Middle East

Melanie Robson

Melanie is a RIBA Chartered Architect specialising in healthcare design, based in Doha, Qatar.   Melanie’s focus for the last 10 years has been large-scale healthcare buildings, both in the UK and internationally, with significant experience in PFI and Design & Build, covering UK, US and Gulf Region healthcare and building standards. She is currently working for KEO International Consultants, advising Qatar Foundation on the Sidra Medical & Research Center in Doha.

Melanie was a member of the London branch of NAWIC before relocating to Qatar, where she recognized that the region was crying out for an organization like NAWIC. NAWIC Middle East was established in 2009.

“Construction in the Gulf Region is a heavily male-orientated profession, and in some aspects it feels like the UK 30 years ago. The region does not advocate CPD or staff training, so anyone wishing to keep current with their profession has to do so ad hoc, mostly remotely from their countries of origin. In addition, even fairly major events are minimally advertised, so word of mouth is heavily relied upon to distribute information. NAWIC is an invaluable resource to those who want to network, share information and receive support in a way that was unquestioned and automatic in their previous lives. The transient way of life here brings together for a short time a unique wealth of diversity, experience and cross-discipline interest that needs to be captured and maximized. We are each, in our own small way, involved in the movement of a semi-developed country towards full development – helping a civilization achieve its aspirations. It is an exciting, inspiring and frustrating time!”

When not working or engaging with NAWIC, Melanie spends time with her husband & two young daughters trying to avoid the 50°C heat, being taught Arabic by her oldest daughter (aged 4) and keeping in touch with friends around the globe. She occasionally steals some time to paint and explore the region through a lens, dust permitting.