Design Middle East December 2021

DECEMBER 2021 design-middleeast.com

Interiors and architecture from the Gulf, Levant and beyond

BOWLED OVER

The Bowery Company’s Christiane nasr

BACK TO BASICS AW2 ’s Stéphanie Ledoux and Reda Amalou

INTEGRITY. NETWORK. KNOWLEDGE. Light Link’s founder Jaspal Bal

BUILDING A CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM Khadija Al Bastaki

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT (D3),

DISCUSSES HER VALUES AND MISSION, HOW D3 SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC, EXCITING INITIATIVES, AND LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE ROAD.

DECEMBER 2021 | DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

MARBLE MARBLE

Staturio StaturioMarble Marble GRANITE GRANITE

QUARTZITE QUARTZITE

ONYX ONYX TRAVERTINE TRAVERTINE LIMESTONE LIMESTONE PRECIOUS PRECIOUS STONE STONE

Surface Solutions, Surface Solutions, Designed By Nature

Designed By Nature

www.glaze.ae/

www.glaze.ae/

Building a creative ecosysytem KHADIJA AL BASTAKI, Executive Director of Dubai Design District (d3), discusses her values and objectives, as well as how d3 supported the community during the pandemic, exciting initiatives, her leadership style and lessons learned along the road.

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INTERVIEW Listen. Integrity. Network.

Knowledge Light Link's Founder And Managing Director, Jaspal Bal, Talks About The Company's Goals, Lighting Innovation, Upcoming Trends, and Notable Projects 16

INTERVIEW The rise of modular containers Jens Otterstedt, general manager at Al Masaood Bergum, discusses his new role, the growing popularity of modular containers, and the challenges in his field 20

NEW SHOWROOM Bowled over The Bowery Company's founder, Christiane Nasr, discusses her new showroom, the importance of having a digital presence, and the brand's expansion goals 30

TÊTE-À-TÊTE Architecture that delivers real experiences Stéphanie Ledoux and Reda Amalou, partner architects at Paris-based firm AW2 Architecture Workshop,

discuss their first built project in Saudi Arabia— Ashar Tented Resort.

modular houses which they have taken inspiration from him sculpture called the “La Madre”.

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IN CONVERSATION Casa Milano turns 2 Azhar sajan, director of Casa Milano, discusses the brand's two year anniversary, lessons learned, new offerings, and an emphasis on e-commerce and mobile app

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Unleashing creativity A look back at some of the most memorable moments from Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design.

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DECOR REVIEW SLS Style, luxury, sophistication There's a new address for luxury and contemporary chic; visit SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences for an unforgettable experience.

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TALKING POINT Together for innovation Roberto Palomba, Chief Design Officer at Ideal Standard on World Together Tour’s recent Dubai edition, smart technology, and innovative technology 46

3D TECHNOLOGY Exosteel Lead Architect Öznur Pınar Çer", they have designed “Exosteel Mother Nature”

REVIEW Top-notch Here’s why Rhodes W1 at the Grosvenor House Dubai is a great place to hang out…

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WISHLIST Create a charming festive spirit Feel merry with these incredible Christmas decor ideas that will make you the ultimate host.

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REVIEW Upgrade your gaming room with Razer Enki X Chair This amazing gaming chair finds a sweet spot that will always keep you in the comfort zone, owing to its design that provides excellent weight distribution.

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Editor's note

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DECEMBER 2021

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can't believe the year is almost coming to an end. The globe continues to struggle with the pandemic, but it is forging ahead with immense faith in technology, medicine, and hope. The region has genuinely braced itself, and our designers and architects have created some incredible landmarks, restaurants, and structures that symbolise the future in the most sustainable way possible. So here's to all of that and more!

The cover of the year-end December 2021 edition features Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District (d3), one of the region's most powerful women, as she discusses her vision and goals, how the community came together during the pandemic, the recently concluded Dubai Design Week, and her future plans. This is a must-read!

We also have some interesting articles with Light Link's founder and managing director, Jaspal Bal, discussing the company's ambitions and lighting innovation. We also spoke with Roberto Palomba, Chief Design Officer at Ideal Standard, who was in town for the Dubai edition of the World Together Tour. Also, Azhar Sajan's Casa Milano celebrated its two-year anniversary, and we caught up with him at the celebration, where he talked about the brand's latest offerings and why he prioritises e-commerce and mobile apps.

We've got some great recommendations of two extremely cool venues you may visit with your family and friends: SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences and Grosvenor House

CEO WISSAM YOUNANE

wissam@bncpublishing.net DIRECTOR RABIH NAJM

rabih@bncpublishing.net GROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR JOAQUIM D’COSTA

jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR RABIH NADERI

rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818

Dubai's Rhodes W1. Find out why they're a great place to hang out throughout the winter.

This month's Wishlist is a must-read because it covers everything Christmas, from tableware to lights to amazing design ideas.

This month, my favourite pick is the wonderful Peacock chair by Italian designer Marc Ange, which embodies both refinement and joy. Furthermore, it is on display at the Visionnaire showroom on JBR in Dubai.

Wishing all of our readers a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

EDITOR ROMA ARORA roma@bncpublishing.net

Roma Arora Editor roma@bncpublishing.net

subscriptions@bncpublishing.net

CREATIVE LEAD ODETTE KAHWAGI

design@bncpublishing.net ART DIRECTOR SIMONA EL KHOURY MARKETING EXECUTIVE AARON JOSHUA

aj@bncpublishing.net DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER ALEXANDER BUNGAS

Alexandar@bncpublishing.net

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For all commercial enquiries related to Design Middle East, contact our Group Publishing Director JOAQUIM D’COSTA jo@bncpublishing.net | T +971 504402706 All rights reserved © 2021.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors.

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Images used in Design Middle East are credited when necessary. Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission.

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Counter Top: GRIGIO VENATO Wash Basin: RAK-CLOUD Mirror: RAK-JOY Wall and Floor: DESERT

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A blend of lifestyle & luxury in a timeless elegant atmosphere

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sbe.com/sls-dubai @slsdubai

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News

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DECEMBER 2021

Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux delivers a pristine trendy matt finish and enhanced smoothness.

Jotun launches Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux paint

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otun, the region’s leading paint brand, expands its interior paints portfolio with the launch of Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux. It is a unique matt paint with an elegant smooth finish and a new advanced easy-clean technology. Thanks to its unique technology, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux gives you long-lasting beautiful walls effortlessly, which means you can maintain real beauty in your home everyday just as the day it was first painted.

Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux raises new standards in interior elegance and trends, combining a beautiful and smooth matt finish without the need to compromise on its maintenance. This innovative product has obtained the Greenguard Gold certification by using a technology that improves the air quality in your home and at the same time, it has no smell so that your life won’t be

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interrupted during the painting process.

With its advanced easy clean technology, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux allows you to easily remove even the worse stains without affecting its beauty and colours. Fenomastic Wonderwall Life also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, ensuring extra protection to your walls.

Commenting on the new interior paint innovation, Mariam Marchane, regional brand manager, Interior Paints at Jotun Middle East, India and Africa said: “Every individual yearns for a beautiful home without the need to compromise between something beautiful and something easy to maintain, with Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux we can proudly have beautiful homes that last. We at Jotun are always dedicated to delivering the very highest quality, with our unique interpretation of global trends and constantly working on innovating to bring new products that continue to exceed the industry standards.”

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Coante keeps them stain-resistant & easy to care for and maintain.

Commenting on the development, Umesh Punia, [CEO, Glaze] said: “In last two decades GLAZE has become a synonym for quality stones in UAE. We have been providing the world’s best stone brands to our customers and helping them in creating their beautiful abode.

This partnership with Coante is yet another step towards providing the best brands to our clients and ensuring their satisfaction. BRETONSTONE technology quartz has its own marketplace and when it comes to veined marble design in quartz surfaces, Coante is one of the top brands in the world’ Kenan Erdem, general manager at Coante says: “When we launched Coante, we started looking for partners around the world. When it came to the UAE, the first name that came up wasGLAZE, and the way Glaze keeps the brand value of every product is remarkable. In fact, they elevate the brand to another level, from training the sales team to fabricators, contractors & overall marketing of any product at Glaze is rare to find elsewhere. We look forward to having a great partnership with GLAZE. Honestly, having our product displayed at GLAZE gives us a niche in other markets as well.”

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laze Granite & Marble, the UAE’s largest marble importer has been appointed as the sole distributor of Coante Quartz. The company Coante Quartz Surfaces is one of the latest and most advanced BRETONSTONE – Italian technology plants, located in Turkey. Coante prides itself on having state of art robotic technology to make veined marble designs in quartz slabs for countertops, with a warranty of 20 years.

BRETONSTONE- Italy was the first to develop the ground-breaking technology to manufacture engineered quartz stone plants in Italy and they remain the world leaders in engineered stone technology. Their trademarked plants produce the most durable and technically perfect quartz surfaces, guaranteed to give life to your kitchen countertop of 20 years or longer.

Coante countertops consist of 93-95% of natural Quartz minerals, Quartz in nature is one of the hardest minerals besides diamond and such a high percentage of quartz content in Coante countertops make them resistant to scratch and impact. The non-porous structure of Coante countertops do not allow for bacterial, fungal and mould formation, therefore they are hygienic. The non-absorbent character of

DECEMBER 2021

Glaze Granite & Marble to provide COANTE Quartz in the UAE

Coante offers aesthetic solutions for both modern and classical decorations.

The jumbo size slabs make it possible for maximised use with minimum seaming.

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10 News

DECEMBER 2021

Known for its unique exterior inspired by an Arabic wind tower, the 34-storey property is home to 394 guest rooms and suites, 12 dining and entertainment venues including The Theater, OPA and Bagatelle, Bistrot Novanta, a unique hotel spa covering 40,000sqft and two terraced rooftop swimming pools.

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SAY Studio announces full renovation of public spaces at Fairmont SZR

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ubai-based design firm SAY Studio announces Phases II to III in its refurbishment plans for Fairmont Dubai.

Situated in the heart of Dubai’s bustling financial district, Fairmont Dubai is currently undergoing Phase I of SAY Studio’s roll-out plan to refurbish all private guest spaces for the hotel brand.

Phase I sees the refurbishment of 275 rooms and suites, as part of an initiative to further elevate the hotels’ guest experience. Spanning three categories including the signature rooms, junior suites and

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one-bedroom suites designed with the modern business traveller in mind, the rooms have been refurbished to add a modern touch while retaining the luxury and standard to which guests have come to expect of Fairmont hotels around the world. Within the rooms, SAY Studio has used a soft palette and natural materials representative of those that could be found within the surrounding landscape. Warm timbers, to represent the soft tones of the dunes, complimented with deep ocean blues found within the carpet and furniture, is a subtle reference to the views of the Arabian Gulf. The occasional use of satin bronze displayed within the bespoke light fixtures pays homage to the early decadence of the Fairmont in San Francisco. Finally, the textured wall coverings add a sense of depth and luxury making the environment warm and inviting.

