Shaping Future Construction!
The construction industry is essential in shaping societies by building critical infrastructure and spaces where people live and work. Its importance extends beyond just creating structures; it drives economic growth, supports urban development, and addresses societal challenges. Over time, the industry has embraced advancements in technology and sustainability, incorporating innovative tools and methods to deliver smarter and more efficient projects. From integrating digital solutions to addressing environmental concerns, the sector continues to grow, responding to global demands and preparing for future challenges. This progress reflects the industry’s resilience and adaptability in a changing world.
Aisling Guilfoyle, a Project Manager with a remarkable vision, has been an influential leader in shaping this progress. Her approach centers on cultivating collaboration and inspiring her team to achieve extraordinary results. Aisling’s leadership philosophy is grounded in inclusivity and open communication, ensuring her team feels empowered to contribute. Known for her focus and logical decision-making, she has built a reputation for guiding her team through intricate projects with clarity and precision. Her dedication to mentorship and continuous learning highlights her commitment to personal growth and the advancement of those she leads.
WSP Middle East, a global consultancy firm, stands out for its dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and client-focused solutions. The company’s wide-ranging portfolio includes projects that integrate advanced design techniques and ecological sensitivity. Its commitment to cultivating collaboration across multidisciplinary teams enables it to meet intricate project demands effectively. As part of this competitive environment, the company continues to lead efforts in transforming the construction industry, delivering iconic developments that resonate with contemporary needs and future aspirations. Through its initiatives, WSP Middle East demonstrates excellence in advancing the construction sector’s capabilities and contributions to society.
Let’s explore Aisling’s innovative construction practices:
The Importance of Mentorship and Continuous Learning
Joining WSP Middle East was a natural progression in Aisling’s career. The company’s commitment to delivering bespoke and iconic projects encompassing innovation, sustainability, and client satisfaction aligns with her values and aspirations.
Her journey up to joining WSP Middle East has been marked by exciting challenges and opportunities. Some key moments that have shaped her career include:
- Early Career: Her early years started out as a site engineer, working on projects, ranging from small-scale civil infrastructure to large-scale civil infrastructure projects, such as Wastewater Treatment works, Reservoirs, Expressways, etc., This exposure to different project types and intricacies helped her develop a strong foundation in civil engineering, which led her to moving onto luxury development projects around the Gulf.
- Taking on Leadership Roles: She actively sought out opportunities to take on leadership roles, such as project management and team coordination. These experiences honed her skills in project planning, execution, and stakeholder management.
- Mentorship and Professional Development: She was fortunate to have mentors who provided guidance and support throughout her career. Their mentorship helped her steer challenges, set career goals, and develop her leadership skills.
- Continuous Learning: She has always been passionate about learning and professional development. She has pursued certifications and advanced degrees to enhance her technical expertise and broaden her knowledge base. She has done some of everything in her career, from digging ditches to dreaming up master plans. She has worked on projects big and small, from massive infrastructure to fancy resorts. She has taken the scenic route to get here but is glad it led her to WSP Middle East. She is excited to continue contributing to high-profile projects and positively impacting the industry.
The Spark that Ignited the Dream
Growing up in Ireland, she was always fascinated by the old buildings around her. From the ancient Celtic ring forts in her backyard to the Victorian houses lining the streets, Aisling couldn’t help but wonder about the people who built them. “How did they figure out how to make something so strong and beautiful? What were they thinking when they designed it?”
Aisling realized that the people who made these fantastic structures were called civil engineers. It was like a lightbulb went off in her head! She knew that’s what she wanted to do. She wanted to be the one designing and building the next generation of incredible buildings.
When she went to university, she learned all about the science and art of civil engineering and architecture. It was even more exciting than she’d imagined. She discovered how to turn ideas into reality, creating spaces people love living and working in.
Enhancing Team Alignment with Workshops Project management can feel like a juggling act sometimes, with a lot of moving parts and unexpected twists. But Aisling has picked up a few tricks along the way to keep everyone—including herself—on track and moving towards the same goal. In her experience, successful multidisciplinary projects hinge on three things: teamwork, data, and good old-fashioned communication.
Aisling has expanded on some of these points and more below:
Collaborative Work Environments: Aisling believes in creating an open and inclusive work environment where team members feel empowered to collaborate. She maintains an open-door policy, ensuring she is always accessible to discuss challenges and find solutions together. She is particularly mindful of teams working across time zones, often staying up late to provide support and maintain a sense of connection.
Technology has been paramount in maintaining this connection despite the geographical distances. Her projects involve diverse teams from around the globe. She arranges for team members to visit the Dubai main office for short-term assignments where possible. This allows them to experience the value they bring to the projects and strengthens the overall team dynamics.
Regular Cross-Disciplinary Workshops: Given the diverse nature of the engineering teams, sometimes people can get a bit tunnel-visioned, focusing solely on their own specialty. Aisling finds that this can hinder collaboration and the overall project vision. To combat this, she organizes regular workshops and meetings where everyone can come together, share insights, and see how their individual contributions fit into the bigger picture. It’s a great way to keep everyone aligned and motivated.
Utilizing Digital Design Tools: To pull off projects of this scale with teams spread across regions, Aisling relies heavily on cloud-based platforms like BIM. These tools have been a total game-changer, streamlining communication, data sharing, and real-time collaboration, regardless of location.
