05 Most Dynamic Business Leaders, Ruling The Architecture & Interior Design 2022

Interior design is a versatile profession that includes conceptual development, space planning, site inspection, programming, research, project communication, project management, and design execution.

Interior design is the art and science of improving building’s interior to achieve a healthier and more beautiful environment for the people who use the space. An interior designer is someone, who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such remodelling projects.

Each building tells a story, a story set in its walls, a story told by its creators. Such stories are built from the careful work of architects and interior designers. These people work together to create a building and these interior elements are functional, beautiful, and attractive. They create spaces around us that affect our psychology and well-being. Empty spaces built to perfection with a delicate balance between planning and implementation is the work of the architect. They create new, colourful, interesting, creative spaces that shine around us and do not bring boredom.

An architect is a person who designs, assesses, and supervises the construction of buildings. It creates a structure in the given space that is useful and pleasing to the eye.

All details on the outside of the building are the work of the architect. After the construction of the building, the interior designer is responsible for the access and supply of free spaces in the building.

As the name suggests, these people design the interior of the area and decorate the interior of the place according to the purpose for which they are used. For example, when they get a project of a house, they decide which sofas to put in the room, what curtains fit the sofa, what colour scheme should be followed in the house if it is necessary to work on wood. Where various pieces of furniture are placed, where drawings can improve the

appearance of the house, what accessories such as curtains, clocks, vases, etc. are needed to balance the room.

In our edition of “05 Most Dynamic Business Leaders, Ruling The Architecture & Interior Design 2022” on the cover page, we have Muhannad Mansour KurdiFounder and CEO, of Muhannad Kurdi Architecture and Designs the firm remotes simple yet classic architecture that suits your mood. SwiftNLift is not just a business magazine. We aim to cover all other topics which account for the betterment of our society. We always try to come up with articles covering the latest trends and essential topics. We as a team had worked hard for our readers and introduced to you this edition. Hope you enjoy reading this piece of our efforts!

MOST DYNAMIC BUSINESS LEADERS, RULING THE ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN 2022

Muhannad Kurdi

Principal Architect

Architect muhannad kurdi was ranked as one of the best influential architects in the middle east for year 2022

Muhannad Kurdi Redesigning the World with Architecture Excellence

Every individual/employee/corporate or business leader strives to achieve a successful epoch that is satisfying and worth the hard work. But success belongs to very few. It belongs to those who work hard and we but look beyond the edge, turns problems into solutions, and join hands with the world in its collective progress. These few are the true trailblazers. They not only imprint their unique foothold in the industry space with a unique approach but also exemplify innovative

leadership in cutthroat business competition. As they step up into business, these trailblazers ensure to shed light on every community, make effective utilization of each and every resource, provide reasonable remuneration and grow every community collectively. That is when a dynamic business leader is born.

To nurture such a spirit of dynamism amongst business leaders of UAE Architecture and Interior Design we at SwiftnLift ventured into a journey to scout for the

entrepreneurs who had a journey, worth a tale. Along our trail, we found Muhannad Mansour Kurdi from the great land of wealth and prosperity—Saudi Arabia. Muhannad exemplifies the true meaning of dynamism. He started his journey on his own and today, he owns three branches of the Architecture and Design Firm, and his brand recognition has reached every Gulf Country. With his architecture and design skills, he has brought business success into light and has been facilitating his clients with 100% customer satisfaction.

Starting the company in 2015, Muhannad had many struggles. But he encountered every challenge with his passion for being the best in urban engineering. When he started seven years ago, his employee strength was only one. Gradually, he received multiple projects and started scaling high. Today, he has made it to the top across the globe and specifically, in the Middle East region, and has made Muhannad Kurdi (MK) Architecture Design, the talk of the town!

As the Founder and CEO of the company, Muhannad is a strong believer of passion and a higher purpose. He ensures that MK Architecture focuses on creating a reflection of civilization through its architectural projects. This enables every individual to associate with social progression and ultimately connect with

culture, renaissance, and human development. With such an ethical and moral standpoint, Muhannad has become a great learning source for the global business community. Having such a shared goal, we at SwiftnLift, crossed paths with Muhannad and learned many astonishing and inspiring facts about his leadership and his organization’s growth. Let’s know more about Muhannad Kurdi and how his passion has driven him to build MK Architecture Designs’ success.