Rasha Al-Tekreeti, senior interior designer at SAY Studio, said: “When we began the project, we took

inspiration from two distinct points, the rich history of Fairmont and the innate ambitions of grandeur found in Dubai. It is easy to view Dubai in the form which it holds today, a vibrant cosmopolitan city that pushes boundaries and sets global standards. But if you return to a few decades ago, things were quite different. We felt a symbolic representation of the city’s diversity and development, and inspirational ambition could be found in the dynamism of its location. It perfectly balances the idea of travel, and a destination. The ambition was to create a timeless yet classic ambience that respected the story of both Fairmont and Dubai equally.”

Matthew Sexton, managing director at SAY Studio, concluded: “We are delighted our work on this project has extended so far beyond the initial brief. We are in discussions with multiple hospitality brands concurrently, all with similar briefs to upgrade rooms and public spaces in order to attract the increasing number of visitors due to both Expo and peak tourist seasons.”

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Expo 2020 Dubai surpasses five million visitors xpo 2020 Dubai has seen a staggering 5,663,960 visits up to 5 December, since it first opened on 1 October, with recent figures buoyed by the UAE’s Golden Jubilee festivities, as well as a raft of spectacular sport, music and cultural performances.

During October and November, a total of 5,383 government leaders, including ministers, presidents, prime ministers and heads of state, have graced the Expo site to speak at official events or celebrate their nation’s Expo National Day, with Expo hosting a total of 10,461 events in just the first two months.

During his visit last week, President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, congratulated Expo 2020 Dubai for “organising this exhibition and making it a success”.

Proving that one day isn’t enough to experience everything Expo 2020 has to offer, six out of 10 visitors (57 per cent) now hold an Expo Season Pass, with the number of repeat visitors in the first two months reaching 1.2 million.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “We are delighted with the figures, and that so many people chose to celebrate such a momentous occasion, the UAE’s 50th National Day, with us here at Expo 2020 Dubai. Two months in, these numbers are a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in Expo, from the hosting of spectacular events that make people want to visit again and again,

to the bringing together of global changemakers on a powerful platform for action and collaboration, and – crucially – to our robust COVID-19 measures, which allow us to accommodate such large numbers in a safe, reassuring manner.”

More than a quarter (28 per cent) of November visitors came from outside the UAE, with the top international visitor countries including India, France, Germany, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the UK.

Thursday done right!

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f you’re looking for a fun way to start your weekend, then head to Oeno Bar at the Westin Mina Seyahi which has launched a grape new night out! Usher in the weekend with Jazz & Grapes, which is set to take place every Thursday from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Furthermore, sway to the smoothest melodies performed by the live jazz band Salt N’ Pepper, who are ready to entertain the crowd until late. The decor is eclectic with rough and smooth textures that add character to the space.

Oeno’s Jazz & Grapes night is the ideal place to unwind after a long week, with a grape bonus of 25% off a range of cellar selections, including a variety of quality grapes and house beverages.

Every Thursday night, start your weekend off with energetic jazz and a glass of grape in hand, soaking in the good vibes.

Location: Oeno Bar at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina Timings: Thursdays | 9 pm – 12 am Price: 25% off cellar options

12 Interview Listen We listen to your needs, and maintain an open and honest dialogue from design concept through to site support and project management.

Integrity By being part of the process from the start, we can advise on the most cost-effective way forward without compromising on quality.

Network We have a strong network of global supply chain partners, and we’re equally proud of our connections with clients.

Knowledge Having an integrated perspective allows us to collaborate efficiently with end-users, design teams, contractors, MEP consultants, and project managers

Listen.

Integrity.

Network.

Knowledge

BY ROMA ARORA

design-middleeast.com

LIGHT LINK'S FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, JASPAL BAL, TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANY'S GOALS, LIGHTING INNOVATION, UPCOMING TRENDS, AND NOTABLE PROJECTS

What are the goals and objectives of Light Link?

Light Link was established in 2019, to provide quality lighting design and supply solutions that reflect our values, captured in the acronym LINK – Listen, Integrity, Network, and Knowledge. Our goal is to be the go-to lighting design and supply company in the Middle East and being named Lighting Company of the Year by Design Middle East Awards 2021 is a strong sign that we’re on the right track. We have continued to exceed our yearly revenue targets by staying true to our

principles and having the opportunity to work with clients who love lighting as much as we do. We also want Light Link to be a vehicle for good by supporting causes that we believe in. This year we’re key sponsors of Surge for Water’s “Design, Dine, Make a Difference” event in Dubai. We’d love to be a headline sponsor in the future, as well as get involved in a wider range of charity initiatives. We feel very fortunate to be thriving thanks to loyal clients and a hard-working team, so it’s important for us to demonstrate our gratitude by giving back.

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Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Authority sought unique shapes and colours

What are the challenges facing your industry going forward?

The market is becoming increasingly saturated, and more competition inevitably drives the prices down. When margins are eroded, companies find themselves >>>

DECEMBER 2021

What impact has the pandemic had on your business and client needs?

Obviously, the lockdown was challenging.

There were several supply issues, and for a long time, it meant that we were unable

to go out and win new projects to secure our pipeline. But, in many ways, we were also lucky. As a new business (launching mid-2019), we were a small and agile team, and the downtime gave us space to develop our strategy for the future. As a result, we became sharper as a business during the pandemic and we’re realising the benefits of that now. From a client perspective, our customers were looking for a more comprehensive level of support, which is one of the reasons why we chose to move into larger premises where we now have the space to handle storage and customisation in-house, streamlining the overall process.

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How has the decorative lighting market progressed in recent years in terms of LEDs? Has the pace of adoption been what you anticipated?

We’re seeing a good level of progress in innovation and subsequent interest, especially in some of the unique shapes and sizes that are now available with LED. One area that still needs improvement is the variety of functional decorative lighting. At the moment, these kinds of products are at a premium, but manufacturers need to broaden their ranges and offer more flexibility in the finishings. There is so much that can be done with LEDs, we’re definitely excited to watch where the market goes in the next few years.

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WE’RE SEEING A GOOD LEVEL OF PROGRESS IN INNOVATION AND SUBSEQUENT INTEREST, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF THE UNIQUE SHAPES AND SIZES THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE WITH LED.

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At Niche Coworking, Light link used lighting to enhance the design features

doing more projects for less value, which can impact the results for the client. One of the best ways to tackle this is to remain as lean as possible and work with the right supply chain to maintain quality. It’s also about educating and encouraging clients to appreciate the long-term value of lighting over short-term cost-cutting.

What new trends are emerging in your industry?

There has been a significant increase in coworking and casual working spaces opening up. These venues want unique lighting pieces that are part of the design in their own right, rather than relying on the standard linear lights you would find above desks in a traditional office. Overall, there’s increased demand for softer lighting, flexible lighting solutions, smart lighting, and wellbeing lighting - a trend we’re particularly passionate about. As a result, more complex control systems are being developed to integrate and manage these features.

Are there any standout luxe design applications or projects you can talk about?

We recently worked with Roar on Abu Dhabi's award-winning Early Childhood Authority, an inspiring office that combines playful childhood elements with the latest innovations in workplace design. We sourced a wide selection of custom lights in

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unique colours and shapes to create eye-catching art pieces and installed a bespoke track lighting system on the ceiling. Another stand-out project was PwC. One of our largest jobs to date, we liaised with 35 different global manufacturers to source the extensive selection of customised lights they were looking for and managed to deliver everything on time and within budget, even with the challenges of COVID. We were also able to use our wellbeing ex-

pertise to comply with the stringent WELL Building Standards required.

What lighting industry developments are you most looking forward to? How do you see the industry benefiting from it/them?

Clients are starting to recognise the tangible benefits of quality lighting solutions, and we intend to be at the forefront of driving education in the industry. We’re also looking forward to increased adoption of WELL >>>

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and LEED standards in the region, as companies continue to focus on wellbeing in the workplace and recognise how lighting plays an integral part in keeping their employees healthy, happy, and motivated.

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A classically elegant look for Emirates REIT

DECEMBER 2021

Flexibility and sustainability in focus at KPMG

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Winning Lighting Company of the Year at the Design Middle East Awards 2021 was a great recognition for the company.

What opportunities or plans for growth do you see in 2022?

Winning this award was amazing recognition and it demonstrates how hard our whole team have worked to achieve what we have in only our third year of business.

A major part of our growth strategy is expanding into other regions across the GCC and we’re already gaining traction in countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Being named Lighting Company of the Year will definitely help to open doors and enable us to capitalise on the opportunities in new markets.

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16 Interview

THE

RISE of Modular Containers

JENS OTTERSTEDT, general manager at Al Masaood Bergum,

discusses his new role, the growing popularity of modular containers, and the challenges in his field

BY ROMA ARORA

What can you tell us about your new role at Al Masaood Bergum?

It is an honour for me to be appointed as General Manager of Al Masaood Bergum. It is a privilege to have the management’s trust in my capabilities and full support for my efforts to transform the company into a technology-driven provider of modular and prefabricated manufacturing solutions. Our 2024 strategic plan is now in place to pave the way for us to become a leading high-tech construction company in the Middle East region.

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Could you provide more information on the unique transportable modular containers?

What industries do you intend to target?

Our multifunctional and durable mobile modular containers were launched to address Abu Dhabi’s growing demand for specialised facilities. The idea behind this move is to merge modular logic with the mobility of trailers and be able to combine them with even more complex set-ups such as hotels, restaurants, offices, retail shops,

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What is the level of competition in this market? What is your competitive edge?

We hold the distinction of being one of the first to introduce the modular construction concept to the region. We have seen increased industry competition over the last 40 years, which is good as this will translate to more innovations, lower cost, and better service. With our new concepts and Strategy 2024, we are strengthening Al Masaood Bergum’s presence to catapult it into the number one position in the market. Part of our tactic is to pursue a blue ocean strategy in the next couple of years.

What do you find the most challenging in this field?

We find it quite challenging to convince some clients that the tailor-made modular or prefabrication has nothing to do with catalogue design. As a modular manufacturer, we work at a very early stage of the design process to avoid cost-related misunderstandings >>> The multifunctional and durable pop-up facilities can be used for a variety of purposes– from offices, retail shops, supermarkets, accommodations, and prayer rooms with ablution to toilets.

