By Business & Finance 
Adrian Lambe is the Director of Douglas Wallace Consultants, a Dublin-based architectural, interior design, and project management firm with over 40 years of experience. Lambe leads the Hotel design team and has much experience working with well-known brands across a global context.
By Olivia DeWan
What was your first job? My first role was with Bennett Construction, which gave me a strong foundation in the practical side of the industry. I then moved to Quilligan Architects before joining Douglas Wallace Consultants, where I’ve spent the majority of my working life. What are your main priorities and goals in your current role? My primary focus is on delivering thoughtful, high-quality design solutions that respond to both client needs and the context of their environment. Also, educating and mentoring within the practice helps us all grow and develop together. What pushed you to pursue a career in this field? I’ve always been interested in how spaces influence the way people live and interact. Architecture offered the perfect balance of creativity, problem-solving, and the opportunity to have a lasting, positive impact on people. How do you motivate yourself and your team? Clear communication, shared purpose, and fostering a collaborative environment are key. I believe in empowering people, recognising strong contributions, and ensuring everyone understands the value of their work. Oh, and having fun wherever we can! In one sentence, how would you define success? Success is delivering meaningful, well-crafted design that positively impacts people and places. How do you relax? I’m a real foodie and also an amateur wine buff! I particularly enjoy cooking in my downtime and experiencing new restaurants when I can. What is your favourite (non-business) book? A book that stands out for me is The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard, particularly for its insights into the personal and emotional responses to architecture. It’s a deep book and tough at times, but it gets the grey matter moving! What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? To listen more than you speak, understanding people and context is fundamental to making good decisions. How do you handle adversity? By staying pragmatic, solution-focused and most of all calm. Challenges are inevitable and always there, but approaching them with clarity and resilience is what drives progress. What are the aspirations for the future of the business? We aim to continue evolving as a practice, delivering innovative and sustainable design solutions, expanding our reach, and maintaining a strong reputation for quality and integrity, and having fun wherever we can!
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