Beyond the Blueprint: Interview with Jason Burnside

Dubai, UAE: What defines a truly great building? For Jason Burnside, Managing Director of Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) and a veteran with over three decades in global architecture, the answer is startlingly simple: it is not about the concrete, but the connection. Burnside is not just designing structures; he is mastering "the art of understanding people, place, and time."

In an exclusive, deeply personal interview with Gulf Korean Times, Burnside steps away from the blueprint to share his philosophy. He argues that empathy is an architect's most powerful tool, revealing how GAJ embeds ethical and social responsibility into every line drawn.

From educational campuses to cultural landmarks, join Burnside as he discusses his mission to create timeless, sustainable architecture that serves humanity first.

Q1. With over 30 years of architectural experience and extensive international exposure, what would you say is the most valuable insight or asset you have gained throughout your career?

A. The longer you practise, the more you realise that architecture is not simply the art of building, it is the art of understanding people, place, and time. The greatest lesson I have learned is that empathy is an architect's most powerful tool. When you understand how space shapes behaviour, emotion, and memory, you begin to design with intent rather than impulse. Form and material may define a structure, but what truly matters is how people live, learn, and connect within it. The measure of good architecture lies not in complexity, but in clarity of purpose. At its best, design is not an act of self-expression, but an act of service. That belief continues to guide our approach at Godwin Austen Johnson, whether it is a boutique resort in Saudi Arabia or a large-scale educational campus in the UAE.

Q2. Does Godwin Austen Johnson have a unique perspective on how a firm's social responsibility (CSR) can be connected to its design philosophy?

A. At Godwin Austen Johnson, social responsibility is not a department, it is part of our DNA. Every project carries a civic obligation, whether it is a school nurturing the next generation, a hospitality space fostering cultural exchange, or a heritage restoration preserving identity. For us, corporate responsibility is expressed through architectural responsibility, creating places that respect context, enhance well-being, and minimise environmental impact. Beyond our projects, CSR at GAJ extends across five interconnected pillars:

• Education & Mentorship: Collaborating with schools and universities, we offer internships, mentorships, and workshops bridging academia and practice. Our GAJ Forum and CPD Thursdays promote continuous learning and professional growth.

• Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship: Sustainability underpins every project, from LEED Gold schools and Estidama-rated developments to an ESG-driven design philosophy that champions efficiency and resilience.

• Community Engagement: Our architects actively participate in panels, lectures, and civic initiatives, advocating for inclusive and sustainable design.

• Employee Well-being & Inclusion: We foster a collaborative studio culture that prioritises welfare, safety, and communication, recognising that inspired teams create meaningful architecture.

• Youth Empowerment & Future Workforce: Through the GAJ Student Portfolio Competition, career fairs, and school outreach, we introduce young minds to architecture, nurturing curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

At GAJ, social responsibility and architectural responsibility are inseparable. Every line we draw carries consequence, our role is to ensure that impact is positive, inclusive, and enduring.

Q3. How do CSR activities go beyond simple social contribution to influence Godwin Austen Johnson's identity and the way its projects are actually carried out?

A. For us, social responsibility is not confined to what we build, it is about how we build and the culture that drives it. Our ethos shapes how we engage with clients, select materials, and respond to community needs. Within our practice, we place great value on wellness, mentorship, collaboration, and inclusivity, recognising that every team member, from intern to director, plays a part in shaping meaningful architecture. Through knowledge-sharing, design forums, and health and wellness initiatives, we cultivate a studio culture that is dynamic, open, and connected. That same culture extends to our projects. From educational campuses such as The Jafar Centre, Arcadia Schools, and Ladybird Nursery to hospitality and heritage developments like The Chedi Al Bait, The WB Abu Dhabi Hotel, and the Sharjah Art Foundation, each project is approached with a sense of shared ownership and respect for community. We rebuild on original footprints, reuse materials, and honour history rather than erase it. At GAJ, social responsibility is not symbolic, it is a consistency of intent. It defines how we work, across every discipline and scale, uniting people, place, and purpose.

Q4. As diversity and inclusion become increasingly important in architectural design, could you share specific examples of how Godwin Austen Johnson has embodied these values in its spaces?

A. Diversity and inclusion at GAJ begin with listening, to clients, users, and communities. We design for people from all walks of life, and that inclusivity shapes both our projects and our practice. In education, projects like The Jafar Centre, Arcadia Schools, and Ladybird Nursery prioritise flexibility and accessibility, supporting different learning styles, cultures, and abilities. In hospitality, projects such as The WB Abu Dhabi Hotel, The Palace, and The Chedi Al Bait celebrate cultural storytelling, while workplace projects like Lunate Offices and Miral Headquarters express inclusivity through transparency and collaboration. Across all sectors, education, hospitality, workplace, residential, and culture, our approach is consistent: design that is inclusive, human, and contextually responsive. Internally, GAJ's studio mirrors that diversity, representing over 25 nationalities. This blend of cultures and ideas enriches our creativity and strengthens our empathy. Inclusive design is not a stylistic choice but an ethical one, ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and part of something larger.

Q5. Do you have a personal approach to balancing environmental sustainability with the aesthetic values of architecture?

