News

Celebrating Promotions at dpa: Congratulations to Deeksha, Ashley & Anuhas

We’re thrilled to announce the promotions of Deeksha Surendra, Ashley Maxwell, and Anuhas Jayakody — a reflection of their hard work, growth, and outstanding contributions to dpa.

Deeksha and Ashley have both been promoted to Associate.
Deeksha began her journey with dpa in our Dubai studio and has been a key member of the Oxfordshire team since 2017. Ashley joined dpa nearly seven years ago, transitioning from a different career path. Working on a diverse mix of significant projects across multiple sectors from Concept to Completion, Ashley and Deeksha have both contributed significantly to our success and growth.

Anuhas, now in his second year at dpa, has quickly become a valued member of the team. We’re pleased to announce his promotion to Senior Designer, recognising both his talent and his continued contributions to our projects.

Please join us in congratulating Deeksha, Ashley, and Anuhas on their well-earned achievements. We look forward to their continued success and growth at dpa!

Celebrating 10 Years of the [d]arc Awards!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the [d]arc Awards, dpa collaborated with Radiant Architectural Lighting to deliver a vibrant, playful lighting installation centred around the theme of “10.” The result? A larger-than-life, hot pink, two-tier birthday cake complete with ten stylised glowing candles!

All lighting equipment was discreetly housed inside the cake, with the bottom tier featuring micro-perforations allowing RGB light to shine through its surface. Each candle was lit from within by a narrow-beam, colour-changing spotlight creating a flickering flame effect.

An interactive twist brought the installation to life — a microphone connected to the lighting control system allowed guests to “blow out” the candles. This triggered a dramatic lighting change, deactivating the candles and activating hidden spotlights aimed at a suspended mirror ball, scattering sparkling light across the venue in a celebratory moment of pure joy.

The OWO, London and One Za’abeel, Dubai

Arc magazine have published two fantastic articles on The OWO, London and One Za’abeel, Dubai. Please click here to read both articles in full.

Ahead Awards 2024 – Raffles London at The OWO, London, UK

We are delighted that dpa project Raffles London at The OWO is included in the Ahead Awards Top 10 Projects of 2024, featured in Sleeper Magazine. Photography: Courtesy of The OWO, Raffles London at The OWO; James Newton (first image) Click here to read more about this project.

Ilma, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

dpa lighting consultants have developed the lighting design for Ilma, a new superyacht by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The yacht, which embarked on its maiden voyage on 2nd September 2024, forms part of an expansion of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection whose first vessel, Evrima, launched in October 2022.

We are pleased to share an article published by Arc Magazine in their December 2024 edition about this very special project. Please click here to read this article in full.

Asuka III, NYK Cruises

We are pleased to share an article published in Starboard magazine – Issue 12, regarding cruise ship Asuka III by NYK Cruises, which will make it’s maiden voyage in the Summer 2025. We look forward to sharing further images of this project later in the year. Please click here to view this article in full.

A first look at dpa project Corinthia Brussels

We are delighted to share photos of dpa project, Corinthia Brussels, which opened its doors on 9th December. Formerly the Grand Hotel Astoria, the reimagined Belle Epoque landmark now comprises 126 rooms and suites, a variety of restaurants, and a subterranean spa.

Photography courtesy of: Corinthia Brussels

One & Only One Za’abeel, Dubai, UAE wins multiple awards at the AHEAD MEA 2024

We are delighted to share news of further awards for dpa project One & Only One Za’abeel, Dubai, UAE. The project picked up awards in the Event Spaces, Guestrooms, and Hotel Newbuild categories as well as the Bar, Club or Lounge category for Sphere, and Restaurant category for StreetXO at the AHEAD MEA 2024 design awards.

Light Middle East Awards 2025: Finalists

We are delighted to share that four dpa projects are finalists in the Light Middle East Awards 2025.

Both The OWO, London and The BoTree, London are finalists in the Project of the Year International category while One & Only One Za’abeel, Dubai and Palace Dubai Creek Harbour Hotel are finalists in the Project of the Year MEA category. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 16th January at the Dubai World Trade Centre!

dpa welcomes Freddie Prentice as Lighting Designer

dpa welcomes Freddie Prentice, who has joined us as a Lighting Designer.

We are delighted to have him as part of our team and wish him every success in developing his lighting design career with us.