Rakan Jandali

Rakan has joined KCA International in 2007, as junior designer. Since then, his growth within the company and his contribution to the latest achievements have been unequivocal. Immediately considered one of the most creative designers in the history of KCA, Rakan was promoted to Associate in 2018, becoming one of the youngest amongst his peers.

As Creative Director, Rakan is leading the design intent and direction of majority of the company’s projects, across different regions. Having worked closely with Khuan Chew, Founder and Design Principle at KCA, Rakan is also responsible for the overall strategy related to branding and positioning as well as leading the design firm towards a new era, of which he is certainly one of the representative faces.

Born in Homs (Syria), a city rich in history that combines a mix of architectural styles, (Ottoman and Roman), Rakan has immediately developed a strong passion for Architecture and Interior, enriched by a passion for the continuous search for new ideas and notions on which to build the project storyteller.

Being part of Khuan Chew’s team since 2007 has been a blessing and a challenge, at the same time… Working for the Designer of the World’s Seven Stars Hotel means taking over some of the Legacy and market’s expectations. Leading by example, Rakan’s motivate the team to keep delivering exceptional designs, exceeding the attention to details, remaining one of the industry benchmarks.

“Never stop learning”, this is why he just finished an MBA at IE School of Architecture and Design with a Master's Degree in Business for Architecture and Design (MBARCH)

Currently involved in the development of tone Hospitality projects with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Riyadh, KSA, which required immersive research into Najdi architectural style due to the historic sensitivity of the site being close to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed site At Turaif and Salwa Palace, the birthplace of the House of Saud in the Kingdom, Rakan has distinguished himself till the appointment of a second project for KCA, always wit DGDA and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

Creative design concepts that are visually striking while marking the company’s milestones with new awards (for example, The Address Jumeirah and Bach Residences, winner at The World Luxury Awards, iLuxury Awards, FACT Spa & Wellness Awards, Identity Design Awards, INDEX Design Awards (shortlisted) - Jumeirah Guangzhou Hotel and Residences - SHANG Hotel Awards ‘ Best Hotel Design in China” Hotel Shar, “Hotel Design of the year”, Top Hotel Magazine “International Hotel Creative Design”, THAT'S Magazine “ Luxury Hotel of the year… ).

Traditionally known for the Luxury and Ultraluxury Hotel and Residential Projects, Rakan has further enlarged the company portfolio, entering the Lifestyle Segment with the design of Brands like Caesar Palace, Indigo and MSocial. Committed from the beginning to a sustainable design approach, till the conceptual creation of Hotel Indigo, The Sustainable City Dubai (now moved to Oman) - An opportunity to return to a “Simpler Life” to sustain the Legacy of a Vision, a Community, and an Ecological Innovation, Rakan has taken it further, embracing a more wider vision of the matter and becoming a promoter of the Regenerative Design, which has been one of his topics in the last Panel Sessions at Index Dubai and KSA.