David Marks breaks the silence on payment problems

Many UK firms are owed money by Middle Eastern developers, but few are willing to talk about it. Roxane McMeeken spoke to one man who was prepared to break the silence

While it was growing, Dubai became a sort of surreal version of Las Vegas – the city that was one vast casino where everybody wins. It also acquired a casino’s reputation for style and taste, particularly in its nouveau riche architecture. This perception was meant to be challenged by the Dubai Arts District. Instead of all the “landmarks” of concrete, glass and steel, developer Abyaar wanted its £230m scheme to present a soulful appearance based on natural forms from the Arabian landscape, and it chose British architect Marks Barfield to design it.

This looked like a shrewd choice. Although the practice was best known for the London Eye, it had designed a much praised cafe in Birmingham that took its shape from the golden spiral found in sunflowers and shells. For Abyaar, Marks Barfield created a design dominated by landscaping and parks that drew inspiration from pebbles and waves. Unfortunately, five months after the practice started work, Dubai turned into the casino where everybody loses.