A. Sustainability and beauty are not opposing forces, they should elevate one another. The most successful buildings, in my view, are those where environmental logic and visual harmony coexist effortlessly. When we designed The Jafar Centre at Dubai College, environmental performance and architectural expression were developed hand in hand. Passive shading, daylight optimisation, and low-energy systems were integrated from the outset, working in concert with a restrained palette of natural materials. The result is a building that feels calm, authentic, and deeply rooted in purpose. The same philosophy guided The Chedi Al Bait in Sharjah, where preserving and reusing the existing fabric became an act of sustainability in itself. This principle extends across every sector we work in. In hospitality, projects such as Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, The Chedi Al Bait, Al Seef, Al Wathba Hotel, and Banyan Tree AlUla (in collaboration with AW²), along with The Palace and Vida Hotel at Dubai Creek Harbour and The WB Hotel, balance refined aesthetics with responsible design. Each integrates natural light, energy efficiency, and locally inspired materials to create spaces that are both luxurious and sustainable. In workplace design, projects such as Lunate Offices and Miral Headquarters embody the same balance, where environmental performance, flexibility, and well-being are treated as integral components of design excellence. Even in cultural developments, such as a prominent cultural landmark dedicated to contemporary art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are guided by the same principle, creating architecture that is timeless, contextually intelligent, and environmentally conscious. For me, the true measure of success is when a building performs well and feels right, when its sustainability is felt, not advertised. At Godwin Austen Johnson, that belief defines everything we undertake, from luxury hotels and civic institutions to educational campuses and masterplans. Sustainability is not a design trend; it is the foundation of enduring, meaningful architecture.

Q6. In the context of the UAE's climate conditions and rapid urban development, what do you believe are the most essential elements for achieving truly sustainable architecture?

A. True sustainability in this region lies in contextual intelligence, designing with the climate, not in spite of it. The lessons are already written in our own vernacular: courtyards that breathe, shaded walkways that connect, wind towers that cool, and materials that respond naturally to their environment. The challenge for contemporary architects is to reinterpret these timeless principles through modern systems and technologies. At Godwin Austen Johnson, we believe sustainability begins with sensitivity, to climate, culture, and craft. Our responsibility is to design buildings that consume less, last longer, and give more back, not only in environmental performance, but also in cultural and emotional resonance. Sustainability, to us, is not a checklist. It is a mindset of respect: for place, for people, and for time. Across our portfolio, from The Dubai Creek Golf Clubhouse and The WB Abu Dhabi Hotel to The Chedi Al Bait in Sharjah and our LEED Gold-certified schools including Arcadia and Dubai College's Jafar Centre, sustainability is embedded from the very first line drawn. The Chedi Al Bait exemplifies how adaptive reuse, rebuilding on original footprints and reimagining heritage structures, can merge tradition with environmental performance. GAJ has designed four of the UAE's seven LEED Gold-certified educational buildings, including one ranked among the highest-scoring globally, proof that sustainability can drive both educational excellence and environmental responsibility. We integrate passive design, energy optimisation, and water efficiency not as afterthoughts but as the foundation of design excellence. This philosophy extends across architecture, landscape, interiors, and MEP, each discipline carrying its own responsibility. For us, sustainability goes far beyond compliance. It is a culture of accountability and empathy, one that seeks to reduce waste, enhance longevity, and deepen the connection between people and place. The result is not just environmentally efficient architecture, but emotionally intelligent buildings, designed to endure, to inspire, and to respect both people and the planet.

Q7. Godwin Austen Johnson runs internship and mentorship programs to nurture the next generation of architects and designers. What do you see as the key learning experiences and growth outcomes that students gain through these programs?

A. Mentorship is one of the most meaningful investments we can make as a profession. Young designers today are full of creativity and enthusiasm, but they need context, an understanding of how imagination translates into responsibility. We give them a genuine glimpse into the realities of practice. Our senior team is approachable, and the studio is intentionally designed to encourage open dialogue and creative exchange between juniors and mentors. Hierarchy never hinders collaboration here; everyone learns from one another. This exchange of ideas and experience is invaluable, they see first-hand how architecture is built through collaboration, patience, and integrity. Mentorship at GAJ is more than a programme; it is part of our studio culture. We mentor not only through structured sessions but through daily interactions that foster curiosity and confidence. Exposure is key, interns and young architects are involved in every stage of design, from concept to site coordination, across diverse sectors including schools, resorts, civic spaces, commercial developments, and masterplans. Through this experience, they learn that architecture is not just about inspiration, but about teamwork, trust, and accountability. Beyond technical skill, what they gain most is perspective, the understanding that great design serves purpose, not ego. We remind them that architecture holds influence: it shapes how people live, learn, and connect. The greatest designers are not those who seek recognition, but those who create with empathy, integrity, and purpose.

Q8. As the role of social responsibility grows within the architecture industry, what message would you like to share with fellow architects?

A. Architecture has the extraordinary privilege, and responsibility, to shape how people live, learn, and connect. It must once again be a force for public good, responding to real human needs and enriching the communities it serves. Success should be measured not by scale or spectacle, but by relevance and impact. Our legacy lies not in skylines but in stories, in classrooms that inspire, neighbourhoods that connect, heritage preserved, and environments protected. My message to fellow architects is simple: design with empathy, lead with integrity, and collaborate generously. The future of architecture will not be defined by what we build, but by the values we build into it.