Abdullah Interviews Dana F. Mado
p0ach dear readers know how much I appreciate people who are gifted, beautiful inside – out and are just plain down to earth.
Today’s guest is a beautiful, 27 summers young mother of two with a career that reached international new grounds before its even done yet.
I had the wonderful pleasure of sitting down with her in her glass/all white/ splash of black office at AlHamra HQ – while I was being dominated by a futuristic metal/glass/mirror/granite material outside by the reception right before her office. I felt like I was on board of The Visitors mothership. Minus the feel good smell of coffee surrounding us.
I must say that her french household name set of wisely chosen accessories and her semi indian beauty fused with arabian elegance blew me away. Professionally speaking. Then again, her wit takes her higher in my book, she became soulfully human.
The reason we met is because she wanted to tell me all I needed to know about AL-Hamra, with usual suspects like who – what – why – where and HOW. The designers/firm who built this building are international pioneers – Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. They create nothing but the best and have already received awards on this particular building. Please click on the link provided to go through their body of work, then revert back here in appreciation of what we have right here in the heart of Kuwait.
Dana showcased nearly everything to me from A-Z in a mini presentation covering everything followed by a grand tour all the way till the top of the building. Dont believe me ? HERE !
See that ? now thats how high I was. Literally. Oh and see how small that COBRA is ? *side note* why do the lovely peeps of this country love to give everything a name ? why do you call it a cobra ? AAH! – Well, your cobra now is a lizard, happy now ? I wonder what you’ll call our first ever sky scraper, El yanna ? *snap*
- Back to the future -
I already have favorite spots and ideas she threw my way like the SKY LOUNGE and the brand new AlHamra cinema – I was thinking of you readers, I was thinking of the places i’ll see you at, talking, socializing and throwing nasty remarks on the latest trends you saw at p0ach, Ansam and ilsula6an, yes ?
Honestly though, I love that ALHAMRA will have its own line of movies. Meaning, the movies you’ll see there are not the same everywhere else in Kuwait – this is the same chain you run to in Dubai minus the 30 mins cut/paste job done locally *ahem*
In other words, think UK – think Odeon and VUE – both have awesome movies, yet both are completely different. *we there yet ? I think we are*
You have to understand that Dana is the face of Al Hamra today. Its easy throwing words when you describe someone, however, please invest some time and think of her as a woman who meets people nearly everyday, making business, managing, presenting, arranging PR sessions and making sure every point is well recived from the other party.
I congratulate you and I am beyond honored to have you on my humble grounds. Positively sure you’ll inspire all my female readers and challenge those boys to come steps closer to where you are today.
We talked about everything, she knows my secrets & Im glad to call her a friend.
Please read on and fix your eyes on the beautiful pictures Dana shared with us all !
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Dana, please blow us away !
My Name is Dana Faisal Madouh I am 27 yrs old and I work as the PR executive in Al Hamra Real Estate Company , the Developer of Al Hamra Project the 1st Kuwaiti Skyscraper.
I am very fortunate to have this job it gives me pride and joy to be part of something epic , something international but yet very Kuwaiti.
Tell me about this project – you’ll probably need wikipedia to go through the details you ran by me the other day, but in short, how do you view it ?
This project is gigantic it requires tremendous efforts we have people working on it from all time zones all over the world. Every day I am inspired , I see passion and dedication and a huge amount of responsibility on the faces of everybody involved . this project is as close to the heart of its designer as it is to the safety guard on the construction site and every one in between. I work in Al Hamra. One word no further explanation needed, that’s how strong this place is and we are just starting, you haven’t seen anything yet.
What is ALHAMRA ?
To the understanding of the general public Al Hamra is a tall building, but as you have witnessed firsthand. Its way more ! this is a skyscraper of international standards – a global citizen – a world renowned monument .
Here in Kuwait our cityscape is young , we haven’t had anything similar we were able to be the first and I think we will be the only for a period of time . in addition we are a comprehensive project we have all the elements needed for a destination the business tower, the luxury center, the restaurants and cafés , the health club and spa and the cinemas – Al Hamra grand cinemas.
