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As Brian Johnson has said, "The future is very exciting." These words resonate deeply as we celebrate 35 incredible years of Godwin Austen Johnson. What began as a short visit to the UAE for Brian turned into a lifelong journey, culminating in the establishment of one of the region’s most prominent architecture firms. Today, we proudly reflect on a legacy built on understanding context rather than imposing style—one of the key contributors to our success and the diversity of our project portfolio.
To mark this special milestone, we decided to do things a little differently this year. Our celebrations extended beyond the office, recognising the tireless efforts of our onsite staff, whose dedication brings architectural visions to life. This included visits to the site offices of some of our ongoing projects. Our Chairman, Brian Johnson, and Managing Director, Jason Burnside, personally joined these visits, creating a memorable experience for all involved.
At each site, the teams came together for heartfelt celebrations. Brian and Jason delivered inspiring speeches, sharing gratitude and admiration for the work of our site teams. These gatherings were a reminder of the vital role every individual plays in shaping our firm’s achievements.
The festivities didn’t stop there. Back at the office, we continued the celebrations by spotlighting the next generation of talent through a Student Portfolio Competition, organised by our Associate Director, Christine Espinosa-Erlanda. In honour of our anniversary, we invited three shortlisted university students—both architecture and interior design majors—to join us for the event.
During the celebration, we announced the winners:
First Place Winner: Ermina Cemal from Amity University, Dubai
Second Place Winner: Hannah Danny from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai
Third Place Winner: Sahil Shukoor from Manipal University of Higher Education, Dubai
Congratulations to all.
Each winner was presented with their prize and had the opportunity to meet Brian for a photo—a moment they are unlikely to forget.
The entire Godwin Austen Johnson team, including our site office employees, joined in the festivities, wearing custom made 35th-anniversary shirts. The day was filled with camaraderie, group photos, a celebratory cake, and a shared lunch. It was a heartwarming celebration of not only our firm’s achievements but also the people who have made those achievements possible.
As we look back on 35 years of success, we are inspired to continue shaping spaces that honour context, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s to the next chapter of our journey!
