Darling Associates Architects have announced the opening of a UAE branch office in Abu Dhabi on the back of a number of new projects in the Middle East. The office will open in February and will be headed up by director Lood Welgemoed, who had been with the London office since the company's inception.

Managing Director, Chris Darling, says: "I am truly excited about this new venture and the opportunities in the Emirates and the Middle East in general. We are already involved in a very high quality residential project at Al Gurm in Abu Dhabi for Aldar, and would like to build on the success of this experience."