Built to tailor-fit any needs, Al Masaood Bergum’s easily transportable container facility can be quickly set up, whatever the case may be.

DECEMBER 2021

At Al Masood Bergum, we have delivered modular buildings for Expo 2020 use in support of the world exposition’s sustainability theme. The Expo aims to showcase, amongst others, the importance of relocating buildings to be utilised for other purposes post-event.

This will prevent waste and ensure complete optimisation of existing structures. Expo 2020 will help explain this concept and convince others to follow. Given this, we can confidently say that we are on the right track in terms of our multiple solutions.

Yes. We customise our modular containers to a specific size and based on our clients’ specifications.

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How may Expo 2020 have a positive impact on your business?

Can you create a custom design or look?

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supermarkets, accommodations, toilets, and prayer rooms with ablutions. This way, we can utilise a truck or an SUV to easily transport our modular container facilities without using expensive cranes and additional trailers. The construction, hospitality, oil and gas, events, small and medium enterprise (SME), start-up, and modular industries can fully maximise our hybrid solution.

What are the most significant advantages of modular containers?

Mobile modular containers are easy to configure and are highly scalable. For SME owners, this means opening their business immediately after the delivery of the facility. With more time saved, they can enjoy a faster return on investment at minimum capital. In addition, entrepreneurs are afforded mobility and flexibility in terms of reaching their customers given that they can bring their services to them in a convenient, innovative, and engaging retail form. design-middleeast.com

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DECEMBER 2021

“The official market launch of our mobile modular container facility is a strategic move for our organisation. Mobile modular containers are a rapidly growing trend within the construction sector and prefab building solutions in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the world."

Jens Otterstedt, General Manager, Al Masaood Bergum, said

Al Masaood Bergum’s mobile modular containers fully comply with the requirements stipulated in the UAE’s Road and traffic laws. Following the highest design, engineering and quality standards, the company can manufacture within a couple of weeks these standard mobile units, which contain all plumbing, power and data requirements to facilitate fast installation anywhere.

and other issues. Modular and prefabrication can be optimised using a standard system to assure best material usage and highest cost optimisation and quality whilst minimising the on-site duration and supporting sustainability.

Can this be the future of buildings?

It is already the future of buildings.

We expect the industry to experience significant growth in the next couple

of years. Combined with new and modern materials, modular and prefabrication solutions can help reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet.

Is this the way buildings will be built in the future?

Yes. As it is, Expo 2020 has been promoting this philosophy as evidenced by its extensive use of modular and relocatable buildings.

Do you have any business strategy?

Yes, Al Masood Bergum has a clear strategy to introduce this modern construction methodology to the market. To be a leader in this field, we will invest in high-end technologies and materials according to the construction industry’s sustainability goals.

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DECEMBER 2021

OVER!

BOWLED

20 New showroom

The Bowery Company's founder, CHRISTIANE NASR, discusses her new showroom, the importance of having a digital presence, and the brand's expansion goals

BY ROMA ARORA

A new What was your inspiration behind The Bowery Company?

In September 2014, I was walking through the Bowery Avenue, in New York – a super edgy avenue running through Manhattan – and I saw many industrial lightings fixture shops along the avenue and I got the idea of bringing these to Dubai. At the time, there were not many designer shops or brands in the U.A.E. catering to this style. I came back to Dubai and without even working on a business plan – I ordered my first container of furniture and home accessories! After that, I registered my license and launched operations on February 24, 2015.

Could you tell us about your new showroom and what it has to offer your clients?

Our new 5000sqft flagship concept store in Dubai’s Al Quoz district is home to our showroom, an inhouse built warehouse facility, a coffee shop as

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well as an innovative workspace environment for our interior designers' community. We strive to be an innovative multi-disciplinary design space with like-minded people to gain inspiration and give a sense of at-home.

What importance do you place on e-commerce and digital space?

E-commerce is without any doubt the future of shopping, but I believe that digital retailing is morphing into something new that we can identify as omnichannel retailing and us retailers if we don’t adopt this new perspective, we are likely to be swept away quickly. Today customers are deals savvy, they enter a shop and want to compare with prices online through different platforms. As a retailer we need to interact with customers through countless channels: website, physical store, social media, direct mailing etc.

The Bowery Company’s new showroom in Dubai’s Al Quoz district.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Prior to moving to the UAE, Nasr lived in Geneva, Switzerland for eight years, and decided to make the move to Dubai to continue her banking role as a regional director for investments in the GCC. In January 2018, Nasr had a change of heart, handling a career with long working hours while handling her start-up was one of the most challenging feats hence Nasr decided to leave her banking career of 12 years and solely focus on The Bowery Company, motivated by overwhelming responses from clients, double-digit growth, regional awards, and her passion for interiors.

Do you have any tips for people when they’re buying furniture?

Nowadays I would say logistics and the disruption of the supply chain, as shipping is going through its worst crisis in 60 years, a surge of demand at the end of 2020 has led to delays, port traffic jams fuelled by a shortage of supply which has driven shipping rates to skyrocket as retailers and exporters are outbidding one another for a limited amount of space aboard cargo vessels from and to Asia. This has driven shipping rates to rise fivefold on a year-to-year basis. Given that we import from Europe we are facing a challenging time to get a booking aboard vessels en-route to Asia via the UAE and we have to plan our restocking of furniture 6 months in advance vs less than 45 days previously.

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Start to conceptualise how you want your space to look and what you expect it to bring you, do some research, pin some Pinterest boards for inspiration and trust your instincts! As you build up your home, certain pieces will just want to be next to one another, to stand out on their own but also to interact and be part of a bigger whole. You would have succeeded in your curation process when your collection fosters a conversation between two pieces that at first had nothing in common. Also look for raw unfinished pieces and imperfection, you will learn to love them with time, your interior will feel more authentic, less “polished”, in the aesthetic of the wabi-sabi.

How has the idea of furniture changed during the COVID era?

Since COVID-19, people have shifted their vision of their home, many have overlooked decorating or investing in it, being busy at work or travelling, and since the surge of COVID-19, deep lifestyle changes have happened which had a profound effect on the way we work and shop which have led people to seek for an upgrade in comfort and style and improve functionality at home and thus investing more into new furniture. >>>

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22 New showroom

101 Copenhagen available at The Bowery Company

Curating should follow a defined process that involves research, critical investigation and discovery.

It is a deeply personal experience, where the curator is on a mission that requires a definable voice to create an engagement with the audience.

How do you choose designers and products that compliment your own aesthetic and the style of your store?

What is your favourite piece and why?

I have a strong bias toward the Japandi aesthetics which is a blend of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism that encompasses products that value craftsmanship, simplicity and functionality. Recently, we became the

regional distributor of 101 Copenhagen, a Danish brand that anchors its true essence to the Japandi style. Their latest AW21 collection is just stunning with beautiful organic shapes and colours. I am very fond of their Brutus collection which pays a tribute to the

Brutalist architecture of the mid-20th century, and their sumo collection of vases that celebrates the human body. As a reference to the Japanese sport Sumo, all vases are voluminous in size and shape, resting on top of narrow pointing legs.

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I like to curate pieces, it is a lengthy process and is not just about pick-and-pack objects and selling them to the local market deliberately. Curating should follow a defined process that involves research, critical investigation and discovery. It is a deeply personal experience, where the curator is on a mission that requires a definable voice to create an engagement with the audience that resonates far beyond his personal responses to the objects.

Who are your major clients? Are there any projects you're currently working on that you're very thrilled about?

We have a vast audience of B2C clients who I would say are mainly Emirati who have been very faithful to us since our launch seven years ago, but also a large and growing part of our clients are expatriates. We work a lot on projects with interior design firms and with the major real estate developers in the UAE, we also cater large scale projects in the hospitality sector with many coffee shops and hotels across the country using our products. We have recently received a growing number of requests for projects abroad mainly in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain that we are looking to develop further.

Where do you see the future taking you, especially with regard to both general design and the direction of your company?

Most likely the next step for The Bowery Company will be to have a strong presence in Saudi Arabia - physically as well as online. Our reach is already implemented there as we have clients who we deliver to as well as working on specific projects with interior design firms and in the hospitality sector, however, we would love to maximise on that in the near future and to also have a physical presence there.

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discover At Arada, we build high quality communities.

Diverse neighbourhoods that come to life when people share, exchange and celebrate.

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24 Cover story

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BUILDING A CREATIVE

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ecosystem!

Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District (d3), Discusses her values and mission, how d3 supported the community during the pandemic, exciting initiatives, and lessons learned along the road

What is your vision of d3 in five years’ time?

At d3, our main objective is to seek out new ways to enable our creative community. We aim to provide an ecosystem that allows creatives to experiment, flourish and inspire and come together and rethink the regular.

Within the next five years, we look to optimize our support for the creative scene even more by offering a platform to an increasingly diverse range of businesses and brands. This will include even more emerging local and regional homegrown talent and entrepreneurs to global names across our four segments of fashion, design, architecture and retail. We will look to building more exciting partnerships too on the local, regional and international level as collaboration is key to all that we do.

And by following this vision we aim to support even further the vision of the Dubai and UAE leadership to grow the contribution that the creative sector makes to the economy and to transform the emirate into a global hub for the creative

industries. The Dubai leadership announced plans this spring to transform the creative sectors and generate thousands of new jobs. The creative economy is seen as an engine of growth and their aim is to almost double the number of companies in the city’s creative sector to 15,000 by 2025 – and we aim to play an instrumental role in this at d3.

How have you integrated your values and mission into d3's structure?

To me, collaboration and sustainability are vital values. As such, we have woven them into the fabric of our DNA here at d3. We are an extremely friendly and welcoming society always looking to form new partnerships and welcome talents from all corners of the world. Sustainability has become increasingly important in our world today and we at d3 have strived to demonstrate and advance human-centric approaches to design in efforts to make our lives more sustainable and increase efficiency and wellbeing. >>>

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ABOUT Khadija Al Bastaki is Executive Director of d3. She also manages the implementation of d3's business vision and future growth plans. Prior to her current position, she was director of business development for Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and Dubai Production City, members of TECOM Group.

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She holds a master's degree in business administration and strategic management from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi and a bachelor's degree in software engineering technology from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai.

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In earlier roles, Al Bastaki worked within management roles at Economic Zones World (EZW), Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), and DP World.

d3 not only welcomes, but enable disruptive thinking to create a world of endless possibilities through their beautifully designed spaces and unique community offerings.

d3 is the region’s first and largest design district playing home to the biggest global, regional and local brands within the art, design ,and fashion industries.

