Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) is one of the largest and longest-established UK architectural and design practices in the UAE. Throughout their history, which spans more than 30 years, the firm has created some of the region’s most prized and loved buildings.
Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) is one of the largest and longest-established UK architectural and design practices in the UAE. Throughout their history, which spans more than 30 years, the firm has created some of the region’s most prized and loved buildings.
An award-winning and multi-disciplinary architecture practice, we have specific expertise in the design of government and commercial buildings, residential, education, leisure, hotel and hospitality projects as well as master planning across the entire MENA region including Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Oman and the UAE.
GAJ originally began in the UK in 1989, however their lineage of partnerships harks back to 1847 with a corporate archive of landmark British architecture throughout the industrial and modern ages.
In 1991 Principal and Managing Partner Brian Johnson opened the GAJ headquarters in Dubai which currently employs a team of more than 140. He had been practicing in the emirate since 1975 and saw exciting opportunities to contribute to the development of a new world city.
The Dubai Creek Golf Club was the first building in Dubai whose physical presence was matched by its status as a local emblem, so much so it features on the 20 dirham note. Arguably, it was GAJ that set in motion a countrywide trend in the UAE to incorporate traditional Islamic themes into modern architecture. Bab Al Shams and the Arabian Courtyard, Residence and Spa at The One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel remain a testament to this.
