a more resilient value chain that benefits investors, developers, and end users alike.

As design evolves, responsibility will remain its most enduring ingredient. Kitchens that respect natural resources, reduce emissions, and stand the test of time are the blueprint for a sustainable future in the built environment.

Attributed by Olga Pankina, Chief Operating Officer, Whitewill Dubai

Dubai’s real estate market crossed AED 522.5 billion ($143 billion) in transactions during 2024, a 27% jump on the previous year, according to the Dubai Land Department. This surge highlights not just rising volumes but growing complexity. Knight Frank reports that more than 40% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the GCC now view real estate as a key component of diversified wealth portfolios rather than simply lifestyle purchases. In response, brokers are evolving from dealmakers into strategic advisors who help clients structure long-term wealth strategies.

How brokers are adapting

Market complexitySavills data shows Dubai launched more than 70 projects in 2024, ranging from branded residences to creative payment schemes and mixed-use formats. Brokers are responding by building specialist teams that analyse developer track records, payment plan risks, and brand value premiums. They are no longer just introducing projects—they are running scenario models on potential delays, interest rate movements, and projected resale values to advise clients which launches fit their investment strategy.

Global benchmarkingWith Dubai’s rental yields averaging 6.8–7.5%, far stronger than the 3–4% seen in London or Paris, brokers are positioning themselves as comparative analysts. They present clients with side-by-side yield scenarios, factoring in currency exposure and financing costs across markets, so investors can decide whether Dubai should serve as a core yield play or be complemented with international assets for balance.

Policy and regulatory shiftsBy the end of 2024, the UAE had issued more than 158,000 Golden Visas, creating new investment dynamics. Brokers now advise clients on selecting properties that can qualify for residency, structuring ownership to maximise visa eligibility, and aligning investments with long-term family relocation plans. As new sectors like gaming expand in Ras Al Khaimah—anchored by Wynn Resorts’ 2025 opening—brokers are also flagging secondary growth corridors to investors, integrating policy insights into their advisory.

Trusted advisor model

Deloitte’s surveys show that 72% of GCC investors now expect brokers to advise on taxation, ownership structures, and exit strategies. Leading firms have broadened their offerings to include full lifecycle support: arranging financing, overseeing management and leasing, and planning exit timing. Some brokerages integrate concierge services, legal counsel, banking contacts, family office networks, so clients interact with a single advisor orchestrating the entire ecosystem.

Regional broker strategies

Dubai and Abu DhabiThe Dubai Land Department notes that 36% of all transactions in 2024 were for ready properties, signalling investor preference for immediate income-producing assets. Brokers are shifting accordingly, building ready-asset portfolios and negotiating rental agreements and management contracts alongside the sale. In Abu Dhabi, they are emphasising projects with infrastructure certainty, guiding clients toward assets that can deliver both lifestyle and reliable returns.

Saudi ArabiaVision 2030 has placed over a trillion dollars’ worth of projects into the pipeline, but execution quality varies. Brokers are acting as filters, vetting projects based on developer capability, financing security, and infrastructure backing before presenting them to clients. They frequently run due diligence with engineering consultants and local legal teams to protect investors from speculative risks while highlighting projects aligned with government priorities.

OmanCBRE recorded 8–10% price growth in Muscat and Muttrah in 2024, spurred by early foreign demand. Brokers here are counselling clients against pure speculation, instead positioning Omani assets as long-term diversification plays. They provide guidance on ownership regulations, residency eligibility, and exit options, ensuring foreign investors understand the timelines and obligations before entering the market.

Skills for modern brokers

Financial fluency is becoming a baseline skill. Brokers are expected to present internal rates of return, cash-flow projections, and exit models. In premium Dubai projects, IRRs of 12–14% are achievable under active management, but only if brokers can demonstrate scenarios clearly.

Additionally, JLL forecasts that by 2026, over half of MENA property transactions will rely on AI-driven dashboards. Many brokers are already using predictive analytics to assess submarket vacancies and rental trends. With more than 35% of Dubai’s buyers coming from abroad, cross-border fluency—tax treaties, cultural norms, legal frameworks—has become part of the broker’s toolkit. None of this is possible without network capital: relationships with developers, bankers, and regulators that give brokers the leverage to deliver better outcomes for clients.

Market insight

Knight Frank highlights a shift among GCC investors from single-unit acquisitions to multi-asset strategies. Brokers are helping clients pair prestige villas for lifestyle and residency benefits with mid-market rental units generating 6–9% yields. Others are designing “exit packages,” advising on resale timing, tenanting strategies, or even property repurposing if liquidity dries up, so portfolios remain resilient.

Forward outlook

PwC estimates that $2.5 trillion in UHNW capital will move across borders by 2030, and brokers will be positioned as the private bankers of real estate. Some firms are already experimenting with hybrid compensation models, retainers plus performance fees, to reflect this shift from transaction to long-term wealth management.

As yields in Dubai stabilise around 5–7% by 2026–27, investors will value strategy over opportunism. The brokers who thrive will be those who build trust as advisors, helping clients protect, grow, and align property with broader wealth ambitions. The industry is moving decisively away from transactions. Strategy is the new currency.

Founded in 2016 by Payal Karumbiah, The Baby Atelier (TBA) has been redefining children’s spaces for nearly a decade. Holding a Master’s from Parsons School of Design and a Master of Science in Quantitative Finance, and with a professional background spanning Wall Street investment banking and the global luxury industry, Karumbiah brings a unique perspective to design. Her transition from finance to interiors was fuelled by the belief that children deserve environments that are not only functional but also psychologically supportive, and this vision continues to guide TBA’s work today. The Gujarat Learning Center is a living case study of this ethos in action.

The Baby Atelier, a purpose-led design studio specialising in child-centric interiors, has unveiled a pioneering 3,500-sq-ft Children’s Learning Center within a Gujarat hospital. This milestone project demonstrates how TBA’s psychology-driven approach to design translates seamlessly from homes into healthcare environments, shaping spaces that nurture healing, learning, and emotional wellbeing.

Where Calm Meets Creativity

Designed for young patients in long-term care, the center balances the sterility required of medical environments with the warmth and reassurance of human-centred design. Every element has been considered to support emotional regulation, agency, and comfort: muted palettes, diffused lighting, acoustic control, and tactile finishes work together to calm the senses while enabling exploration.

The result is a space that provides continuity for children whose daily lives are disrupted by illness. Beyond treatment, they are given an environment where learning, play, and social interaction continue to be part of everyday life — ensuring both normalcy and growth.

Inside the Learning Center

• Reading Nook: A quiet, sunlit retreat designed for privacy, focus, and the joy of books.
• Art Studio: Child-height supplies, pegboard walls, and dedicated display zones encourage creativity and self-expression.
• Role Play Zone: Miniature supermarkets, kitchens, and play stands that build confidence through safe, imaginative exploration.
• Study Zone: Collaborative tables, integrated technology, and world maps to support both group learning and structured lessons.
• Inclusive Play Area: Soft seating and activity blocks for gentle physical activity and inclusive interaction.
• Circle Time Space: A welcoming, barrier-free setting for shared stories, music, and group connection.

Design Psychology in Action

This project illustrates The Baby Atelier’s founding principle: children deserve environments that do more than function — they must feel intuitively supportive. By embedding principles of child psychology into every corner, the learning center demonstrates how intentional design can restore agency, confidence, and joy, even within a hospital setting.

From private nurseries to schools, public play areas, and now hospitals, The Baby Atelier continues to expand the definition of child-centred design. The Gujarat Learning Center stands as proof that design can heal, empower, and prepare children for who they are becoming.