Muhannad Kurdi—A Dynamic Leader in the Design Architecture Space!

The stepping stone of every leadership has been based on the emergence of a solution. Sometimes this solution can be solving a problem or at times, it is providing an enhanced quality over the pre-existing business practices. And, Muhannad Kurdi has been a mix of both. But essentially, he has been a passionate wheel in the development of architecture in the Middle East space.

This made him study engineering and further pursue his professional career in the world of architecture. Furthering ahead into his career, Muhannad started with his job where he was blessed to work on innovative projects that led him to be the founder of Al-Farsi Towers in Jeddah and Ohur ai-janoubia, Jeddah , Saudi Arabia on the sea. This venture not only gave an indepth understanding of the architecture industry but also explained Muhannad, the intricacies that go into the construction of real estate projects. With such learnings, Muhannad was inspired to venture into establishing his own business.

Starting his journey into the corporate world, Muhannad knew about his design skills. He took one step at a time but ensured that his work defines his intent of creating the best. And, furthering into the industry with passion and resilience, Muhannad brought ideas into life while creating beautiful, comfortable, and unique imprints in the urban engineering field. This led Muhannad to have a propelling and igniting start in architecture and also opened his doors to innovative leadership across Saudi Arabia.

Reminiscing about his inception story, Muhannad says “It is my passion before it becomes my specialty. My goal is to be number one in the world.” But essentially Muhannad’s leadership had been more based on an innovative approach to architecture design. When he initiated his journey in 2015, he had been working for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation and later started his business project. Initially, He stared designing external, internal architectural design and supervising a project that started with small villas and restaurants until it expanded to towers, hospitals, plans, and entire neighborhoods.

A Sneak Peak into MK Group and Design

Muhannad Kurdi (MK) is an architecture and design firm located in Khobar but often works on many projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The firm offers services such as architecture design, interior design, Landscaping,consulting for both residential and commercial purposes.

Incepted in 2015, the company started with one employee, and Muhannad was the Founder and CEO. He was the success factor for MK GROUP and now the company has expanded to 3 branches in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar. Muhannad shares about the

company’s growth and says, “We have exceeded 24 employees. We have existing projects inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our projects have reached all Gulf countries in in Middle east ,Qater, Dubai, Kuwait ,Europe and America and soon all over the world.”

Having a vision of a global footprint, Muhannad ensures to facilitate his customer with trust and empathy. Rather than being rigid about the industry practices, his company—MK Group, takes a new turn into consumer customization and facilitates every service in such a way that it fulfills consumer perception that ultimately leads to a happy clientele. This has resulted in the increased demand for customers for MK Group services. Its ongoing projects have been a rising temptation in the real estate industry and future projects have been booming the market with surprises and excitement. Being the best in what it does, MK Group’s primarily focuses on designing creative concepts into infrastructure. Under the leadership of its CEO— Muhannad, the company has created a strong foothold in the organization with unique and standout projects. Out of many, few attractive projects have been into the residential, commercial, and entertainment centers. These projects reflect upon the significant potential of Muhannad Kurdi and his visionary acumen for the Middle East development.

MK Group has built multiple projects inside and outside the Saudi Kingdom, the most important of which are residential projects, towers, hospitals, and commercial and entertainment centers. One of MK Group’s most prominent services is design, which includes interior design, architecture, construction, electromechanical plans, energy efficiency plans, infrastructure, project management, and supervision. MK Group owns a contracting company to implement existing and exciting works.

With such project accomplishment, the company takes pride in itself and acknowledges its potential across the global architecture space.

