Pallavi Dean

Pallavi Dean is an architect, designer, and entrepreneur who plays at the intersection of creativity and commerce. She founded Roar in 2013 from her spare bedroom in Dubai; today it’s a global interior design studio with projects across the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Asia.

A trained sustainability specialist and former professor of design, Pallavi doesn’t do “pretty for pretty’s sake.” Her philosophy is rooted in evidence-based design and neuroscience; because great spaces should make you feel good, not just look good. Her work translates human behavior into environments that boost focus, creativity, and calm.

Under her leadership, Roar has delivered standout projects like The Accor House of Originals, Sensasia Spa at Kempinski Dubai, BCG HQ in Dubai, and White & Case’s Chicago offices. The studio’s current footprint spans Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, combining technical precision with cultural fluency.

Pallavi’s career also bridges academia and product design. Her collaboration with Artemide produced Interweave, an interactive lighting system showcased at Euroluce Milan.

Her influence has earned recognition from global heavyweights including The Financial Times, BBC, Monocle, Wallpaper*, and Architectural Digest, which named her Designer of the Year Middle East (2020) and Global Designer of the Year (2021). She also took home the Interior Design Magazine HiP Award for International Workplace Designer of the Year, cementing her status as one of the most progressive voices in global design.

Born in India, raised in Dubai, and shaped by years in London, Pallavi’s work is proudly multicultural; rooted in empathy, layered with curiosity, and finished with a healthy dose of attitude.