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26 Cover story

d3 is the region’s prime design hub that has something for everyone, from gorgeous offices with views and attractive studios to authentic dining experiences and homegrown lifestyle boutiques,

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d3‘s inspiring community exposes visitors to novel experiences, with concepts, architecture and art you don’t see anywhere else. A place that enables your creativity by connecting you to like-minded individuals who value ingenuity and creativity.

Since taking on this role, my mission for d3 has been focused heavily on solidifying the community of creatives and supporting home-grown brands. As a regional hub for art and creativity, we actively seek opportunities to come together and promote local talent, celebrate achievements, and navigate the region’s next chapter of growth and innovation by rethinking art, architecture, fashion and design.

How has COVID-19 affected the industry, and how has d3 aided the community during difficult times?

Over the course of the pandemic to date, we have explored all sorts of ways in which to support the industry.

And looking back, the last 18 months has seen our community show incredible resilience and collaboration.

We took several measures early on to help our business

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partners to minimise uncertainty, ensure business continuity and maintain financial resilience. We are also very proud of the #AThread4Cause campaign which was launched in the first months of the pandemic, where we partnered with the Arab Fashion Council to call the UAEbased fashion designers to use their craftsmanship and haute couture flair to make surgical attire for the UAE’s healthcare industry. In the end, we at d3 became a central logistics hub for the campaign which saw seven business partners representing more than 50 tailors and pattern makers making the PPE. As the pulse of the region’s design and creative scene, we have absorbed many learnings from the pandemic, and we are even more determined to continue rethinking the regular by embracing the inevitability of change and becoming active architects of the future creative landscape.

I believe my curiosity is a key factor in my accomplishments and the success of d3.

We are inspired by anything that triggers passion and curiosity. That’s something we pride ourselves on here at d3. Our commitment to “Rethink the Regular” requires us to continually be curious and question ourselves, our ways of doing things, and what impact we hope to have on our community.

Our innate desire to collaborate is also a key to our growing success. We are actively working towards a collective platform where we build each other up by combining our extraordinary talents, challenging each other to innovate and share a ride to the frontline of the global design landscape.

How do you manage and motivate your team?

We at d3 are extremely motivated by the fact that we can contribute to such as exciting and multifaceted field holding immense cultural, social and economic value. Design matters more than ever before in a world that is changing so

quickly and so profoundly. Despite the unprecedented times, the appetite for design and innovation is not changing, but simply migrating into other spheres, especially digital. Nevertheless, the design holds the key to innovation because it humanises technology and transforms the creative industries. Knowing this we strive to continually invest in emerging talent and provide them with a launching platform.

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What qualities do you possess that you think have contributed most to your success?

Our innate desire to collaborate is also a key to our growing success. We are actively working towards a collective platform where we build each other up by combining our extraordinary talents, challenging each other to innovate and sharing a ride to the frontline of the global design landscape.

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What do you find most difficult, and how do you strive to solve it?

Our community is home to a breadth of businesses in different stages of growth, and there’s no one size fits all solution in terms of the support they need. I find it to be an exciting challenge to explore how we can give them the right level of support and consultancy to reach new heights. The success of our students and start-ups is especially important to us, and we invest a lot of resources in enabling them. This requires that we constantly evaluate and enhance the scope of opportunities and assistance available, and devise innovative ways to provide them with a visible platform for future investment, partnerships and prospects. >>>

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What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date?

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Ensuring business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic was an accelerated learning experience for all of us. We have always commended ourselves on our agility as a community, and the pandemic challenged how we responded to cascading regulations and strategies. I’m proud that we were able to rapidly deliver adaptive solutions and infrastructure so our business partners could continue creating, collaborating and innovating.

It was a test that ultimately proved our resilience and unity as both a business district and creative hub.

What are the key projects you're working on? Is there an important initiative or promotional activity you're currently working on that you'd want to share?

We have just wrapped up the 7th edition of Dubai Design Week. The event was a huge success showcasing our creative community’s inspiring talents through forward-thinking panel discussions, workshops and insightful exhibitions.

This year’s edition presented the most extensive programme to date with more than 250 events – and it was fantastic to see so many people back in person too.

The community was delighted to be back together.

We also presented 2040: d3 Architecture Exhibition, alongside Dubai Design Week.

With a theme of ‘2040’ the innovative multimedia experience took visitors on a journey to envision how Dubai could look in 20 years, aligned with the urban transformations outlined by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. It was our second architecture exhibition at d3. And we’ve actually now extended it until December 31 given the interest in it.

Prior to Dubai Design Week, we also welcomed the world to d3 for Arab Fashion Week-Women’s Spring Summer 2022, following our partnership with the Arab Fashion Council this summer.

And we now look forward to having the men’s edition of Arab Fashion Week in January. With a variety of other upcoming events, there is much to look forward to and we’re very excited for a very busy program over the coming months. As we prepare

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2040: D3 ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION, ALONGSIDE DUBAI DESIGN WEEK. WITH A THEME OF ‘2040’ THE INNOVATIVE MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE TOOK VISITORS ON A JOURNEY TO ENVISION HOW DUBAI COULD LOOK IN 20 YEARS, ALIGNED WITH THE URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS OUTLINED BY THE DUBAI 2040 URBAN MASTER PLAN.

2013 550+ Established in

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10k+ Professionals

for another exciting period, we’re always working to source new talents and form new partnerships to join the fold of the d3 community – this is always a key priority for us.

What were the key successes of this year’s Design Week – how do you plan to build on it going forward?

This past Dubai Design Week boasted the biggest programme in its seven-year history.

It was amazing to offer the most extensive program to date and this really highlights the growing interest and appetite for design in Dubai and the region. The diversity of creativity was inspiring.

We are so proud of our strategic partnership with Dubai Design Week and to see how the event has grown and evolved since we helped launch it in 2015. We showcased 130+ international and regional exhibitions and brands from over 20 countries. The event welcomed thousands of guests

to the 50+ talks featuring regional and international industry leaders, shedding light on the latest innovations and trends in the global design scene.

It is always one of the most exciting moments of the year for us at d3 – and it is so important to bring the design community together in this way, to exchange ideas, collaborate, learn from each other and inspire.

Plans of megacities are being set today and construction is underway as we look to a growing population, which is set to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050.

Establishing dialogue on the future of sustainable cities has never been so important, which is why we were excited to organise the second edition of d3’s annual architecture exhibition, following the successful inaugural event last year.

Dhaheri Building #5356, Salam Street P.O. Box 26417, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 2 672 1923 | Fax: +971 2 672 0809

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Tête-à-tête Reda Amalou is a French architect who graduated from the University of East London in the UK. After several years in London architectural agencies working on various projects in Europe.

Stéphanie Ledoux trained as an architect at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, where she won the Best Diploma Award in 1999.

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Stéphanie and Reda have been working together for more than 20 years. Their experience and collaborative design approaches are applied to each AW² project to produce award-winning architecture. and to develop the practice into a multidisciplinary design team capable of responding to all aspects of a project, from the scale of an urban plan to bespoke furniture and fittings.

Architecture

Experiences

THAT DELIVERS REAL

Stéphanie Ledoux and Reda Amalou, partner architects at Paris-based firm AW2 Architecture Workshop, discuss their first built project in Saudi Arabia— Ashar Tented Resort and why the 'back to basics' trend in architecture is important BY ROMA ARORA

Could you tell us more about Ashar?

Ashar Tented Resort will provide an extraordinary place to stay in the heart of the AlUla region, which is a unique location incorporating the history, culture and heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a beautiful natural, desert landscape. At Ashar we are creating the first international standard resort for AlUla, offering stunning accommodation in suites inspired by the traditional Bedouin tents. This design is an expression of the region’s past for all to discover and enjoy and provides an opportunity for the country to showcase its incredible culture and natural and historic assets. The goal is to create a communication bridge with the rest of the world, attract visitors, and allow the world to behold the beauty of this exceptional place.

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Is this your first project in the region?

We already worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but we are excited that this will be our first built project in the country. We have also designed projects in the wider region including in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Oman. We recently completed the interior design for the Shirvan Métisse restaurant for Michelin-starred chef Akrame on the prestigious Pearl Marina in Doha, Qatar.

How was it working in Saudi Arabia and how did it differ from your previous ventures around the world?

Each project is about creating new experiences, we never compare ventures as each one is unique, entirely dependent on the qualities and history of the site and its context. Here in Ashar, we are in one of the world’s most beautiful deserts with a rich heritage and ancestral archaeological treasures. Our architecture celebrates and complements this very special place.

Where do you find design inspiration outside of architecture?

We find inspiration through our travels and getting to know each site around the world in all its complexities. This means understanding the essence of a place by discovering the local knowhow and traditions as well as by simply talking to locals. We also work closely with the client to understand the ambitions for the future project to make sure we are aligned.

What was your impression of attending and leading a round table discussion at Expo 2020's French Pavilion?

We found that Expo 2020 presents an impressive array of architecture, design and thought-leadership. We particularly enjoyed taking part in ‘The French Approach to the Sustainable and Desirable City’ symposium through ‘The Challenges of Tourism’ roundtable, where we set out our vision for the future of the hospitality >>> design-middleeast.com

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Tête-à-tête

industry. Today, all developers are placing the question of balance at the top of their agendas and we feel that a sustainable approach to design, such as ours, will increasingly be adopted to achieve projects in harmony with the world around them.

Stéphanie was also invited to participate in the ‘Women Designing for AlUla’ talk hosted within the AlUla exhibition at Dubai Design Week, led by Samantha Cotterell, Executive Director of Design at the Royal Commission for AlUla. This was a great opportunity for (female) designers to discuss the communal goal of showcasing the beauty of AlUla to the world.

What trends do you see coming through in the architecture / interior design space?

We have noticed a tendency, or a desire even, to return to what is essential, a sort of “back to basics”! For example: in terms of using local materials and reinterpreting traditional patterns and forms. Today, people expect a real experience, a real sense of place, and architecture is the first step to achieving this authenticity. We also feel that people are seeking more meaningful experiences through travel. A fulfilment of the mind as well as the senses.

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THIS TYPE OF DREAM PROJECT CREATES AN EMOTIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE END-USER, AND THIS IS WHAT WE WORK TOWARDS IN EVERY ONE OF OUR PROJECTS.

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Ashar is 47-room suite resort with a luxury spa and several gourmet restaurants. It is one of the project sites selected by the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU) to develop the country into a world class tourist destination and the result of a collaboration between RCU with French government.

There’s obviously a lot of focus on sustainability now. How has that evolved?