Struggles that turned Muhannad into a Magnificent Glory

Such a grand success of Muhannad Kurdi might look like a cakewalk. But, the true story has something more to say. When Muhannad started his academic and professional journey, he started it alone. No assistance, no angel investors, and neither any business

backup in case of failures nor any alternative to keep the business flow with capital management. Realizing such risks, Muhannad understood that quality is king and hence, he ensured to provide the best quality to his customers. Initially, he was alone but gradually with his rising popularity amongst his consumer, Muhannad expanded with potential talents. And, as time passed and his business grew, he made sure that he associated with the best talent. And, this had been quite a challenge for Muhannad.

Even though the global architecture space is filled with passionate and artistic architects, it had been very tough to reach up to engineers who are equipped to provide quality work. Sharing insights about his struggle, he points out, “Attracting professional engineering cadres to produce the best engineering quality at the hands of highly qualified engineers with more than 15 years of experience has been my challenge.”

But Muhannad just didn’t stop here. With his resilient approach, he onboarded the best talents available and made a strong team that is not only beneficial for business but also an advantage for Muhannad’s vision of a global footprint. This had been a vital step for Muhannad’s sustainable approach to business.

Leading Sustainable Business Practices

Being a leader on all fronts of his business, Muhannad understands the importance of trust-based leadership. He knows that establishing a business is more about connecting with the community and building up an ecosystem that goes beyond the cost-benefit analysis. Hence, Muhannad stays true to his principles. This can be also cited in the mission and vision of MK Group.

Follow the trail!

• Mission:

MK Group is a symbol of professionalism, commitment, and customer satisfaction. Staying true to such unique features, MK Group is on a mission to continue implementing projects to the highest standards and with the best materials that

are functional, safe, and visually appealing.

• Vision:

Having a top edge over consumer trust, the company has always been scaling high in the consumer market This has bzzzeen assisting the company to get closer to its This has bzzzeen assisting the company to get closer to its This has bzzzeen assisting the company

to get closer to its goal. Today, the company envisions being the leading company in the field of architecture and design in the Saudi market through its high-

This futuristic goal keeps the company rooted in its basics and afloat in the market. With simplicity at its core, MK Group believes in giving back to society. Hence, every project is operated with a customized approach keeping customer satisfaction as the prime focus for crafting a unique identity for the company.

MK Group services help in creating and reflecting a civilization in which peoples’ culture, renaissance, and development are reflected, and distinguish it from others because it has a worthy imprint for everyone behind its designs,” concludes Muhannad Mansour Kurdi.

Awards and Recognition

One of the most important achievements of Muhannad Kurdi is that he expanded the MK Group company in a short period and he carried out several projects at the level of the Middle East and the world. Additionally, he carried out several projects for several high positions inside and outside the kingdom, including the owners of their royal highnesses. This means complete confidence in MK Groupi

About the Leader

Muhannad Mansour Kurdi was born (03 -May- 1989) in Saudi Arabia – Dhahran. He studied at the Umm al-Qura University of Architecture in Mecca. He was passionate about drawing and building since childhood. During his university program, he was studying and worked in the field of architecture. Then he graduated and worked for a company in Jeddah that built more than one residential tower. Further, he was the engineer who founded the Al-Farsi Towers in Jeddah, and Obhur Al-Janoubia on the sea.

After that, his career and his passion got unified in the world of engineering. He wanted to create an engineering world that did not exist for him, to transfer society to a new civilization, culture, and vision, because engineering is not just drawing and building, but rather a mirror that reflects the culture of peoples, their renaissance, and development. After that, the largest companies in Saudi Arabia started offering Muhannad job offers, the most important of which are Armco and SABIC. Mr. Kurdi has been employed at SABIC for 5 years. He says,

“The time has come for mze to be Muhannad Kurdi’s footprint in the world of engineering so but , that the world knows who I am.”

Killa Design

MOST DYNAMIC BUSINESS LEADERS, RULING THE ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN 2022

Driven by design excellence, Shaun Killa is an award-winning architect with international experience spanning over 26 years.Throughout his career, Shaun has focused

his design philosophy on buildings and masterplans that are sustainable, innovative,contextually inspired and have a holistic approach to the natural and economic environment which has led to numerous highly recognisable iconic projects.