Proactive Risk Management: Aisling is a big believer in proactive risk management. By identifying potential risks early on and having solid mitigation plans, costly delays and disputes can be avoided down the line. Regular internal risk assessments and contingency planning are conducted. Transparency with clients about these risks is maintained, sometimes turning them into opportunities, like exploring alternative foundation designs or considering more offsite construction options like modular buildings (MCC).
Communication Protocols: Effective communication is crucial in determining a project’s success. Clear protocols are implemented, including regular updates, progress reports, and issue resolution procedures. Aisling also maintains a close relationship with the client’s design team to keep them involved throughout the design process. This ensures transparency, trust, and a shared commitment to the project’s vision.
Ultimately, successful project delivery is a team effort. It’s about building strong client relationships, encouraging collaboration among team members, and utilizing technology to overcome challenges. By combining these elements, exceptional projects are constructed.
Building Strong, Collaborative Teams
Aisling’s approach to project management centers on people and projects. Though she doesn’t consider herself a traditional manager, she embraces her leadership role. As part of this interview, and to be honest in her answers to this particular question, she asked her team for honest feedback. The response was overwhelmingly positive, she learned they see her as focused, logical, and supportive—someone who always has their back. They also praised her inclusive style and forward-thinking approach. This feedback underscores her success in fostering a collaborative environment where the team can thrive.
Reflecting on her career, Aisling acknowledged the influence of brilliant, humble project leaders on her management style. Since rejoining WSP in 2022, she’s benefited from exceptional mentorship, particularly from Project Director, Darren Brooke. He instilled in her the importance of open communication and mentorship, an approach she now emulates. She strives to be approachable and available to her team, fostering an environment of open communication where they feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.
Recognizing strong, collaborative teams
As explained above, creating a work environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their gender, orientation, or background, is paramount to Aisling She has always seen people as individuals first and engineers second, and she thinks this approach has helped her build strong, collaborative teams.
While she hasn’t spearheaded any specific initiatives, she has always prioritized fairness and equal opportunities for everyone. She encourages open dialogue, values diverse perspectives, and creates a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas. Ultimately, it’s about creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
Advocating for Gender Equality and Diversity
Winning the Next-Gen Woman of the Year 2021 was truly an honor and a milestone in Aisling’s career. It validated her hard work and dedication and opened doors to new opportunities and platforms. The recognition has empowered her to take on more challenging roles and responsibilities within WSP Middle East. It has also allowed her to connect with like-minded professionals and industry leaders, creating valuable collaborations and partnerships.
Moreover, the award has amplified her voice and influence, allowing her to advocate for gender equality and diversity in the construction industry. This has further fueled her involvement in initiatives like Engineers Without Borders, where she can contribute to meaningful global projects. The recognition has led to increased opportunities to advocate for STEM fields, inspiring the next generation of engineers. By sharing her experiences and knowledge, she hopes to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM and positively impact society.
Ensuring Seamless Design Integration
The confidential nature of Aisling’s work, particularly with prominent clients and royal families, necessitates discretion regarding specific projects. Security and privacy considerations further restrict public disclosure. Although these projects will be revealed upon their respective completions, at the time of this interview, Aisling is able to discuss her involvement with the Jumeriah Marsa Al Arab, which is expected to welcome visitors from March 2025.
One of the most challenging yet rewarding projects she has undertaken was the Marsa Al Arab and Yacht Club in the heart of Dubai. Dubai Properties, the region’s powerhouse developer, aimed to replicate the iconic luxury experience associated with its other hotel, the 7-star Burj Al Arab. This ambitious vision required pushing the boundaries of design and engineering.
A key aspect of the design was to recreate the serene ambiance of Bali’s rice fields with cascading waterfalls. However, the coastal site presented topographical challenges, as the land was relatively flat. To overcome this limitation, intricate retaining walls were meticulously designed, and elevation changes were carefully considered while seamlessly integrating the cascading waterfalls into the surroundings. This engineering feat ensured that the hotel’s main entrance remained at the desired level relative to the existing Jumeirah Street and its environs. She prides herself on the successful delivery of this project was the strong relationships she built with the client. Aisling maintains constant communication throughout the design to ensure alignment, truly understanding their vision and goals.
Bridging the Skills Gap in the Industry
According to Aisling, the construction industry is currently facing some big challenges. Climate change is making things tougher, with more extreme weather events and rising temperatures. Smarter, more sustainable buildings and infrastructure are needed.
Technology is also changing the game. Tools like BIM, AI, and IoT are revolutionizing the way design and construction are approached. Keeping up with these advancements is essential to staying competitive.
Another big issue is the skills gap. There is a shortage of trained people to fill the necessary roles, especially in sustainable design, modularisation and digital engineering areas.
The global economy also impacts the industry, with economic ups and downs affecting project delivery. To tackle these challenges, embracing sustainability, adopting technology, investing in people, and collaborating with others in the industry are crucial. By working together, these hurdles can be overcome, leading to a better future. “
In the end, project management is a journey, not a destination. It’s about navigating challenges, cultivating collaboration, and ultimately delivering successful projects,” Aisling quoted.