Sustainability is now the main prism through which travellers understand and enjoy a place. In the hospitality sector, it is not only a question of how to build but also how to offer guests the possibility of observing a sustainable approach to tourism. Our bioclimatic approach to design, which we have been developing over the last 25 years, is now a given on every one of our projects. It plays an integral part in our concepts from the scale of the master plan down to the smallest details in the interiors.

Examples of this include the use of local materials, sun protection, natural ventilation and limiting the use of energy. These are all

Which building do you wish you had designed in the Middle East?

It is a difficult choice. We were very much impressed by the traditional Bedouin tents, which are amazingly simple but so efficient at providing shelter in the desert climate.

But, if we have to choose an actual building, we would probably choose Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh. It is an incredibly smart and beautiful building. One which tells a story unravels spaces that are open to nature and it was, although built around 40 years ago, truly sensitive to its context and environment.

Its bioclimatic approach is both poetic and intelligent in a way that serves, still today, as an example.

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There has been a really exciting change over the past ten years around travel and hospitality, whether high-end or more affordable, becoming environmentally and socially responsible. People want new hotels and resorts to have a positive relationship with local communities and environments, while also offering guests meaningful experiences and interactions with those communities and landscapes. There is growing recognition that new developments shouldn’t be “parachuted” onto a site, they should be in a form of dialogue with it, and belong to it in a sustainable way.

essential to our design approach and are no longer considered as compromises but rather guiding principles.

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What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the past 10 years?

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The hotel is built on an untouched site within the Ashar Valley and located 15km from the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, and will be operated by Accor under the Banyan Tree brand.

What is your dream client or dream project?

Our dream client trusts that the design will lead the asset to success. This client understands that the design will create the experience and therefore design should be the main focus. Our dream project is one that immediately feels obvious when it has been built. This means that it creates a feeling as if it has always been there (or should always have been there). This type of dream project creates an emotional relationship with the end-user, and this is what we work towards in every one of our projects.

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34 In conversation

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CASA MILANO

turns 2 AZHAR SAJAN,

DIRECTOR OF CASA MILANO, DISCUSSES THE BRAND'S TWOYEAR ANNIVERSARY, LESSONS LEARNED, NEW OFFERINGS, AND AN EMPHASIS ON E-COMMERCE AND MOBILE APP

How have the last two years been for Casa Milano since its launch, especially given the changes in customer needs during the pandemic?

Casa Milano was launched in October 2019, so just as we were beginning to grasp the dynamics of the market, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world in the month of March, and the resultant lockdowns and movement restrictions brought business activities globally to a standstill. To say the least, our sales took a hit.

While the world was laying off its employees, we built our B2B team from scratch and established key relations with luxury developers across the country. Along with this we also reached out to retail customers who are our main target, as the lockdown had given them ample time to refurbish their homes which had now become their offices, classrooms etc. we distributed >>> design-middleeast.com

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Shams Bawany, Director Casa Milano ; Sahil Sajan , Marketing & Sales, Casa Milano; Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman Danube Group, Abdul Hamid Ahmed; Adel Sajan, Managing Director, Danube Group

catalogues in High net worth areas like Emirates Hills, Dubai Hills, Meydan, Meadows to raise brand awareness. Some of our team’s first meetings with the clients happened on the Zoom platform during this period which helped us to understand the client’s needs. We also started providing complimentary design services to our customers which made them visualize their bathrooms in a different light.

COVID-19 gave an opportunity to a lot of people to modify their house as they got enough time at home to think of revamping plans, which worked well in our favour.

What have you learned the most about business in the last two years, and what do you want to focus on now?

The last two years have been a roller coaster of a ride for all of us at Casa Milano. I very vividly remember my father’s words, “Son, you’ve completed the easy task of setting up the showroom and now comes the more challenging part of running it successfully.” I did not fully comprehend what he said at the time.

As fate would have it, Covid struck, within 6 months of us opening the showroom. But we at Casa Milano took it up as a challenge given first of the many hurdles to be faced. What I have learnt from the past 2 years is that it is up to you how well you can turn adversities into opportunities. Now that we are 2 years old, I want to focus on expanding into other emirates starting with Abu Dhabi and to the Middle East, as well as partnering with the right brands.

You have great business acumen, where do you draw your inspiration from?

Well thank you, it's very kind of you to say that.

Coming from a business family, I have my uncle Rizwan Sajan, my father Anis Sajan as well as my elder brother Adel Sajan to look up to and I do draw some traits from all of them. However, it’s my father who is my biggest inspiration. He is very zealous about everything he does be it business or his passion for cricket. That has made him the man he is today. The core values of the family remain the same but it's my father’s passion that I want to imbibe. My dad has also taught me that it’s really important to have a healthy relationship with all the stakeholders of my business.

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AZHAR SAJAN is the director of Casa Milano. Casa Milano is the UAE’s premier luxury sanitary ware and tiles retailer.

It offers exclusive products manufactured by over 40 of the world’s top-notch brands including Tonino Lamborghini, Versace, and Roberto Cavalli.

At the age where his peers are figuring out their studies or looking for a job, Sajan is spearheading a luxury brand while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Business from the American University of Sharjah. He is known for his never-ending zeal to learn and take up opportunities.

Sajan emphasises that it is okay to make mistakes as they are lessons in disguise and stepping stones to becoming the best version of yourself.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I believe I am a peoples’ person. In most companies, the business heads are respected out of fear, but I want my people to respect me for who I am.

What are the brand's latest offerings?

We started as a luxury sanitaryware and tiles brand, but I am delighted to announce that we have now also ventured into designing & beautifying outdoor spaces with bespoke landscaping & pool services and Parquet by Corà for indoor spaces. Not only that, we are going to introduce a new department for kitchen in partnership with Arredo3, Italy’s 3rd largest kitchen brand.

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36 In conversation

After the pandemic, customers’ point of view has changed to a great extent as they were confined to their houses, which became their office, playground etc. People would definitely move towards e-commerce in the future.

E-commerce and a mobile app are major investments for the company. Do you think this is the way retail will go in the future?

Azhar Sajan, Director - Casa Milano

Most certainly. Though it may take some time for people to get used to buying home solutions products online it’s not impossible. Especially after the pandemic, customers’ point of view has changed to a great extent as they were confined to their houses, which became their office, playground etc. People would definitely move towards e-commerce in the future.

We too are working on our e-commerce website and mobile app for Casa Milano, which we shall launch soon.

Could you tell us about the projects you're working on right now in the region?

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We are working with a mix of projects that includes residential, commercial and even some hotels. We have also supplied tiles to 2 pavilions at the Expo 2020. For residential projects, we supplied villas in Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Dubai Hills, Meydan etc. We have even supplied to a couple of restaurants like CZN Burak.

Where do you see the future taking you, especially with regard to both general design and the direction of your company?

The design trends are ever-changing and we will definitely keep up with the trend

Calcutta Gold and Sarah Noir from the Marble Experience collection by Italgraniti.

Marble Experience is the collection wherein three essential principles meet: selection of the finest marbles, technological innovation and exclusive materials, for the design of unique surfaces.

design-middleeast.com

in terms of our offerings. As for the company, as I mentioned before, we are working towards opening more showrooms and reaching out to more people and fulfilling their dreams of luxury.

Conca - basin 80cm Conca - mirror round Ø 100cm Conca - vanity unit 200x37x55 cm, matt sunset color

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IDEAL STANDARD MENA Tel. +971 4 804 2400 | Email: idealstandardgulf@idealstandard.com IDEAL STANDARD DESIGN BATHROOM CENTRE Sheikh Zayed Road, near Nour Bank metro station, Dubai, UAE | Tel. +971 4 309 6000 www.idealstandardgulf.com design-middleeast.com

38 Decor review

SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences comprises of 254 expertly designed hotel rooms, 321 hotel apartments and is one of the tallest hotels in the region.

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STYLE LUXURY S O P H I S T I C AT I O N

There's a new address for luxury and contemporary chic; visit SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences for an unforgettable experience.

T

he contemporary SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences has raised the bar for luxury and class. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, located in the heart of Dubai's Downtown Burj Khalifa District, is designed by renowned Dubai-based design firm Bishop Design, with Paul Bishop at the helm.

The sleekness of this 75-storey structure, which is extremely magnificent, is what grabs the most attention. SLS' overall exterior texture is inspired by the 'oriel' module, a typical element and defining aspect of mid-century classic architecture. It provides a very dynamic mass and a unique character that evokes the image of a 'honeycomb.' The project was designed by Aedas, an award-winning architecture studio, with four zones: >>>

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40 Decor review

DECEMBER 2021

Fi'lia, tucked away on the property's 70th floor, is a lovely surprise, an exquisite Italian restaurant headed by powerful women from all over the world.

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residential in the lower portion, hotelapartments in the centre, hotel zone on the upper side, and then the public floors known as 'The Crown.

Carna serves prime cuts of the finest steaks from the world's most prestigious locations, as well as unrivalled quality of all-natural ingredients combined with a comprehensive wine list.

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You simply cannot compete with the views. This property has unrivalled 360-degree views of the city, including uninterrupted views of the famous Burj Khalifa and a clear overhead view of the tranquil Dubai Creek.

You will be in amazement at the interiors and everything wonderful as soon as you enter this stunning property, as well as the kind staff who are exceptionally polite and efficient. The hotel rooms,

suites, and residences have a soothing colour scheme of light lavender, pastel grey, and rose gold with metallic elements, as well as structured modern furnishings. One of the highlights here is that the rooms and bathing area are both big and have high-tech modern fixtures, making it a great choice for today's guests.

There are other classic SLS design pieces in this property as well, such as the ever-charming multi-coloured duck located poolside on the 75th floor, the fanciful chair meets hippo and avant-garde art, which is entirely tongue-in-cheek yet a marvel to look at.

SLS is home to one of the best nightclubs, Privilege, where there will never be a dull moment. Privilege is all of this and more, elevating the UAE's party scene to new heights. The greatest DJs will keep you rocking with the hottest dance music. The main key element and focal point of Privilege is the custom-designed lighting fixture, which changes colour depending on the beats, providing a truly immersive party experience.

The restaurants of SLS are the backbone of this highly recommendable establishment. For those looking for a wholesome and amazing dining experience, head to Carna by Dario Cecchini, a

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Experience the tranquillity and peace, as well as world-class treatments, at the chic Ciel Spa, which provides an amazing relaxation experience that exceeds your expectations.

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experience showers, custom massage beds, fitness centre, and many other amenities are available.

Basically, there is something for everyone, and each venue has been thoughtfully developed to meet the needs of today's clients.