SHAUN KILLA DESIGN DIRECTOR

Shaun spent 16 years as Director of Architecture at Atkins before co-founding the Killa Design studio in 2015. He has worked on signature projects, including the award-winning designs for the Museum of the future, the newly opened The Address Beach Resort, a W Hotel in Mumbai, Vida Hotel in the Dubai Marina, Aykon Twin Towers in Dubai, and the Office of the Future, the first occu pied printed building in the world. Recently the firm won a zero energy ultra-luxury resort in the Red Sea.

Shaun works closely with the associate partners on numerous projects in ensuring the highest design quality as well providing innovative & amp; sustainable ideas. Throughout the design process Shaun also spends significant time mentoring and uplifting the diverse younger generation of Architects in his office, where the flat structure of ‘design lead’ dialogue is highly encouraged within the studio and design team.

Shaun’s further role has been to compete at the highest level in competitions against multiple international architectural firms for hospitality, cultural and mixed-use buildings.In many instances winning these whereby growing the firm from a few people to 80 strong within 6 years.

Awards 2022:

1. At this year’s Identityae Design Awards 2022 in Dubai, Killa Design received multiple honours for Museum of the Future Winner for Architecture – Public spaces, Design of the Year for Architecture, and highly commended for Interior Design – Public spaces.

Evaluated by an international jury, these awards recognise and reward ‘design excellence, originality, sustainability and aesthetics.’

2. Killa Design was awarded ‘Best Workplace of the Year 2022’, at the Design Middle EastAwards in Dubai.

The award was presented to the team on November 11th, recognising our ‘people-centric approach and demonstrating strong commitment towards employee empowerment and enrichment’.

Killa Design: dedicated to creating innovative buildings that are timeless, environmentally sustainable,and contextually inspired.

Killa Design is a design firm that is dedicated to creating innovative buildings that are timeless,environmentally sustainable, challenge the norm, contextually inspired by spaces that enhance life.The firm specialises in mixeduse, high-rise, hospitality, office, residential, retail, theatre, museum,urban design and master planning communities.

MISSION:-In the seven years since we were first established, Killa Design has been able to secure, design and construct a significant number of projects that have made a tangible difference to the architectural and construction landscape of the Middle East and wider region.

ETHOS

MISSION

MISSION MISSION MISSION

Projects such as the Museum of the Future, Office of the Future, The Vida Marina and The Address Beach Resort have pushed the boundaries of design and sought out new and innovative ways of approaching age-old architectural problems. Our core creative mission is to approach design from first principles, to not be hampered by the way that things have been done in the past but rather to approach each project as a new and unique set of challenges that require innovative and unique design solutions. We are honoured to be trusted by our client’s to positively shape the form of our buildings and our cities. We believe that we have an ethical responsibility to wield the material and human labour made available to us with the greatest possible respect for the environmental, social, and cultural context.

MISSION MISSION MISSION MISSION MISSION

As a firm, Killa Design is dedicated to creating innovative buildings that are timeless, environmentally sustainable, and contextually inspired. We specialise in mixed-use, high rise, hospitality, office, and residential projects. We also have significant experience in retail, theatre, museum, urban design, and master planning projects. With value led building solutions, cutting edge and creative thinking, we strive to build strong relationships with our clients by going beyond the brief to help transform their project vision into viable, liveable spaces.

Our people are passionate about responsible design and the impact it has on the lives we touch every day.

• As a firm we aim to:

• Create environmentally sustainable buildings

• Challenge the norm

• Find inspiration in the given context

• Create innovative yet timeless designs

• Create spaces that enhance the quality of life

As a firm, we encourage our clients to explore and undertake project designs that re-define design and construction methodologies; that are challenging but rewarding for the delivery team and that ultimately deliver the highest quality of the built environment for the end-user. Our firm is defined by our holistic approach that encourages our clients, our consultants, our collaborators, and ourselves to work outside our normal comfort zone to reach a higher standard of building design.

While many firms are driven by commercial interests, our primary goal is to support projects that call for unique and innovative solutions, that offer new possibilities for design and that resonate with our core values. These core values are to support sustainability, contextual sensitivity, and timeless design. We believe that commercial success will result from holding true to what we value in architecture and that our firm will be recognised for its commitment to these higher goals by being given the opportunity to develop new projects in the future.

