By The Arabian Leaders | Published: 3 June 2025
Tarek Buhamdan: Designing the Future Through Sustainable Real Estate and Visionary Leadership
In an age where the construction industry often grapples with the balance between rapid urbanization and ecological preservation, few leaders have managed to walk that tightrope with as much grace, vision, and tangible impact as Eng. Tarek Buhamdan.
As the Group Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Design & Build Group (D&B), one of the most dynamically structured real estate companies in Saudi Arabia, Buhamdan is not just shaping buildings—he is crafting ecosystems, redefining the standards of modern development, and championing a future that respects both people and the planet.
The Architectural Genesis: A Vision Born of Passion and Precision
Born with a keen eye for design and a deep-rooted sense of purpose, Buhamdan pursued a Master’s in Architecture and Urban Planning in Lebanon. But it was not just academic training that shaped him—it was his natural instinct to solve complex problems through design thinking.
“Architecture is not only about aesthetics; it’s about solving real-life problems—how we live, how we connect, how we preserve,” Buhamdan reflects.
This mindset led him to become a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and embark on a career that would span continents, cultures, and sectors—from urban design to investment structuring, from construction innovation to eco-tourism infrastructure.
Design & Build Group: From Concept to Conglomerate
When the Buhamdan co-founded Design & Build Group, the goal wasn’t simply to establish another construction firm—it was to create a vertically integrated real estate ecosystem that could deliver everything from master planning and design to development, contracting, and facilities management.
Headquartered in Riyadh, D&B has grown into a regional powerhouse, with operations extending into Beirut, partnerships across the Levant, and joint ventures that push the envelope of what’s possible in modern development.
“We reimagined what a real estate group should look like—nimble, holistic, innovative, and value-driven,” says Buhamdan.
This integrated model allows for greater cost efficiency, environmental control, and delivery speed, creating a gold standard for future-ready real estate.
Sustainability Is Not a Buzzword—It’s a Blueprint
Tarek Buhamdan’s projects stand as a testament to environmental intelligence. From eco-resorts nestled in pristine natural settings to mixed-use urban developments that utilize smart grid technologies and green building standards, sustainability is interwoven into every blueprint.
“We don’t retrofit sustainability—we embed it from the concept stage. That’s where the impact becomes real,” he insists.
Key elements in his projects include:
Renewable energy integration (solar, geothermal)
Natural material use and carbon-reducing construction practices
Rainwater harvesting and greywater systems
LEED-inspired smart design for energy and space efficiency
Biophilic architecture that fosters human-nature connection
His developments are not just structures—they are living entities, designed to coexist with their surroundings, minimize carbon footprints, and encourage long-term community health.
Global Experience, Local Relevance
With professional roots in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Portugal, and the UAE, Buhamdan has cultivated a global perspective that allows him to adapt his development strategies to both Western standards and Arab values.
“Every city tells a different story. The challenge—and the joy—is to listen closely enough to translate that into design and function,” he explains.
His time in Lisbon, for example, provided a deep appreciation for heritage preservation and urban walkability—elements that he now integrates into Gulf-based projects, proving that innovation can learn from tradition.
Meanwhile, his grounding in Saudi Arabia has made him one of the key private sector contributors to Vision 2030, particularly in areas like:
Urban transformation
Tourism infrastructure
Cultural zone development
Public-private partnerships
Multi-Firm Entrepreneurship: A Model of Strategic Diversification
Buhamdan’s success is not confined to a single brand. Over the years, he has founded and led a constellation of companies, including:
Design & Build Offshore (Beirut) – cross-border project management and regional design hub
Arabian Design and Construction Limited Co. (Saudi Arabia) – strategic execution and real estate joint ventures
Specialized Construction (Beirut) – structural engineering and interior finishing
AIK Art Company – creative fabrication and experiential design
Hana Entertainment – leisure and entertainment development for cultural and commercial spaces
This entrepreneurial depth gives Buhamdan unmatched agility in capturing market shifts and co-creating impactful projects across diverse verticals—from infrastructure to entertainment, from investment to innovation.
“Being diverse isn’t about dilution. It’s about building synergies that strengthen your core offering,” he explains.
Strategic Partnerships: Building with Purpose and People
Central to Buhamdan’s leadership philosophy is his belief in collaborative progress. He has developed strong, long-term partnerships with:
Government ministries and municipalities
Investment arms and family offices
Global consultants and engineering firms
Tech and innovation start-ups in PropTech and sustainability
“The future of real estate isn’t in silos. It’s in partnerships that align vision with execution, funding with creativity, and impact with scale.”
His projects are frequently embedded within public-private development frameworks, providing a model for how entrepreneurship can serve national agendas while generating strong ROI.
Mentorship, Leadership, and the Next Generation
While his portfolio is impressive, Buhamdan sees people’s development as equally critical.
He actively mentors young professionals, supports educational initiatives in architecture and engineering, and encourages startups focused on smart building technologies and sustainable construction.
“We need to nurture a new generation of thinkers—architects who understand energy systems, developers who respect nature, and builders who design for life, not just profit,” he emphasizes.
His office culture promotes:
Open innovation labs
Sustainability think tanks
Cross-functional collaboration between engineers, architects, and data scientists
Future Roadmap: Smart Cities, AI Integration, and Conscious Urbanism
Looking ahead, Buhamdan is focused on expanding D&B’s footprint into:
Smart city consulting
AI-integrated property management systems
Circular economy-based real estate models
Co-living and co-working environments for digital nomads
He’s also eyeing strategic expansion into Africa and Southeast Asia, where sustainable and affordable housing remains a critical need.
“We want to export our know-how, not just our structures. Real leadership is when your methods inspire global best practices.”
Conclusion: More Than a Builder, A Builder of Futures
Eng. Tarek Buhamdan isn’t simply constructing buildings—he’s constructing legacies. Through a powerful blend of strategic leadership, ethical entrepreneurship, and creative innovation, he’s showing the world what it means to build responsibly, inclusively, and sustainably.
Whether in Riyadh or Beirut, Lisbon or Dubai, his developments whisper a deeper truth—that progress must be beautiful, functional, and above all, conscious.
As the Middle East forges ahead into a bold, sustainable future, leaders like Buhamdan remind us that architecture is more than walls and roofs—it’s a language of civilization. And in his hands, it speaks of purpose, peace, and possibility.
