Killa Design
Killa Design is a Dubai-based, founder-owned architecture studio founded in 2015 that delivers architecture, masterplanning, engineering, project management, site supervision, and interior design services for luxury hospitality brands and real estate developers across the Middle East, India, and select international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Killa Design does
Killa Design is a Dubai-headquartered architecture and design studio founded in 2015 by Shaun Killa, the South African architect behind the Museum of the Future. The firm operates with 51-100 employees and offers six integrated service lines — architecture, masterplanning, engineering, project management, site supervision, and (as of December 2025) interior design — focused on mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects. Its technical approach combines parametric design tools, advanced 3D modeling, and robotics/CNC manufacturing for complex facades, with a stated sustainability emphasis: approximately 80% of projects are either LEED-accredited or zero-energy/water/waste, and the firm has developed proprietary systems such as self-shading terrace technology that reduces cooling loads by up to 40%. Notable completed work includes Museum of the Future (2022), Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab (2025), and Shebara Resort (2025), the last achieving LEED Platinum certification.
Killa generates revenue through project-based professional fees for architecture and design commissions, negotiated as a percentage of construction cost or fixed fees per engagement scope, with multi-year contract cadences typical of large hospitality and mixed-use developments. The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales: engagements are won through the firm's reputation, awards record, founder's personal brand, and direct relationships with luxury hospitality operators and major real estate developers rather than through volume marketing. Customer segments are dominated by luxury hospitality brands (Jumeirah Group, Four Seasons, Red Sea Global) and real estate developers (RAK Properties, CRC Group, ALAIN, Discovery Land Company), with the firm actively delivering projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Angola, and the Maldives.
The firm is privately held and founder-owned, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or funding rounds. Killa's competitive positioning rests on a portfolio of globally recognized landmark projects, a #1 Architizer UAE ranking in 2026, three consecutive years in the WA100 World Architecture Top 100, and concentration in the sustainability-certified luxury hospitality segment — a niche few architecture practices credibly serve at scale.
Killa Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Killa Design
- Legal name
- Killa Design
- Website
- https://killadesign.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Killa Design is a Dubai-based, founder-owned architecture studio founded in 2015 that delivers architecture, masterplanning, engineering, project management, site supervision, and interior design services for luxury hospitality brands and real estate developers across the Middle East, India, and select international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Killa Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (541410), Interior Design Services (54141), Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
Keywords
Where Killa Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Killa Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: Project-based professional fees for architectural design, masterplanning, engineering, project management, site supervision, and interior design services for mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Full-service architecture and design |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Killa Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Killa Design is an award-winning architecture and design studio offering six integrated service lines: Architecture, Masterplanning, Engineering, Project Management, Site Supervision, and Interior Design. The firm delivers full-service design for mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects, transforming client visions into innovative, sustainable, and contextually inspired built environments. Notable works include Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and Shebara Resort.
Product overview
Killa Design is an award-winning architecture and design studio offering a comprehensive suite of design services. The firm's core offering consists of six integrated service lines: Architecture, Masterplanning, Engineering, Project Management, Site Supervision, and Interior Design. The studio specializes in mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects, with additional experience in retail, theatre, museum, urban design, and master planning. The firm is known for iconic projects including the Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and Shebara Resort. With value-led building solutions and cutting-edge creative thinking, the studio transforms client visions into viable, liveable spaces through sustainable and innovative design.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architecture Services Full-service architectural design for mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects, specializing in innovative buildings that are timeless, environmentally sustainable, and contextually inspired.
- Masterplanning Urban design and master planning services for large-scale developments, creating self-sustained, connected, integrated, diverse, active and healthy communities.
- Engineering Engineering services integrated with architectural design, including structural, MEP, and sustainable engineering solutions.
- Project Management End-to-end project management services overseeing design development through construction completion.
- Site Supervision On-site supervision and quality control during construction phases to ensure design intent is executed properly.
- Interior Design Interior design services creating human-centric environments and experiences across hospitality, cultural, commercial, and residential projects, led by Interior Design Principal Mariana Foley.
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy consumption reduced by up to 40% through self-shading design
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Killa Design
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Killa Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Killa Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CRC GroupcoreCRC Group assembled an international design consortium including Killa Design, Rockwell Group, and MACE for its ultra-luxury project The Peridona in India's NCR region. Killa Design was selected as part of the international design team bringing global architectural credibility to the high-end residential project.
- Rockwell GroupcoreRockwell Group designed the stunning pool, spa, and public spaces at Shebara Resort in Saudi Arabia, complementing Killa Design's architectural vision for the mirrored overwater villas and beachfront retreats.