MOST DYNAMIC BUSINESS LEADERS, RULING THE ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN 2022

Al Assam EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN/FOUNDER

Mr. Al Assam has a successful leadership track record of over 39 years with private practice in GCC, Middle East and North Africa. An extensive experience and professional knowledge in all types of projects life cycle from inception to construction and turnkey. He is an effective coordinator and facilitator of team performance and has wide experience in a multidisciplinary context, with the ability to lead Technical and Administrative staff, to achieve a high Architectural Quality and profitable results. Past expertise includes several domains such as: Executive in charge of Design Section,

controlling a team of Architects, preparation of complete architectural design package for Masterplanning projects, multi storey buildings, luxurious villas and palaces.

As a Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Al Assam has participated in setting the strategic direction

of the firm. With his sound strategic awareness in Business Development, the firm has achieved several international awards and nom inations. Besides, a record profits in 2008 and continues to expand its vision in becoming the most prominent firm in the Middle East and GCC region. Dewan is currently staffed with over 300 professionals and working on an extensive portfolio of projects in various sectors and across 10 countries in the GCC, Africa, and Asia.

Dewan has just been given top honours after being ranked among the world’s top 50 architectural firms. The company was also recently ranked as top 4 architectural firm in the Middle East. Mr. Al Assam has also played a role in leading the firm towards sustainable design. Over the past few months several of our projects have won LEED accreditation. He is an active speaker and debater, and contributes often to public and professional forums.

Dewan Architects + Engineers: Multi-disciplinary award winning design firm first established in the UAE in 1984 and now working across the region.

“Dewan Architects + Engineers has been at the forefront of the Middle East’s booming architectural and engineering design sector for almost three decades.”

With over 30 years of commitment to excellence in design and the built environment, Dewan Architects & Engineers has been leading the evolution of the Middle East’s booming architectural and engineering design sector for almost three decades.

The inaugural Dewan office was established in Abu Dhabi early 1984 and successfully completed Dewan’s first high-rise commercial project, Baniyas Tower, in 1988, which cemented Dewan’s presence as a major player in the regional architectural scene.

In 1999, Dewan’s Dubai design studio was launched and it has rapidly become a prominent and integral contributor to the emirate’s burgeoning and iconic skyline. Dewan further entrenched its leadership market position by establishing new offices in Iraq, Libya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Philippines, and Qatar.

Dewan Architects & Engineers strives to be known as “the quality” driven practice focusing on creating distinctive, eminent buildings that fuse functionality with superior aesthetic form and environmental considerations. Dewan’s extensive portfolio of successful projects, many with repeat clients, is a testament to our trademark collaborative and intuitive approach to design.

Today Dewan is recognised as a global multi-disciplinary practice and is ranked as one of the top three firms regionally, and in the top 50 firms globally as rated by leading industry publications and its peers.

Mohamed

Ammar Al Assam is the Chief Executive Officer at Dewan Architects and Engineers. He joined Dewan in 2001, and has taken the lead in developing and implementing the strategic plan for the growth of Dewan into

a regional multi-disciplinary and multi-market leading A&E firm. In 2007, Ammar led the transaction team that secured a strategic investor in the form of Ithmar Capital, a leading regional private equity firm, thereby allowing the firm to successfully expand within the region and penetrate new markets.

Serving as both Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, Ammar continues to be actively involved in the development of new business opportunities, harnessing strategic relationships and partnerships, and in breaking into new vertical and geographical markets. Dewan has successfully set up regional offices in Qatar, Saudi, Iraq and Philippines in the last 7 years. With the growing importance of environmental consciousness and the need for expertise in designing buildings that are green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

Ammar Al Assam CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ammar has helped lead the development of the corporate culture of the firm to be one that is focussed on dsigning buildings that are sustainable and Dewan has actively and successfully designed buildings that have received LEED and ESTIDAMA certification. Today, Dewan Architects + Engineers is a truly regional firm operating in the Gulf, the Levant, and North Africa, and offers multi-disciplinary design services with the firm being ranked by prestigious industry publications in the Top 50 globally and Top 4 regionally.

