LONDON—Perkins&Will is proud to announce that Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design has been appointed Honorary Visiting Professor at the Welsh School of Architecture (WSA), part of Cardiff University.
A leading authority on place, people, and future-facing environments, Ibrahim brings over three decades of global design and strategy experience to the academic community. In this role, he will contribute to the school’s teaching and research ambitions, help shape its evolving identity and strengthen ties between academia and industry through Perkins&Will’s global network.
“It’s a real honour to join the Welsh School of Architecture as an Honorary Visiting Professor,” says Ibrahim. “I’m passionate about exploring the future of place, and I look forward to working with the next generation of designers and thinkers to challenge assumptions, provoke ideas, and imagine new possibilities for how we live, work, and connect. This is a moment where futures thinking is essential, and I’m excited to be part of a university that’s putting it at the heart of its agenda.”
A graduate of the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Ibrahim is a frequent speaker, published author, and strategic advisor to leading brands and cities. His book Future Ready Retail explores the evolution of experience and place, as well as its implications for high streets, town centres, and consumer culture. He has also contributed regularly to The Economist Insights, offering commentary on how brands and environments must evolve.
Throughout his career, Ibrahim has led the design of future-ready destinations across the globe, including RAI Amsterdam’s flagship exhibition centre, Bikini Berlin—the world’s first concept mall—and Parco Romano, a major adaptive reuse and Olympic legacy site in Milan.
His appointment by Cardiff University reinforces Perkins&Will’s commitment to nurturing thought leadership across education, practice, and research—ensuring that today’s big questions become tomorrow’s meaningful solutions.
