CommercialInteriorDesign201102 PDF

AnITP BusinessPublication FebruaryVol.
7 Issue 2
ASIAN appeal
Learning by heart
MEET ISABELLE MIAJA
Designers choice
YOUR FAVOURITE SPACES
MINIMALISM ABOUNDS AT THE NEW HOTEL JAL TOWER DUBAI
LOOK
BASINS
PETS
PLANTS
MERIDIAN COLLECTION
Basins. Double, countertop, semi-recessed, compact,
asymmetric, corner, handicap, Unik-Meridian.
Toilets. Close-coupled, back-to-wall, compact, wall-hung.
Bidets. Wall-hung, compact wall-hung, compact.
BIDETS
WCS
Your life has a host of options.
Now, so does your bathroom.
Fits everywhere
You have chosen everything in your life: your partner, the way you dress, and the decoration at home. Everything. Now, you
can choose your bathroom too. The new Roca Meridian Collection offers the broadest range of bathroom models with an
up-to-date design that enables you to choose the option that best suits your tastes and needs. Meridian ts your bathroom,
whatever it is like.
Bahrain: SAYYAR TRADING AGENCIES W.L.L., Tel.: +973.17.290.111, E-mail: sayyartd@batelco.com.bh Bangladesh: GREEN AGENCY TRADING LTD., Tel.: +880.1.8619007, E-mail: marifgrp@bol-online.com Iran: BANA
BUILDING IMPORTS, Tel.: +98.21.2613.1223, E-mail: Info@banabi.com Iraq: BESARANI TRADING, Tel.: +964.53.3123191, E-mail: besarani@aol.com Jordan: A. KAYYALI & CO., Tel.: +962.656.90016, E-mail: info@kayyali-
roca.com Kuwait: ABDUL AZIZ IBRAHIM AL-RUMAIH & CO., Tel.: +965.484.88.80, E-mail: info@4alrumaih Lebanon: O-TEC CO. FOR SANITARY WARES & TILES S.A.L., Tel: +961.1.868.529, E-mail: otec-co@cyberia.net.lb
Maldives: SONEE Hardware, Tel.: +960.333.699, E-mail: abdulla@sonee.com.mv Oman: KHIMJI RAMDAS, BUILDING MATERIAL DIVISION, Tel: +968.24.852.702, E-mail: krbmd@omantel.net.om Pakistan (Karachi):
ABDULLA & CO., Tel: + 92.21.585.04.90, y.abdulla@sabdulla.com.pk Pakistan (Lahore): ABDULLA & CO., Tel: + 92.42.111.722.722, sabdulla@brain.net.pk Qatar: SAYYAR TRADING Co. W.L.L., Tel: +974.469.69.23, E-mail:
sayyartd@qatar.net.qa Saudi Arabia: MUHAMMAD SALEH BAHARETH CO. (MSB CO.), Tel: +96.2.66.33.462, E-mail: info@roca-saudi.com Syria: TRANS MEDITERRANEAN TRADING CO., Tel: +963.11.661.70.48,
E-mail: tm@transmedit.com UAE (Abu Dhabi): SANITARY MATERIALS CO., Tel: +971.2.677.13.63, E-mail: info@sanitary-uae UAE (Dubai): HAMAD RAHMA ABDULLA ALSHAMSI GENERAL TRADING, Tel: 971.4.266.64.29,
E-mail: hrshamsi@emirates.net.ae Yemen: ABUALREJAL Trading Corporation, Tel: 967.1.272.519, E-mail: sanitary@abualrejal.com
ROCA SANITARIO S.A. (Middle East Representation Ofce) Gold & Diamond Park, Building 5, Of ce 111 Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th interchange, next to Bur Dbai Trf c Department P.O. Box 282337, Al Quoz branch, Dubai,
UAE Tel. +971.4.347.64.00 Fax +971.4.347.64.08 Mobile: +971.50.465.93.24 Website: www.roca.com
CONTENTS
www.constructionweekonline.com Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 1
February 2011
05 DESI GN UPDATE
PROFI LE
Find out more about the soon-to-
launch B5 The Art of Living.
DESI GNER Q&A
CID catches up with the ever-
colourful Isabelle Miaja and
learns about designing from
the heart.

CASE STUDY
For its debut property in Dubai,
JAL Hotels wanted a simple,
uncluttered interior that spoke of
its Japanese roots.
CASE STUDY
Moscows only Manolo Blahnik
store is brimming with innovative
interpretations of traditional
Russian motifs.
DESI GNERS CHOI CE
From the Guggenheim Museum
to the Sistine Chapel, nine
industry experts name their
favourite ever space.
FEATURE
A look at the latest trends in
bathroom design.
FI T-OUT COMPANI ES
YOU SHOULD KNOW
A selection of t-out companies
that that you cant ignore.
PRODUCTS
New products on the market.