Dewan

Architects +

Engineers Designs Longest Building in The World to Transform Hanoi City in Vietnam

The Dragon Tower in Hanoi by Dewan Architects + Engineers in collaboration with TTA, is the winner of the Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2022 in the Mix-Used category; the tower is projected to transform Vietnam’s landmark. Designed to be the longest building in the world, the 700.000 square meters complex will provide ministerial lobbies, meeting rooms, and public spaces, including a nursery, library, supermarket, restaurants, and a learning center. A water reservoir and green terraces are incorporated into the design to increase the building’s efficiency and accessibility. The building is compounded by two sectors: The ground floor is an artificial topography that holds the elevated offices’ bar to form the dragon shape. Inspired by Fairy Mountain, one of the main natural highlights of Vietnam, green terraces connect complementary uses with the main squares. For the reservoir, the architects were inspired by the Sa Pa region, a deep valley of ancestral rice terraces. The reservoir controls flooding by purposely flooding certain platforms in the rainy season, increasing natural ventilation, and controlling the temperature. This flooding area shapes stepped platforms for public activities that extend to create public spaces as an extension of the city.

Dewan’s ambition is to create the most extended building in the world. The elevated “dragon” bar will accommodate a series of sections that can be added or removed from the strip to offer more space for the ministerial staff. The bar hosts an internal street for easy staff circulation and autonomous sustainable transport connecting the metro to the different ministries and the city metro system. The head of the dragon forms the tower, a monumental symbolic entrance for the ministers, special guests, and visiting dignitaries. It is also the tallest building in the area and the iconic landmark of the city and Vietnam.

MOST DYNAMIC BUSINESS LEADERS, RULING THE ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN 2022

DESERT INK: A proponent for positive change in the landscape industry

Denley Chartered Landscape Architect

Duncan believes that intelligent design reduces environmental impact, slashes construction budgets and delivers innovative solutions.

Each one of us has an ingrained desire to create a lush green landscape and mimic ‘nature’ irrespective of where one originates from. Surrounding oneself with vegetation appears to be hard-wired, with many client’s specifically seeking a verdant retreat from the harsh surroundings. A dramatic tide of cultivation has swept across the middle east in the last 30 years, leaving a wonderfully-green, yet unsustainable network of ubiquitous landscapes. Through flagship projects like the Sustainability Pavilion, desert INK aims to expose decision makers and the general public to attractive xerophytic landscapes. It’s hoped that a growing appreciation for new forms of xeriscape will emerge and filter into mainstream public landscapes where the significant environmental benefits are to be found. The principle is that greater exposure and understanding of these water efficient landscapes will develop an appreciation, desire and ultimately demand for this style.

“It is always easier said than done of course, and it will probably take many years before the general public take plants like desert grasses, drought-hardy perennials and succulents to their hearts. We have been encouraged by the realisation that the public always catch up eventually- whether in the art world, fashion, music or architecture. What is now thought of as avant garde in any field inevitably is adopted by the mainstream in due course. desert INK also take considerable inspiration from successful pioneers in other regions, such as South Africa, Australia, New Mexico and Arizona, where fantastic desert aesthetics combine local stones, gravels and architectural features with sculptural xerophytic planting.” Comments Duncan Denley, Managing Director of desert INK.

Denley continues on to explain how the team has been successful in identifying and establishing a palette of plants that give the lush green appearance but are well adapted to the region, “As a landscape architect,I am realistic and know that many clients simply will not accept a landscape design with a xerophytic

Duncan

Since their inception in Dubai Design District in 2015, desert INK have pioneered a sustainable and context driven approach to landscape architecture which is now resonating with clients around the globe. With a talented international team that consistently innovate and share a passion for creating exciting places, desert INK has assumed a leading position in the movement to improve our built environment. Their diverse portfolio includes commissions ranging from public parks & streetscapes to roof top gardens & eco hotels, yet all share a common DNA of innovation and sustainability.

