Since joining AGi architects in 2012, Al Awadhi has played a vital role in shaping the studio’s diverse portfolio across the residential, commercial, and civic sectors. Her appointment reflects a natural progression within the practice, affirming her continued oversight of project execution, interdisciplinary coordination, and the development of tailored, client-responsive design strategies.

Al Awadhi’s architectural approach is marked by an in-depth understanding of advanced material systems, fine detailing, and the integration of custom furniture and interior design. Her work consistently reflects a commitment to contextual sensitivity and design excellence. Among her notable contributions is Wafra Wind Tower, an acclaimed project shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. She currently leads the execution of several high-end single-family residences, as well as a number of private commissions under design.

Through this formal recognition, AGi architects reinforces its dedication to fostering leadership from within and to advancing a practice rooted in collaboration, innovation, and site-specific design integrity.

AGi architects has been Highly Commended as Architecture Firm of the Year at the Architecture Leaders Awards 2025, organized by Design Middle East.

This recognition highlights our firm’s commitment to design excellence, innovation, and our contribution to the architectural landscape in the region. For AGi architects, this distinction reinforces our vision to continue developing context-driven, sustainable architecture with a positive social impact.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Lucia Azurmendi has been part of the AGi architects team since 2012, the design firm where she has built her professional career. After starting out as an Architect and later serving as Senior Architect, she now takes on the role of Associate & Design Director at the firm.

In her new position, she will be responsible for creative and conceptual direction, project supervision and coordination, as well as driving innovation and design strategy—further strengthening one of AGi architects’ core values.

Over the years, Lucía has worked on a wide range of projects across different sectors, scales, and typologies. She leads multidisciplinary teams, coordinating large groups of architects and consultants. Her experience spans Europe and the Middle East, with a special focus on the conceptual development of projects in the fields of culture, archaeology, museography, heritage conservation, healthcare architecture, and residential design.

She has led teams on highly successful projects such as the enhancement and musealization of 18 Galician-Roman archaeological sites in the province of Pontevedra, the restoration of the Romanesque bridge in Furelos (A Coruña), the expansion of the Municipal Archive of Burgos at the Castilfalé Palace, the rehabilitation of the Lonja de Limpias (Cantabria), an elderly residence in Torrecilla en Cameros (La Rioja), and the EMUASA headquarters in Murcia, among others.

Gwenola Kergall becomes the firm’s new Partner, further strengthening the leadership team, which until now has been composed of Joaquin Perez-Goicoechea and Nasser Abulhasan.

With a solid background in architecture, both nationally and internationally, Gwenola Kergall brings over 25 years of professional and academic experience spanning the United States and Europe.

The new partner has been with the firm since its founding in 2006, where she has always been a key player, consistently contributing with a research-driven approach and an in-depth understanding of the market. Her expertise will bring significant added value to the company, which operates from offices in Madrid and Kuwait.

Her extensive career in architecture ranges from complex geometrical structures to highly challenging environmental buildings, thanks to her collaboration with Cecil Balmond at the Arup Group (UK). In addition to her design responsibilities, Kergall leads the Research Department at AGi architects, integrating innovation and sustainability into architectural design. Her research leadership provides strategic value to projects, optimizing solutions for clients and anticipating industry trends.

This appointment will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve.

Nasser Abulhasan, founding partner of AGi architects, took part at the AIM Congress held in Abu Dhabi from April 7 to 9, under the theme “Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of Globalized Investment Landscape: Towards a New Balanced World Structure”.

He was one of the panelists in the roundtable “The Visionary Architect: Reinventing Cities for Generations to Come”, where he had the opportunity to discuss, alongside other professionals, how they are helping reshape the urban landscape to address the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth through a selection of groundbreaking projects.

AIM Congress is an initiative of the AIM Global Foundation, an independent international organization fully committed to empower the world’s economy by boosting effective promotion strategies and facilitating opportunities for economic productivity and expansion.