CONTRACTS
Contract tenders in the region,
by Ventures Middle East.
OPI NI ON
By Rikke Andersen, manager of
AK Designs Abu Dhabi branch.
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2
47
70
72
15 18
39
31
18
31
15
25
61
53
39
COMMENT
I
n this months Designers Choice, we asked a selection of
industry experts to name their favourite-ever space. One
designer came back with the Sistine Chapel, citing the
sheer magnitude of creative genius required to complete
a project of such intricacy and scale.
In their eyes, the Sistine Chapel is a masterful culmination
of the imagination of the artist and the craftsmanship of the
artisans. In modern terms: a seamless partnership between
designer and contractor.
In this day and age, the idea of a harmonious relationship between a designer
and a contractor is as astonishing as Michelangelos achievements must have
seemed at the time. Certainly, you would be hard pressed to jnd any modern-day
designer who views the common contractor as a craftsman.
One imagines those 16th century artists and artisans working side by side, year
after year, on one of the worlds greatest interiors and can only assume that they
didnt spend their time warring over design integrity or contractual disputes.
Fast forward a few centuries and things are a little different. Today, the relation-
ship between contractor and designer is fraught with frustration and mutual
distrust. Contractors complain about designers creating unrealistic, unsustainable
designs that cannot be translated into reality. They bemoan the designers general
disregard for budgetary constraints, time lines and gravity. All the while, design-
ers accuse contractors of bastardising their designs, and engineering all creative
value out of their art.
On both sides, there is a tendency to focus on shortcomings and perceived
grievances. Neither party seems willing to consider the challenges that the other
faces. This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but it is incredibly damaging for
the industry as a whole.
In response, this months issue of CID includes a feature called Fit-Out
Companies You Should Know, where a handful of contractors showcase their
abilities, and highlight the key challenges that they face.
Until there is greater communication and closer co-operation between
designers and jt-out companies, the whole industry will continue to suffer. How-
ever much it feels like it, designers and contractors are not working at cross pur-
poses. The ultimate goal is one and the same: to create projects that everybody
can be proud of, and that will stand the test of time. Great projects only ever come
out of great partnerships. Take the Sistine Chapel as a case in point.
Calling a truce
SELINA DENMAN, EDITOR
sel i na.denman@ i tp.com
Receive Commercial Interior Design
every month. To subscribe, please
visit: www.itp.com/subscriptions
Registered at Dubai MediaCity
PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE
Tel: 0097144443000
Fax: 0097144443030
Web: www.itp.com
Officesin Dubai &London
ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING
CEO Walid Akawi
ManagingDirector Neil Davies
ManagingDirector ITP BusinessKaramAwad
Deputy ManagingDirector Matthew Southwell
Editorial Director David Ingham
EDITORIAL
Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews
Editor SelinaDenman
Tel: +97144443502 email: selina.denman@itp.com
ADVERTISING
SalesDirector, Construction Group Yazan Rahman
Tel: +97144443351 email: yazan.rahman@itp.com
SalesManager Leigh Roche
Tel: +97144443679 email: leigh.roche@itp.com
BusinessDevelopment Manager, Saudi Arabia
RabihNaderi
Tel: +96612068697email: rabih.naderi@itp.com
STUDIO
Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott
Art Editor Simon Cobon
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chief Photographer JovanaObradovic
Senior PhotographersIsidoraBojovic, EfraimEvidor
Staff PhotographersLester Ali, GeorgeDipin, Juliet Dunne,
MurrindieFrew, LyubovGalushko, Verko Ignjatovic, Shruti Jagdesh,
StanislavKuzmin, MoshLafuente, Ruel Pableo, RajeshRaghav
PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
Group Production & Distribution Director KyleSmith
Deputy Production Manager Matthew Grant
Production Coordinator NellyPereira
ManagingPicture Editor Patrick Littlejohn
Distribution Manager KarimaAshwell
Distribution Executive NadaAl Alami
CIRCULATION
Head of Circulation & Database GauravGulati
MARKETING
Head of MarketingDaniel Fewtrell
MarketingManager AnnieChinoy
ITP DIGITAL
Director Peter Conmy
Internet ApplicationsManager Mohammed Affan
Web Designer MeghnaRao
ITP GROUP
ChairmanAndrew Neil
ManagingDirector Robert Serafin
Finance Director TobyJaySpencer-Davies
Board of DirectorsK M Jamieson, MikeBayman,
Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, RobCorder, MarySerafin
Circulation Customer Service Tel: +97144443459
Certain imagesin thisissueareavailablefor purchase.
Pleasecontact itpimages@itp.comfor further detailsor visit
www.itpimages.com
Printed byEmiratesPrintingPressL.L.C. Dubai
Subscribeonline at www.itp.com/subscriptions
Audited by: BPA Worldwide
AverageQualified Circulation: 6,079
(January- June2010)
The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions
containedinthispublication,however caused.Theopinionsandviewscontained
inthispublicationarenot necessarilythoseofthepublishers.Readersareadvised
to seekspecialist advicebeforeactingoninformationcontainedinthispublication
whichis providedfor general useandmaynot beappropriatefor thereaders
particular circumstances.
Theownershipoftrademarksisacknowledged.No part ofthispublicationor any
part of thecontentsthereof maybereproduced, storedinaretrieval systemor
transmittedinanyformwithout thepermissionof thepublishersinwriting. An
exemptionisherebygrantedfor extractsusedfor thepurposeoffair review.
Cover image:
Hotel JAL
Tower Dubai
Published byand 2011ITP Business
Publishing, adivision of theITP
PublishingGroupLtd. Registered in the
B.V.I. under Companynumber 1402846.
AnITPBusinessPublication FebruaryVol.7Issue2
ASIAN appeal
Learning by heart
MEETISABELLEMIAJA
Designers choice
YOUR FAVOURITESPACES
MINIMALISMABOUNDS ATTHENEWHOTEL JAL TOWER DUBAI
FORM FOLLOWS FLOW.
Living City, design Phoenix Design Bathroom Culture since 1892 www.laufen.com/middleeast
LAUFEN SHOWROOMS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Bahrain: A.J.M. Kooheji Group B.S.C. (c) +97 3 1770 0007 koohejibmd@ajmkooheji.com
Iran: Farbar +98 21 88 03 6364 sales@farbar.ir
Jordan: Izzat Musa Marji & Sons Co. +962 65 52 02 84 info@marji.jo
Kuwait: Arte Casa Trading Co. +965 4848 000 info@artecasa.bz
Oman: Ahmed Mohsin Trading L.L.C. +968 248 17 019 sware@amtoman.com
Qatar: M.S.K Building Material +97 44 440 051 info@mskqatar.com
Saudi Arabia: Articasa +96 6 2252 4402 (Jeddah), +96 6 1480 0720 (Riyadh) info@articasa.biz
Syria: Uni Group +96 31 15 32 67 00 unigroup@net.sy
United Arab Emirates: German Home for Bathrooms & Kitchens +971 4 268 9993 info@germanhome.net
Yemen: Al Dhayani Est. for General Trading +967 1 236 182 dhayanicorp@yemen.net.ye
www.constructionweekonline.com
DESIGN UPDATE
Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 5
DESIGN UPDATE
PANTONE CELEBRATES CAPTIVATING HUE
Honeysuckle is the
colour of 2011
US: Pantone, the world-renowned
authority on colour, has announced
that Honeysuckle is 2011s colour
of the year.
Pantone is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of X-Rite Incorporated
and has been a leading authority
on colour for almost 50 years. For
over a decade, Pantones Colour
of the Year declarations have inku-
enced product development and
purchasing decisions in multiple
industries including fashion, home
and industrial design.
While Pantones 2010 colour
of the year, Turquoise, served as
an escape for many, Honeysuckle
emboldens us to face everyday
troubles with verve and vigour,
according to Pantone. A dynamic
reddish pink, Honeysuckle is a
vibrant and energetic hue that is
lauded for its encouraging and
uplifting properties.
In times of stress, we need
something to lift our spirits. Honey-
suckle is a captivating, stimulating
colour that gets the adrenaline go-
ing perfect to ward off the blues,
said Leatrice Eiseman, executive
director of the Pantone Color
Institute. Honeysuckle derives its
positive qualities from a powerful
bond to its mother colour red, the
most physical, viscerally alive hue
in the spectrum.
The intensity of this festive
reddish pink allures and engages.
In fact, this colour, not the sweet
fragrance of the kower blossoms
for which it was named, is what
attracts hummingbirds to nectar.
Honeysuckle may also bring a wave
of nostalgia for its associated deli-
cious scent, reminiscent of the care-
free days of spring and summer,
Eiseman continued.
When it comes to apparel, Hon-
eysuckle is a striking, eye-catching
hue that works well for day and
night wear. A splash of honeysuckle
will also introduce a lively kair into
interior spaces.
Product manufacturers are
already incorporating this shade
into their collections. For example,
wallpaper jrm, Thibaults new
Gatehouse collection features Julia
Damask, the vibrant screen-printed
wallpaper pictured here.
PANTONES COLOURS OF THE YEAR
2010
Turquoise
2009
Mimosa
2008
Blue Iris
2007
Chili Pepper
2006
Sand Dollar
2005
Blue Turquoise
2004
Tigerlily
2003
Aqua Sky
www.constructionweekonline.com 6 FEBRUARY 2011 | Commercial Interior Design
DESIGN UPDATE
CID SPEAKS TO DAMACS SENIOR VP, NI ALL
MCLOUGHLIN, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
DESIGN IN LUXURY DEVELOPMENTS
Interiors are key,
says Damac VP
DESIGN UPDATE
UAE: Interior design plays a key
role in the success of large-scale
commercial residential develop-
ments, according to Niall McLough-
lin, senior vice president of the
Dubai-based, luxury-focused
developer, Damac Properties.
Design of both apartments
and public spaces can go a long
way in swaying the opinion of
potential buyers, he explained.
Interior design is one of the major
reasons a customer will choose to
purchase a particular apartment
over another of similar specijca-
tions. After location and internal
koor space, interior design can be
a dejning factor in the purchase
decision, McLoughlin said.
Whether a property is being
purchased as an investment, or
as a place to live, distinguishing
features are becoming increasingly
important to ensure that the value
of the property continues to grow.
Having recognised interior
designs potential as a major dif-
ferentiator, Damac has partnered
with Versace for its debut project
in Beirut, Lebanon. Launched
last year, Damac Tower is the jrst
exclusive Versace Home-branded
residential tower in the region,
and has already won a string of
awards. Damac Tower will feature
spacious private units resplendent
with custom-designed interiors. All
the common areas, including the
health and jtness facilities, the
concierge reception, and the main
lobby, will feature Versace Home
products. The shared vision of the
two companies has combined to
deliver the most prestigious and
sought-after property in Beirut,
McLoughlin said.
As Versace Homes interiors fall
into two main categories, Heritage
and New Modern, buyers will be
able to select apartments that con-
form to either style. Alternatively,
owners can custom-furnish apart-
ments to their own specijcations.
Beirut was the perfect setting
for this kind of tie-up, McLoughlin
pointed out. People living in Leba-
non are stylish, extremely brand
conscious, and have an afjnity
for designer labels. We identijed
this market dynamic, and formed
a partnership with the Italian
fashion house to provide designer
options which extend beyond
Versace couture and handbags to
Versace-inspired residential apart-
ments. An apartment in Damac
Tower will be the ultimate designer
accessory, he said.
