Forest Gate architect lands luxury Dubai design job

Mudessar Ali was chosen for his complicated architectural style (Image: Archant)

After just two years of studying architecture at Cardiff University, Mudessar Ali, was offered the chance to shape the interior and exterior of a showroom for Dubai’s luxury goods company Feathers UAE.

“I couldn’t sleep for a night – I was so nervous,” Mudessar, 21, from Forest Gate, revealed. “I kept asking myself, ‘can I do this?’. I was so scared but I worked a lot for it.”

Mudessar spent about six weeks of his summer holidays completing the project – often working through the night.

“Some of the design process – the rendering – took up to 48 hours just to process through the computer. I had to take naps in shifts,” he said.

But for him, the experience was worth it.

“It’s very unlikely for you to get a project like that as a student,” he explained. “For our fourth year we have to do a whole year of work experience – this will look great on my CV when I’m applying for that. They paid me but, for me, the payment wasn’t even an issue. It was about getting the project done and getting it built.”

Feathers chose Mudessar because of his approach to design.

A designer became aware of his work after spotting some he had uploaded online.

“The owner is a designer himself – but he’s more of a minimalist designer and he wanted something complicated,” Mudessar explained.

And the company isn’t through with him yet – he’s now designing a watch for the brand, alongside his third year of a seven-year course.