This DNA is perhaps best evidenced in TERRA, the EXPO 2020 Sustainability Pavilion. A unique landscape which pioneers the use of native plants never before cultivated along with countless other sustainable innovations, the project has already become an international benchmark.

Together with multiple-award winning public park, ‘The Block’, desert INK’s unique thinking is highly sought after in the pursuit of a brighter future for our built environment.

desert INK has always been a proponent for positive change in the landscape industry in the Middle East.With the launch of TERRA the Sustainability Pavilion, desert INK is pioneering a new form of landscape architecture for the region. At the forefront of this new direction is a marked deviation from the wellestablished norms of tropical planting and associated lush green effect, which is in complete contrast to the natural systems of the region.

appearance. Many still want the deep greens of tropical and temperate landscapes. At desert INK, we’ve devoted considerable time to seek out plants which have a lush green appearance, yet are actually well adapted to grow with small quantities of water. My own small garden is full of plants such as Pandanus baptisii, which gives a brilliant tropical lush effect, but requires very little water or maintenance.”

“Wahat Al Sahraa, sister company of desert INK, operates the largest plant nursery in the Middle East which has been instrumental in desert INK’s quest to ‘go native’. The nursery comprises a team of expert growers who have identified plants from, or best suited to the region and share this learning with the rest of the Desert Group. This feedback loop allows all of us to select drought tolerant trees like Millingtonia hortensis which actually provide the rich green tropical-effect canopy that our clients seek, yet require a fraction of the water.” adds Michael Mascarenhas, CEO, Desert Group

desert INK’s efforts to establish a new landscape identity using indigenous planting will reach a crescendo with the Sustainability Pavilion. In collaboration with horticultural experts from the UK’s Eden Project, the team have developed a plant palette which has expanded the available species list by more than 100.

“We have always seen these incidental bushes growing on sand dunes and between rocky outcrops in the desert without any irrigation. The only source of water for these plants is rain which is very limited in the region, yet they survive well. With the growing need for draught tolerant species, these plants were our starting point for expanding the plant palette. Lo and behold, many of these native plants thrived when provided with even minimal irrigation and maintenance.” Explains Romit Chakravarty, Senior Landscape

Designer at desert INK.

Chakravarty continues to elaborate, “Our teams from Wahat Al Sahraa went out into the desert, brought back seeds and cuttings which were then propagated. As with any new approach, there is a steep learning curve. Some propagations were successful and some weren’t. This knowledge was then implemented into the Sustainability Pavilion project.” desert INK hopes that this new standard will now pave the way for future designs in the region. In terms of convincing clients to adapt a more sustainable approach, reduced costs is one of the most convincing points which the team highlight when discussing the approach for planting with clients. Being more sustainable simply takes more design thought and time, it delivers both cap-ex and op-ex cost reductions. “In terms of cap-ex, sustainable landscapes generally cost less to install, because they utilise local materials, which are less costly than imported. Fewer plants are required, since the effect is less dense and often utilises local gravels, aggregates and lose stones to dress the ground surface, which are much more cost effective than plants with their associated composts, fertilisers and irrigation systems.”Elaborates, Denley.

Keeping true to their vision of ‘creating exiting places which enhance lives’, desert INK believe that opting for a sustainable approach to landscape architecture should not be seen as compromising aesthetics in favour of the environment. Taking the regional climatic challenges to their hearts has led to designs which are unique and moreover, have a sense of context. Put simply, desert INK’s designs look like they belong in their surroundings. Use of native plants, local stone, aggregates and perhaps some interesting interpretation of dune landforms creates a wonderful atmosphere. It feels appropriate to the setting rather than attempting to recreate a landscape character of the tropics or Europe. Cost savings and environmental kudos mentioned earlier are considered as added bonuses; the benefit is that they are creating unique places that are inspired by local context and materials. Known for their context-driven, sustainable landscape designs, desert INK

sultancy based in the Dubai Design District.

are a landscape design con-

With 20 years of experience in the region, Managing Director Duncan Denley leads a creative team backed up by the 30 years’ experience held in the Desert Group and vision of CEO Michael Mascarenhas.