- 25 Degreesminor25 Degrees collaborated with Killa Design to develop two custom-designed ultra-luxury Signature Villas on Palm Jumeirah, demonstrating interior design partnership capabilities.
- RAK PropertiescoreIn partnership with RAK Properties, Four Seasons introduced a world-class Resort and Private Residences at Mina in Ras Al Khaimah. Killa Design was appointed to lead the concept masterplan design process for this flagship 400-hectare waterfront destination.
- ALAIN (Al Ain Asset Management)coreFour Seasons and ALAIN partnered to develop Four Seasons Private Residences Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Beach. Killa Design designed this exclusive gated beachfront community of 56 luxury villas and 60 suites.
- Discovery Land CompanycoreDiscovery Land Company partnered with Killa Design for Discovery Dunes, Dubai's newest golf residential community. Shaun Killa translated the company's comfort station concept into spatial form, designing comfort stations and social spaces.
- HBA, AvroKO, LTW DesignworkscoreInterior design collaborations for Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab: HBA (Habitat), AvroKO, and LTW Designworks completed interiors under Killa Design's architectural direction, creating cohesive luxury environments.
- Red Sea GlobalcoreRed Sea Global developed Shebara Resort with Killa Design as the architectural force behind the design. The resort achieved LEED Platinum certification and runs entirely off-grid through solar power, desalination, and circular waste management.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Killa Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Rockwell Group: Design firm specializing in hospitality, cultural, and experiential environments. Partnered with Killa Design on Shebara Resort (pool, spa, public spaces) and on the Peridona project in India - a comparable design-forward firm operating in adjacent interior/experiential design space.
- Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): Global hospitality-focused interior design firm that partnered with Killa Design on Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab interiors. Comparable in luxury hospitality specialization and represents both a potential competitor (interior design launch) and collaborator for integrated commissions.
Direct peers
- Benoy: International architecture, masterplanning, and interior design firm with established Middle East presence. Directly comparable in segment mix (retail, hospitality, mixed-use), integrated service offering, and regional project portfolio.
- Foster + Partners: Internationally recognized architecture firm known for iconic, sustainable, and technologically advanced buildings including the Bahrain World Trade Centre (which Killa Design's founder also worked on). Both firms compete for landmark commissions in MENA and Asia, with similar design philosophies around sustainability and parametric innovation.
- BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Design-forward global architecture firm known for sustainability, parametric design, and high-profile cultural and residential projects. Comparable to Killa Design in its brand-led approach, founder-driven creative identity, and pursuit of iconic, environmentally ambitious commissions.
- Aedas: Global architecture firm with strong Middle East, Asia, and luxury hospitality practice. Similar scale to Killa Design and overlapping client base in GCC mixed-use, high-rise, and hospitality segments.
- Zaha Hadid Architects: Starchitect-led global architecture practice with a strong Middle East portfolio and iconic, sculptural design language. Competes with Killa Design for destination-defining cultural, hospitality, and mixed-use commissions in the GCC and globally.
- Atkins (AtkinsRéalis): Global architecture, engineering, and project management firm where founder Shaun Killa previously served as Design Director and Head of Architecture. Atkins operates across the same Middle East luxury hospitality, high-rise, and mixed-use segments and is the most directly comparable architecture peer in scale and project type.
- Woods Bagot: Global architecture and design firm with strong hospitality, residential, and mixed-use portfolio across MENA and Asia. Comparable in scale, segment focus, and integrated design approach including interior design.
Broad incumbents
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM): One of the largest global architecture, engineering, and urban planning firms with deep Middle East presence (Burj Khalifa master planning). A broader incumbent that competes on the largest mega-projects where Killa Design may need to partner or decline.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Killa Design social profiles
Digital presenceKilla Design compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Killa Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Killa Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Killa Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Killa Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Killa Design
What does Killa Design do?
Killa Design is an award-winning architecture and design studio offering six integrated service lines: Architecture, Masterplanning, Engineering, Project Management, Site Supervision, and Interior Design. The firm delivers full-service design for mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects, transforming client visions into innovative, sustainable, and contextually inspired built environments. Notable works include Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and Shebara Resort.
Is Killa Design a public or private company?
Killa Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Killa Design founded?
Killa Design was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Killa Design based?
Killa Design is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Killa Design make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture and Design Services.
Who are Killa Design's main competitors?
Others on record are Rockwell Group and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). Direct peers are Benoy, Foster + Partners, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Aedas, Zaha Hadid Architects, Atkins (AtkinsRéalis) and Woods Bagot. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Killa Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Killa Design.
What industry is Killa Design in?
Killa Design's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services. Its NAICS code is 541410.