So, without a doubt, SLS Hotel & Residences has changed the game, surpassing all levels of luxury, comfort, style, and hospitality.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Smart and LED lighting controls, Italian porcelain ceramic flooring, standalone wash basins, and wall-to-wall vanity mirrors are all included in the rooms.

contemporary steakhouse concept helmed by the legendary Butcher, Dario Cecchini from the village of Panzano in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. Carna also presents a brilliantly scenic backdrop with rustic brass finishes and suspended linear, geometric lights, as well as velvet-green banquets, a vibrant red theatrical bar, and rich jade-green bricks.

Fi'lia is a great place to go for a hearty breakfast and snacks. Expect nothing but the greatest handmade pastas, craft pizzas, and creative vegetable-focussed dishes, as well as some seriously good coffee. Fi'lia is a restaurant that promotes authentic Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.

There's no better way to relax than visiting the award-winning Ciel Spa if you want to get away from the daily grind and need some private me-time. The space is designed to transport you to a completely different world of tranquilly and peace. Relaxation lounge, massage suite, herbal steam rooms, spacious

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42 Talking point

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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DECEMBER 2021

Roberto Palomba, architect and designer internationally renowned, lives and works in Milan. In 1994, he founded with Ludovica Serafini Palomba Serafini Associati; the studio develops interior/ exhibit/industrial design and architecture projects worldwide. He is a strategic consultant and art director for several historical design companies, collaborating with leading international brands such as Boffi, Cappellini, Dornbracht, Driade, Bow, Elmar, Flaminia, Foscarini, Horm, Ideal Standard, Lema, Plank, Poltrona Frau, Sawaya, Zucchetti, amongst others.

Together for

INNOVATION ROBERTO PALOMBA, Chief

Design Officer at Ideal Standard on World Together Tour’s recent Dubai edition, smart technology, and innovative technology

Tell us more about the Together World Tour.

The Together World Tour allows us to speak with members of our network. It began during a time when we were unable to meet in person. Because we usually meet individuals at trade events in Milan or Frankfurt, and we didn't have the opportunity to do so during the pandemic. As a result, rather than having them come to us, we said: “let’s go and visit the people”.

We noticed that by taking this world tour, we were able to incorporate our teams, local teams, not just architects, but all our team members. Every step of the Together World Tour has been unique; it was not a way to market our goods, but rather to share them with people from various cultures.

They believe that what is local can be global. We chose the name World Tour because we want to bring specific cultures from around the world on a global platform.

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What has been the reactions to the tour so far?

Since its launch in April, the Together World Tour has visited Milan, Berlin, London, Paris and now Dubai – deep-diving into the dynamic culture of each city and exploring their impact on the world of bathroom design. There is a lot of enthusiasm. People were surprised to hear a brand like ours talk so openly and in a different language. While we were expected to send out catalogues or just demonstrate things to market, this was not the case. They discovered connections, sharing, emotions, informa-

tion, innovations, and all these kinds of things that normally are not used by designers.

The bathroom is a significant aspect of your home. Our company is constantly innovating and developing high-quality products that set the bar. We collaborate with several talented designers who assist us in developing innovative and great products. >>>

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Designed by Palomba Serafini Associati, Conca's philosophy is informed by the functional and aesthetic value of the geometrical structure in architecture, in design and in the figurative arts.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

How does the edition in Dubai vary from the ones in Milan, Paris, and London?

On November 21, 2021, our tour's Avant-premiere took place at the Belgium Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. VIP visitors from the architecture and interior design industries attended the event.

In addition to a video presentation, the occasion hosted a panel discussion with guest speakers Architect Janus Rostock, CEO of Signal, Architect Joe Tabet, Founder of JT+ Partners, Interior Designer Kristina Zanic, CEO of Kristina Zanic Consultants, Dr Robert Platt, Vice President Visitor Experience at Expo 2020 Dubai, Ahmad Alsalami, Head of Building Systems Development Unit at Dubai Municipality, and me.

Every stop has a unique story to tell. I must admit that I was a bit selective in choosing the stops. I chose not only the most important locations but also those that I enjoy visiting. I was pleased to choose Dubai since I believe it is crucial to the current era in which we live. Because it reflects a fantastic dream: a grid of people from all over the world who're sharing culture, emotions, problems, and so on.

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Intellimix makes superior hygiene effortless with a timed delivery of water and soap from the same device.

Its optimised wash cycle, which is completely touch free and ensures 100% soap washes, reduces the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.

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44 Talking point

Events of the past year have reinforced the importance of hygiene across the globe – which is not only impacting human behaviour but has also permanently changed the requirements for public washroom design.

It’s more critical than ever that these shared spaces, and the technology in them, are designed with the end user’s health and protection in mind

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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DECEMBER 2021

ROBERTO PALMOBA

How has smart technology influenced bathware designs?

Continuing on the theme of innovation, we presented Intellimix, Ideal Standard’s most pioneering product. Intellimix is a smart touchless tap that makes superior hygiene effortless with a timed delivery of water and soap from the same device. Its optimised wash cycle reduces the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses and saves on water consumption.

Events of the past year have reinforced the importance of hygiene across the globe – which is not only impacting human behaviour but has also permanently changed the requirements for public washroom design. It’s more critical than ever that these shared spaces, and the technology in them, are designed with the end user’s health and protection in mind. Intellimix has been introduced to meet these demands by improving hygiene and making it easier than ever before to ensure that all building users are handwashing effectively. Not only that, but it also contributes to achieving sustainability targets, while helping businesses save costs.

Which has been your favourite city so far?

I don't have a favourite because every city is so different from the other. There’s so much to learn and understand from each city.

What role does sustainability play as part of your brand?

Today, sustainability is critical. From product planning to product development, it is a topic that must be considered. As a result, it's something concrete, and we consider it at all levels.

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LEFT TO RIGHT Kristina Zanic, Joe Tabet, Dr. Robert Platt, Ahmed Al Salami, Roberto Palomba and Janus Rostock

What are some of the most exciting projects you're working on?

Yes, we have a lot of exciting projects, especially in the Middle East, where we are working in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE. Numerous hospitality and residential projects are coming up here, and we're working with some fantastic brands.

The Conca collection is an evolution of design, creating a perfect combination of functional perfection and aesthetic beauty.

SERVICE DELIVERED WITH PASSION

Deyaar Facilities Management is a company built on excellence and for over 15 years, it has delivered services with unparalleled commitment and highest international standards.

Across the Emirates, it has won the hearts of its customers and various stakeholders along with industry accolades.

Our services are available across all seven Emirates

For queries please call 800 DEYAAR ( 339227 ) www.deyaarfm.com

46 3D technology

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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NOVEMBER 2021

MASK ARCHITECTS AND DESIGN company has a design philosophy and approach for creating a “Magnetic Field design Curve” on design progress.

The design philosophy we use as “the main curve which is shaped the design” is to describe how the magnetic force (people behaviour) is distributed in the surrounding space and within something magnetic.

TOP RIGHT PAGE| FROM LEFT OT RIGHT Öznur Pınar ÇER Founder & Principal Lead Architect , Architectural Designer and Danilo Petta, Founding Partner & Chief Design Officer at Mask Architects.

Öznur Pınar Çer is an International award-winning Turkish Architect and Founder, Principal, and Lead Architect at Mask Architects in Italy.

In a pandemic situation, Öznur Pınar Çer and Danilo Petta designed an” I-Breathe-Just “ adjustable apparatus which is 3D printing that doubles the capacity of the pulmonary ventilators by splitting the oxygen output directly from the inhalation/exhalation channel for patients exposed to COVID 19 cases

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Danilo Petta is a Lead Designer at "Design Studio" in MASK Architects in Italy.

The uniqueness of his work lies in knowing all the phases of the product development, the market, the strategies of communication, which allow him to formulate design proposals with a high-value perception for the customer, defined by him as "intelligent beauty "

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EXOSTEEL

MASK Architects has designed the world's first steel

3D printed structure of modular houses for Nivola Museum’s visitors, Tourists, and Artists in Orani, city of Sardinia Lead Architect ÖZNUR PINAR ÇER has Inspired from the work of "Costantino Nivola", they have designed “EXOSTEEL MOTHER NATURE” modular houses which they have taken inspiration from him sculpture called the “LA MADRE”.

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he studio is the first architecture and design studio in the world to use a steel 3D-printed “exoskeleton” construction system that supports and distributes all the functional elements of the building, using their new solution of construction technique which they called "EXOSTEEL".

The house is composed firstly by a hollow central column inserted for one / third of its length into the ground and by various organic branches that support the three floors of the building. On each floor, a perimeter frame divides and supports the facades made up of panels modelled to follow the organic shape of the house. >>> design-middleeast.com

48 3D technology This iconic project will be a new addition to the Orani social, exhibition and living areas. The design will be an iconic identity as livable and sociable art pieces and architectural structures that will develop a new identity of the city.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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NOVEMBER 2021

“M

adre Natura '' or known as "Mother Nature" will be the name given to this project and development. When we look at the Neolithic Period of Sardinia, they prayed for “Dea Madre '' throughout their culture, it's the concept and idea of the Mediterranean. The heart of the Earth and all its nature is known as mother. Like a mother, we want to raise this development and embrace it, to give credit to the pivotal point where the woman has influenced the world. We have tried to harmonize the two different concepts of Nature and Mama in this project for Orani.

Throughout Nivola's career, he endeavoured to create a world where art binds communities together. He always favoured the idea that art should be accessible to everyone. Highlighting the importance of how Nivola influenced through his work for

amongst the cityscape. The lower lobby is guests are vertically transported to the skydome lobby with stretchingpanoramic views of the city.

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the community and in the art’s role within civic life. Taking all this into mind we have taken the same understanding of how our development should be accessible to everyone and how art plays a role in bringing communities together. We want our modules to be able to open up and bring communities together as well as to be able to create some kind of artistic influence throughout the design. We want Orani City to become an iconic landmark in which it can be admired from a distance as well as within the city by all as viewing art and landmarks. We would like to see some resemblance to mother nature in our project. We would closely combine our design into the natural design of this world.

We aim to blend the mother figure, which is an essential pivotal point in human society and how a nurturing mother looks after her children and how the world takes care of us. Using today's technology and functionalities, we aim to embrace nature as a mama figure and to protect it like a mother protecting her children.

“Madre Natura” is a sustainable development of modular system style development in natural settings. Inspired by the work of "Costantino Nivola", we have taken inspiration from the” La Madre” Sculpture. Situated near the Nivola Museum zone, we have taken the whole area into account while designing our project. Our development is designed in a way to become a "living landmark", in connection with the local heritage.

This iconic project will be a new addition to the Orani social, exhibition and living areas.