Principal Partners

Amjad Hourieh and Firas Alsahin

4SPACE design, an International-award winning firm, based in Dubai. Led by Principal Partners Amjad Hourieh and Firas Alsahin, we have thrived over our 15 years of operation to provide top of the range architectural, interior design and space design projects to our clients. 4 Space is a diversified, dynamic and multi-talented firm advocating a humane approach, delivering innovation and quality in architecture, interior design, and space design. We work with local and global brands to create attractive, comprehensive environments with an effective commercial purpose for clients ranging from retail and hospitality to property development.

One of the top 20 most successful boutique interior design firms in the Middle East in 2019 their services are straight and simple – you imagine it, we make it a reality. Whether you are looking for a corporate atmosphere, a customized creative working space, a cozy place to come home to, or an eccentric crib to entertain your friends, our highly specialized team will collaborate together to give you the most innovative ideas to enhance your concept, and finally bring it to life before your very eyes.

4SPACE design an International-award winning firm, based in Dubai. · What a night! · 4SPACE is celebrating 10 years of design, team and friendship.

Originally established in Damascus in 2001, founders, Firas Alsahin and Amjad Hourieh, moved their practice to Dubai to be at the centre of this vibrant market. The emirate’s booming growth in the commercial sector was an impetus for the firm to explore all the opportunities in the design industry. Overcoming an uphill battle, 4Space Design has gone on to create noteworthy projects in the UAE. Eschewing quantity for quality, profiles of the project and relationship with clients, the studio credit its people’s distinct ideas strategic business development.

The new 4SPACE Design offices are designed for the team. The leaders put together a questionnaire asking the team to imagine their new workspace. Overall, the team wanted there to be an intrinsic sense of wellbeing and belonging within the space. They wanted light. And lots of it. Neutral monochromatic schemes and a large breakout area with a games and relaxation space for the team to draw breath and find a sense of peace from a busy day.

Concept

“When brutalism meets minimalism with a twist of industrial”. 4SPACE has paired unfinished concrete breeze blocks with a smooth monochromatic pallet and verdant trees to nod to biophilic living. Richly covered modern furniture, exposed piping, stainless steel accessories, and fluorescent lighting create exciting spaces for work, meetings, and play.

Various design elements

The 4SPACE Design offices are exciting. The exposed breeze block walls are treated with sealer material to enhance and preserve the brutalist look. It’s raw, unfinished, and playful. Modern an gular lighting bounces light throughout

the open spaces and communal workstations. The central atrium of the offices boasts a beautifully preserved, semi-artificial olive tree that has been hand-fashioned by craftsmen in Dubai. The trees have come from historic groves across the region. Olive trees are known to flourish until they are several thousands of years

“A brief from the team to the team”

old. Introducing biophilic design elements into a space can help alleviate stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance mood and creativity. The space is multi-functional, with open spaces for teams to assemble, but the team can create private spaces with impressive pivotal doors for important meetings.

About the execution

This project was extraordinarily fast and only took a month to complete. It was a complete family affair where the 4SPACE design team, contractors and suppliers all contributed to the seamless execution of the new office space. Each person provided valuable support to achieve the tight timeline for the transition from the old offices to the new.

Challenges overcome Contractors struggled to manoeuvre 2.70-metre glass partitions in the elevators; their hard work and brave efforts have created a remarkable installation. The concrete flooring was quite challenging; it had to be poured, dried and levelled precisely. From the questionnaire, the entire design process and construction took a mere 45 days.

Unique and key features

There are many focal points, but the most exciting key features are the oive tree,concrete and exposed breeze blocks, the neutral monochromatic colour scheme and the open ceiling concept with exposed industrial metal piping.

About the ambience

The 4SPACE office has the appeal of a solid but inviting fortress. The distinctive concrete modernism provides lighthearted intrigue yet is minimalistic and intimate. The office is set amidst endless city skyscrapers. As a result of the open workspaces, the office possesses spectacular views across the Dubai waterfront and the iconic Dubai Eye.