Darren Chan

[ARCHITECT / DEVELOPER]
Director, Development & Design
/ Community 2 Design Management LeadARB RIBA, PGDip (PPArch)
GDip Arch (Distinction),
BSc Arch (Honours)Darren Chan is Director, Development and Design at New Murabba Development Company, a PIF company, leading multidisciplinary teams on a visionary giga-project in the KSA. As part of the client-side leadership, he is shaping transformative, future-ready urban environments, driving innovation in sustainable, mixed-use developments at city-scale. His work blends design creativity, advanced technologies, and sustainable strategies to create destinations that inspire future generations.With 23+ years of international experience across the UK, China, SE Asia, and the Middle East, Darren contributed value to major infrastructure and upscale mixed-use developments. His expertise includes design excellence, technological integration, and strategic leadership for architects and developers.

Previously, Darren was Co-Lead Studio Director of Architecture at Gensler’s Hong Kong office, focusing on projects of varied scales and major developments.Earlier, as Design Executive, Director and Head of LKF Design Studio, a LKF Group company, he led brand revitalisation and managed a hospitality, retail, and residential portfolio, across 3 offices.Born in Oxford and educated in London and HK, Darren graduated with High Distinction from the University of Westminster. He is the first laureate of the MAKE Architects 1st Prize for Architectural Excellence and Sustainability, is published, and was recognised for one of the Best Digital Portfolios (UK), with works exhibited across Europe. In addition to international awards, he received several personal accolades, including the eVolo Housing, Digital Architecture, eVolo Skyscraper, SuperSkyscraper, and Marstopia Awards.Darren’s global experience spans London, HK, Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney, and Riyadh. He developed expertise through elite mentorship at firms such as Foster + Partners, Gensler, and NMDC, leveraging skills within top global teams. He believes Architecture is problem-solving and designing inspirational, sustainable, impactful solutions through creative intelligence.

NEW MURABBA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (PIF)
DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN
/ COMMUNITY 2 DESIGN MANAGEMENT LEADClient-side Design Management leadership in the Development & Design department for a giga-project modern downtown (approx. 14km2 of land area with the 400m3 Mukaab at its center), overseeing design governance, PMIS workflows, coordination and stage progression across communities, linear park, and activation center.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Lead client-side design management for giga-project communities, on governance, QA, and delivery alignment. Aligning design output with development strategy and commercial objectives, whilst coordinating for approvals.
+ Directed Community 2 (2Mil m^2), progressing through multiple RIBA Stages for land sale and JV plots. Coordinating between key infrastructure programs, such as the Metro Station at the heart of the Community.
+ Coordinate an 80–100-person D&D department ecosystem, manage interfaces between Internal stakeholders, land sale / JV teams, lead design consultant, and 20+ multidisciplinary firms to ensure coordinated delivery.
+ Implement Aconex workflows, document control, review protocols, Risk Management, and BIM oversight. Improve efficiency and control, traceability, and governance across PMIS-led (Aconex) design management.
+ Develop key design management frameworks aligning scope, cost, and delivery strategy for stage readiness. Design Briefs, MIDP TIDP, PMC SoW, KPI and Compliance trackers, communication matrix, and stage programs.
+ Oversaw masterplan and park interfaces, balancing design quality, value engineering, and commercial priorities. Ensuring cohesive public-realm and community integration, utilizing management workflows for Stakeholders.
+ Produced executive reports and presentations to support strategic decisions and leadership alignment. 3D typology diagrams, axonometric models, C-suite presentation, ED, Stakeholders, CEO, ARP, RCRC materials.
+ Support Communities (4, 5, 14), Linear Park, driving approvals, onboarding, and stage readiness across packages.