The design will be an iconic identity as livable and sociable art pieces and architectural structures that will develop a new identity of the city. A combination of livable space and sociable space will be distributed to the different levels of the terrain in injunction with the different levels of the modules. We aim to integrate architecture, art and technology in this livable museum project. Our aim is to preserve and protect the heritage of Orani, give respect to Constantino Nivola and his work, and continue his legacy by using modern techniques and our style integrated within the design. This project is also dedicated to "women". As seen in the history of Orani, we have seen the efforts of women within the city and for the city. We have dedicated our modules to

our protagonists, our mothers “Mother Nature”.

The site that we have situated our development on is a sloppy mountainside that will be transformed into staggered sections that will provide different levels for the modules to be situated in. Surrounded by natural scenery, we want our development to be self-sustainable working in harmony with nature. Sardinia is known to have winds and sometimes it can be very strong, due to the winds, we have had to manage our modules and design them in a way to allow wind to pass through. We have created voids on either side where the wind can pass through. It also allows us to create openness throughout the modules to make sense of feeling together with nature.

Each building that is "self sustainable" can also provide energy resources to the grid of the development. We have designed each module to always be expandable and flexible so that they can always suit any terrain and meet the needs of any development. Each building is centred with an ‘Energy Tower’ that will provide all-natural generated energy from Solar and Wind. The Energy Tower is covered with solar panels that will harvest solar energy

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while the top of the centered energy tower itself will rotate 360 degrees at the same time with the wind that will also generate wind turbine energy. The voids in the modules allow channelled wind through that can be directed to the wind turbines. Placed at the top of the tower are also some technological instruments such as smart cameras and fire detectors. This is to provide social security and also to have natural security against natural disasters. Throughout the lower part of the centered tower, we have housing for all the technical equipment of the module that houses all necessary storage for water and energy as well as distribution stations for the surroundings.

Light on the modules also provides visibility for the surrounding areas as each building acts as a beacon on the mountain. At night time the lights can also provide entertainment lighting for social use and exhibitions. The network of lights on all the modules are enabled to work as a single unit for events for the surrounding museum as well as national days ..etc.

There can be many different formations in which these modules can be situated on the site, from a single module being sustainable on its own to a gathering of modules in a kite diamond formation to create a small community. The aim is to always be able to adapt and in this case these modules can be set up in a network to create a fully functioning self-sustained habitat.

We have taken a bold step and not included stairs, rather we encourage the inhabitants and visitors to use natural staircases and the natural inclination of the terrain and environment. This is helped by the modules situated on different levels throughout the terrain in which the different floors will be accessible by different terrain levels. The two different floors A1 and B1 will have different purposes. Our aim

| DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

The aim is to always be able to adapt and in this case these modules can be set up in a network to create a fully functioning self-sustained habitat.

is not only to create livable social modules but also to be social areas where people can socialize and use the space as they wish. The modules are expandable, flexible and adaptable in any situation. The ground floor ‘A1’ will only be designed for accommodation. The floor which is 1.5 meters high from the ground, will contain a working area, a private shower area and also storage. The ceiling which is 3.5 meters high will give a much open area feeling while the interior will be designed to be organic and natural, in the architectural style of Sardinia.

‘B1 Social Floor’ will be a unique addition to the modules. All B1 floors (B1/B2/B3/B4) will be used for social spaces or can be adapted to the needs of visitors or inhabitants. It can be also used as additional accommodation space in which more bedroom areas can be added to the module. While this can be the case, we focus more on the social aspect of the community in which three modules can be connected on the B1 floor level to create a much larger social area for larger events. We can also adapt to the social area in need of emergency services. An example is that during this "Covid-19 situation", modules like these can be used for "self isolation" and also the social space can be broken up into different and limited use sections. We aim to be able to use these modules in any way possible to help the community and people as much as we can and that's why we have designed them to be expandable, flexible and adaptable. The ‘C1 Panoramic Level’ will be a viewing station to see the breathtaking scenery and the surroundings. This C1 level can also be opened up to join with the other modules and their C1 and B1/2/3/4 levels to create a bigger Panoramic level depending again on the need for the habitats or visitors and events.

The main centred energy tower that houses all the systems is constructed out of a steel skeleton. By connecting our bearing steel beams to this skeleton column, we created a completely self-supporting steel carcass structure. We were able to create the distinctive exterior structure of the carcass due to this metal skeleton. The main exterior material is Effix-Based composite light grey panels, which provide a combination of comfortable isolation of the space and combining the white-stone aesthetic feeling like the “Madre Sculpture”.

DECEMBER 2021

amongst the cityscape. The lower lobby is simply a drop-off zone for luggage before guests are vertically transported to the sky-dome lobby with stretching panoramic views of the city.

design-middleeast.com

50 Event highlights

DECEMBER 2021

Downtown Design, the region's leading fair, returned with over 150 international and regional exhibiting brands at the bespoke venue on the d3 Waterfront. The show also included a variety of collateral activations, such as a stellar talks programme with global industry leaders.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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Unleashing

Creativity

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A look back at some of the most memorable moments from Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design. he 7th edition of Dubai Design Week which ran from November 8-13 November 2021, saw participation from 430 UAE-based designers and 560 companies, participating in a range of activities, from engaging exhibitions, pop-ups and installations to talks, masterclasses and hands-on workshops, accessible for visitors of all ages, and levels of skill. The event was staged in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) alongside Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and supported by A.R.M. Holding.

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2021’s fair hosted brands from over 20 countries as well as major national representations from Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, and Austria

NOVEMBER 2021 |

students from 29 universities across 10 countries from the region.

MENA Grad Show is part of Global Grad Show, the leading international platform supporting social impact innovators in universities across the world. Global Grad Show also unveiled 150 game-changing projects.

A multi-media exhibition gathering leading architectural firms and visionary architects practicing in the UAE and the MENA region, the 2040: d3 Architecture Exhibition features concepts envisioning the future of the city, in accordance with the goals of The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan for sustainable urban development, presented by five architecture firms; Beyrac Architects, Dabbagh Architects, MEAN* Middle East Architecture Network in collaboration with Concreative, RMJM Dubai and Tariq Khayyat Design Partners (TKDP).

Throughout the festival’s main hub in d3, visitors explored 15 installations and public interventions in the open-air setting. This year’s Urban Commissions, an annually themed Dubai Design Week initiative supported by A.R.M. Holding, was awarded to Beirut-based architecture and research firm, Bits to Atoms, for an interactive urban intervention titled ‘Yowalah’, a modular 3D printed public space installation aiming to safely reinstate social relations and increase the levels of happiness for users.

Responding to the theme of regenerative design and restorative architecture, the Abwab 2021 commission was awarded to Dubai->>>

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isitors can discover the latest in design at the Middle East’s leading fair for original and high-quality design, Downtown Design, from 8 – 12 November. Showcasing more than 150 international and regional exhibiting brands and designers from over 20 countries, complemented by extensive collateral activations including a stellar talks programme featured global industry experts. This year the fair hosted five national collective showcases from Austria, France, Hungary, Italy and Spain, while Downtown Editions, the fair’s boutique section dedicated to limited-edition and bespoke design, that uncovered the latest in design by individual designers, studios and creative collaborations with a spotlight on the region such as the works of four designers selected for the 2021 Tanween Programme by Tashkeel, unveiled at the fair.

An interactive installation by award-winning NIU Studio brought together contemporary design and technology in a unique multi-sensory experience, while Broadway Interiors created the concept for The Lounge Bar, an eclectic, stimulating environment inspired by the Dubai landscape and The Café by The Lighthouse was designed by prominent practice Lulie Fisher Design Studio.

Showcasing social impact innovation projects in the fields of science, design, technology and architecture by students from universities in the region, MENA Grad Show returned in its second edition, featuring 60 ideas and solutions by 78

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Maraya A Mirage in the Saudi Arabian desert The mirror-clad concert hall at the heart of the cultural activations at Mada'in Salih, reflects on the astonishing views of the surrounding Wadi Al-Qura desertscape, in Saudi Arabia.

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52 Event highlights

\ The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion \ The pavilion achieved three Guinness World Records: the biggest interactive lighting floor, the largest LED mirror screen display and the longest interactive water feature

This year’s Urban Commissions, an annually themed Dubai Design Week initiative supported by A.R.M. Holding, has been awarded to Beirut-based architecture and research firm, Bits to Atoms, for an interactive urban intervention titled ‘Yowalah’, a modular 3D printed public space installation aiming to safely reinstate social relations and increase the levels of happiness for users.

based architect Ahmed El-Sharabassy for his proposal ‘Nature in Motion’, an undulating design concept that references the Dubai desert’s constant motion, emulating the city’s continual evolution.

Collaborating with emerging Emirati creative Hessa Al Suwaidi, Bentley Motors is presented ‘Safeefa’, a creative concept drawing from an integral part of traditional Emirati weaving and the Bentley brand’s design and craftsmanship. ‘The Shape of Light’ by conceptual art studio Shuster + Moseley will explore geometric prismatic forms through a large-scale, specially commissioned glass installation and an immersive architectural concept by Ana Carreras for Lever/Mirage, titled ‘Athenaeum’, illuminates the recent findings of the 3000-year-old city of Mleiha. 'Context Reflections', by ANARCHITECT led by Jonathan Ashmore in collaboration with Cosentino, will invite visitors to discover the intriguing play of penetrated light created via a naturally occurring optical phenomenon in a low-tech installation using carbonneutral materials.

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A colourful outdoor installation built from recycled materials, ‘Connectivity’

by Kart Group represents the significance and beauty of social connections while celebrating the diversity of Dubai. ‘The Plume’ by Mohammad Mazen, a student at Ajman University College of Architecture, Art and Design, is inspired by migratory birds which reflects the educational journey and is built using recycled aluminium and acrylic materials.

‘Morphing Nature’, by Kristina Zanic Design Studio for Trend Middle East marks an entrance to Dubai Design Week in d3 by telling a story of sustainability and earth preservation, while ‘The WAW Machine' by Emirati creatives Iman Almidfa and Hessa Ali Alechla behind Wild Arab West (WAW) greeted visitors with positive affirmations and cultural sayings in English and Arabic, through an automated vending machine promoting kindness between people and the world.

There were some exciting pop-ups and exhibitions as well. The globally significant heritage and extraordinary geological destination in North West Saudi Arabia, AlUla presented an immersive experience designed by Gio Forma and Black Engineering, and inspired by the extraordinary rock formations in the region’s desert and mountain landscapes.

Providing a platform for emerging creatives, the UAE Designer Exhibition 2.0 presented over 30 emerging and undiscovered talents ranging from Omar Al Gurg and Farah Ahmed’s furniture pieces to textile design from Shaikha AlTeneiji and Haneen Chaarawi, alongside contemporary pieces and objects created using modern manufacturing technologies,

by Alaa Shibly, Nyxo Studio, Sara Al Harbali and more.