Strong economic fundamentals
also mean that the market is ripe
for high-end luxury developments
of this description, McLoughlin
pointed out. The International
Monetary Fund is predicting that
Lebanons economy will grow by
5% in 2011, outpacing the forecast
global average. Meanwhile, an ex-
panding economy is fuelling popu-
lation growth, which is currently
outpacing the supply of available
accommodation. As a result, rental
prices are now the highest in the
Middle East. Beirut was recently
rated the tenth most expensive
city in the world for expats to rent
by the Eurocost International sur-
vey, McLoughlin pointed out.
Damacs partnership with
Versace comes in the wake of
a successful collaboration with
Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA)
on the Ocean Heights tower at
Dubai Marina. Here, select apart-
ments feature their own internal
swimming pools, along with gold
dusted decorative ceiling cornices.
Ocean Heights is opulent, its
decadent and its lavish. From the
moment you enter the lobby, you
are confronted with dramatic gold
jnishes, McLoughlin said.
Damac will continue to part-
ner with leading names in the
design world in the future, in
order to maintain its competitive
advantage. Given the success of
Ocean Heights and Damac Tower
in Beirut, Damac Properties will
certainly be seeking to partner
with globally-recognised designers
in the future, McLoughlin said.
DESIGN UPDATE
DESIGN UPDATE
SYRIA: Bena Properties, the real
estate development and invest-
ment arm of Cham Holding, has
appointed Depa to carry out the
complete jt-out of the jve-star
Yasmeen Rotana Hotel.
The $19.8 million contract cov-
ers the jt-out of all hotel rooms,
including the executive suites,
ambassador suites and the royal
suite. Depas scope of work will
also cover public areas, including
the main lobby, executive lounge,
restaurants, meeting rooms,
banquet hall and health club.
Moreover, the contractor will be
responsible for supplying all soft
furnishings for the hotel.
We have commissioned Depa
in line with our strategy to deliver
a high-end product at Yasmeen
Rotana. Starting the jt-out works
constitutes an important step in
DUBAI FIT-OUT COMPANY SIGNS $19.8 MILLION CONTRACT WITH SYRIAS BENA PROPERTIES
Depa appointed on Damascus hotel
the completion process of the
hotel which is set to be one of
the main hospitality destinations
catering for growing demand in
the country, said Hawazen Esber,
CEO of Bena Properties.
The hotel is scheduled to open
in the jrst quarter of 2012 and
will occupy a 4,000m plot, with a
total built up area of 53,750m.
Yasmeen Rotana is situated on
the Damascus-Beirut highway, 15
minutes from the centre of the city
and 35 minutes from Damascus
International Airport.
The hotel features 338 keys,
three executive koors and three
food and beverage outlets, in
addition to a 600-seat banquet
hall, six meeting rooms, a spa and
jtness centre with pool, and a
sky bar and cigar lounge. We are
pleased to be assigned with the
execution of the jt-out and fur-
nishing works by Bena Properties
for their jrst hospitality project
in Syria, said Mohannad Sweid,
CEO of Depa.
Our extensive network allows
us to utilise the knowledge,
organisational ability, purchasing
power, facilities and economies of
scale in order to meet the specijc
needs and unique challenges at
Yasmeen Rotana.
The past few years have
witnessed the countrys tourism
industry accelerating at a greater
pace in light of the infrastructural
developments taking place and
the recent measures allowing
international companies to enter
the Syrian market. Thus, we hope
this contract win will be the jrst
of many in Syria as we continue
to build on our strategic ambition
of expanding our income stream
to new geographical regions and
diversifying the sectors we repre-
sent, Sweid added.
Depa also recently achieved
its jrst contract win in Yemen
through its joint venture partner-
ship, Mivan Depa. The company
was awarded with the refurbish-
ment contract for the Aden Hotel
in Sanaa, which involved an
upgrade of all public areas in time
for the 20th Gulf Cup football
championship, which took place
at the end of 2010.
The hotel boasts one of the
largest ballrooms in the city, three
restaurants and bars, and some
200 rooms and suites. We are
very pleased to have been award-
ed our jrst contract in Yemen and
look forward to building upon this
entry point, said Sweid.
www.dedoncontract.com
HANDWOVEN OUTDOOR FURNI TURE CREATED WI TH WEATHER-RESI STANT DEDON FI BER
TOUR DU MONDE
www.dedoncontract.com
DEDON International Contract Department
Paseo de Gracia 54 7D 08007 Barcelona/Spain
Tel. +34 93 208 0903 contract.export@dedon.es
DESIGN UPDATE
Artistic energy
WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL LAND ART GENERATOR INITIATIVE UNVEILED
UAE: An examination into the
nature of time has been named as
the winner of the 2010 Land Art
Generator Initiative (LAGI) design
competition. LAGI is a worldwide
public arts initiative that invites
collaborative teams of artists, ar-
chitects, landscape architects and
designers, working with engineers
and scientists, to create new ways
of thinking about what renewable
energy generation looks like.
Conceived by the UAE-based
husband and wife team, Elizabeth
Monoian and Robert Ferry, LAGI
centres on the concept that
renewable energy generation can
be beautiful as well as functional.
The goal of LAGI is to design and
construct public art installations
that have the added benejt of
large-scale clean energy genera-
tion. Each sculpture will have the
potential to provide power to
thousands of homes.
The initiative was born in early
2009 as a product of our shared
interest in creating a meaningful
social art project that could com-
ment on the important issues of
energy and ecology, while actively
helping to contribute to solu-
tions, Ferry explained.
Lunar Cubit was announced as
the winner of the inaugural LAGI
on January 19, during the World
Future Energy Summit in Abu
Dhabi. The winning project was
created by Robert Flottemesch,
Adrian DeLuca, Johanna Ballhaus
and Jen DeNike.
The jury consisted of 14 highly-
qualijed professionals. What
we heard from the jurors (and we
certainly agree) was that Lunar
Cubit best combined a pragmatic
and constructible design with a
beautiful and meaningful concept.
Because the work is relatively
simple in its execution, it would
pay back its own embodied
carbon footprint in only jve years
time. It would pay back its own
construction cost in twenty years
based on its production of real
megawatt-hours of energy to the
utility grid, said Ferry.
Lunar Cubit examines the
nature of time through nightly
contemplation of lunar phases
and the daily transformation
of sunlight into electricity. The
concept is designed to be open
to the public, offering a personal
experience where one can literally
reach out and touch a 1.74MW
utility-scale power plant capable
of powering 250 homes.
The plant takes the form of nine
monolithic pyramids rising from
the sands of Abu Dhabi. The art-
work is conceived of as a monthly
calendar. Masdar sponsored the
jrst prize award, and LAGI is cur-
rently seeking partnership for the
next stage, construction.
DESIGN UPDATE
Seeing is
Believing
DO RM A
I nt e r i o r
Experienc e
Monday, 28
t h
F ebruary, 2011, Dubai
DESIGN UPDATE
UAE: Designers need to co-
ordinate more closely with spa
professionals when creating their
wellness facilities, according to
Eduard Dimitriu, spa manager at
the One & Only Spa at the new
One & Only, The Palm, Dubai.
Some seemingly-innocuous de-
sign elements can be hazardous
or difjcult to maintain from an
operational point of view, Dimitriu
explained. They can also be very
costly to correct.
For example, we had marble in
the heat experiences area, right
in between the steam room and
the sauna and the showers. That
was incredibly dangerous. So we
had to go back and sandblast it to
provide some traction.
Another example was wood
kooring in the treatment suite.
The designers chose this beautiful
timber and wanted to keep it as
natural as possible. Until we had
our jrst treatment and the person
walked over the koor with oil on
their feet and their footprints were
imprinted all over the place.
The oil was immediately ab-
sorbed into this beautiful timber.
So we had to put another three or
four layers of coating on it. Theres
no point buying something expen-
sive and then having to go in and
change it because it doesnt work
properly, Dimitriu said.
One material that does work
well in the spa environment is mo-
saics, Dimitriu noted. In the One
& Only Spa, which was designed
by WA International, mosaics are
used extensively in shower areas,
in the Rhassoul chamber, and in
the couples suite.
Each treatment room features
its own dedicated changing and
shower area, which also offers a
built-in, private steam experience.
With its iridescent sheen and
SOURCING THE RIGHT MATERIALS IS
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A SPA SETTING
Fit for purpose
intricate detailing, the mosaics,
which were supplied by Sicis, add
life to the showers, counteracting
that overly sanitised, morgue-
like effect found in many shower
areas, Dimitriu said.
The design uses Sicis Loasies
line, a detailed koral motif that
has been echoed on wallpaper
and mirrors throughout the spa.
We used the Loasies design but
had to adjust it according to each
area. Most of our work is about
customised design. You can jnd
this line in our catalogues but you
can make any changes that you
want to the colours or to the
design itself, explained Tareq
AbuRoza, managing director, Sicis
Middle East and Gulf.
With its water repellent and
highly durable qualities, it is little
wonder that mosaics are such a
familiar feature in spa facilities,
AbuRoza commented.
Mosaics have always found a
place in the spa, Dimitriu agreed.
Since early Greek and Roman
baths, there has always been a
culture of mosaics in the spa.
Apropriate lighting is also
crucial in a spa setting. At the One
& Only, the spa is illuminated by
over 70 hand-crafted jxtures by
Czech glass specialist, Preciosa,
which also provided lighting for
much of the rest of the hotel.
In the spa, the lighting is
designed in a predominantly
contemporary style. In line with
recent trends, there are ceiling
jxtures made of airy clusters of
hand-blown crystal, suspended
on thin strands.
Two-metre tall koor lamps
decorated with precise laser-cut
designs are complemented by a
variety of ornamental table lamps
and sconces. Outdoor lanterns are
another stylish addition.
PROFILE
B5
The Art of Living
WHO?
B5 was born out of a desire to create
individual spaces that embrace both luxury
and creativity, while maintaining functional-
ity and comfort at all times. B5s collective of
European interiors brands have been care-
fully chosen by founder Patricia Boettcher
who has scoured the globe to bring the most
exclusive portfolio of contemporary and
bespoke collections to the region. The B5
concept draws its inspiration from the jve
principles of interior design creativity,
sophistication, individuality, innovation
and uniqueness.
USPs ?
Each luxury brand in B5s portfolio has
been carefully selected because of its
bespoke capabilities; the company under-
stands that no two clients are the same.
Recognising the importance of making your
space unique to you, B5 believes that every
client should have the freedom to assert
their own individual design choices.
B5s design consultancy is al so an integral
part of the ethos of creating a bespoke
service as individual as the client. The
design consultancy provides a wealth of
knowledge to help guide, inkuence and
facilitate the clients wants and needs, while
B5s experienced kitchen designers and
highly-qualijed German jtters can offer a
turnkey solution, from conceptualisation
right through to installation.

