Ahmed Haneef

Founder and Managing Director

Principal Engineer — BEng (Civil), MSust

Design Express was founded in 2012 by Haneef. Since then it has been taking in more and increasingly complex projects in a variety of areas in the built-environment. With a strong focus and commitment in maintaining high level of quality in architecture, structure and building services, Haneef has built a promising reputation for Design Express as a significant design studio in Maldives.

Born in Addu, Haneef traveled to Male’ for education and later went on to study Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College and graduated in 2011. On return, Haneef worked as a Resident Engineer at Amin Construction for building Equatorial Convention Center in Addu followed by Radisson Hotel Maldives in Hulhumale’. Haneef then joined Gedor Consulting where he practiced engineering for 3 years and was responsible for the design and consultancy of Alia Tower, Amilla Fushi Resort, Chedi Dhapparu Resort, Sealife Global’s SLG Condominium Towers, Cheval Blanc Randheli Retreat Villa, Furaveri Resort and Spa, Loama Maamigili Resort, Addu Police Training Centre and Hulhumale’ Police Building among other projects. In 2015, Haneef won Australia Awards Scholarship to study at The University of Sydney where he obtained a Master’s degree in Sustainability.

After returning, Haneef moved Design Express to its current office. Since then its growing team had worked on numerous projects, among which are Soneva Fushi Resort, Zonaria Office Building, Villa College South Wing Tower 1 & 2, structural design of Maldivian Seaplane Terminal and Thilafushi Corporation Multipurpose Building.

During 2013 and 2014, Haneef taught engineering at the Maldives National University for Diploma in Civil Engineering students. He also founded the design & build workshop SPACEWORKS in 2018, and is currently its Manager & Creative Director.