The Beirut Concept Store featured works by 50 established designers and emerging creatives based in Lebanon in a showcase curated by Mariana Wehbe, presenting the diversity and talent of the Lebanese creative, from tableware and stationery to books and small gift items.

Shedding light on creatives and makers working with clay, Ceramatastic featured a wide range

houses, featuring pieces designed and produced in Portugal in a mix of innovation, sustainability and contemporary design, from furniture and porcelain to textiles.

The Forum at Downtown Design hosted a series of compelling live interviews and discussions between leading regional and international architects, interior and product designers.

TOP IMAGE Abwab 2021 winning architectural pavilion, Nature in Motion by Ahmed El-Sharabassy

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pop-up exhibition presented by IED Istituto Europeo di Design features projects by the school’s alumni, focussed on sustainability, lightness and fragility, including a pendant light created from eggshells.

Bringing Portuguese flair and creativity to the Middle East, Associative Design - The Best of Portugal showcased an interpretation of traditional Arabic

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

of works made in the UAE, including finalists of the 5th Dubai Ceramic Award, an initiative by the American University of Dubai, and a series of works by Yadawei Ceramic Studio members, celebrating the golden jubilee of the UAE, alongside pieces

by Faissal El-Malak, Michael Rice and Tamara Barrage, in space is activated with workshops and demonstrations on the potter’s wheel, dressed by a colourful mural ‘La Playa’ by ceramicist and artist, Lena Kassicieh.

Meanwhile, a pop-up showcase by the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) titled ‘One Grain at a Time’ invited visitors to reflect on the transience of time and boundlessness of space through an immersive intervention and ‘Together’, an active and colourful pop-up space by Jotun is centred around the unique moods that arise when people meet.

Enabling platform for entrepreneurs and startups, in5 Design presented a multi-disciplinary showcase, highlighting emerging and innovative practices, featuring both technologydriven design and traditional usercentred design paradigms, while a

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BOTTOM IMAGE Providing a platform for emerging creatives, the UAE Designer Exhibition 2.0 presented over 30 emerging and undiscovered talents ranging such furniture piece by Omar Al Gurg.

The Beirut Concept Store featured works by 50 established designers and emerging creatives based in Lebanon in a showcase curated by Mariana Wehbe.

design-middleeast.com

54 Review

TOP-NOTCH Here’s why Rhodes W1 at the Grosvenor House Dubai is a great place to hang out…

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DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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DECEMBER 2021

inters at Grosvenor House Dubai will be even more spectacular with the fresh appealing décor and the new exciting menu of Rhodes W1. A new menu brimming with handpicked dishes from the late Gary Rhodes' repertoire honours the late star

The decor of the restaurant is attractive with the right mix of vibrance and sophistication.

Inspired by the Anglo-French countryside, Rhodes W1 enjoys a light and airy space, framed with foliage and zesty design accents.

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chef's legacy.

The new concept offers one-of-a-kind shared dishes, small plates, and main meals that highlight the abilities of the restaurant's worldwide team of chefs while also paying homage to the late Gary Rhodes' culinary traditions and legacy. The mesmerising design makes it ideal for afternoon meals and exhilarating dinners with family and friends.

The new direction of Rhodes W1 will combine its penchant for great food with a more casual exploration of modern cooking while maintaining the venue's renowned high service standards.

Warm hospitality is one of the place's main draws; you'll be able to have a truly interactive food experience, with friendly and engaging associates helping to transform every meal into a stunning and thoroughly pleasurable Rhodes culinary adventure.

Not only that, but the place is completely Instagrammable, >>>

Rhodes W1 offers guests a classical dining experience, where they will have the chance to sample his innovative dishes, such as the infamous white tomato soup and braised beef a top a terrace garden, perfect for taking in the panoramic views of the Dubai Marina.

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DECEMBER 2021

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and the stunning chandeliers are delightful, making it a popular social gathering spot.

The Rhodes W1 décor has also been upgraded, with a more modern look and feel with pops of colour and a more relaxed lighting scheme to create a warmer atmosphere across the dining room.

The restaurant is completed by a broad outdoor terrace with amazing day and night views of the Dubai Marina.

The must-order items include smoked salmon, prawn cocktail salad, spring onion and truffle

macaroni, roast lamb ratatouille tart, grilled lamb cutlets, and sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fondant, and orange and espresso mousse.

As part of the restaurant’s new positioning, Rhodes W1 will serve diners seven days a week, with a first-ever business lunch available Monday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, dinner service from Sunday to Friday, 6:30 pm to 11 pm, and our famous Saturday Rhoast from 2 pm to 9 pm.

For reservations, please call 04 317 6000 or visit rhodesw1-dubai.com for more information.

design-middleeast.com

56 Wishlist

CREATE a charming

festive spirit

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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DECEMBER 2021

Feel merry with these incredible CHRISTMAS DECOR IDEAS that will make you the ultimate host.

JOY FOR ALL Crate & Barrel's new Christmas collection is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Across all Crate & Barrel's store in the UAE

SIMPLY SUSTAINABLE! This rouge shell serving platter is truly adorable.

Each ceramic item is created by skilled artists, and its one-of-a-kindness making it a must-have. www.curatehome.me

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CUTE & CHARMING Kibsons has all of your Christmas decor needs covered. www.kibsons.com

www.bordallopinheiro.com

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Give colour to your Christmas table with these stunning suggestions.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

EVERYTHING YOUR HEART DESIRES!

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58 Wishlist

DECEMBER 2021

www.brokis.cz

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Just as the plant grows and climbs up the walls of a house, creating multiple images, IVY offers a special system of modular components.

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EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

GARDEN LIFE! Paco real dinner set is straight out of your dreams. vistaalegre.in

CUBE OF LIGHT Light up your space with Laiton poli cube in polished brass mirror mydriaz-paris.com

design-middleeast.com

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FUN & FAB Get inspired by these charming designs for the most magical festive season.

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DECEMBER 2021

www.cb2.com

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60 Review

Upgrade your gaming room with

Premium Memory Foam Head Cushion To top off your all-day comfort, the Razer Enki X comes with a plush head cushion that can mold to the shape of your head and neck, providing cushy support to those key areas.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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DECEMBER 2021

RAZER ENKI X CHAIR

The Razer Enki X’s armrests can be adjusted by height and rotated inwards or outwards, so your arms will always be in a natural, relaxed position when gaming.

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here’s nothing quite like a good game with close friends to warm the heart. COVID-19 has kept us at home, but a good game on the Razer Enki X chair will always

cheer you up.

Your gaming marathons will go on and on, thanks to the Razer Enki X’s all-day comfort. This amazing gaming chair finds a sweet spot that will always keep you in the comfort zone, owing to its design that

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provides excellent weight distribution.

The Razer Enki X gaming chair ensures ideal weight distribution for long-lasting comfort during gaming marathons thanks to its unique 110° expanded shoulder arches and 21″ ultrawide seat base.

It’s the best gaming chair on the market, with a design and appearance that matches its unrivalled style.

When you sit for long periods of time, the Razer Enki’s lumbar curve softly supports your lower back and encourages you to remain in a neutral position, allowing you to retain proper posture and your back to feel less weary. The cushioning of this gaming chair complements one

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The gaming chair’s mechanism allows for intuitive, weight-adjusted tilting so you can lean back and stay supported without having to fiddle with knobs or buttons, while its 152° adjustable recline offers flexible seat positioning that allows you to lay back as far as you want.

Dual-textured, eco sustainable synthetic leather To achieve the right mix of comfort and durability, the Razer Enki X’s core areas are covered in a plush textured fabric for more refined comfort, while its outer edges are lined with smooth leather to better withstand daily wear and tear.

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another, giving you the best of both worlds for unsurpassed comfort. It has a softer seat base for a cushier feel and a firmer seat backing for robust support.

The comfort and durability of this chair make it class apart. The Razer Enki’s core areas are wrapped in a plush textured fabric for more refined comfort, while its outer edges are lined with smooth leather to better endure regular wear and tear.

The gaming chair’s system allows for easy, weight-adjusted tilting so you can lean back and stay supported without fiddling with knobs or switches, and its 152° adjustable recline allows you to lay back as far as you desire. The Razer Enki comes with a soft head cushion that can adapt to the contour of your head and neck, delivering velvety support to those critical areas, ensuring all-day comfort.

The chair has passed international test standards such as BIFMA x5.1 and EN 1335-1. What’s more, the chair comes with a 3-year warranty that covers defective parts and components.

The gaming chair’s design and built-in lumbar support reduces sitting fatigue through optimal weight distribution. When combined with optimized cushion density, it makes the Razer Enki the most comfortable gaming chair to sit in for longer hours.

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62 Pick of the month

Awe

In DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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OF YOU

The Peacock chair, designed by Italian designer Marc Ange, is the epitome of elegance and beauty. The armchair, which comes in five various colours, is the prêt-à-porter version of the throne. The same bright fabrics used for the throne are re-proposed in a more contemporary silhouette. Together, the six pieces of the capsule collection represent the culmination of a green journey through the Garden of Beauty.

Visionnaire, 908 Jumeirah Beach road, Dubai

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® ® A product designed byCosentino Cosentino A product designed by

A product designed by Cosentino® A product designed by Cosentino®

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TOPS ON TOP TOPS ON TOP

TOPSON ONTOP TOP TOPS Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

Find inspiration at cosentino.com | Follow Us F CosentinoMiddleEast COSENTINO CITY DUBAI Dubai Design District (D3) Building 4-A, Unit 401 042428131 - infomiddleeast@cosentino.com The Silestone LOFT series have been registered by Cosentino S.A.U. Find inspiration at cosentino.com | ®Follow Usdesigns F CosentinoMiddleEast

COSENTINO CITY DUBAI Dubai Design District (D3) Building 4-A, Unit 401 042428131 - infomiddleeast@cosentino.com

Find inspiration at cosentino.com | Follow Us F CosentinoMiddleEast Find inspiration at cosentino.com | Follow Us F CosentinoMiddleEast The Silestone® LOFT series designs have been registered by Cosentino S.A.U.

COSENTINO CITY DUBAI Dubai Design District (D3) Building 4-A, Unit 401 COSENTINO CITY DUBAI Dubai Design District (D3) Building 4-A, Unit 401 042428131 - infomiddleeast@cosentino.com 042428131 - infomiddleeast@cosentino.com The Silestone® LOFT®series designs have been registered by Cosentino S.A.U. The Silestone LOFT series designs have been registered by Cosentino S.A.U. design-middleeast.com