WHEN?
B5 ofjcially opens its doors on
20th February 2011.
PROFILE
WHERE?
The B5 showroom is located in Sidra
Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
BRANDS?
The comfortable yet contemporary showroom
houses a range of luxury brands that comple-
ment the bespoke philosophy of B5.
Superior quality, customised kitchens from
Eggersmann combine the classical with
the contemporary to create an individual,
unique space, while jtting perfectly with
walk-in cold rooms from Viessmann.
Design-led, bespoke interiors brand Lambert
displays its individual style of furniture and
accessories that allow for personal interpre-
tation and customisation. The worlds most
luxurious customised antique safes from
Dttling have modernised the concept of
safes with luxury bespoke interiors like
humidors, watch winders and jewelry
compartments. From Scandinavia, luxury
personalised beds by Jensen are steeped in
history and tradition, yet maintain a modern,
contemporary aesthetic. Meanwhile, pre-
mium quality, solid wood kooring by Junck-
ers, with its range of high-quality polishes
and jnishes, brings the essence of minimalist
Danish design into any living or working
space. With its artistic silver and gold leaf
lighting, F+M Fos merges the kamboyance
of precious metals and stones, with eye-
catching, theatrical design. Customised hide
coverings and rugs from Casador mix funky
colours with natural classics.
With Schmalenbachs handmade wardrobes,
sideboards and shelving systems, customers
can create their own individual cabinetry with
fascinating details and interesting features.
Mirror LCD TVs from Ad Notam merge supe-
rior technology with sophisticated interior
design to create limitless design possibilities,
combining conventional mirror surfaces with
a sophisticated monitor system.
CONTACT?
Read: www.b5living.com
Write: info@ b5living.com
Talk: +971 (0)4 447 3973
Visit: B5 The Art of Living, ground koor,
Sidra Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
DESIGNER Q&A
Learning by heart
CI D CATCHES UP WI TH THE EVER-COLOURFUL I SABELLE MI AJA
I
sabelle Miajas enthusiasm is infec-
tious. Whether shes talking about
her latest project in India, the stan-
dard of design in Dubai or the daily
challenges of running a medium-sized
business, she is brimming with humour,
mixed metaphors and eyebrow-raising
anecdotes. She is quick to laugh and
to speak her mind.
Miajas is a career shaped by passion
and heart. If you work for money, you
will never be happy, she says. If you
do something that you love, then money
comes. But if you live without passion,
and if what you do doesnt drive you to
get up in the morning, theres no point.
After graduating in Paris as a
language major, Isabelle moved to Cali-
fornia where she studied interior design.
She completed her training in 1987 and
founded the LA-headquartered Miaja
Design Group (MDG) initially Robisa
Design International with business
partner Robert Arambulo. The company
made a strategic decision to move its
head ofjce to Singapore in 1994,
DESIGNER Q&A
DESIGNER Q&A
ofjce is slowly starting to stand on its
own two feet after being more of a sup-
port ofjce. My bigger dream is maybe a
London ofjce in the next two years, or
something like that.
Why design?
It was a kuke. I initially set out to do
International Business and Languages,
but business is not really my thing. I
have one belief: if you work for money,
you will never be happy. If you do some-
thing that you love, then money comes.
And somehow, it is enough money for
you to live on and do the things that you
want to do. But if you live without pas-
sion, and if what you do doesnt drive
you to get up in the morning, theres no
point, in my opinion.
My passion is art. For three years
I was a curator for a few artists and I
would like to start that again, but mainly
with Indian artists. I have been in talks
with an Indian gallery owner who I would
like to partner with.
What are the greatest challenges that
you face as a designer right now?
I still struggle with quality control. That
is relevant to this market, but it happens
everywhere. We are doing a Pullman in
Jakarta and an island in the Maldives;
we do projects all over the world, and
this issue is not specijc to the UAE.
Price is driving the hotel business and
projects go to the lowest bidder. But Im
not 100% sure that the highest bidder
would give better results they would
1
A master
bedroom in
the Trump
Tower, India.
2
The lobby of the
Trump Tower, India.
1
2
and has since evolved into a 40-member
jrm with secondary ofjces in both
Dubai and Manila.
The companys Dubai debut was the
result of a chance encounter with a local
client and resulted in MDG designing
the Radisson Blu Media City. From there,
Miaja was appointed on Dubais Desert
Palm resort. A few years on and this re-
gion remains vitally important for Miaja,
and is a place where she really wants to
count. CID met her to jnd out why, and
what the future holds for MDG.
What projects do you currently have
underway in this region?
We are working on four big hotels two
for Rotana. One of these is a big resort
hotel on Saadiyat Island and the other is
the Rotana Al Badie Tower in the Capital
Centre in Abu Dhabi, which is due for
completion in 18 months to two years
time. Saadiyat Island will take longer.
Then we are doing a Traders Hotel in
Qatar, which is also around 18 months
off, and we are doing a Millenium Hotel,
also in Qatar. Those four projects are re-
ally quite hefty for us. We have someone
based in the UAE and we also want to do
some project management, while slowly
building up the company here.
Why did you decide to establish a
presence in Dubai?
I chose Dubai because I landed here and
it was love at jrst sight. I would like to
start really counting here. The Singapore
ofjce has 35 people and the Manila
2
DESIGNER Q&A
Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 19 www.constructionweekonline.com
3
just make more money. So, at the end of
the day, quality control is in your hands
and it is important to not let anyone
walk all over you.
One of the biggest challenges is
standing your ground and making
compromises that dont kill your design.
Because people will try and push you.
Why is this such an issue?
With hotels, it takes a long time to get
a return on your investment. And al-
though there is a trend towards design
hotels, people jnd it difjcult to strike
a balance between getting a product
that really grabs attention, and getting
a return on that investment. Clients are
caught between two jres. In the old
days, a Hilton just looked like a Hilton.
But now, if a Hilton doesnt grab you, it
is soon forgotten.
The one benejt that we have in this
market is that there is a lot of ego. That
gives us that extra plus and is why the
UAE is coming up with projects that are
memorable. If it wasnt for their anxious-
ness to be better than their neighbours,
we would end up suffering as designers.
Other owners are far more pragmatic.
What is the market like in Asia?
It is good but at the same time, cau-
tious. But then Asian people are so
much more cautious in general. They
know how to transform one dollar into
thousands of dollars. Here, they are
ready to put in a dollar and get $50 back
because they understand that there are
other factors involved. They still see the
need for quality and value here. They
still want to balance projt and quality.
In Asia, not so much.
Have you tapped into China at all?
No. Ill be dead before that market is
ready for me!
To what extent has the economic crisis
impacted business?
Its not that we dont have the projects,
its that payments have slowed. And
thats a killer because thats what keeps
you going. Its a battle on a monthly
basis to make sure that everything you
are creating is not going to waste.
We have to constantly remind the
client that without payment it is
3
A Sojtel Prestige
Suite bedroom.
4
A modern Indian
restaurant by MDG.
5
A luxurious
bathroom for Sojtel.
3 4
5
DESIGNER Q&A
impossible to run a business and pay
the people that will create their projects.
What sets you apart in a highly
competitive industry?
I dont see it as a business. It is
something that is driven by heart, and
it shows. People recognise that extra
something that you put in when it is not
just about the money. And I dont think
that you have to sell that. People should
feel it and if they dont then they are
not the right client for me.
The clients that I struggle with are
those that dont feel it. If it is too much
of a business venture then I lose the
plot. You have to make sure that the
client also wants to pour their heart into
it. When you sign a project, thats the
jrst thing you need to feel. Can you get
inside the client to be able to unlock that
extra something that is going to make
the project special?
In India we are working on the Sojtel
Mumbai, which is such a labour of love.
We have been working on this project
for six years. It is a concept that is hell
for everyone to work on. We have project
managers that are working around the
clock to make sure that the design is
followed. They take months jnding a
material that I have specijed.
Its not just about the owner, its
about the whole team working with
you and feeling passionate and proud
to be part of this whole adventure and
then they can use it as a stepping stone
for themselves. Everybody benejts from
a good project. If you get the client to
own it, they will spend the money.
I dont think you can aim to be differ-
ent; either you are or you arent. And if
your difference makes a difference,
then you win.
What do you think of the standard of
design in Dubai?
I am very proud of Dubai because of its
daring architecture. They really put their
money where their mouth is when it
came to the architecture.
What Im not impressed with is the
fact that it all came up so fast that de-
sign became something that was done
ten to the dozen. We ended up with inte-
riors that look like theyve been raped.
For every one interior that you jnd
thats been done well, there are ten that
are bastardised versions of the original
intention. I jnd that terrible because it is
such a waste of money and materials.
It would be terrible for anyone to read
this and think that this is what I think of
their work, but the truth is, we had to
deal with clients that were, in principle,
inexperienced. For every one guy that
has travelled the world and understood
that less is more, you have the nine oth-
ers who think that more is better.
One of the most abused elements
has been the lighting. All of a sudden
the craze for lighting went overboard.
I see this avalanche of lighting and ef-
fects, and its a bit Disneland-esque. It
demeans the whole authenticity that is
being created here.
6&7
An MDG project
in Manila, where
the company has
established an ofjce.
6
7
DESIGNER Q&A
Are there any interiors that you are
impressed with in this market?
Im going to go with some of the clas-
sics. So things like Emirates Towers. I
think that the ambience there is very
chic. The One & Only Royal Mirage is
another example because I think that
things were done well in there. The
jnishes, the detailing, the materials,
the serenity; it all kows beautifully. Of
the newer hotels, I love the Armani. You
have to be fair, it is an iconic image that
will stand the test of time.
But my admiration is not for design-
ers. It is for the people that have spent
the time to develop new materials and
products that will make a difference in
our projects.
My biggest passion is design shows.
Without the people that spend the mon-
ey to educate us, our world would be so
lacking in kavour. Im the biggest fan of
the creators of objects and furniture and
building materials and new technology.
They should be celebrated much more
than we are, because we might be able
to put things together but without them,
we are nothing.
Have you done any product design?
Yes. For jve years, I operated a fur-
niture manufacturing division, called
M&A Collections. It is no longer opera-
tional but it was a fantastic learning
experience for me.
I am slowly starting to get back into it.
At the moment, for the Sojtel project,
we are working with a very famous plate
manufacturer and we are going to create
a special plate that will be used in the
specialty restaurant. It will have our
signature on it.
We went around Mumbai for four days
taking pictures and those pictures will
inspire a design for these plates. They
will act as a gift for special clients and
people will also be able to buy them.
I would love to do more product de-
sign. I believe that it is a natural exten-
sion of what we are already doing.
Whats next in terms of projects?
We have this most amazing Russian
client with who we are working on a new
island in the Maldives. This is going to
be James Bond on vacation. It will have
its own private yacht and we are doing
a series of 15 koating villas. Weve
done the architecture and design for the
entire island, and are hoping it will be
complete in around 18 months.
We are working non-stop right now.
We are also doing a Pullman in Jakarta,
which will be a hotel version of Cala-
trava. It will have a museum feel to it. It
is going to have an industrial rawness,
with beautiful sculptures. All of the
bones of the hotel will be on show.
8&9
A high-end resort
in the Maldives.
8
9
CASE STUDY: HOTEL JAL TOWER DUBAI
Simply does it
THE NEW HOTEL JAL TOWER DUBAI PROVES THAT WHEN I T
COMES TO DESI GN, LESS I S ALMOST ALWAYS MORE
1
2
I
n stark contrast to many of Dubais
jve-star hotels, the new Hotel
JAL Tower Dubai revels in its own
simplicity. The 471-room hotel is
housed in one of two buildings that
make up the new JAL Towers mixed-use
complex a slick addition to Sheikh
Zayed Roads multi-faceted skyline.
JAL Hotels, a Japanese hospitality
brand that was launched in 1970 as a
subsidiary of Japan Airlines, was already
present in the UAE with the Hotel JAL
Fujairah Resort & Spa. However, as its
jrst venture in Dubai, the company was
keen to ensure that the Hotel JAL Tower
captured its brand ethos and spoke
proudly of its Japanese heritage.
Dubai-based design jrm Drawlink
Group was initially called in to design
the hotels food and beverage outlets,
but this scope of work was soon ex-
panded to also include the hotels lobby,
convention centre, executive lounge,
business centre, spa, gym and 32
suites. Most of the hotel, in fact, apart
from the standard rooms.
JAPANESE STYLI NG
According to Daouseer Chennouj, CEO
and key architect at Drawlink Group,
the intention was to create an interior
design scheme that was striking in its
simplicity. In keeping with the origins
of the brand, the aim was to embrace
the minimalist undertones of Japanese
styling. The concept was to make it
as simple as possible. The idea was
to introduce fewer things, with greater
impact. That is why the types of materi-
als used in the various spaces has been
kept to a minimum, Chennouj said.
Because the brand is Japanese,
they wanted that Japanese styling. But
simple doesnt mean not innovative, or
not creative, he stressed.
In fact, minimalist design schemes
are more complicated to get right than
interiors that are overly decorative,
Chennouj maintained. A design with
lots of things in it is easier to create than
a design that is done in a very minimal-
istic way, he insisted.
And the benejts of a minimalist
design go beyond the mere aesthetic,
Chennouj suggested. For the owner, as
an investor, a more simple design is also
a good way of managing the budget.
Most other projects in Dubai use a lot
of materials and design elements. This
costs the investor more, takes longer to
build, and is harder to maintain.
Furthermore, in a city that has
long valued overly-elaborate design
schemes, minimalist interiors still pres-
ent a fair amount of novelty value. So,
the extreme simplicity of the Hotel JAL
Towers entrance area may initially feel
quite foreign to those that are used to
Dubais more dense design style, but it
is highly refreshing nonetheless.
This is our approach. The owner
could have gone to any number of bigger
companies to get their design, but the
mentality of most jrms in Dubai right
now is to over-design jve-star hotels.
Our approach is to be very simple.
1
Indothai is the hotels
Asian restaurant.
2&3
Drawlink sourced
original artwork and
artefacts from
all across Asia.
4
Semi-transparent
art pieces such as
these dried-out,
spray-painted trees
divide the space
without closing it off.
3 4
To keep the design as straightforward
as possible, Drawlink worked with a
limited but rich palette of materials,
and played with texture and lighting to
introduce richness and depth. Lighting
is very important in all our concepts.
Effective lighting helps to add value to
certain materials, said Chennouj.
This is particularly apparent when it
comes to the hotels futuristic-looking
convention centre. As the jrst thing that
ones sees as they enter the hotel, the
self-contained, stand-alone structure
makes an immediate impact.
THE CENTREPI ECE
While guests have to turn left to get to
the reception desk and lobby area, the
convention centre sits immediately in
front of the entrance and is the hotels
pice de rsistance. It is made out of
solid surface, creating an irregularly-
shaped, glossy white structure that juts
out in a series of uneven angles.
With its iceberg-like form, the multi-
faceted structure is as mysterious as
it is striking. Solid surface is usually
used for bathrooms and bathtubs, or
in the kitchen. Weve used it in another
way, to create a symbol for the hotel,
said Chennouj. It is like a sculpture,
or a museum. Its a mysterious object in
the middle of the hotel and no one really
knows whats inside it.
Adding to the overall sense of mys-
tery, Drawlink bathed the structure in
an ever-changing sea of multi-coloured
light. Rekecting gently off the surface,
the light spills out of the hotel and into
the street, Chennouj explained.
Through texture, shape, the colour
of the light, and the material used, we
have created a masterpiece for the
lobby, he added. The idea is that when
you see the centre from the outside, you
wonder what it is.
In direct contrast to its stark, angular
exterior, the interior of the convention
centre is decked out in warm, neutral
tones. Textured wall panels and car-
petting in greys and beiges create an
inviting, multi-use space that can cater
for up to 280 people. The space can be
divided up into three separate sections,
or can be opened up completely.
The convention centre was introduced
into the design at a later date, as a direct
response to market demand. And while
it necessitated a slight re-jig of the en-
trance and lobby area layout, it may well
evolve into the hotels greatest hook.
A wide corridor links the convention
centre to the lobby lounge area, and this
is where the elevators are found. At one
end of the corridor, a see-through door
made from steel wire makes it clear that
you are moving into a different area of
the hotel, without closing off the spaces
or separating them completely.
The corridor is clad in a dark traver-
tine marble, a material that is used re-
peatedly throughout the hotel. Slabs are
set at varying depths, to create texture,
while careful lighting brings out the in-
tricate detailing of the marble. Here, we
cross cut the travertine marble to create
5 6
7
5,6&7
Drawlink was also
responsible for
designing the hotels
32 suites.
a different feel. This is a known material
and not an expensive one, but we have
come up with an alternative way of pre-
senting it, Chennouj explained.
Travertine marble is also used in the
main lobby area, where it runs along the
length of one side of the large rectan-
gular space. We chose dark travertine
for the walking area that crosses the
lobby. This darker material on the wall,
ceiling and koor gives you the impres-
sion that you are walking within a box.
In the lobby lounge, large columns
were covered in leather to introduce an
element of softness. A palette of beiges,
browns and bronzes is interspersed with
red chairs, which introduce a welcome
kash of colour.
LI GHT FANTASTI C
Overhead, custom-designed light
jttings highlight the simplicity of the
design scheme. A fully-lit plexiglass
box is set within another box made of
semi-transparent, brown fabric mesh,
creating a straightforward but highly
effective box-within-a-box effect.
The plexiglass box diffuses the light
and then the mesh further reduces the
effect of the light to make it softer. Ev-
erything is simple. The shape of the light
is very simple but the quality of the ma-
terial and the quality of the light effect is
whats important, said Chennouj. We
also created more closed lights, and lots
of different combinations of light.
Light is also instrumental in leading
people to the reception desk, which is
set to the far left of the entrance area. A
fully-illuminated box made from Chroma
koats over the desk, attracting people
with its warm yellow glow.
The lobbys design language sets the
tone for the rest of the hotel. Throughout
the property, emphasis is on simple,
toned-down design statements that are
noteable for their quality, and for the
creative way that they are presented.
In Indothai, the hotels 100-seat
Asian restaurant and bar, original, hand-
crafted items from all over Asia combine
to create an authentic ambience that
also manages to retain a sense of
modernity. The restaurant is brimming
with traditional statues, intricate pieces
of art carved from wood and stone, and
dramatic, dried out trees that have been
spray-painted in white. It creates an
8
In keeping with
the hotels Japanese
roots, interiors have
been kept simple
and uncluttered.
9
The main
lobby area.

