Partners
Shahram Foroughi
Founding Partner
Architect D.E.S.A. – Paris, France
Shahram is the founding partner of Edifice. His experience extends from Paris through the MENA region to the United Arab Emirates, where his work has focused on a wide range of concept design and master planning projects with key specialties in mixed-use developments and visitor attraction projects. Shahram has a particular interest in conceptualizing themed attractions and resorts, and has recently engaged in the development of co-living and glamping projects.
As a pioneer in visitor attraction projects in the region, he has been at the forefront of bringing innovative concepts which are focused on creating unique guest experiences, revenue generation to support investment, integrating local aspects, and advocating civic responsibility and environmental responsiveness to create contextually-sensitive and accessible projects that are a joy to use.
In Paris, Shahram was a Partner of Eremco until 1997, where he contributed and realized high-profile works in the construction of themed buildings for the Asterix theme park, and five major attractions at the Euro Disney theme park.
In 1995 he founded Edifice, a design and project management company, in Dubai. Over the last two decades the company has been responsible for a strikingly wide range of works in the MENA region, from resorts and mixed-use master plan projects, hospitality developments, theme parks and indoor entertainment facilities, to residential and commercial office spaces.
Under his leadership, Edifice has successfully established itself in the region by developing and participating in a number of innovative and viable projects in the Middle East, the most notable of which include the Wild Wadi Water Park, Legends Dubailand theme park resort, Dubai Heritage Vision, and Land of India at Falconcity of Wonders in Dubai; Adventureland in Sharjah and Casablanca; Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort in the Kingdom of Bahrain; Lusail Entertainment District in Doha, Qatar; Blue City in Oman; and Style City / Porta Moda in various MENA countries. Most recently he developed the Marza Zayed Entertainment concept in Aqaba, Jordan for Al Maabar.
Shahram obtained his Master’s in Architecture from the prestigious Ecole Speciale D’Architecture in Paris. He is a member of and affiliated with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is also an advisory board member of the Department of Architecture at the American University of Dubai. He speaks French, English, Farsi and has a notion of Arabic.
Faranak Foroughi
Managing Director
Faranak, is an experienced senior banker who has worked in Europe and the Middle East for over thirty years and has access to a strong network of regional investors. As a partner and managing director of Edifice, she is overseeing and leading the financial management, business development, and project coordination and administration activities within the firm.
She has over 25 years of private banking and investment management experience and has been advising wealthy Emirati and GCC families working with global financial institutions such as Citibank, Merrill Lynch, HSBC, Barclays Private Banking and National Bank of Dubai. Faranak established and managed the private banking business for National Bank of Dubai in 2001 and was responsible for the Dubai and London businesses until mid-2007. She was also a Director of National Bank of Dubai Trust Company Jersey Ltd. and has advised a number of UAE families on succession and estate planning.
In 2007 she set up Tharwa Management Consultancy, an independent wealth advisory business, advising regional family businesses. Acting as an independent advisor she provides strategic asset allocation advice, assesses feasibility of new projects, and provides advice for a variety of corporate advisory solutions and direct investment opportunities.
She was educated in France and holds a Business Management degree from Ecoles des Cadres et des Affaires Economiques in Paris, France. She speaks English, French and Farsi.