I say competition, you say ?
In order to be in competition with another project we have to be fairly similar and we should have equal chances of winning and that is not the case here, there is nothing similar all in all , we may be able to compare if we take the project in parts, we can compare the shopping center to other shopping centers and we can compare the Tower to other towers. It should be easy! but I would say we serve the same clientele but we don’t have the same offerings. And it’s up to the market to compare.
A worldwide jewel, thats what ALHAMRA is, how were the challenges along the way?
In Al Hamra we faced a lot of challenges but I think that is the nature of things , if you pioneer in something you are granted the honor of paving the way for others and this comes with a set of challenges but we overcame each and everyone .
As a woman, how do you stay balanced – specially in this field you work in?
My time in Al Hamra has helped me grow in several ways and I am thankful for every working day. it is very important to love what you do or do what you love whichever comes first . and for that reason I have balance and peace in my life . I love what I do and it keeps me eager for more and this reflects on my personal life too. This balance is key.
Throw something for p0ach readers !!
Thank you Abdullah for giving me this opportunity, I treasure this dearly .
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Here is a video that will take you through the project:
Al Hamra, the nation’s tallest skyscraper, is now built on the site of Kuwait’s first cinema – Al Hamra, which was a landmark by itself. It is 414 meters tall and situated in the heart of Kuwait City in Sharq! Al Hamra Tower will also be the tallest sculptured tower in the world and the tallest stone clad skyscraper.
Thank you ANSAM
Loved the interview! Dana is awesome
Thanks for the shout-out 
She IS !
Speaking of shout out, you were mentioned probably 3 times here, ehehe
Excellent interview! Pretty ecstatic about the fact that there will be a new cinema other than *ahem* the line of cinemas we have now, rivalry will serve us justice. ok shda3wa, bas still ;P. Nothing censored and all! Looking forward to it.
Just think VIVA vs ZAIN vs Wataniya and think of the results that came out.
Same will be implemented over here
I’m so happy to see that the notion of sustainability is increasing more and more in Kuwait and that’s evident in Al-Hamra’s design as it’s primary concept is responding to the climate of Kuwait. Can’t wait to see it done!
Loved your take on it. Speaking of climate, please wait for the swimming pool to be fully executed then ask about design/climate/concept behind it, you’ll be blown away ;D
i love it ! i have done many interviews but this is my first personal interview and i am so glad ive done it with you abdullah! thank you ansam and all the other bloggers who took the time to come and see us. you make us proud. and i am honored to have met each and everyone of you ! once again thank you abdullah !
Dana, you know that this is the least I could do – You deserve the world in a plate.
Bless you !
Great Job, Thanks for the cool insights Abdull
Hey Qabaq, Thank you and I love my new name ABDULL ;P
Mashallah 3alek 3abullah,, chan zen yestansekhoon minnik 10000000 chan edeera ib kheir
Awwwww, yaa N, i7na ish3ara yam zainich killa ;D Tislimeen !
amazing girl walaa
love it when she said “it is very important to love what you do or do what you love”
^_^ amazing post
i work with Dana Mado, and she is an amazing person! just like what Abdullah said, beautiful inside-out. Good job !
Abdullah thank you for the such interesting interview .. Dana you are amazing , you just highlighted the pioneering role of women in any endeavor , which I really appreciate it ! All the best .
DANA MADO: amazing gal. As usual U r great !
I like when u right about great young kuwaiti people… even though i don’t know her but i wish her the best of luck and great interview Abdulla…
thank you bo ya3goob , all the best to you too
Mashalla 3alaiha oo allah iywafigha .. I love your interviews abdulla they make my day
thank you chuknum ajma3een inshallah
Oooh interesting post. Yet another thing to look forward to
Mashalla 3alayha it’s wonderful to see she’s smart AND beautiful. Allah yiwafigha in her endeavors!
thank you LuLu , i love makeup too
reading the interview make’s us see her inside beauty before even noticing the outside
thank u dana for such efforts & potentials & thank u abdullah indeed.
thank you abdulaziz for your kind words, its a sweet gesture from a complete stranger. which shows nothing but generosity!