10
The convention centre
is made of solid
surface bathed in a
sea of coloured light.
authentic ambience, but at the same
time it is not rustic or old-fashioned,
said Chennouj.
It is not that traditional Asian
aesthetic that you see everywhere else.
The restaurant is open but we created
sub-spaces, without really dividing them
up. Spaces are divided by the works of
art, which are semi transparent.
The property is also home to Benkay,
a unique Japanese outlet located on the
top three levels of the hotel. Each level
of the restaurant specialises in a differ-
ent type of cuisine: authentic Japanese,
sushi and Teppan Grill. The restaurant
is home to the largest ever space dedi-
cated entirely to Teppan Grill tables.
With its panoramic views of Sheikh
Zayed Road, and lofty location on the
49th, 50th and 51st koors, Benkay is
another of the Hotel JAL Tower Dubais
signature elements and like the rest
of the design, is a reminder that JAL is a
Japanese company, and proud of it.
FASTFACTS
Project: Hotel JAL Tower Dubai
Designer: Drawlink Group
CEO and key architect:
Daousser Chennouk
Chief architects: Hatem Miladi, Anes
Talmoudi, Moez Tabib, Mohamed Saadi
Scope of work: Food and beverage
outlets, lobby, convention centre,
executive lounge, business centre, spa,
gym and 32 suites
9 10
8
CASE STUDY: MANOLO BLAHNIK, MOSCOW
Manolo
in Moscow
THE MANOLO BLAHNI K STORE AT TRETI AKOV
PLAZA I S FULL OF FUN I NTERPRETATI ONS
OF RUSSI AN MOTI FS
W
hen Data Nature Associ-
ates came to design a
new Manolo Blahnik
store in Moscow, it was
presented with a well-situated site in
the Russian capitals recently-renovated
Tretiakov Plaza. But a location near the
mall entrance also meant a site with
shop front on three sides something of
a problem for the chic footwear brand,
which traditionally favours more private,
more protected retail venues.
Typically, we like Manolo shops to
be quite screened. Even if you can see
into the shop, we like to separate it from
the street or the interior of the shopping
centre, explained Nick Leith-Smith,
a partner at Data Nature Associates,
Manolo Blahniks preferred architecture
jrm, which has designed stores all over
the world for the luxury shoe brand.
In response to the over-exposed
nature of the Moscow site, Data Nature
Associates opted for a box-within-a-box
concept that would create layers of
separation between the interior and
the exterior. The outer layer consists
of a wooden box, created from vertical
timber slats that make subtle reference
to Russias dacha houses.
A HOMELY FEEL
Essentially, Manolo shops are inspired
by local culture and crafts, Leith-Smith
explained. Manolo is also very visual
so we take on elements that we think are
1
2
interesting in this case it was Russian
lace and the dacha houses.
Dacha houses are seasonal or year-
round second homes situated on the
outskirts of Russian cities. The jrst Rus-
sian dachas emerged during the reign of
Peter the Great, and were small country
estates given to loyal subjects by the
tsar. In archaic Russian, the word dacha
translates to mean something given.
They are country retreats for the
afkuent, Leith-Smith noted. They are
made out of timber and are very decora-
tive, but they feature a rather simplistic
decoration that is quite nave and quite
charming. They design these quite pala-
tial buildings on a very small scale.
However, while Data Nature Associ-
ates was keen to incorporate local
tall timber boards were then randomly
spaced to offer glimpses into the store
in some places, and to completely block
off the view in others.
EVERYDAY LACE
The dark wood of the outer box is in
stark contrast to the delicate lace-
inspired panelling that makes up the
stores inner box. Built from Dupont
Corian, the inner panels create a soft,
feminine, almost fairytale effect.
Shaped using CNC laser-cut technology,
the panels frame the main door and line
the stores 15m catwalk-style entrance.
In Russian, the term lace or kruzhevo
means to encircle, a process which
initiated the design response to this
location. The inside box replicates the
intimacy of lace with its panels in Du-
Pont Corian that dejne the main display
area and circulation zone, he said.
Making the Corian panels work was
one of the biggest challenges with this
project, Leith-Smith explained. So, while
the panels were fabricated in Russia,
Data Nature Associates relied heavily
on the expertise of local, UK-based
Corian agents and fabricators to create
prototypes and offer technical advice.
The designers at Data Nature Associ-
ates looked at hundreds of lace patterns
before coming up with their jnal choice,
which was taken from an old domestic
image. The patterning was chosen be-
cause it is not overly intricate or elabo-
rate but is, in fact, rather everyday,
said Leith Smith.
1&2
The store is located
in Moscows
Tretiakov Plaza.
3
The inner panels are
made from Corian.
4&6
Shoes are presented
in original and
creative ways.
5
The Hoffman
stand is a regular
feature in Manolo
Blahnik stores.
inkuences into this interior, it was
conscious of the fact that it was working
in a market where there is still some
hesitation with the local culture looking
at its own design heritage, Leith-Smith
explained. There is still a tendency
in Russia to view western design as
the epitome of sophisticated styling.
As such, while cultural references are
prevalent in the Tretiakov Plaza store,
they are quite subtle.
For example, the dacha-inspired
timberwork has been given a Manolo
twist. Data Nature Associates selected
an FSC European oak, which was sand
blasted to enhance the grain and create
a rough surface. The wood was also eb-
onised, resulting in a very deep, almost
black colouration. The 150mm by 2.7m
3
4 5
6
lighting bespoke environments
Providing lighting solutions for bespoke environments require the experience that comes with innovation
and leadership. At Scientechnic, we bring you the knowledge and exposure of a team that is behind
some of the iconic projects you know of, along with the strength of a unit that is part of an integrated
turnkey solutions provider.
With a history close to 40 years and the strength of the visionary Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, Scientechnic
naturally is the rst choice of reputed developers for ve star hotels, malls, executive environments,
villas or medium to high end residential projects.
w w w . s c i e n t e c h n i c . c o m
p.o.box 325, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, tel. +971 4 203 5777, fax +971 4 266 6176
p.o.box 4938, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, tel. +971 2 650 7835, fax +971 2 671 8987
EMIRATES PALACE, ABU DHABI
GRAND MOSQUE, ABU DHABI
YAS HOTEL, ABU DHABI
MALL OF THE EMIRATES, DUBAI
Meanwhile, the interlayer between
the timber and lace boxes creates a
series of semi-enclosed, semi-private
spaces where customers can try shoes
on. It creates these individual cham-
bers which are quite fun.
SHOE SHOWCASE
A dejning characteristic of the Manolo
Blahnik spatial brand is the distinct
nature of each individual store. By
promoting designs that capture the
cultural specijcity of a given market,
Data Nature Associates has created a
collection of stores that are united only
in their uniqueness.
However, there is one generic element
that appears in all Data Nature-designed
Manolo stores: the trusty Hoffman shoe
stand. The stand is presented in various
jnishes, but is the one constant in an
ever-changing backdrop.
Another dejning characteristic of the
Manolo Blahnik store is that shoes are
never displayed on shelves. Instead,
Data Nature Associates has developed
a series of creative ways to showcase
the shoes on offer. In the Moscow store,
shoes are hung from gilded steel straps
attached to a top rail. The straps are
5mm to 15mm wide, in lengths of 1.2m,
1.5m and 1.8m. The straps are set over
the timber panelling.
They hang over the front of the
timber slats, explained Leith-Smith.
Because the timber box is the jrst
layer, this becomes the display for the
shop front. It also becomes the display
internally in the different chambers.
The mechanism has been gilded, which
is quite fun. It lifts the shoes and gives
them a sense of importance.
The timber Hoffman stands have also
been gilded, and have been set at vary-
ing heights, ranging from a minimum of
40cm to a maximum of 1.3m. These are
complemented by furniture pieces that
build on the dacha theme.
The furniture is also quite fun. We
went for this idea of the dacha and the
country-house style. We had these low
ottomans that were covered in a very
long-haired fabric. They have a country
feel to them and are set on quite deli-
cate legs, said Leith Smith.
It is this inherent sense of humour,
playfulness and drama that dejnes the
7,8&9
One major challenge
with this project was
that the site had shop
front on three sides.
Moscow store, and all other Manolo
stores designed by Data Nature Associ-
ates. This, said Leith-Smith, is in keep-
ing with the brand, and man, that they
are designing for.
The Manolo spatial brand is char-
acterised by the creation of a specijc,
local character, with an installation that
stands out with its witty presence, he
pointed out.
This is very much in keeping with
Manolos personality and how he
designs. He juxtaposes elements and
techniques whether it be fashion,
architecture or craft and puts things
together that dont normally go together.
And he does it in a way that it is unique,
eye-opening and surprising.
FASTFACTS
Project: Manolo Blahnik, Moscow
Location: Tretiakov Plaza, Nikolsaya
Street, near Red Square
Size: 75m
Designed by: Data Nature Associ-
ates, an architecture and design krm
established in 2000 by Nick Leith-Smith
and Kristina Hulsebus Blahnik, Manolo
Blahniks niece. Data Nature Associates
is Manolo Blahniks ofkcial architecture
and design krm and has developed a
series of shops around the world for the
luxury shoeware brand. This was the
companys krst project in Russia and is
currently Manolo Blahniks only stand
alone store in Moscow
7
9 8
Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 37 www.constructionweekonline.com
DESIGNERS CHOICE
Designers choice
CID ASKS NI NE DESI GNERS TO NAME THEI R FAVOURI TE SPACE
It was hard for me to select one
space that I would consider as
my favourite but having recently
made a trip to New York, I was
totally inspired by the Guggen-
heim Museum. The fact that
an art gallery need not be
conventional in terms of interior
space was extremely liberating.
I was particularly inspired by the
kow of the space and saw the
exhibition as a journey. I had
seen the museum in numerous
magazines and it always amazed
me, but seeing it in person gave it
a new dimension. The simplicity of
the concept and the form of the in-
terior and exterior blended so well.
It was bold yet elegant. The scale
was also manageable, which gave
the space a sense of intimacy. The
concept of walking around in a
spiral, uninterrupted, was unique
and innovative. The light that jl-
tered into the space was very con-
ducive to viewing art. The ability to
view people across the atrium was
also very satisfying. The museums
simple design was engaging and a
great canvas to house inspirational
artwork and exhibitions.
Kristina Zanic, founding partner,
design worldwide partnership
THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, NEW YORK
DESIGNERS CHOICE
I dont know why, but architec-
ture makes a greater impact on
me than interior design. A pure
interior is like a woman with-
out jewellery! There is a small
hotel in Bordeaux called the
Seekoo. You are in the middle
of a rather run-down area and
all of a sudden you are looking
at an ice sculpture made entirely
out of Corian. It is completely
white, in the midst of all these
buildings that are a little decrepit
and a little run-down. It is owned
by an independent, rather than a
big hotel group, and they created
the faade out of Corian to make
sure that if anyone tried to grafjti
over it, it would be immediately
washable. I am more impressed
by the little jewels than by the big
kashy projects. I think a lot more
creativity is put into smaller, more
designer hotels, and they act as a
real inspiration for me.
Isabelle Miaja, director, Miaja
Design Group
SEEKOO HOTEL, BORDEAUX
My favourite design project is
the Oslo Opera House, which is
situated in the old part of Oslo,
overlooking the Oslo Fjord. The
designer was the Norwegian jrm
Snoehetta. The project was com-
pleted in 2008, ahead of schedule
and NOK 300 million (AED 192
million) under budget. What has
contributed in placing this particu-
lar project at the top of my list is
the simplicity of the design and the
materials, which are, nonetheless,
so elegant and timeless. Also, hav-
ing lived in Dubai for nine years, I
value projects that are completed
ahead of schedule and below
budget! Also, with this project, I
believe that the government has
initiated a transformation of
Bjoervika, which was formerly a
run-down harbour area.
Ellen Bishop, managing partner,
Bishop Design Associates
OSLO OPERA HOUSE
DESIGNERS CHOICE
I am probably biased, but the
hotel lobby, also named Crystal
Court, at the Atlantis The Palm is
hard to beat. It is both fantasy
come true and the most spec-
tacular, wow space in Dubai.
The space was designed as the
heart of the resort. As the power
of quartz crystal gave the ancient
Atlantis its energy, it gave the
design team at Wilson Associates
its design inspiration. World
renowned glass sculptor, Dale Chi-
huly, was commissioned to create
the colossal 9m crystal to symbol-
ise the energy source of Atlantis.
His choice of a multi-coloured
tower of blown glass meshed
seamlessly with the jnishes. It
is no doubt the star of the Crystal
Court. It sits on a solid marble
fountain, accompanied by
cascading shells and framed by
eight jsh columns. The custom
murals, by Albino Gonzales, also
helped us reveal the story of Atlan-
tis to each visitor. Everything in the
space is a labour of love from many
talented individuals. The seven
years on this project was not work;
it was a dream come true!
May Poon, senior project
manager, Wil son Associates
CRYSTAL COURT, ATLANTIS THE PALM
DESIGNERS CHOICE
In an interview published in the
magazine Hjemmet (The Home) in
1909, the painter Vilhelm Ham-
mershi stated: If only people
would open their eyes to the fact
that a few good things in a room
give it a far more beautiful and
jner quality than many medio-
cre things that every genuine
object, even if it is of cheap
materials, is better and hand-
somer than imitation expensive
objects . Hammershis com-
mitment to fewer objects of jner
quality is apparent in the interiors
of his own home at Strandgade
30, which served as the subject
of numerous paintings that he did
throughout his life. These paint-
ings represent an interior world
formed by the shallow articula-
tion of wall surfaces, the careful
positioning of picture frames
and objects, the considered
placement of furniture and rugs,
and the substantive light that is
characteristic of Copenhagen. In
The Old Cabinet Sofa [Strandgade
30], Hammershi relied on a sub-
dued colour palette to disclose
the transformational nature of the
soft sunlight that washes across
the few good things in the
room. Strandgade 30, or rather
HAMMERSHIS HOME
Hammershis meditations on the
spaces within the building, imme-
diately came to mind when asked
to name a favourite interior. The
poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote that
Hammershis work provided an
opportunity to speak about what
is important and essential in art.
I would propose that the paint-
ings also invite consideration of
interior designs potential contri-
butions to a future in which many
mediocre things are replaced by
fewer things of jner quality.
Kevin Mitchell , vice provost and
associate professor, College of
Architecture, Art and Design, AUS
b
p
k

/

N
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
g
a
l
e
r
i
e
,

S
t
a
a
t
l
i
c
h
e

M
u
s
e
e
n

z
u

B
e
r
l
i
n

/

F
o
t
o
:

J
r
g

P
.

A
n
d
e
r
s
DESIGNERS CHOICE
When I think of my favourite
interior space, the one that im-
mediately comes to mind is the
Teatro Armani in Milan. I was
fortunate enough to be there
for the Salone di Mobile and
was overwhelmed by its purity.
Not only does this space feature
a pristine interior, it is also a great
work of architecture, where an
industrial building has been recy-
cled and reused for artistic intent.
Tadao Ando took an abandoned,
former Nestl factory in the
Porta Genova canal district, and
sneaked a new form of architec-
ture into it, using the space to pay
particular attention to the three
key elements consistent in his
work: concrete, water and light. It
is a space of simplicity and purity
which grabs ones attention by
its astonishing composition of
materials and surfaces, how they
interact and harmonise, curve
and illuminate. Teatro Armani is
simplistic, but has a richness and
dreamlike essence much like the
work of Giorgio Armani himself.
Lino Losanno, partner, PLS Design
TEATRO ARMANI, MILAN
HAGIA SOPHIA,
ISTANBUL
The church was built by Emperor
Justinian in the 6th century. It
remained the largest church ever
built until St Peters Basilica was
constructed in Rome a thousand
years later. It was proclaimed a
mosque soon after the conquest
of the city by the Byzantines in
1453, until 1935 when Atatrk,
recognising its world-historical
signijcance, had it proclaimed
a museum, which it remains.
Hagia Sophia is awe-inspiring.
It is incredible to think that the
whole thing was built in six years.
For more than a thousand years,
the hall was the largest enclosed
space in the world. I have trav-
elled extensively and I am well
acquainted with the awe-inspiring
elegance of holy spaces. But the
difference with Hagia Sophia is
that its openness extends in all
directions under a dome so vast
that you half expect to encounter
the shimmer of stars above.
Sayel i Uysal Ayaydin, associate,
HBA International
If Alice was French, this would be
her wonderland! Walking
into Beach Blanket Babylon
(BBB) is like falling through a
rabbit hole and landing in a
fantasy world. Specijcally, a
fantasy world set on the out-
skirts of Paris, sometime around
the turn of the 18th century. The
oversized clock with antique
iron hands; the metallic koor
lights cast in the shape of giant
lilies; the large convex mirrors
distorting reality parts of this
bar/restaurant couldve been
plucked straight from the surreal
imagination of Lewis Carroll. In
stark contrast, other elements are
ultra-orthodox period French. In
theory, it sounds like a confused
mess. In reality, its brilliant. So,
why do I love this space so much?
Three reasons. First, aestheti-
cally. As well as the immediate
wow factor, BBB has endless
quirky design elements that kept
me interested for hours. Second,
it achieves the seemingly impos-
sible. BBB is located in a converted
Victorian warehouse in a dingy
corner of Londons unfashionable
East End. Only something very spe-
cial could lure the in-crowd from
the established West End haunts.
Third, its art without an artist.
While Jonathan Clark did the archi-
tecture, the interiors were styled
by the owners themselves!
Pall avi Dean, associate, GAJ
BEACH BLANKET BABYLON, SHOREDITCH, LONDON
THE SISTINE CHAPEL
Rome has been the epicentre of
art and design for centuries, and
the Sistine Chapel has to be one of
my all-time favourite interiors. The
sheer magnitude of creative genius
is an ode to the creative profes-
sion. The interior of the chapel
was created by a combination of
Renaissance greats such as Mi-
chelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and
Bernini, and it is a pure, artistic,
visionary design. The combination
of materials creates an authentic
design language. The design
revolves around the prolijc use
of art and sculpture in a variety
of surreal locations, that, when
viewed, leave one in awe of the
imagination within the creators
mind, as well as the impeccable
craftsmanship of the artisans in
modern terms, the perfect mar-
riage of designer and contractor.
Alfred Johnson
DESIGNERS CHOICE
much-publ i -
cised evolution
of the bathroom
into a personal re-
treat has heralded in
a warmer, more organic
aesthetic. More and more,
the bathroom is viewed as an
extension of the living space
a spa for the masses, so to speak.
It seems jtting, then, that a softer,
more comforting design style should
be taking root. The move towards a
smooth, classical and natural look and feel
is gathering pace, noted Kerrie Black, mar-
keting manager, Bagno Design. Customers are
looking for simple, organic design that results in
a bathroom that is both functional and stylish.
Swiss bathroom manufacturer, Laufen has also
identijed southern, organic, rounded design as a key
trend, according to Ivan Zupanovic, head of international
project sales and export, Laufen Bathrooms. For proof of
this, one need look no further than the companys Palomba
Collection, which was developed in partnership with Ludovica
and Roberto Palomba.
Described as bringing the jngerprint of nature into the bathroom,
the Palomba Collection is inspired by small inlets or pebbles shaped by
the movement of the sea. The underlying concept is a man-made cube hol-
lowed and rounded by the elemental force of water, creating a collection that
hovers between geometric and organic forms.
Organic appeal
THE BATHROOM OF THE FUTURE WI LL BE SHAPED BY A NUMBER OF
SEEMI NGLY CONTRADI CTORY TRENDS
A
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
1
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
2
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
A sense of warmth is also funda-
mental to Laufens Ilbagnoalessi One
bathroom collection, which has been
extended to include new signature
washbasins in a gentle grey colour.
This new colour option creates a unique
effect as it is less rekective than its
white and black counterparts. It also
changes the feel of the ceramic surface:
it feels warmer, more organic, a little
bit like velvet, said Zupanovic.
The Ilbagnoalessi One series has
also been granted with a new range of
bathroom furniture, including a semi
built-in bathtub and an innovative
shower cabin. The highlight of the new
range is Tuna, an elegant 1.6m-wide
washbasin that tapers into a jligree.
The basin also features a practical ce-
ramic shelf area that acts as an easy-to
clean storage space.
CLASSI C REVI VAL
Complementing this move towards
more organic designs is the resurgence
of a more classical style. Kohler re-
cently celebrated the relaunch of The
Wellworth, its jrst, oldest and most
iconic toilet. The Wellworth, which
turns 75 this year, has been granted
with its jrst redesign in 25 years, and
is proof of growing demand for more
classic pieces.
The history of the Wellworth toilet
is a classic case study of a consumer
product with staying power, said
Mohamed Nada, regional marketing
manager, Kohler. Over its near century
of existence, it has received accolades
for design and performance leadership
and has earned a reputation as a toilet
that consistently offers exceptional
performance and exceptional value.
The challenge, Nada explained, is to
instil such design classics with mod-
ern, water-saving technologies.
As such, the Kohler Wellworth toilet
family now offers a model that will
kush with just 3.8L of water.
Also new to the Kohler portfolio
is the Loure faucet collection, which
blends contemporary classic design
with cutting-edge technology. The
Loure offers precise temperature and
volume control through an innovative
valving platform. The faucets carry the
WaterSense label, which means that
they feature a low-kow aerator that
allows for water savings of up to 30%,
without sacrijcing on performance.
Water consumption is very high in
the Middle East and Kohler is part of
the solution, having always been at the
forefront of creating innovative water-
saving products and designs without
sacrijcing on performance, said Nada.
SUSTAI NABLE SOLUTI ONS
Sustainability is, and will continue to
be, the most important trend in the
evolution of bathroom design.
The bathroom can be a key contribu-
tor in the quest to minimise water con-
sumption a need that is particularly
pressing in this part of the world. We
are focusing on infra-red technology,
1
The Vado showerhead
from Bagno Design.
2
Kallos by Kohler.
3&4
The Armani
Roca collection.
3
4
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
on products like our waterless urinal,
and the Hyperlife, a battery that lasts
for 30 years. We are also trying to push
and collaborate with governmental
organisations to make them aware of
our products, said Nada.
Roca has been responsible for creat-
ing one of the most groundbreaking
sustainable products of recent times.
The much-publicised W+W includes
a cistern and washbasin in a single,
highly compact L-shaped design.
W+W features a renovation system
that jlters wastewater from the basin
and reuses it in the discharge of the
cistern. Its exclusive L-shaped design
brings together in a single body what
until now was unthinkable, creating
greater freedom of movement, said
Samer Deeb, marketing manager,
Middle East, Roca.
ROOM FOR I MPROVEMENT
The compact nature of the W+W high-
lights another key trend in bathroom
design the proliferation of kex-
ible, space-saving products. Stefan
Schmied, head of the Gulf region for
Geberit International Sales, cited this
as one of the most important trends
currently shaping the bathroom.
As a specialist in concealed sanitary
systems, Geberit is at the forefront of
this trend. Optimising space usage is
crucial, said Schmied, and Geberit has
responded by concealing technology
within the wall. Wall-mounted toilets
that stand free from the koor also
create a greater sense of space, as do
concealed cisterns and wash basin
traps, and kush-mounted kush plates.
Roca has also capitalised on demand
for space-saving products with its Bar-
celona Collection. Designed by Carlos
Ferrater, Barcelona is a unique inter-
pretation of the bathroom space based
on the most potent idea for the 21st
century home: modularity, said Deeb.
Addressing these space-saving
needs while simultaneously responding
to the desire for more comfortable,
luxurious bathroom spaces is a chal-
lenge that companies are confronting
with relish. For example, more and
more customers are installing whirl-
pools and steam rooms in their master
bathrooms, noted Bagno Designs
Black, so the company has responded
by creating its own space-saving, value
for money options.
We have recently started manufac-
turing our own whirlpools, providing
a signijcant improvement in value for
money. Our product range today also
enables customers to install their own
steam room in an area no bigger than a
standard shower cubicle, Black said.
FAST FORWARD
Looking forward, bathroom manufac-
turers are in agreement on a number
of points. The idea of the bathroom
as a private retreat will only become
more prominent, and manufacturers
are charged with creating increasingly
comfort-orientated bathrooms that are
also water and energy efjcient.
According to Zupanovic, one chal-
lenge will be to create increasingly
sophisticated products out of ceram-
ics. Because although the material is
soft, smooth, organic, highly durable,
does not fade or age and is resistant to
the liquids and chemicals used in bath-
rooms, it does have its limitations.
Today, demands on design are
permanently rising large pieces, kat
and smooth surfaces and geometrical
designs with distinct edges are push-
ing the options of the material to
the limits. For the manufacturer this
presents great challenges, because
ceramic is an earthen material that is
subject to a shrinkage process while
dried and burned, Zupanovic said.
5,6&7
Ilbagnoalessi
One by Laufen.
6 5
7
Partitions
Stainless steel, solid plastic, powder
coated steel, phenolic, color-thru
phenolic and plastic laminate partitions.
THE ASI GROUP... Your Single Source Solution
Your single source solution for Washroom Accessories,
Toilet Partitions, Lockers and other storage products worldwide.
asigroup.us
Accessories
Superior design and the most extensive
range of products in the industry
hallmarks of our washroom accessories.
Lockers
The best-engineered lockers and
shelving in the industry.
FEATURE: BATHROOMS
To produce ceramic pieces like the
koor-standing Tam-Tam washbasin
or the perfectly kat, smooth and bal-
anced 01 washbasin, a lot of ceramic
expertise is needed. Laufen is able to
cast highly sophisticated designs in
high-quality ceramics and we are per-
manently improving our skills to shift
the limits further forward and to make
the impossible possible.
For Geberits Schmied, the bathroom
of the future will offer improved com-
fort with increased water conservation,
larger size, more intelligence, more
electronic and electric features, fewer
tiles, and new materials to clad walls.
The integration of technology into
the bathroom will be particularly prev-
alent, Zupanovic maintained. There
will be many solutions that help to
create a more individual, more sensual
and even more comfortable bathroom
experience new materials, touch-free
features, electronic devices, light and
sound will pervade the bathroom.
And of course, there will be even more
sophisticated technical solutions that
help people to save water and energy
without losing out on comfort.
Simon Shaya, president, east
Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa,
Grohe agreed. People are looking
more and more to personalise their
bathroom and to have more intelligent
products that answer their needs. They
do not want purely functional or static
products. They want something that
they can interact with. I think you will
see more and more interactivity in the
bathroom, whether it be in the form of
sound or light or smell.
Plus, people are more conscious
about water saving and sustainable
products and from that perspective,
durable, good quality, technologically-
advanced products are becoming more
popular because people do not want
to waste water but also, dont want to
waste raw materials, he said.
Demand for quality and durability is
already on the up, particularly in this
part of the world, Shaya added. This is
one upshot of the economic instability
of recent times, he suggested. In
the past, the focus wasnt on durable
products, it was on jnishing projects
and moving on to the next job. It was
quite an aggressive way of doing busi-
ness, and pace dictated everything.
Now there is more stable growth,
which is great for us because it is in
difjcult times that people rediscover
quality brands. People arent as willing
to compromise any more.
One things for certain, the bathroom
of the future will be far from dull, Black
concluded. The bathroom of the fu-
ture is anything but boring. All current
trends are leading to two main future
looks a stunning high-tech bathroom
or a natural look bathroom, or a combi-
nation of the two!
8 9
8
The Monolith
by Geberit.
9
Concealed
shower technology
from Geberit.
10
Bathroom accessories
by Bagno Design.
11
Grohe Ondus.
11 10
DESIGN UPDATE
www.constructionweekonline.com 1 AUGUST 2010 | Commercial Interior Design
FIT-OUT COMPANIES YOU SHOULD KNOW
Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 53 www.constructionweekonline.com Commercial Interior Design | FEBRUARY 2011 53
A
s with many symbiotic
relationships where one
entity cannot survive without
the other, the relationship
between designers and jt-out
companies is notoriously complex.
Tasked with transforming the weird
and wonderful ideas of designers into a
hard, concrete reality, jt-out companies
often jnd themselves in the front lines
of a battle between cost-conscious
clients and designers determined to
protect the integrity of their work.
Given the challenging economic
climate, 2010 was a particularly difjcult
year for jt-out companies, according to
Peter Bruce, managing partner of AMBB
Interiors, although things are already
looking up for 2011, he added. Projects
already awarded for 2011 indicate
that the future of the industry is very
encouraging, he said.
Nonetheless, there is no denying
that this is still a very cost-conscious
market, said Victor Low Foon, business
FIT-OUT COMPANIES
YOU SHOULD KNOW
development manager of Highgate
Interiors. As such, jt-out companies still
face the challenge of educating clients
on the dangers of buying cheap.
We are very lean on our pricing,
without compromising on quality.
Unfortunately, there are others without
the same sentiments that can always
beat our offering. So, the challenge is
making the client understand that our
cost includes everything, without any
hidden extras, Low Foon said.
For many jt-out companies,
geographical diversijcation has been
an effective way of countering the
economic climate. Italy-headquartered
2 Square is in the process of setting up
a Dubai ofjce, and has also recently
launched operations in Poland. March
will see the company open an ofjce in
London, while plans to strengthen its
presence in Africa are also underway.
Depa has also set its sights on
geographical expansion, and has won
a string of contracts in markets as
diverse as Angola, Yemen and Syria.
The company is also strengthening its
presence in south-east Asia.
Moving forward, jt-out companies
will be challenged with keeping abreast
of developments in the sustainability
sphere, said Marcos Bish, managing
director, Summertown. Government
legislation is changing all the time in
the construction industry, which in turn
impacts the interiors sector. With the
introduction of Estidama, buildings in
Abu Dhabi now have to be green, and in
Dubai specijc rules to ensure greener
buildings are already in place.
We feel that it is only a matter of time
before this also becomes mandatory
for interiors. We are in a position to
face such changes whereas so many
organisations are not yet up to speed.
Over the next few pages, CID speaks
to some of the leading interior jt-out
companies in the region to jnd out more
about recent trends and key challenges
confronting the industry.
By Gary Lawton, CEO of United
Design International.
Tel l us about your company.
Uni ted Design International (UDI)
was established in Abu Dhabi in
2002 to cater for VIP clientele in
the residential and commercial
sectors. UDI has worked closel y
wi th the royal families of the UAE,
ministries and property develop-
ers, and has rapidl y proven to
be a competi ti ve interior design
company that deli vers exclusi ve
and unique design solutions. UDIs
focus as a company is not onl y de-
sign but al so install ation, allowing
turnkey solutions for all aspects of
the market. Being recentl y awarded
ISO 9001:2008 by the Bri tish
Standards Insti tute (BSI) is further
proof of UDIs commi tment to cus-
tomer service and quali ty.
What projects have you worked on?
UDI has been invol ved wi th
projects as di verse as the Abu
Dhabi Judiciary, Al Ain Airport, the
ministry of presidential affairs and
numerous pri vate vill as, pri vate
offices and establishments.
Have there been any recent
devel opments at your company?
UDI is currentl y in the fourth year
of a fi ve-year pl an and is looking
to expand into the manufacturing
sector in order to complement
existing services.
What are the key chal l enges
faci ng your i ndustry?
In an ever-changing market, i t is
a challenge to produce original
designs to meet and exceed client
expectations; a challenge in which
UDI is continuall y succeeding.
How do we contact you?
UDI can be contacted at i ts new
corporate headquarters: No 328,
Plot 11, 17th Street, Mussafah
Industrial Area M-4, Abu Dhabi ,
UAE; PO Box 53162; Tel : +971
(0)2 555 0002; Fax: +971 (0)2 555
0003; Websi te: www.ud-i.net;
Email : uni teddesign@ ud-i.net and
gary@ ud-i.net.
United Design
International
CID meets Marcos Bish, managing
director, Summertown.
Tell us about your company.
Summertown offers superior-quality
interior solutions as a jt-out con-
tractor, or on a complete turnkey
basis, and as the jrst jt-out contrac-
tor in the UAE to occupy LEED Gold
certijed interiors, has jrst-hand
experience of executing green proj-
ects that deliver environmental ben-
ejts and operational cost savings.

The Dutch Consulate with architect
Jorissen Simonetti, the new Middle
East headquarters for Kongsberg,
and the Abu Dhabi Womens College.

developments at your company?
Summertown has always been
proactive when it comes to going
green. More organisations are now
taking an interest and weve been
sharing our experiences with those
who want to adopt greener policies
themselves through our Green in
Action workshops. We have also
established our own green commit-
tee a Summertown team that is
responsible for spearheading our
goal for 2020 which is to become
carbon neutral.
What are the key challenges
facing your industry?
Government legislation is changing
all the time in the construction in-
dustry, which in turn impacts the in-
teriors sector. With the introduction
of Estidama, buildings in Abu Dhabi
now have to be green, and in Dubai
specijc rules to ensure greener
buildings are already in place.
We feel that it is only a matter of
time before this also becomes man-
datory for interiors. We are in a posi-
tion to face such changes whereas
so many organisations are not yet
up to speed.

PO Box 262807, Dubai, UAE;
Tel: +971 (0)4 805 3300; Email:
info@ summertown.ae; Website:
www.summertown.ae.
Summertown
CID speaks to Jonathan Milner, general
manager, The Interiors Group.
We are not a traditional jt-out company;
in fact, we dont have a design team
in-house but instead partner with best
of breed design houses here in the UAE.
This gives the client as much kexibility
as they require. For example, they can
use their own preferred designer and we
will work alongside them. The client can
keep the designer contracted to them or
can novate them to us at a later stage.
Alternatively, we can introduce design-
ers to them and they can choose who
they like and they can be contracted to
us straight away. However, on most of
our projects the client has requested us
to engage a designer who we feel will jt.

The most recent was The Cleveland
Clinics new turnkey ofjces in Abu
Dhabi, which covered 95,000ft, over
seven koors, and was delivered in
jve months. Here we partnered with
Broadway Malyan as our architectural
designers and Chapman Bathurst for our
MEP. We had to work very closely with
John Buck International, the clients rep-
resentative, to keep within their budget
and I am glad to say that we were not a
jl over. Another recent project was for
an international ITjrm based in 24/54,
which was very high end. We took the
UK designers concept and worked up
the design here in the UAE. This was
such a success that the client is now
talking to our UK ofjce about further
works. We also recently completed
Michael Pages new headquarters in the
Al Jazeera complex. Here, we introduced
BDP and Wallace Whittle as our design
team. This was delivered before the
clients requested delivery date and, as
always, on budget. It was great to see
the owner of the building showing other
contractors our site as the benchmark
for site set up and Health and Safety!
Recent developments?
Well, from the above projects and
others, our reputation is far above our
competition and as such we are now ne-
gotiating with a number of international
and local clients, rather than tendering.
What could be a better accolade?

Key challenges facing your industry?
Integrity. There are too many companies
in the UAE that promise the earth and
yet continuously hide or ignore bad
news from a client particularly delivery
dates. A clients working space is critical
and business disruption must be kept
to a minimum.

We are one of the only Abu Dhabi-based
jt-out companies, and can be found
at Level 4, Al Mamoura Building B, on
4th and 15th street. Tel: +971 (0)2 659
4002; Web: www.interiorsgroup.ae.
The Interiors Group
By Giampiero Alessandrini, president
and CEO, 2 Square.
2 Square is an Italian company focused
on the design, production and installa-
tion of turnkey interior jt-out projects.
The companys range of activities
includes ofjces, hotels, wellness cen-
tres, luxury residential projects, retail
facilities and museums.

In the retail sector, we have worked
with Ermenegildo Zegna and other top
Italian fashion brands, creating their
kagship stores in various European
countries. We have worked on a four-
star hotel in Poland, and a number of
luxury villas jtted with classic furniture
in the UK. In addition, we were recently
awarded with the interior jt-out con-
tract for the Islamic Museum in Libya.

developments at your company?
The company recently started opera-
tions in Poland and entered into a joint
venture with a local partner to enter the
market in Eastern Europe. We are also
in the process of opening an ofjce in
Dubai to support the Middle East. In
addition, the company has started de-
veloping the African market and signed
a partnership with a local company
interested in increasing its portfolio of
activities with the addition of interior
works. In March, 2 Square is going to
open a new ofjce in Pimlico, London in
order to support architects and design-
ers in the UK.
What are the key challenges facing
your industry?
The main challenge with interior jt-out
is to provide customers with a full ser-
vice, from design until jnal installation,
offering only one point of reference and
responsibility, and making activities
more efjcient. More and more, projects
require a single interlocutor that can
develop the entire project, from the
architectural concept and building
construction to the internal jt-out. This
is what 2 Square does. The companys
goal is to mix local tastes and culture
with Italian handcrafted quality and
know how. To reach this target the
company has chosen a strategy of
being present in each country with a
local partner to better understand the
customers needs and provide a more
efjcient and reliable service, which is
the key to success in this industry.

Until the opening of our local ofjce in
Dubai, which will support the Middle
East region, please contact our head-
quarters in Italy, located at 2 Square,
Via della Cartiera 2, Villorba (TV), Italy;
Tel: +39 422 363 136; Fax: +39 422 247
426. Web: www.2square.it; Local Dubai
number: +971 (0)50 270 0233.
2 Square
By Peter Bruce, managing partner,
AMBB Interiors.
AMBB Interiors is a well established in-
terior jt-out company based in the UAE
and Qatar. We are considered a market
leader throughout the Middle East
region and we specialise in all types of
interior jt-out works, including hotels,
restaurants, corporate ofjces, banks
and retail outlets. Since inception we
have focused our efforts on delivering
the highest level of service and quality
workmanship through our team of
project managers and site operatives.
We are of the belief that our success is
due to the people we employ, who are
passionate about implementing our
projects and have an uncompromis-
ing attitude towards quality. It is our
aim to maintain a manageable level of
projects, with the focus being on qual-
ity rather than quantity. Our work has
been endorsed by the interiors indus-
try, as we were named Interior Contrac-
tor of the Year 2009 and 2010 at the
Commercial Interior Design Awards.
We have recently carried out a number
of prestigious corporate ofjce jt-outs
for blue chip companies within the
DIFC zone. These include ofjces for
Bloomberg, HSBC, Barclays Wealth,
Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Price-
waterhouse Coopers and Linklaters.
In the same zone we also completed
the jt-out of Zuma, Caramel and Le
Petite Maison, all of which are now
considered to be premier restaurants
in the UAE. Other projects that we have
completed are restaurants at Dubai Air-
port Terminal 3, the Yas Island Cipriani
Restaurant and Nightclub in Abu Dhabi,
and we are pleased to announce that
we have just been awarded the Grand
Hyatt Dubai Health Club and Spa.
We now have ofjces in Abu Dhabi and
Qatar, and in a concerted effort to
reduce our reliance on sub-contractors
we have constructed new ofjces for
our marble and stone division, joinery
division, gypsum division, MEP divi-
sion, and aluminium and glass division.
Our latest addition is a furniture and
upholstery-making division.
Key challenges?
2010 was a particularly challenging
year due to the economic downturn.
However, AMBB Interiors managed to
maintain its turnover and projtability.
Projects already awarded for 2011
indicate that the future of the industry
is very encouraging.
AMBB Interiors, PO Box 51445,
Dubai, UAE; Tel: +971 (0)4 339 2911;
E-mail: ambbint@ emirates.net.ae;
Website: www@ ambbinteriors.com.
AMBB Interiors
By Nadim Akhrass, managing director,
operations, DEPA.
We are a leading global provider of
interior contracting services. We oper-
ate principally in the luxury jt-out
sector with a focus on hospitality,
commercial and residential property
developments, as well as airports,
metro stations, healthcare, retail,
yachting, theming and other specialist
jt-out sectors. In addition, we are a
provider of manufactured products and
procurement services with a specijc
focus on customised furniture, jxtures
and equipment (FF&E), which we use
in our in-house operations as well as
provide to third parties.
We have successfully executed large
and complex projects in over 20 coun-
tries, including the Burj Al Arab Hotel
and Burj Khalifa in Dubai; Emirates
Palace and The Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi;
the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha;
Four Seasons hotels in Cairo, Sharm El
Sheikh and Alexandria; the Mazagan
Resort in Morocco and the Marina Bay
Sands in Singapore.
We are continuously undergoing
developments and developing the
company into a global entity. Two of
the most recent being the acquisition
of Design Studio Furniture Manufac-
turer based in Singapore, to increase
Depas long-term diversijcation plan
with greater exposure to the south-
east Asian markets; and Depas jrst
contract win in Syria, for the complete
jt-out of the Yasmeen Rotana Hotel.

Key challenges?
The industry as a whole always faces
certain key challenges, including proj-
ect delays and seasonality of construc-
tion activities. Depa has used these
challenges to its benejt. It has diversi-
jed its geographical presence, winning
contracts in countries like Angola, Ye-
men and Syria, and increasing its pres-
ence in south-east Asia, and we will
continue our international expansion
plans. Furthermore, we are progressing
our vertical and horizontal integration
strategy through key acquisitions. This
has allowed us to concentrate and be-
come a leader in catering for very large
and high-end projects.
Depa Dubai: Tel: +971 (0)4 228 5850;
Email: info.depa.dxb@ depa.com.
Depa
By Victor Low Foon, Highgates
business development manager.
Highgate started in Dubai in 2007
and quickly excelled due to our high-
quality interior jt-out services and
cost-effective solutions. We therefore
expanded our reach to Abu Dhabi and
Sharjah, becoming more conjdent as
we took on board key professionals
to improve our services further. We
approach each project intelligently by
ensuring that we understand the cli-
ents needs and aspirations. Our sole
aim is to make sure we retain our client
for life by delivering solutions that are
beyond their expectations.
We are most proud of our association
with the Dubai Chamber Of Commerce
where in the last two years we have
completed two thirds of their building.
We have now been awarded the jnal
phase. Other notable names that we
are very proud to have worked with
include JP Morgan in DIFC, the Gulf
Finance headquarters, which was very
exciting, Al Hilal Banks in Dubai and
Sharjah, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Le
Classique Restaurant, Monte Carlo Res-
taurant, the Besix Ofjce in Abu Dhabi,
and Al Foah Retail in Mirdif City Centre.
We were nominated for the Interior
Contractor of the Year Award at the
2010 CID Awards and we have recently
added maintenance to our list of
services as there is constant demand
from our clients.
Key challenges?
We are very lean on our pricing, without
compromising on quality. Unfortunately
there are others without the same sen-
timents that can always beat our offer-
ing. So, the challenge is making clients
understand that our costing includes
everything, without any hidden extras.
We believe that if you buy cheap, you
buy twice .
PO Box 119819, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 (0)4 326 1114; Email: info@
highgate.ae or victor@ highgate.ae.
Highgate
By Yassin Nasri, general manager,
Ambrosius Middle East.
Tell us about your company?
Ambrosius Middle East is the Middle
East arm of the German jt-out contract-
ing company, Ernst F. Ambrosius &
Sohn, which has been in operation
since 1872. Ambrosius is an interna-
tional leader in the jelds of museums,
airport lounges, large-scale and high-
end exhibition and event construc-
tions, and other high-end projects.
Some of our Middle East references
are Etihad Airways jrst and business
class lounges at Abu Dhabi Airport,
which were last year named among the
best jve business lounges worldwide.
We are targeting, as a jrst point of
reference, the Middle Easts museum
projects. We would also like to high-
light our ability to cater to international
projects for Middle East clients, such
as Middle East Airlines lounges at inter-
national airports, event and exhibition
spaces for Middle East companies at
international events and fairs, and
private and summer residences in Eu-
rope for Middle Eastern individuals.
As we are well established in our home
market, Europe, as well as in China, our
focus for now is to continue developing
the Middle East market. In particular,
we are studying the option of entering
into joint venture partnerships with
local jt-out contractors.
Key challenges?
Ambrosius is well-known for its engi-
neering approach. Every detail within
our innovative projects is still produced
to the highest standards of craftsman-
ship. We develop individual solutions,
combining the clients vision and our
creativity to achieve unique results.
The challenge for us is to create aware-
ness about our USPs in a mass produc-
tion market such as the Middle East.
We are located on Sheikh Zayed Road
in Dubai. Tel: +971 (0)4 330 6308;
Email: me@ ambrosius.de; Website:
www.ambrosius1872.com.
Ambrosius
PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
New on the market
BoConcept has added new designs
to its range of multi-functional
coffee tables. New colour options
are available for one of the brands
best-selling coffee tables, Occa
686, which now comes in nine
BOCONCEPT
different colour combinations.
In addition, the new Occa 1030
coffee table includes storage on
display. A glass top reveals a set
of drawers underneath that can
be opened with a gentle push. The
table is available in high-gloss
white, with a choice of leg designs.
BOCONCEPT
+971 (0)4 341 4144
www.boconcept.ae
PRODUCTS
DISCUS
Discus is the jrst spotlight
designed with the specijc require-
ments of LED technology in mind.
The innovative design concept,
developed by EOOS for Zumtobel,
ensures purely passive cooling of
the LED module, in addition to
very compact dimensions and a
distinctive appearance. Discus
unmistakable shape rekects
our familiar perception of the
sun: a disc with radially arranged
rays, in this case the blades of a
passive cooling attachment, ensur-
ing a long service life of the central
high-performance LED module.
At only 28mm, the LED design is
extremely kat.
ZUMTOBEL
+971 (0)4 299 3530
www.zumtobel .com
HANTEL ART
Hantel Art is owned by German-
born Dietmar Hantel , one of a
few bl acksmi ths in the world
to have perfected the art of
wrought iron, and the first of
his kind in the GCC. Each Hantel
Art creation is a one-of-a-kind,
original , custom-made design.
Original Hantel Art smi th work
is handcrafted using tradi tional
tool s and techniques that date
back to the 16th century. Wi th
every piece, the steel is gal va-
nised wi th special techniques to
ensure that i t does not rust for
at least 100 years.
HANTEL ART
+971 (0)4 347 9310
www.hantel -art.com
SHADOWS & LIGHT
Inspired by black and white
photography, Chella Textiles is
celebrating its 10th anniversary
by casting its own classic prod-
ucts in the stark beauty of black
and white. Our Shadows & Light
Collection sheds a high-contrast
new light on our solution-dyed
acrylic jacquards, velvets,
chenilles, matelasses and
sheers, said Lee Menichella,
president and founder, Chella.
CHELLA TEXTILES
+1 805 560 8400
www.chell atextiles.com
B|g 5 Comes To Saud| Arab|a
theb|g5exh|b|t|onsaud|arab|a.com
K|ngdom of Saud| Arab|a
Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events
The B|g 5 prov|des an unr|va||ed p|atform for arch|tects,
eng|neers, contractors and deve|opers from the pub||c and
pr|vate sectors to network, source and spec|fy the |atest
bu||d|ng and construct|on products and serv|ces.

Se|| out exh|b|t|on |n |ts frst year!
Oonstruct|on products and serv|ces spann|ng 29 countr|es
The most d|verse range of products for rea| estate,
|nfrastructure, |ndustry, power & water
lnternat|ona| standard & accred|ted tra|n|ng workshops
|eadersh|p Strategy Day hosted by the |eaders for the
|eaders
Reg|ster free of charge today at www.theb|g5exh|b|t|onsaud|ara| ba.com/|d1
Ouote lD1 when reg|ster|ng and rece|ve the most current report on the Saud| construct|on market when you attend the event.
S u p p o rte d b y th e
J e d d a h C h a m b e r o f C o m m e rc e
PRODUCTS
PARASOL GARDEN FURNITURE
Parasol Garden Furniture
is stocking a new range of
patio heaters for the cooler
months. Made from stainless
steel and CE approved, the
heaters not only give off
welcome warmth, they also
provide a great light source.
Electric ignition and bottled
LPG gas ensure ease of use.
PARASOL GARDEN FURNITURE
+971 (0)4 347 9003
www.parasoldubai.com
ALTHEA NOVA
Villeroy & Bochs new Althea Nova
dishware collection is strongly
inkuenced by nature. The collec-
tions central motifs are comprised
of herbs such as cilantro, sage
and lovage, rendered as botanical
drawings. There are two different
interpretations of the theme: one
with the herbs jnely drawn and
shadowed, and one depicting
detailed close-ups of the herbs
drawn with back shadowing.
VILLEROY & BOCH
+971 (0)4 364 2613
www.villeroy-boch.com
AFRICAN DREAMS
The Ones 2010 autumn/winter
collection features Out of Africa,
a mature, masculine style that
blends raw beauty with the rich-
ness of tradition. An idealistic in-
terpretation of a safari lodge, Out
of Africa builds on classic colonial
design, with quality and comfort at
its heart. An earthy colour palette
provides the perfect backdrop for
chunky furniture, dark woods,
studded leather, hides and luxe
fabrics, while subtle lighting helps
to create a cosy, lived-in look.
THE ONE
+971 (0)4 345 6687
www.theone.com
PRODUCTS
MADISON
Dornbracht has partnered with
Andre Putman to design a bath-
room around its Madison range
of jttings. The underlying idea
for Putmans bathroom was to
create a space that was reminis-
cent of a cloister or a lavoir the
communal wash house, where
generations of women came
together on the bank of the ri ver
or at a natural source in order
to do their laundry. The focus of
the room is an elegant, concrete
bathtub, with water running over
its edges into a gleaming koor
tray. The two basins at the top
and bottom of the tub rest on
pedestal s, into which a glass
mosaic has been incorporated.
I love the shape of the jtting. It
is so playful , said Putman. The
cross-shaped handles and the
shape of the shower alone are
very, very pretty. I am reminded
of times gone by, of the start
of the previous century. I love
to combine this with very clear,
modern shapes, she said.
MADISON
+971 (0)4 335 0731
www.dornbracht.com
PRODUCTS
LUNA
Selva is promoting its latest
collection, Luna. The collection
is fresh and modern, but also
classically chic, and is charac-
terised by soft, elegant lines.
SELVA
+971 (0)4 341 1933
www.sel va.com
SAN SAMUELE
The San Samuele dressing table is
elegant and sophisticated, bejt-
ting a lady of 18th century Venice.
The three-way adjustable mirror
and deep drawers, decorated on
the inside, are more characteristic
of a vanity. A surprise lies in the
top of the piece when lifted it
displays yet another mirror and
a compartment designed for se-
crets, or love letters. San Samuele
is available in a wide range of
colours and decorative options,
hand-painted in natural water
colours. The piece forms part of
Porte Italias Venetian Garden Col-
lection, which is inspired by the
rare gardens in the water city.
Hudson Valley Lightings Wil-
liamsburg Collection features
jxtures inspired by 18th century
America. Motivated by the pe-
riods industrial advances and
keen attention to craftsmanship,
the Williamsburg Collection pays
special attention to authenticity,
making the jxtures true to the
era but scaled for the modern
home. The collection consists
of the Dunmore series, which
features black shades on parch-
ment with gold inlay. The Quinton
series is an elegant homage to
the hurricane lamp style which
features clear, rounded shades
made from glass.
WILLIAMSBURG COLLECTION
PORTE ITALIA
+39 481 476096
www.porteitalia.com
WILLIAMSBURG COLLECTION
+1 818 981 8210
www.hudsonvalleylighting.com
Education, innovation and networking
like never before
The Middle Easts largest ofce t-out and design exhibition presents the International Interior
Design Association (IIDA), who will oversee the two-day Dubai Design Summit, Decade of
Design project competition, Design Executive Roundtable and the Ofce Awards. Youll also nd
350 product launches and new international pavilions from countries such as the USA,
Scandinavia and Malaysia, making this an event not to be missed.
Register online now for free fast- track entry
www.theofficeexhibition.com/ register
17-19 May 2011
Dubai World Trade Centre Co-located with Knowledge Partner Organised by
CONTRACTS
PROJECTTITLE CLIENT CONSULTANT MAIN CONTRACTOR VALUE /
VALUE RANGE
(US$. MN)
PROJECTSTATUS PROJECT
TYPE
Al Jassimya Tower Sheikh Jassim Bin Khalifa EGEC Commodore Qatar
Construction
100 Project under
construction
Commercial
Buildings
New Qatar National Museum Qatar Museum Authority /QP Jean Nouvel Not Appointed 31 - 100 Project under design Recreational
Facilities
Mixed Use Development in Marina
District
Diyar Al Kuwait KEOInternational Not Appointed 800 Project under design Mixed Use
Hotel at Al Ghanim Al Qadim Area Successor of Sheikh Ali Bin Jabr Al Thani United Consultant Not Appointed 16 - 30 Project under design Hotel
New Arrival Terminal at DIA -
Package 2
Qatar Airways GHDGlobal Arabian McNamara
Contracting
30 Project under
construction
Airport
Mesaieed Housing Development -
Phase 2
QP/Qatar Real Estate Investment Co; Arab Engineering Bureau Not Appointed 2,000 Project under design Residential
Development
Al Emadi Twin Towers Mr. Mohammed Esmail Al Emadi Arab Consulting Engineers Not Appointed 101 - 250 Project under design Commercial
Buildings
Al Majid Residential Tower Mr. Ahmad Mahdi Ali Al Majid Arab Engineering Bureau Al Seal Contracting 57 Project under
construction
Residential
Buildings
Sidra Medical & Research Centre Qatar Foundation (QFESCD) Cesar Pelli &Associates/
Ellerbe Becket
OHL/Contrack International 2,400 Project under
construction
Hospital
Library for Qatar University Qatar University Arab Architects Group Tadmur Contracting &Trdg
Est.
69 Project under
construction
Educational
Facilities
Twin Towers in Lusail Al Majed Group Arab Engineering Bureau Not Appointed 101 - 250 Project under design Commercial
Buildings
Qatar Finance House Headquarters
Building at ECQ
Qatar Finance House/ Energy City Focus Design Partners Not Appointed 16 - 30 Project under design Commercial
Buildings
Palm Towers Dar Investment &Development Co. M.Z. &Partners Al Seal Contracting 218 Project under
construction
Mixed Use
Business Park & Hotel Facilities in
Najma
Shk. Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani Arab Engineering Bureau Redco Construction 101 - 250 Project under
construction
Mixed Use
Shmoukh Twin Towers in C-Ring
Road
Real Estate Services Group EHAFConsulting &Engineers SEG Qatar 200 Project under
construction
Commercial
Buildings
Samiriya Towers Mr. Ali Mohammed Al-Khayareen M.Z. &Partners Gulf East Trading &
Contracting
124 Project under
construction
Commercial
Buildings
Manarat Lusail Mr. Mohamed Abdel Ghani Al
Mansouri
Architectural Consulting Group Not Appointed 31 - 100 Project under design Commercial
Buildings
Doha High Rise Ofkce Building Shk. Saoud Bin Mohd Bin Ali Al-Thani Consulting Engineering Group China State Construction
Engineering Co
125 Project under
construction
Commercial
Buildings
St. Regis Hotel & Residential Towers Al Fardan Real Estate Dar Al Handasah Construction Development
Company
412 Project under
construction
Mixed Use
Tivoli Showroom & Ofkce Building Tivoli Furniture Gulf Design Concept Al Darwish Engineering 16 - 30 Project under
construction
Commercial
Buildings
Al Dar Hotel Mr. Mohammed Al Majed Al Jazeera Engineering / EGEC Not Appointed 16 - 30 Project under design Hotel
Note: The above information is the sole property of Ventures Middle East LLC and cannot be published without the expressed permission of Ventures Middle East LLC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
QATAR PROJECTS DATABASE
Project Focus
COMMERCI AL I NTERI OR DESI GN IS COMMI TTED TO HELPI NG I TS READERS GROW THEI R BUSI NESSES, SO WE HAVE TEAMED
UP WI TH VENTURES MI DDLE EAST TO BRI NG YOU THE LATEST TENDERS FROM AROUND THE REGI ON ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
OPINION
A
s a former contractor and
manufacturers representa-
tive now sitting on the
consultants side of the table,
I have been asked by many industry
friends about the change.
I am often asked how it may alter my
approach to former colleagues among
the contractors and jt-out companies,
as well as the many manufacturers that
I once represented. Not one but several
industry contacts have made comments
like: Ah, now you are with a consultant,
youll no longer talk to guys like us. To
be honest, a couple of the comments
were much harsher than that.
Truth is, there is frustration on both
sides, and rightly so. We are no good at
communicating with each other within
our own industry; we are no good at
dejning requirements, searching for
common references, learning together,
networking and even sharing critique,
praise and sources.
I would love for that to change. There
are many good attempts out there,
by groups like APID and others, but it
is still, in my opinion, not enough. I
wonder why it is so difjcult to get that
dialogue going between different indus-
try players. Specijcally, I wonder at the
lack of participation in industry related
events. At industry networking events, in
the main the participants are suppliers
and manufacturers, with very few archi-
tects and designers to be seen.
So where do architects and designers
get their information on new products
from? Well, unfortunately, if you ask
many of the suppliers, they would
probably argue that they dont. Hence
references to the frequent use of the
copy and paste function in this part of
the world. This may also be part of the
reason why clients during the previous
boom started to look outside the Middle
East when assigning projects.
Manufacturers and dealers complain
that it is difjcult to get designers in
the Middle East out of their ofjces and
to showrooms, exhibitions, product
presentations and seminars.
Manufacturers and exhibition organis-
ers invest signijcantly in informing
design professionals and providing
interesting speakers at their events.
Many of the major brands within FF&E
have tried to organise product launches
in dealer showrooms, at hotels, and at
the hotel and ofjce exhibitions, but how
many designers actually showed up?
Very few. Did these same brands then
try again two years later when they had
another product to launch? No, they
didnt. The result the jrst time was often
so depressing and with so little tangible
commercial benejt that the Middle East
as a place for product launches and
innovative seminars has been written off
by many of the bigger brands.
Many, myself included, have been
complaining about the standard of
industry trade shows in the region, com-
pared to the European shows, for ex-
ample. The buzz when walking through
Zona Tortona in Milan during Salone di
Mobile cannot be recreated in the UAE,
but the rumours of a festival of design or
a total design week possibly coming to
Dubai this year are comforting.
However, the success of such initia-
tives requires that architects and design-
ers actually show up. Maybe it is time for
us all, wherever we are in the industry
hierarchy, to look at our own efforts. The
consultants, the contractors, the sup-
plier reps, the event organisers and, yes,
even the clients.
We need to get out there, commu-
nicate, visit each other, learn, teach,
experience, and be open to input from
our industry peers. As good a tool as the
internet is, you cannot get all your inspi-
ration, or your clients, from the web.
I still do not know why it is so difjcult
to get designers to participate in these
events, specijcally as the same kinds
of events in other parts of the world are
so popular. The quality of events is often
cited as a reason, and yes I do admit
that many are not up to international
standards, but guys, it has been get-
ting better, so please give it another
chance. To the event organisers, be it for
networking, product launches, design
festivals or exhibitions, try to get the
clients of the architects and designers to
participate that ought to get results.
To my new consultant colleagues:
there is a world out there, and you
are invited to participate in it, taste
it, smell it, enjoy it, and ultimately be
inspired by it.
Rikke Andersen is the manager of AK
Designs newly established Abu Dhabi
branch. Rikke has spent a total of 15 years
in the region, and previously spent 10
years with Gemaco Interiors. For further
information, visit www.akdesign.com.
BY RIKKE ANDERSEN
Dialogue
Turner
Hannes Wettstein
Trim
Dante Bonuccelli
FINASI L.L.C
AI Ittihad Road
P.O. BOX 118508 Dubai
United Arab Emirates
T +971 (4) 2971777
www.molteni.it
www.finasi.ae

CommercialInteriorDesign201102 PDF

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

CommercialInteriorDesign201102 PDF

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

AnITP BusinessPublication FebruaryVol.

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen