Design Middle East November 2020 by Design Middle East

design-middleeast.com

November 2020

Interiors and Architecture from the Gulf, Levant and Beyond

Plus SPLENDOUR OF MARBLE

Creative

30 Powerlist 2020 SALUTING THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS IN THE MENA REGION

Umesh Punia CEO, GLAZE MARBLE

SPACE AS NEW QUALITY Stephan Degenhart ASSOCIATE PARTNER, DREES & SOMMER

TOGETHER FOR BETTER Frederick Trzcinski

MARKETING & INNOVATION DIRECTOR, MENA, IDEAL STANDARD GULF

QUALITY MEETS TECHNOLOGY Mehdi Khoury FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARWA MARBLE

MADE MADE

ININ

SPAIN SPAIN

DESIGN • DURABILITY SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN • DURABILITY••VERSATILITY VERSATILITY ••SUSTAINABILITY The most advanced surface solution for Flooring, External/Internal Wall Cladding & Kitchens

www.neolith.com/en/ P.O. BOX: 24552, SHARJAH, UAE.

TEL: +971 6 5353 123

INFO@GLAZE.AE

TOLL FREE 800 GLAZE (45293)

Contents

COVER STORY

CREATIVE 30 Powerlist 2020

Saluting the most influential and powerful architects and designers in the mena region

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

JANUS ROSTOCK Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Practice Lead Design + Planning & Economics, Head of Concept Architecture, AECOM Cities Lead

INTERVIEW SPLENDOUR OF MARBLE

IN CONVERSATION TOGETHER FOR BETTER

INTERVIEW QUALITY MEETS TECHNOLOGY

Frederick Trzcinski, Marketing and Innovation Director, MENA, Ideal Standard Gulf, discusses innovation, market trends, and new Atelier collection

Mehdi Khoury, Founder and Managing Director of Marwa Marble, on brand’s core offerings, trends, current project, and their expansion plans

Umesh Punia, CEO of Glaze Marble, talks about the brand’s core values, the newest addition of Neolith sintered stone to its state-of-the-art gallery, and the marble and granite popular trends

18 OP-ED WE STILL NEED OFFICES, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW THEM! Space is a new quality – a mix of options, sharing models and hybrid spaces

Marwa Marble offers a wide range of unique highquality marble and granite with exquisite designs, finishing and installation, bringing all conceptual designs to life

By Stephan Degenhart, Associate Partner at Drees & Sommer

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Your business continuity is our top priority.

Our initiatives and remote solutions have got you covered in all situations. du.ae/wegotyourb

Contents

32 PROJECT

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Eclectic elegance Nando’s Dubai Mall: A closer look at the elaborate fit-out work that helped create this urban-chic eatery

28 TALKING POINT

THE ARCHITECTURAL SCENE RE-OPENS Highlights of the 2nd Executive leaders virtual roundtable by TRILUX Group in collaboration with Light Bureau

60 REVIEW

SOUND. DESIGN. CRAFTSMANSHIP Beoplay H95: Bang & Olufsen celebrates 95 years of excellence with new flagship headphones

62 PICK OF THE MONTH

A DESK LAMP THAT DISINFECTS YOUR SPACE! Signify’s disinfection desk lamps will help consumers to disinfect their homes from viruses and bacteria in an effective way

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experience downtown living The UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting new destination. A journey of discovery for the whole family. Where nature, fun and entertainment come together.

800-Arada (27232) arada.com

FUN COMES GUARANTEED YOU DECIDE WHEN THE PARTY STOPS WITH 24HR FOOD & DRINK. NOW OPEN AT DUBAI DIGITAL PARK. RADISSONHOTELS.COM/RED

Editor's Note

Business development director Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818 Editor Roma Arora roma@ bncpublishing.net Creative Lead Odette Kahwagi Editorial Design Christian Harb Marketing Executive Aaron Joshua aj@bncpublishing.net

who's who of the industry— from Umesh Punia, CEO of Glaze Marble, Stephan Degenhart of Drees & Sommer, to Frederick Trzcinski, Marketing and Innovation Director of Ideal Standard Gulf, to round-up of the round-up of the executive leaders virtual roundtable by TRILUX Group, this and more. Happy Reading! Roma Arora Editor roma@bncpublishing.net

NOVEMBER 2020

Group publishing director Joaquim D’Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706

Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net

am thrilled for a number of reasons. First, the weather is starting to get a bit chilly and it's perfect time for hot chocolate drinks and extra buns. What else is happening are a series of exciting design events to keep everyone glued in hybrid formats. Starting soon, is Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design running from November 9-14, 2020, with outdoor retail concepts, virtual programs, online talks, and more. It's that time of the year again and we're gearing up for the third edition of Design Middle East Awards 2020 to be held on December 10. The nominations are open, so please let's make it a grand success again... together! Our November edition is recognising the tops guns of design and architecture in the region, presenting 'Creative 30 Powerlist' as our cover for this month. They are the reason we see the places getting evolved— efficiently and sustainably. We are saluting them for all the commendable works we see around us. If you spot yourself, then tag us on our social media platforms. Make some noise! This issue, we have some interesting opinion columns and interviews with the

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CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net

Digital Media Producer Ahmad Khader ahmad@bncpublishing.net

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All rights reserved © 2020. Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors. Design Middle East and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Design Middle East. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Images used in Design Middle East are credited when necessary. Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission. Prices are quoted in US dollars.

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News

AUS students win world’s largest student architecture competition

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Mariam Jacob and Nada Khalaf

Two recent graduates from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) have been awarded the grand prize in architecture for this year’s Inspireli Awards, the world’s largest global competition in architecture, urban design and landscape, and interior design. Mariam Jacob and Nada Khalaf were among seven architecture students from CAAD to have been shortlisted for the award and were selected by a jury of 500 architects from 99 countries. Their achievement will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony on November 4, 2020. design-middleeast.com

The two winners worked under associate professor and AUS alumnus Faysal Tabbarah to create Thin Topograhies: Enhancing Food Production in Marakkech. Their project aims to reinterpret food waste and uncover the potential of discarded organic material by repurposing it for consumption, redefining it for material construction, and encouraging a sustainable lifestyle within Marrakesh, Morocco. The project was part of the student’s final semester of work at AUS, produced amidst the challenges of the sudden transition to remote learning earlier in 2020. Khalaf said the Inspireli award has allowed her to appreciate the work in a new way. “From day one, CAAD has pushed me to not only meet the standards placed in front of me, but also to consistently strive to exceed my expectations. Professionally, this award will allow us to connect with the world at a much larger scale, and hopefully act as a stepping stone to new opportunities,” said Khalaf. Jacob said the selection process was intense, and included three rounds of consideration with a multinational jury. “Being part of Inspireli has expanded the reach of young graduates and students like myself through their large network and media reach. Being selected as the winner

in the Architecture category makes this opportunity even more surreal. This accolade has surely provided me with positive affirmations and I hope that in due time it leads to the opening of multiple doors from a professional standpoint,” she said. Professor George Katodrytis, Head of the Department of Architecture at CAAD, said the Inspireli Awards serve as an important platform for CAAD students to present their work on a global stage, demonstrating their ability to compete with students from the world’s most prestigious design institutions. “For more than 20 years, CAAD has built a reputation in the region for producing outstanding architects and designers, with many of our graduates now leading the way as some of the UAE’s top home-grown talent,” said Katrodytis. "Now more than ever, our students are being recognised for their work on the global stage. This is in large part due to offering them exposure to competitions such the Inspireli Awards, where they get to present their work to a global audience of design professionals and academics. This exposure is priceless for students as they begin their professional careers and has opened the door to many exciting opportunities for our graduates."

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced that the 12th edition Abu Dhabi Art will take place from November 19-26, 2020, as a virtual fair. An interactive digital edition of Abu Dhabi Art will bring together galleries and artists from across the world in a number of curated gallery exhibitions and sectors. Integrating live-stream video interviews with artists, curators and gallerists, the 2020 digital fair will also host a public Performing Arts Programme, presented alongside several engaging projects for the public. A Talks Programme will also be available online, offering a series of stimulating cultural talks featuring some of the art world’s leading figures, which aim to engage audiences in discussions related to the complex history of the UAE and contemporary art practice in the country and around the world.

Broadway Interiors and Art Painting Lab come together for the renovation of F&B project F&B concept Baby Q, (formerly Q43) underwent a makeover to offer customers a new and revived experience that not only maintains some of the new distancing regulations but also offers a different vibe. Working alongside Broadway Interiors and Art Painting Lab, the creative team on the job, reimagined a new lounge and dining concept by creating impactful art pieces such as murals, mixed media prints, daring lighting features against an out-of-the-box camouflage ceiling. To start the project, Art Painting Lab artists made a real statement with a gradient of blending green to red camouflage that spans the entire lounge, creating a transformative experience for everyone walking through. Following this vibe of youth, fun and punch are strategically placed mixed media pieces made up of clever manipulations of iconic art that break the rules! In the entrance, the artists portrayed the feminine component of the design with a young, independent “Baby Q type of Gal” through a cheeky, sweet and flirty large-scale mixed media portrait with a bit of edge. The intention for many of these artworks was to create pieces that the patrons of Baby Q could relate to and have fun posing with for selfies and are photo-worthy.

Abu Dhabi Art 2020 goes online

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Mixed pieces, contrasted with a few feminine, blissful murals through the bar and back dining area, create eyecatching comfort in a space full of drama and punch

NOVEMBER 2020

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News

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

A simple Gensler red portal was created to frame the entrance. It sits proudly at the entrance of Gensler's warehouse corrugated façade to identify the location

Gensler strategically reinvents warehouse for a new studio in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai Gensler collaborated with JLL, Alserkal Avenue, and Al Tayer Stocks to create a new space for their studio in Dubai. “At Gensler, we are one global community, and we are united by our commitment to enhancing the human experience and well-being for all. During this time of global transformation, the power of design plays a unique and profound role, and we continue to cultivate a culture of design innovation to promote diverse thinking and curiosity. What better place to implement this than our new studio!” said Tim Martin, Managing Director of Gensler Middle East. Gensler’s Middle East Workplace Survey released by Gensler Research Institute and Work from Home Survey highlighted what people miss most is indeed social interaction. In the Middle East, retail spaces and hotels were severely affected by the lack of travel presenting an opportunity for the edgy, arty spaces captivate a restless local audience. Alserkal Avenue, being a regional hub of art, creativity, and community presented a perfect opportunity for Gensler to reinvent. The concept of Alserkal Avenue adds a new dimension to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs – a place where businesses continue to challenge and disrupt industries who

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collectively contribute to the growing creative economy of Dubai, and the region. The neighbourhood has nurtured a culture of creativity and is now Gensler’s new community. An unexpected venue for the leading global architecture, design, and planning firm with 50 locations and more than 6,000 professionals networked across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas. In the pursuit of sustainable development, communities have much to gain from an approach of repurposing.

In many ways, an adaptive-reuse project can invigorate communities by responding innovatively. “Despite being the largest global design practice, Gensler is curiously local and being immersed in a community such as Alserkal Avenue reinstates our renewed purpose and commitment in the region’s success. What appealed to us was how we can creatively adapt a warehouse to create an extraordinary working experience whilst becoming part of a creative community of entrepreneurs.” Diane Thorsen, Gensler Design Director Gensler was able to secure a fantastic unit at Alserkal Avenue where they have created something special and different, creating a real-life case study. Alserkal Avenue’s success is evident in their passion to maintain the ethos of their community. Their selection process includes assessing how each member of the community will play a significant role in contributing to the wider community by engaging with fellow occupiers and participating in events and providing local and global examples. Gensler’s bold move from a conventional office tower to a light, industrial unit, will not only shape the future of our communities, but it will also allow businesses to reimagine the future of how we live, work, and play.

practices help to minimise resources used in construction and maintenance, whilst generating strong, flourishing ecosystems in residential gardens across the Emirates. “Every garden, yard, patio and even balcony in the UAE has the potential to generate a thriving natural habitat for people to enjoy and cherish,” says Will. “It doesn’t matter what the scale is whether it’s ten people or ten thousand - if someone hears my message and is inspired to create a beautiful garden that encourages biodiversity, reduces waste and has a positive climate change impact, then that’s my goal achieved.”

“There is a huge movement globally to live sustainably and to regenerate landscapes for our shared benefit, and this has inspired the ethos behind WILDEN Design,” says founder Will Bennett. “My mission extends beyond designing beautiful gardens — I want to inspire people to connect to the nature that is on their doorstep in the most meaningful way that I can, by understanding the environment around us and by nurturing it. If we all start to take care of the little piece of the planet that we call home, this behaviour will snowball into helping to conserve and improve the wider world around us.” WILDEN Design’s landscaping practices focus on using locally-sourced and manufactured materials, and plant and grass species that are indigenous to the GCC or from similar arid climates. Such

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Award-winning Dubai-based landscape architect Will Bennett launches WILDEN Design, a new sustainable landscaping boutique to encourage people to foster and stimulate natural habitats that can thrive in the UAE, by offering clients inspiring, contemporary gardens created using landscaping practices that have a lower environmental impact.

NOVEMBER 2020

Dubai-based landscape architect Will Bennett launches WILDEN Design

design-middleeast.com

Interview

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Splendour of marble Umesh Punia, CEO of Glaze Marble, talks about the brand’s core values, the newest addition of Neolith sintered stone to its state-of-the-art gallery, and the marble and granite popular trends What is the brand philosophy of Glaze?

Since our inception, we have always focussed on the minor details that define quality. This philosophy has given us an identity, that despite beginning from an insignificant operation size, has shaped us into a renowned brand. Even today, being the largest importer of natural stones in the UAE, we stick to our philosophy and our quality. We radically changed the way marble or natural stone was selected, imported, sold & traded in the UAE market. In the late 90’s, when we began, natural stone was imported, stored, and traded in a shabby way, more or less similar to construction or masonry stone. So basically, we believed in the beauty of natural stone, and giving it the same respect as any gemstone in a Jeweler’s shop, this became our strength and brand. This different perspective completely reshaped the whole landscape of stone business in the UAE market. For comparison, if you see the marble companies and their stockyards in Qatar, or in Kuwait, or even in Oman, you can see a completely different scenario, with totally different quality and standards, a different price range, and no luxury products at all. So focussing on quality, details, and believing that the marble is no less than a diamond or a ruby, gives us a niche in the market - and then it is all about scaling.

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In a nutshell, the foundation stone was laid on the quality detailing of the natural stone which inspired our brand philosophy from the beginning. What is your competitive edge in this market?

Undoubtedly the UAE clientele, which has a good taste and refined appetite for quality products, in whichever field or segment that may be, we found our competitive edge. Initially, it was not about finding a competitive edge or something of that sort, it was just passion for the natural stone and marble. Finding new and better-quality natural stone was just a mere passion. In the late 90’s when I started travelling to Italy, I saw how many varieties and high-quality natural stones were being processed, imported to Italy from different corners of the planet for processing in Italy and then for re-export to the EU and North American countries. I was always wondering why our market is limited to some few basic colours. Why do those exotic stones have no presence in our market? That’s where the journey started to add new exotic colours to our collection. So, it was a bold attempt to try and introduce all those expensive and high-end stones. Of course, there were setbacks of dead stock as well, however eventually it became our strength >>

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NOVEMBER 2020

"WE BELIEVED IN THE BEAUTY OF NATURAL STONE, AND GIVING IT THE SAME RESPECT AS ANY GEMSTONE IN A JEWELERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SHOP, THIS BECAME OUR STRENGTH AND BRAND."

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Interview

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

and today we have about 400 colours of marble, granite and different kinds of natural stones in our collection. So, this huge range of collections, combined with our fundamentals of quality and detailing, gave us the cutting edge in the market over many companies that were well established for as long as 30-40 years. Not only that, but we also have many exclusive agreements for different materials for the UAE market. Each block (lot) of marble/ stone in our stone gallery is hand-picked from the best sources at the most competitive prices from different corners of the world.

Could you tell us more about your biggest state-of-the-art stone gallery in the Middle East?

It’s about the passion for the stone business if you have ever heard about the famous stone galleries of Verona (Italy), such as Antolini etc., whenever I was visiting those galleries, every time - the thought used to occur to me to make something like that in UAE, and we did an experiment on a smaller scale in 2007, and made a version of the same, but unfortunately this place was bit far, and despite the earlier version being ready in 2007-08, we were still operating from our old location. But in 2014, when we fully shifted to this location, it was very easy for us to recognise that it was indeed time to make something big, a masterpiece, and here we are today. We are once again very thankful to the Architects and Designers of the UAE who have that world-class taste and appetite to select their great gift of Mother Nature to enhance the esthetic appeal of their spaces. We got a tremendously positive response from everyone, from homeowner to designer or architect, that it was a world-class experience to come and visit our state-of-the-art gallery space. We can proudly say that it is a class apart in this part of the world. It’s not just about the infrastructure and the ambience of the building alone, but the huge collection, variety, and quality also. Every

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piece of the stone is carefully selected and handpicked. If you are a stone lover, it is irresistible for you not to pick out something or the other. Very often we hear from our clients that they come here just to choose something to enhance a small area, but after walking through our gallery, they purchase material for a much larger space than originally planned. Apart from top-quality marble from Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Turkey, we have 100% of super exotic granite and quartzite from Brazil. We also have a large range of semi-precious stone slabs, made of high-quality Agate, Crystals, and petrified wood etc., all these are made in Europe with extreme precision and the highest quality standards. You are the official distributor of innovative surface—Neolith in the region. Share some features about this hi-tech surface and where all it can be used?

Neolith is undoubtedly the #1 sintered stone, it is a revolutionary product, and technologically speaking, the most advanced surface solution. It's made from 100% natural minerals such as silica, quartz, feldspar etc. These minerals are grinded into a powder and then compressed very tightly, and then heated. So basically, this process is an imitation of what happens in nature to create natural stones, but in a factory setting, using ultra-modern technology to produce Neolith.

Neolith is special because it is extremely versatile, it can practically be used for almost everything, such as flooring, wall cladding, kitchen tops, bar counters, furniture, landscaping …. basically everything. It is UV resistant, very hard to scratch, completely non-porous, fire-resistant, it comes in a large format, same as marble slabs. Moreover, the designs are truly stunning - especially the marble collection. One of the most distinguished features of the Neolith is its special finishes, such as ULTRASOFT, it gives the same touch and feels like marble.

Which is the most popular surface which gets repeated orders and why?

Trends in architecture and interior design are always evolving, it's not that they change overnight, but they do transform in phases of 10-12 years. In the early 2000’s, mainly beige and brown were in vogue, most projects, whether residential or commercial, all were inspired by these warm themes and those days we used to sell the iconic marble Crema Marfil more than anything else, whereas these days it's all about white and grey concepts, so now Statuario, a legendary white marble from Italy, is our best seller. Similarly, for kitchen tops, the Brazilian Quartzites have replaced the old black and red coloured granites. Now the reconstituted Quartzs are also fast sellers for the kitchen and countertops.

Glaze warehouse stocks more than 400 colours of marble, granite, and other different styles of natural stones

Op-ed

We still need offices, but not as we know them! Space is a new quality – a mix of options, sharing models and hybrid spaces

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

WORDS STEPHAN DEGENHART, ASSOCIATE PARTNER AT DREES & SOMMER

OVID-19 shutdown changed the office environment overnight, resulting in an unprecedented field study of the workplace. Those who could swap the office for their own four walls at home. This triggered a debate about whether office space still has a future, and it isn’t the number of square metres, but the quality of the space that determines its future viability.

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But how does this translate to office design? If you designed an office with room for 500 desks pre-COVID, that number would likely need to be revised in line with social distancing rules and hygiene regulations, whilst meeting rooms may need to be redesigned to incorporate new audio-visual equipment to support the now universal

need for video conferencing. COVID-19 has also put a new spotlight on digitisation and sustainability. The Internet of Things (IoT) is fundamentally changing the way buildings are managed, and work tasks are increasingly moving into the digital space. This, in combination with higher expectations of health and hygiene standards, creates new requirements for the future-proof design and build. The trend for smart buildings shows no sign of stopping and may be accelerated by the global pandemic, with sensors being able to recognise when people are in a room and smart technologies helping ensure hygiene measures are observed.

As businesses return to the office and re-start their operations, questions around office design arise: ‘Is my space equipped for the new normal and will it be pandemic-ready in the future?’, ‘Do we still need all our office space and what should it look like to meet users’ needs post-COVID?’ With so many having experienced remote working outside of the traditional office environment, expectations of the workplace are changing, and one thing is clear; space is a new quality. The office of the future must offer everything that remote working from home cannot (always) provide; concentration, communication and collaboration. We need to ensure offices still have pulling power by providing space employees want to come to - a workplace that’s flexible, digital, sustainable and valuable.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Drees & Sommer Innovation Hub, Stuttgart

functional rooms that enable people to join meetings by video to be equally “present” as those who are in the room. Shared spaces can play an important role in fostering communication and collaboration and create the right kind of environment for creative problem-solving. At the same time, modern office spaces need to be customisable: both in structural terms and on the surface, so that they can adapt to changing needs. The office interior should be designed so that in an emergency – e.g. a new coronavirus outbreak –things can be moved and changed quickly. Being future-ready means running a reliable and efficient workspace and being prepared to deal with new challenges. For a long time now, offices have been more than just places of work. It’s a space where a company’s vision and values come to life in three-dimensional space. Although the requirements of our workplace are ever-changing, COVID-19 has accelerated the pace, and a different kind of office environment is starting to take shape. If anything, COVID-19 has made abundantly clear what was beginning to emerge before the crisis: there’s no such thing as a single workplace anymore. It’s time to rethink the design of the workplace.

NOVEMBER 2020

Drees & Sommer Zurich office

A mix of options, sharing models, and hybrid spaces In the new normal, we will work from more than just one workplace, creating the need for flexible, creative spaces that become attractive hubs for hybrid teamwork. The office of the future will be far more than just a building with desks. Rigid office set-ups with fixed seating have become outdated. Companies need intelligent sharing concepts with a mix of office and remote working. This kind of set-up requires multidesign-middleeast.com

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In conversation

Together for better Frederick Trzcinski, Marketing and Innovation Director, MENA, Ideal Standard Gulf, discusses innovation, market trends, and new Atelier collection

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Explain the impact of technology on bathroom designs.

Technology will continue to push our industry to new innovations and extend the possibilities of hygiene, convenience, functionality and the use of space within a design-led bathroom style. For more than a century now, we have brought to the market several technologically advanced products and innovations – such as our comprehensive pre-wall installation system PROSYS™ that perfectly complements the company’s revolutionary silent and hygienic WC flush technology AQUABLADE®. Some suites of the ‘Atelier Collections’ such as ‘Blend Curve’ also integrate Ideal Standard’s industry-leading hygiene features, including AquaBlade®, making them a strong ally for residential, commercial and healthcare projects. Whereas the mixers have been crafted with

Altes Flush Plates

smooth surface transitions, making them easy to clean, and include an environmentally-friendly five litre per minute aerator, which reduces water usage. With the latest COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of germ spread in public washrooms has further increased. Ideal Standard plays a fundamental role in working with leading scientists to develop products that minimize the risks posed by hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and prevent the spread of germs – products that reduce splashing by over 90% such as Contour 21+ basin, and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria due to stagnant water such as Markwik 21+ mixers that are designed with antimicrobial copper components and are hands-free operated. In addition to that, Ideal Standard takes a step further with the new generation of touch-free, soap integrated sensor-tap INTELLIMIX® (planned to be launched in 2021) and the newly developed, mobile-en-

Intellimix® smart-mixer touch-free tap

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

With bathroom quality increasingly acknowledged as an important contributor to improved customer satisfaction, Ideal Standard has conducted a study in collaboration with Dr Saul M Golden of Ulster University in Ireland. The findings demonstrated professionals are now considering and end users are expecting a wider range of features and benefits including greater levels of hygiene, personal comfort, design and other elements that support well-being. I would like to add that with the global outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus COVID-19 disease, hygiene and infection control measures in the bathrooms are taken more seriously than ever. Another challenge nowadays is to find innovative ways through modern technology to reduce splashing, reduce touching of bathroom surfaces and avoid residual stagnant water. At Ideal Standard, we are fully dedicated to innovation, committed to product development and we believe in sustainable design. This is manifested in products whose scope, style and technical performance is unrivaled and provide the highest levels of infection control. From a design perception, opting for colored basins and mixers are all the rage nowadays. We are accustomed to seeing mostly white bathroom basins and chrome mixers, so this coloured trend is sure to make all the difference.

NOVEMBER 2020

What are some of the latest trends in bathroom spaces?

abled SPHERO™ anti-splash urinal provide ultimate convenience to both users and operators. Ideal Standard also created and are the patent owners of the ceramic disc cartridge >> design-middleeast.com

In Conversation PS+A is the only designer who received this award for a bathroom project. Through the collaboration with Ideal Standard Chief Design Officer Palomba Serafini Associati, the company targets to create a distinct design style looking at the bathroom as part of the architecture in its entirety ‘where all things are considered’ and that is marked by its purity and simplicity.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Tell us more about Roberto Palomba’s participation at Downtown Design Digital Fair 2020 as a key speaker?

“While technology will do its best to tackle the recent pandemic situation, there is a need for users to learn ways of hygienic living in this new normal.” that put an end to dripping taps and are today used by the whole industry. The company has certainly taken it one step further and revolutionized water management with its new robust & durable Firmaflow® cartridge that lasts nearly twice as long as industry standards. Could you tell us more about the latest Atelier range? How different is it from the past collections?

We wanted to tap into the history of Ideal Standard being a true leader in the world of bathroom design to inform a new wave of design-led solutions. We’ve looked back at our iconic designs, analysed their intrinsic value and thought about how to transform design-middleeast.com

Symfo Flush plates

them to suit modern society – both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. A true example of reinterpreting a classic masterpiece for the modern era is the Conca basin collection, which takes inspiration from the original, designed in 1972 by Paolo Tilche – a range that signaled a shift from pure practicality to a combination of form and function in the bathroom. Palomba Serafini Associati has taken the traditional rounded basin and revamped it with a minimalistic square design to align with contemporary trends, while retaining its unique, sophisticated character. In a nutshell, The ‘Atelier Collections’ has been created in a distinct design style where design gives meaning beyond function and quality is second to none. What are your expectations from Ideal Standard's collaboration with Palomba Serafini Associati? What will it bring to the company?

Palomba Serafini Associati have been trendsetters in bathroom design for the last 25 years. Beyond the bathroom space they collaborate with leading international brands like Kartell and Samsung. Their work is internationally recognised having received a multitude of prestigious awards, including the acclaimed Compasso D’Oro. To date,

Mindful of the current challenges this year, Downtown Design’s annual talks program will be presented virtually. We are proud to have our Chief Design Officer and internationally renowned designer and architect Roberto Palomba, featured as a key speaker joining other industry experts who will speak about how innovation and creative collaboration can offer tradition and heritage a voice on the contemporary design stage. The virtual talks will be presented on Downtown Design’s website and across their social media channels daily during the entire duration of Dubai Design Week (November 9-14, 2020). Who is Ideal Standard’s main clientele and what do they demand?

Our products are intelligently designed to meet the needs of all architects, urban designers, construction firms, and we work closely together to shape the future of modern living. Why is innovation in water so important, and how is Ideal Standard tackling this?

For over 100 years, Ideal Standard has been at the forefront of environmentally-friendly innovation and sustainability. The company has taken on the mantle on water and energy saving solutions, ensuring the high-quality performance of all its products with regards to their impact on Earth's resources. The efficient and optimum control of water is essential for a well-run organisation from both an environmental and cost control point of view. Ideal Standard has been the precursor in chasing water consumption as we invented the ceramic disk cartridge which put an end to dripping taps and it is what is now used by the industry. And we did not

23 stop there. Water saving is one of core values. Our advanced AquaBlade® flush technology which I mentioned earlier, is an engineered system that gives optimum water flow covering every inch of the ceramic, allowing flushing at the extremely low level of 4,5/3l without splashing, delivering nevertheless a remarkably clean toilet bowl. That’s not all.. you can achieve up to 50% savings on water and energy usage with our innovative ‘Click Technology’ that features an adjustable water saving function which gives you the possibility to personally control water consumption without compromising the water volume. We pride ourselves in offering great ranges of mixers and taps with clever water-saving features that offer max 5lt/ min flow rate, without compromising the water volume and lead to nearly 50% savings. Finally, Ideal Standard has enhanced its flush plate offering to include a wide variety of designs with electronic actuation. These new flush plates which have been designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, feature the latest no-touch technology making the flush plates easy to use and ultra-hygienic.

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"Ideal Standard aims at positively shaping the future of modern living, meeting the needs of customers today and anticipating the demands of modern life tomorrow."

How do you see your sector of the market adapting and changing over the rest of 2020/into 2021?

While technology will do its best to tackle the recent pandemic situation, there is a need for users to learn ways of hygienic living in this new normal. There will be an advanced way of consideration being put to build or renovate public bathrooms with products that are splash-free and touch-free. Going a step further, Ideal Standard will unveil a new product innovation, Intellimix®. It is a unique smart-mixer touch-free tap which provides soap and water together in a hand washing cycle. It is created in collaboration with Ideal Standard’s design and technology partners around the world to overcome a number of pain points for building owners and washroom users. What would you like to say to the readers about Ideal Standard brand and your latest developments?

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, our teams have proven to react very positively with resilience. We will need from now on to adapt to a ‘New Normal’ where we have to

Conca bathtub from Atelier Collection

be dynamic, ready to change with agility and flexibility. Ideal Standard has carved a niche over the last 100 years by providing innovative bathroom solutions across the globe. We are focusing on innovation and design to make life better for customers. Working closely with leading universities, architects, urban designers and construction companies around the world, Ideal Standard aims at positively shaping the future of modern living, meeting the needs of customers today and anticipating the demands of modern life tomorrow. Better is the promise we make to our clients, our trusted partners, and the millions of people who use our products every

day. It’s the promise we make to ourselves. It’s our shared determination to keep on achieving, improving and evolving together. Better isn’t always the easiest place to get to. But it’s the best reward there is. Together for Better. What’s next for Ideal Standard?

A company re-connecting to its roots of design and expertise to create a new generation of solutions that consumers desire in their homes and professionals depend upon to make their project a success. It’s an exciting future, one that Ideal Standard team is fully focused on realising. design-middleeast.com

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Interview

Quality meets technology Mehdi Khoury, Founder and Managing Director of Marwa Marble, on brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core offerings, trends, current project, and their expansion plans. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a family-owned business and today with the help of the second generation, Marwa Marble is trying to break the boundaries of the industry to give marble in all its forms the appreciation it deserves

Mehdi Khoury, founder and managing director of Marwa Marble design-middleeast.com

What are the challenges in this region?

We take into consideration the market trends and our recommendations in terms of quality, colour schemes, and budgets. How is the market situation at the moment? How COVID-19 has impacted your business?

When COVID-19 first hit, the business was a bit slow due to lockdown and customers having trouble visiting our showroom. Now, over the past three to four months with the ease of restrictions, we have seen a surge in

Misguidance within the industry such as the effects of social media on peoples taste and requirements when it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t match their budget and receiving wrong information from inexperienced individuals in the industry. Contractors and consultants unreasonably pricing marble at a relatively low price which always causes clients confusion and disappointment when they are introduced to marble and its real costs. Could you tell us more about your factory and the modern facilities you are using?

A minimum of 90,000m2 of material is stored in our factory at all times of the year. This guarantees our customers a wide range of colours and marbles to select from depending on what is most suitable for their project. Marwa Marble facility is built on 100,000 sqft of land fully equipped with modern facilities such as cranes and forklifts for proper loading and unloading of materials in addition to >>

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What influences the products you import or are planning to develop?

"When COVID-19 first hit, the business was a bit slow due to lockdown and customers having trouble visiting our showroom. Now, over the past three to four months with the ease of restrictions, we have seen a surge in sales, a main reason for that is because our projects are mostly private villas and is not directly influenced by the real estate market."

Marwa Marble offers a wide range of unique high-quality marble and granite with exquisite designs, finishing and installation, bringing all conceptual designs to life

sales, a main reason for that is because our projects are mostly private villas and is not directly influenced by the real estate market.

We are here to provide our customers with a wide range of high-quality marbles, granites, travertines, onyx, quartzites, and quartz with excellent finishing and installation. The objective of providing our customers with high-quality material assists in bringing all stone related conceptual designs to life. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our customers are satisfied with the overall service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most importantly the end-product and to give marble; a natural product, the value and appreciation it deserves. Our Core offerings include site measurements, shop drawings, marble cutting, dry laying, fixing, and polishing of the marble after fixing. Some of our prestigious commissions include Past projects Le Reve Tower, Dubai

Marina; Volante Tower, Business Bay; One 100 Palm Jumeirah, VIP luxury mansions in Emirates Hills and Palaces all across the seven Emirates, Presidential Place in Turkmenistan, amongst others.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Can you tell us more about Marwan Marbleyour purpose, mission, core offerings, and prestigious projects?

design-middleeast.com

Interview

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

imported machines like waterjet machines, calibrating machines, bridge machines, grinding, cutting and polishing machines to ensure excellent cutting and superb finishing for our customers. With the help of over 100 employees, Marwa Marble is committed to continuously improve its services and product quality by purchasing the most advanced machines in the industry. Our aim is to provide our customers with the best material to complement their designs at the most competitive prices. What is the most popular variety of marbles best-suited for this region and why? Tell us an emerging trend we should look out for in 2021.

Italian Travertine has proven to be one of the most reliable stones and has been very popular recently in the UAE market due to how resilient it can be with the weather in the region. It can be fixed indoors and outdoors because of its near zero absorption rate compared to other marbles, it can also be used in multiple ways, such as on flooring, wall cladding, faĂ§ades and pool decking. It also offers many finishing options such as leather, honed, polished or for a more natural look simply raw.

Fadi Khoury, COO, Marwa Marble

Nabil Khoury, Business Development Manager, Marwa Marble

Something that we should all look out for in 2021, and can emerge as a trend is grey marbles. Depending on different preferences grey marbles have many different shades and can match any style or mood. Another trend that

has recently become popular in the market is the installation of Marble TV units and also using marble as wall features. What are the current projects you're working on?

There are a lot of exciting projects that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re currently working on. Some of those include Al Rahmaniya Mall, two private Palaces in Zabeel, one private villa in Jumeirah Golf Estates, another five private villas on The Palm, DIFC common area, and other multiple private villas across the seven Emirates. Any expansion plans in the pipeline?

Marwa Marble is currently in the process of building an additional 50,000sqft where materials will be held in an all indoor facility.

Marwa Marble was established in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates in 1987 by Mehdi Khoury. design-middleeast.com

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Talking Point

The architectural scene re-opens Impacts & opportunities

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Highlights of the 2nd Executive leaders virtual roundtable by TRILUX Group in collaboration with Light Bureau organised with a focus on The Architectural Scene Re-Opens | Impacts & Opportunities

KAPSARC - King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center

design-middleeast.com

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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he outbreak of COVID-19 across the world has changed our lives foreverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; from the point of view of health, our mindset, way of working, way of living, respect for nature, and more. With a majority of the population working from home, this has given a new direction to our lives and the end-user is asking is curious to know designers, architects, and other industry experts can shape the world in a better way, which is reliable, flexible, functional, and above all sustainable. This roundtable exactly discussed the above valid points and more. The objective was to have like-minded firms and institutions mutually inspire each other, exchange and discuss experiences, knowledge, and views on the Architectural Scenes as markets re-open after the shutdowns in many countries all over the world, looking at impacts & opportunities! We need a design overhaul which features key elements from structure, design, materials, to lighting and producing locally. Industry leaders from all walks of lives participated in the roundtable and the diversity of this panel had an amazing mix of expertise in lighting design, architecture, urban planning, global end-user touching retail, logistics and offices, and regional coverage of Europe, Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. Over 208 industry experts connected live from over more than 36 different countries, different industries, and even talents from different international academies. The esteemed panelists included: > Sudeshna Mukhopadhyay, Chief Design Officer at Svarochi Smart Lighting > Lina Lahiri, Partner & Senior Architect - Sauerbruch Hutton > Raimund Paetzman, Vice President Corporate Real Estate at Zalando SA > Deepu Raj, Director at LET Design Middle East > Paul Miles, Partner & Lighting Designer at Light Touch PLD Middle East > Joachim Geiger, CSO & Director Group Marketing at TRILUX GROUP > Christopher Seider, Head of International Business Development at Light Bureau (part of AFRY) as moderator

design-middleeast.com

Talking Point

Christopher Seider Head of International Business Development, Light Bureau

Sudeshna Mukhopadhyay Chief Design Officer, Svarochi Smart Lighting

Raimund Paetzmann Vice President Corporate Real Estate, Zalando SA

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Here’s what these industry experts discussed and brought forward to the limelight

Impact of COVID-19 on the architectural Industry COVID-19 has shaken the design beliefs of many experts and there’s something new that the world is hoping for. One of the most important areas of our lives— our workspace needs special attention and the new norms are dictating some major changes. Sudeshna Mukhopadhyay from Svarochi Smart Lighting pointed out two important aspects for re-shaping the offices. She shared: “In terms of re-shaping of the architecture, be it space design or lighting, it must have the assurance of built-in and not just simple well-being. The idea is to rejuvenate the space to make people feel comfortable even in a half-empty space and at the same time make them feel assured that it's hygienic and clean. We have to make sure that going-forward all these new norms and standards are followed. This is the new direction that all need to work on.” Raimund Paetzman from Zalando indicated that many sectors impacted by the pandemic. He said: “This brings us the situation where we have more visibility on what is working and what is not working and we also see the shift to digitalisation is accelerating because everyone needs a ‘Digital’ business model to survive in these current scenarios. But it´s not about winners or losers it’s about companies being more resilient or more prepared for the future. Another thing is how technology would rapid and boost the pace of all these events.”

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Lina Lahiri Partner & Senior Architect Sauerbruch Hutton

Paul Miles Partner & Lighting Designer, Light Touch PLD Middle East

"In terms of re-shaping of the architecture, be it space design or lighting, it must have the assurance of built-in and not just simple well-being. The idea is to rejuvenate the space to make people feel comfortable even in a halfempty space and at the same time make them feel assured that it's hygienic and clean." - Sudeshna Mukhopadhyay Deepu Raj from LET Design Middle East shared a concrete example from a Dubai’s perspective. Stating how the city is driven by tourism and during the outbreak of COVID-19, the government must focus on creating a sustainable environment with more hospitals, research facilities, and micro-organism institutes. He explained: “Looking at the situation now, airports are shut, aeroplanes are not moving, hotels are empty. In my 100m radius, there are more than 5,000 hotel rooms available. The government should stress on having more medical facilities as well. Dubai has always been a trading hub, it has never been a manufacturing hub. The government should concentrate on the manufacturing aspect as well. Another point to remember is that there are 50% of the buildings using traditional methods of convention and lighting. Government and financial institutions can join hands and look at some exciting models of saving-energy. This is also the right time to invest in hospitality

Deepu Raj Director, LET Design Middle East

Joachim Geiger CSO & Director Group Marketing, TRILUX GROUP

projects and emerging tourist destinations, considering everything is at its lowest value from consultancy fees to the products.” Joachim Geiger from TRILUX GROUP urged everyone on being responsible with the resources we have. He commented: “I hope that the post-pandemic phase teaches, or we learn to co-exist with nature. Source locally what is essential, key, and critical. And be more responsible for resources not only with products but also with people and the team you are managing. Being close to your customers, suppliers and your team, that’s the post-pandemic lesson we will learn.” Homes have become really important with employees, a home that becomes an office and vice-versa is the need of the hour. Lina from Hutton Architects explained why architecture and design must cater to this crucial need of the clients: “Even the smallest apartments may need a space where you work - different from where you live. The outdoor space will also be more crucial. The small step outside the home has been important for us during this crucial time.” In a way, nature has allowed us to mend our mistake, be it design-wise, resources, taking care of flora & fauna, and much more. Christopher Seider from Light Bureau explained how we have to see the time as an opportunity. “An opportunity to do things better when we come back. It’s a challenge for all of us to be prepared for whatever the next event might be. As an industry, as a community, we have to push the boundaries to create the greatest opportunities in the months ahead and the years ahead,” he said.

What kind of lighting and technology do we need in the future? In the lighting sector, Sudeshna believes that the flexibility in product design and application would be coming to practice. She added: “Probably lighting equipment will get now multi-functional. The luminaire must be able to adapt to different non-lighting features as UVC technology

for cleaning offices. Well-being must also be taken into account when developing products in future.” Sudeshna also pointed out that the home has now become an office and here we see also things shifting. She sees design trends going in that way. “With flexible lighting solutions that can convert a home into an office. Lighting that makes your home an office in the morning and with task lighting, vertical lighting in a dimmed format, converts the same place into your bedroom. This will be the trend for long.” Joachim is excited to see that there are so many opportunities now arising, to add more technology to lighting – so that lighting is beyond lighting and bringing collateral; benefits: pay-per-use, tracing, re-directing, heat mapping in offices, etc. “These are all ideas we have been creating before now somehow we are boosted like 5-8 years into the future. Now we see a demand,” he added. The importance of flexibility, adaptability, and acceptance has become increasingly evident during this pandemic. Technology would play a major role to play in architecture as well as the lighting segment. Hygiene is a priority more than ever before and it’s interesting to learn how lighting can play a surprisingly significant role. A lot is happening and there’s a lot that needs to be done to achieve a sustainable environment that promises well-being, health, and being productive.

meeting someone on daily basis. To express your feeling, to understand someone’s feeling from afar would be challenging and bring something new to the table. It would be interesting to see how we bring teams with multiple responsibilities and multiple functions together. We haven’t been able to bring them all together before.”

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"As an industry, as a community, we have to push the boundaries to create the greatest opportunities in the months ahead and the years ahead."- Christopher Seider

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Workplace in post-COVID world Work from home is the new normal and everyone seems to be okay with that. Paul Miles from Light Touch PLD Middle East highlighted on how everyone is working from their home environment and being productive at the same time. He explained: “We would need collaborative offices, the question would is do we need bigger offices now or a couple of smaller offices at different places with a different environment. The dynamic is going to change, and the focus is to keep moving.” Is home the new workplace for us? Lina said that she has only a few people coming into the office in Berlin. Even if we create a safer environment most people now prefer to work from home. She agreed to the fact that it’s high-time to re-think the organisation of the office. “We have to put people in focus. My biggest challenge is to do endless meetings on a digital platform in a big office space. We have to re-focus the positions in the office, creating meeting rooms, areas for video conferencing, and to socialise.” Joachim further emphasised how COVID-19 will change the leadership style. At a time when teams are working from home, away from each other, and interact less, good leaders need to prioritise and model strong communication. He expressed: “The principle of leadership would also be changed in the future considering we are mostly working from home and not

design-middleeast.com

Project

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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The wicker chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, are a part of the focal decorative lighting whilst for general lighting, exposed bulbs have been used

GDM Interiors serves up eclectic elegance at Nandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dubai Mall A closer look at the elaborate fit-out work that helped create this urban-chic eatery

design-middleeast.com

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The restaurant spans an area of 3,283 square feet which is divided into zones. A small reception, the sit-down dining areas, the bar and the couch seating booths were planned keeping in mind the design, décor and multiple functions of the space. Our team was responsible for the end-to-end fit-out of this project. Other than the wall, floor and ceiling installation and ornamentation, GDM Interiors also custom-made all the furniture. From the tables, chairs and couch seats to the crisscross wooden lattice on the walls, everything was crafted and assembled piece by piece. The wicker chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, are a part of the focal decorative lighting whilst for general lighting, exposed bulbs have been used. The overall look of the space is rugged with leather, wood and metal being used cohesively. The team at GDM worked cohesively on this project with designers, site and MEP engineers and foremen fully invested in the project and successfully completed it in a span of only 45 days.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

hile most of us are familiar with the mouth-watering Portuguese-African cuisine served by the world-renowned Nando’s brand, a lesser-known fact is that no two restaurants have the same interior design. This gives the designers a blank canvas to work with. The Nando’s outlet at Dubai Mall is the newest addition to the restaurant chain in the UAE. Moreover, its iconic location necessitated the need to go all out in term of design and fit-out for this outlet. GDM Interiors worked their magic on this project. The theme of this restaurant is modern-day eclectic while being relatable to the parent brand. Set amidst Dubai Mall's buzzing atmosphere, the restaurant was to serve as an easy respite to the diners. GDM Interiors had to design a restaurant that could double up as a place to lounge too. The ambience turned out to be smart, stylish, and lux.

The theme of this restaurant is modern-day eclectic while being relatable to the parent brand

design-middleeast.com

Creative

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30 Powerlist 2020 SALUTING THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS IN THE MENA REGION

design-middleeast.com

Isabel Pintado

Address Marassi Golf Resort & Spa

been for design. Much of my inspiration is found through my love for travelling and being outdoors, watching people on the street, and visiting exhibitions by an eclectic roster of artists and designers. During my time within the industry, I’ve noticed changes of all types, but nothing as drastic and unfamiliar as COVID-19. The pandemic brought a sense of solidarity to our industry, especially in the Middle East, where we are seeing the emergence of a movement that draws upon and celebrates the region in which

we live, where local product and interior designers have been given a voice and are celebrating what this part of the world has to offer.” Pintado further elaborated: “The pandemic has also impacted our social behaviour and how we interact with each other will change – it will become the new normal to not shake hands, to keep a minimum distance from others, and we can expect virtual meetings to remain the norm for some time. Such change of behaviour will definitely instruct a different approach to social areas within our projects, how people interact, how we deal with surfaces, etc. Even so, we

"We are seeing the emergence of a movement that draws upon and celebrates the region in which we live."

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As a seasoned interior architecture professional with an invaluable familiarity with the culture and business landscape of the Middle East, Isabel Pintado currently leads the Dubai and Shanghai design studios for Wilson Associates, overseeing the design direction for each project – recent favourites include Marriott Taghazout Bay Resort and Address Marassi Golf Resort & Spa – and generating opportunities for the firm's global design studios. Pintado says: “For as long as I can remember, my passion has

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Managing Director, Wilson Associates

remain at the cusp of an exciting time for luxury and hospitality design – everything is driven by experience, and our team is having so much fun exploring what that means in different contexts. Most recently, we’ve been seeing a cultural shift in Saudi Arabia, and we are very excited to bring our expertise in hospitality spaces there, as well.” design-middleeast.com

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Joe Tabet Founder and Managing Director, JT+ Partners

Joe Tabet is a multi-award-winning architect, creative artist/designer, sustainability advocate, CSR supporter, business/ marketing/staff management strategist, visionary business leader, with 20+ years of extensive experience in worldwide architecture, masterplanning/urban design, and construction industry. Since establishing JT+Partners in 2015, with offices in Dubai, design-middleeast.com

Abu Dhabi, and Beirut, Tabet continuously demonstrates his innovative business growth strategies to sustain recognition as a world-renown consultant, delivering iconic, environmental/socially sustainable projects world-wide: from Morocco to Seychelles, Lebanon, India, Sri Lanka, Angola, Cameroon, Zanzibar, Egypt, Portugal, Greece, KSA,UAE, spanning residen-

tial, hospitality, commercial, mixed-use, masterplan developments. Additionally, retaining/expanding his impressive clientele/contacts, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, NCT&H, Al Marjan Island LLC, Al Hamra Real Estate, Giga Group, Shalimar Group, Jumeirah Group, Marriott Group, Hilton Group, EMAAR, Aldar, Pennyroyal.

to this huge business challenge. He tackled the issues and managed to keep the motivation going for his team. He had to think differently, searched for new strategies to survive and keep the safety and well-being of his staff who he considers as the key to ensuring the success of the business. He brought his staff on board as part of decision-making across all levels. He maintained close contact with existing clients. He formulated vision and mission for the immediate

future and planned everything around it from business strategy to financial situation. He also started exploring work in different geographies. Using his creativity to “think outside of the box” and being flexible and adaptable to the situation, Tabet achieved success, is an inspiration to designers/ architects and ranked amongst the most powerful architects and influencers who contribute positively to the growing development of the region.

The Red Sea Island ResortAerial View

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The Red Sea Island Resort - Arrival Area

Tabet has the gift of being able to understand, interpret local cultural requirements and aspirations and reflecting all these into cost-effective building design solutions. He creates buildings and communities that transcend design and encompass social and environmental issues. His projects received awards/ recognitions from Cityscape, MEA, Arabian Property, UAE Business Awards, UAP Dubai. His latest completed projects include LXR by Hilton and Four

Seasons Extension in Seychelles and Red Sea Resort in Egypt. Upcoming projects include the residential tower in Abu Dhabi, five-star resorts in Angola and Abidjan, healthcare projects in UAE and KSA. Using an unusual creative management approach, he chooses his staff from multi-cultural backgrounds of different nationalities, support/ challenge them and drive them to achieve and exceed their objectives/ expectations. He motivates his staff, takes the right decisions to keep work moving and maintaining creativity continuously. His interests in 3D printing, modeller construction and visions towards the future led to investing in multi-media technology and up-to-date state-ofthe-art tools. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world on all aspects – political, social, economic, religious and financial, seriously affecting the design industry. Tabet acted quickly in response

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Joe Tabet acted quickly in response to COVID-19 pandemic. He tackled the issues and managed to keep the motivation going for his team. He had to think differently, searched for new strategies to survive and keep the safety and well-being of his staff who he considers as the key to ensuring the success of the business.

design-middleeast.com

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Janus Rostock

Vice President, Middle East & Africa Practice Lead Design + Planning & Economics Head of Concept Architecture | AECOM Cities Lead

Janus Rostock is a multi-award-winning architect, urban designer, and masterplanner who has led the design and delivery of some of the highest-profile projects across the region and beyond. Since joining AECOM in July 2018, Rostock has grown the firm’s almost 100 strong masterplanning, urban design, concept architecture and landscape practice, which is currently involved in several of the region’s highest-profile projects including, the masterplan and public realm design for Dubai Expo 2020, Dubai Harbor, NEOM, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Transit Oriented Development, Riyadh Complete Communities and Greening Riyadh. Having received his M.Arch from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture, Copenhagen, following a year at l’Ecole d’Architecture de Paris Belleville, Paris, Rostock worked for Henning Larsen Architects and KHR in Denmark. AECOM is the world’s premier architecture, engineering, consulting and project management firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle. We partner with our clients in the public and private sectors to solve their most complex challenges and build legacies for generations to come. On projects spanning cities, buildings, transportation, water, governments, energy and the environment, our teams are driven

design-middleeast.com

by a common purpose to deliver a better world. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with revenue of approximately $20.2bn during the fiscal year 2019. Rostock moved to Dubai and joined Atkins in 2006, where he was part of the team delivering the Dubai Promenade and Cape Town Waterfront masterplan. In 2008, he

moved back to Denmark to start up Atkins’ architecture and design department in Copenhagen. He returned to the UAE in 2011, where he led the design of Dubai Opera and the Opera District, KIFAF, Prince Sultan Cultural Centre, Dubai Creek Harbor Phase one Jeddah Waterfront and Qiddiya to name a few.

have co-created or designed them and watched them being built and take on a life of their own once they are occupied; it is incredibly rewarding. Rostock says: “We are currently working on several confidential competitions and projects, which I, unfortunately, can’t disclose but I can say that I look forward to seeing the Dubai Harbor Police and Civil Defense Building completed later this year. I look forward to seeing some of the many recent Saudi Arabian project announcements coming to fruition, in particular Jean Novel’s Al Sharaan Resort in Al Ula. It is interesting to see

buildings that are now trying to blend into their surroundings while creating incredible special experiences.” Rostock is hopeful that we will see more truly sustainable projects in the region, such as net-zero energy houses, with a strong sense of place. “The pandemic has shown the value and importance of good relationships both with staff and clients. Open and transparent communication about where we are and what we are doing along with working as a team, have proven to be a strong recipe for navigating adversity and unexpected events,” shares Rostock.

For Dubai Harbor Janus Rostock and this team at AECOM developed the masterplan, landscape, and ancillary buildings.

Rostock has accumulated extensive international experience as the lead concept designer on projects in the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Iran, India, Azerbaijan, Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Rostock is a RIBA Chartered Architect, Member of Danish Association of Architects, a founding board member of the Danish Green Building Council and a board member of The Danish Management Society (VL-94) MENA. All the projects that I have been involved in are special to me, they are like my children – I

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

“A COUPLE OF THE BUILT PROJECTS THAT I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD OF ARE DUBAI OPERA AND THE OPERA DISTRICT, AND THE TRIANGELN STATION IN MALMOE SWEDEN. BOTH PROJECTS ARE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE AND DESIGNED TO BE EXPERIENCED AT EYE LEVEL. THEY ARE PEOPLE AND PEDESTRIANCENTRIC AND THEREBY REPRESENT MY VALUES AS AN ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER.”

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Ignacio Gomez Managing and Design Director | Middle East Aedas

Receiving acknowledgement for your work is a great honour and somewhat humbling, arriving in Dubai as an architect with Aedas, Ignacio Gomez is now the managing and design director for the Aedas Middle East office. Aedas is an internationally-renowned, award-winning architectural design firm dedicated to creative excellence and diversity of the built environment. Operating from a network of 12 offices spanning four continents. This offers our clients the benefits of a locally-based, personal service, backed by a global network of skills and resources. Active in the Middle East since 2005, with a team of 50 based in UAE. The company has a holistic approach to sustainability which shows they care not only for the built environment but also for the people we work with and design-middleeast.com

the societies we live and work within. On this journey, Gomez has collected numerous awards including the 2010 ME Architect Awards, Young Architect of the Year and the 2019 ME Architect Awards, Architect of the Year and has published works on design. Earlier, Gomez was also design director at Godwin Austen Johnson, where he designed relevant projects for the region, Al Seef in the historical part of Dubai Creek and the Phase 1 of the Kingdom Tower masterplan. Before moving to the Middle East, he collaborated with B720 & David Chipperfield. For over two years he worked on the New City of Justice, which was awarded a prestigious 2010 RIBA Award. Working a very diverse portfolio that included Torre Agbar commercial tower, designed by

"The architect must be able to create nonfiction from fiction. Then the work becomes an active entity in the imaginations of society a type of fable or myth." Pritzker Prize-winner Jean Nouvel, and Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Foredeck Building design by David Chipperfield. Gomez has been responsible for several key projects and established the overall design direction of the practice in the Middle East. Designing many projects in the region including masterplanning, hotel and leisure,

ENOC Future StationExpo 2020 site, Dubai

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Automation and rapidly-advancing technologies are reshaping the design and construction industry, allowing engineers and architects to better harness the power of data, manage risk, and improve efficiency. The meeting of digital technologies—machine learning, robotic automation, sensors, big data— could rethink the concepts of the built environment provide architects with new opportunities. For the future, Aedas looks forward to continuing to develop projects within the UAE and the wider MENA region. The design firm has been involved with many exciting developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which we would be fantastic to see realised. Aedas could offer many developments in terms of the use of technology, rethinking the future of the built environment.

SLS

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residential, transport, and cultural developments. He recently led the team for the design of the Dubai Metro Expo extension, Route 2020, interiors. Currently, he is undertaking numerous master planning projects within the UAE and KSA and under construction are two five-star hospitality projects and competition-winning scheme for ENOC in Expo2020. Gomez seeks to provide unique and individual solutions for every project and takes pride in the fact that they never follow the route of formulaic design. His designs are based on deep research process and understanding of the region – its people, its culture, its history, its present and its future. The research rooted in the past makes it possible to create a unique story behind every project as we look to the future.

SLS Dubai Hotel and Residences, Downtown Dubai

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Brian Johnson

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Principal and Managing Partner Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ)

Brian Johnson is the principal and managing partner of Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ). He has maintained an almost constant presence in the Gulf region since 1975, and in 1991, he opened the GAJ headquarters in Dubai. With more than 40 years of regional experience to his name, Johnson’s influence on modern Middle Eastern architecture is undeniable. His body of work comprises some of the region’s most recognisable and prized buildings. Among them is the Dubai Creek Golf Club, widely recognised as one of Dubai’s first architectural icons. Recognised as one of the most distinguished architects in the region, Johnson is credited with having set in motion a countrywide trend in the UAE to incorporate traditional Arabic and Islamic themes into modern architecture. His distinctive style and uncompromising resolve for design excellence has made Brian and GAJ a preferred partner for many distinguished projects and has resulted in the firm winning an array of architectural awards. According to Johnson: “COVID-19 has taken everybody by surprise and not even the most pessimistic business leader could have properly prepared for the far-reaching impact that this has had upon all aspects of life and business. Some of our clients have kept their nerve and continued with their

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projects while others have taken a very conservative approach and have “battened down the hatches” waiting for the storm to blow over before they venture back into the world. Most are somewhere between these two extremes.” “Now that businesses in the UAE are returning to work the most visible effect of the situation is the increase in protective measures we have put place to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, fellow consultants and clients but equally important is the evidence that the measures that we took at the beginning of the lockdown period, where we encouraged all of our colleagues to use their initiative

and new-found autonomy to identify more productive ways of working has provided a strong foundation for our future together,” Johnson further shares. Some of the recently completed projects include the new Sports and Performing Arts Centre of Excellence (SPACE) at Dubai College, The Arcadia School’s secondary campus, Vida Creek Harbour hotel, and Hilton Garden Inn Kuwait, amongst others. GAJ is currently working on some prestigious commissions such as ISG School in KSA, Themed Hotel in Abu Dhabi, The Palace Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Dubai, Mid-Market Hotel in Kuwait, and Hospitality project in Al-Ula County, KSA.

The Arcadia School's secondary campus

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Paul Bishop

Paul Bishop became fascinated with fashion and theatre during his academic years, only having discovered interiors when attending Kingston University. Bishop became infatuated with the process and as such begun his love affair with the trade. Within the following years, Bishop achieved his Master’s degree in Interior Architecture from Manchester University, UK and two bachelors; one in Interior Design from Kingston University, UK and the other in Furniture and Product Design from Brighton School of Art, UK. Bishop Design has been fortunate enough to collect 90+ regional and international awards, whereby Paul has personally achieved accolades such as Design Middle East’s Interior Designer of the Year in 2018. Bishop is currently leading the design for Bishop Design’s largest project to date based in the Bahamas to provide a cohesive combination of solutions for two destinations including a Hotel cum Marina & Yacht Club and a 34-villa and multi-use complex. Bishop also continues to dedicate his skills to small homegrown brands across the region,

including multiple restaurant concepts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as he remains devoted to building the future of the Middle East & GCC. 2020, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, has brought around a greater responsibility to support, collaborate and partner within the industry to ensure it can move forward

securely. Bishop sis personally collaborating with a selection of creatives for both upcoming events and projects more than ever, especially through Rogue by Bishop Design, as he and his team collectively encourage a fresh wave of innovation through the harmonisation of differing skill-sets. The future of design is now calling out for it.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Owner and founder | Bishop Design

Sky Lobby

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Dimitri Papakonstantinou Managing Director Al Shafar Interiors (ASI)

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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Dimitri Papakonstantinou joined ASI, a subsidiary of ASGC Construction in October 2018, and has taken the business to another level of success. In 1997, ASI was initially borne from the need of their parent company ASGC, to

have a group business which would accommodate the fit-out needs on their projects. Over time the ASI brand continued to develop its own identity in the UAE fit-out market. It has an extensive portfolio of projects across all sectors of the fit-out

Dorchester Hotel

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industry, from hospitality and F&B to commercial and residential projects. Over the years ASI has had the pleasure to work on some amazing projects such as the Coca Cola Arena, to the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020, and the Dubai Cruise Terminal. ASGC and ASI and working on various Expo 2020 projects. Several national pavilions at Expo 2020 including Australia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and others. These are completing in stages over the next few months. Other prestigious commissions include The Address Hotel at Dubai

“I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE WEARABLE TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS AR ON HELMETS WHICH CAN ASSIST IN VISUALIZING BETTER THE SCOPE OF WORKS AS WELL AS POSSIBLY LIMITING THE INADVERTENT USE OF INCORRECT DRAWINGS. FURTHERMORE, I’M STILL A BELIEVER OF THE BENEFITS OF OFFSITE FABRICATION TO REDUCE WASTAGE OF MANPOWER AND MATERIALS.”

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

One Central H2B Hotel

Creek Harbour, completing in the second quarter of next year; H2B hotel at DWTC, completing towards the end of this year; and Dubai Cruise Terminal completing this month. Papakonstantinou thinks that in the next 10 years, the region would hopefully see some more meaningful use of sustainable designs and use of materials. “Although the intention has been there for some time to make this happen, short-

term budgets often override long-term gains. Better use of new technologies which would bring all the stakeholders together rather than working in isolation. BIM is such a technology! Also with many of our hotels in the region coming to a point where refurbishment is necessary, the introduction of new exciting designs and materials to freshen them up,” he tells. Commenting on the COVID-19 outbreak

and managing his team through these tough times, Papakonstantinou, says: “Not many of us had any experience of similar situations, so using the strategy of the military when they’re under attack, we moved our people to safety – assessed the situation – planned for the next step. I believe we were pleasantly surprised as well as many other companies on how resilient our people are and how efficiently we managed to work remotely.” design-middleeast.com

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“Empathy, emotional investment and rigorous application remain the core of architecture.”

Kourosh Salehi

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Design Director LWK + PARTNERS, MENA Kourosh Salehi is a British architect, urbanist, and educator with over 25 years of international experience in the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. He has led the design process for a number of urban skylines in cities like London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Doha: his last completed tower design being the “Habtoor City Towers” in Dubai. His latest bridge design (Hanging Garden Bridge) for the Dubai Creek, has received royal endorsement and been featured in several international design journals.

Hanging Garden Bridge

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As an active academic, Salehi has published and presented several talks on urbanism and architecture globally and is the author of the “Architectural Design Guidelines” for the Emirates of Sharjah. As the principal designer, Kourosh is responsible for all the major design output for the MENA region. With their Riyadh office launch, LWK + PARTNERS has contributed to numerous master planning exercises, framework consulting roles and offered digital transformation solutions to key

giga projects that will lead to efficient implementation and future-proofing. In addition, their Saudi portfolio includes major Transit Transportation concept and healthcare/wellness hubs. Whilst certain disciplines like urban design and architecture could greatly impact and improve the future of humanity in the next 10 years, there are key indicators of how responsive the profession would need to be in an ever-evolving global order. Kourosh believes that there are two key aspects to architecture, the art of perception (creativity) and the technology of building. In a world of mass-production and globalisation, architects continue to provide bespoke design services in a product-infatuated world. This presents a serious issue, especially since few end-users fully appreciate the efforts necessary to create custom products. While emerging digital technologies offer architects radically new possibil-

ities for designing and building, current architectural speculation remains largely conﬁned to Unique and personalized creation. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is advancing rapidly as the digitisation of human interactions increases at a rapid rate. Regenerative and parametric design, artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, and virtual reality are just some of the new tools that architects can count on to change the way they think about, design, and build the cities of the future. Kourosh says; “As for exciting projects: I have been extremely fortunate to have been involved with a large-scale masterplan and architecture project in a holy city in KSA. Its complexity and intricacy challenges all the skills that I have accumulated over the last 35 years as an architect and so far has enhanced my understanding of the region with its fascinating and complex history.”

Pallavi Dean

Pallavi Dean is a trained architect and sustainability specialist, she’s won multiple awards for work across a range of sectors including commercial, hospitality and residential. She was born in India, raised in Dubai and spent years working in London; her designs reflect these eclectic influences. A former Professor of Interior Design at the American University of Sharjah, she strives to implement the latest theoretical and practical research into the firm’s designs. Dean is an active member of the UAE design community, writing for industry pub-

Ben Corrigan

Government of Dubai Media Centre

Founder, Bluehaus Group Ben Corrigan is the founder of Bluehaus Group. Born in Tehran and raised in Singapore before completing his School and University education in England, Corrigan embarked on a career in Corporate and Hospitality interiors in the UK before arriving in Dubai in the UAE in 1998. Having worked in the UK for several years, Corrigan then joined an architectural firm in Dubai wanting to establish and grow an Interiors division. Corrigan had seen a gap in the market for an interior design practise focussed on a more personalized, people-focussed service as opposed to a perception of quality which was the case in the early 2000’s. Corrigan established Bluehaus in 2002, on Bank Street.

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lications, assisting with key trade events and mentoring students in the region. Her work has been profiled in some of the world’s leading international media including the Financial Times, the BBC, Monocle, Wallpaper, and the Architectural Digest. Dean collaborated with Artemide to launch ‘Interweave’ an interactive lighting system for this year’s Euro Luce in Milan. Most exciting of all, she is collaborating with psychologist Briar Jacques on a piece of detailed research into workplace usage and design in the Middle East.

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Founder and Creative Director, Roar

Bluehaus Group has had a fantastic few years with some very interesting and diverse projects delivered and on the drawing boards including the Mid Field Terminal Hotel Abu Dhabi, The Founders Office Abu Dhabi, The Dubai Diamond Exchange, and a number of exciting projects in Expo 2020.

COVID-19 has indeed presented challenges. Corrigan says: “From an industry perspective, I feel that COVID-19 will not result in the need for dramatic changes in design and direction, but rather is fast-tracking a number of directional trends which were already in play and happening, just not quickly enough. Much of what we see happening, and being discussed, was already on the table, on the drawing boards, and in some cases delivered. I do not see a dramatic ‘new-normal’ as is being coined but an alignment of the direction we were headed in. At Bluehaus Group, and we had seen this with our partners in various parts of the world, we were already designing the workplace to be an agile and exciting destination hub that serves a business and its drives its culture, hotels were already moving towards contactless check-in and services.” design-middleeast.com

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Diane Thorsen

Hospitality Design Director, Gensler

Passionate about creative solutions in interior architecture, Thorsen believes that great design begins with understanding a client’s vision and culture in order to design from the inside out. A graduate of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture from the University of Johannesburg South Africa, Thorsen furthered her studies to include sustainability and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a WELL

Building Accredited Professional. Thorsen is a Registered Interior Designer within the IIDA and serves on the advisory board of the American University in Dubai. The coronavirus pandemic and its impact on global wellness and the economy has given Thorsen the opportunity to explore her expertise in designing for wellness. She has identified new approaches to the wellness and sustainability of place. Her collection

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Joakim de Rham

CEO and Founder, Swiss Bureau Interior Design

Swiss National Joakim de Rham has left his design footprint across the globe with over 20 years of experience in the industry. With deep roots in architecture and design, his continuous passion has taken him and his team to new heights. In 17 years under his leadership, Joakim de Rham and his growing team have delivered over 314 projects, both regionally and internationally. Despite the crisis of uncertainty felt across the industry, Swiss Bureau has gratefully seen tremendous success both internally and externally. The team is current-

ly working on a mix of exciting projects inclusive of a multi-faceted auditorium with great significance for the UAE's space program, a vibrant 3,000sqm Government Office in Riyadh, reflective of The Kingdom's bright future, and the complete interior design package for a 120,000sqm new island masterplanning project in Abu Dhabi. Inspired by nature, de Rham's designs often exhibit a high level of refinement with a strong emphasis on biophilia and simplicity, paving the way for his design philosophy, which recognises the beauty and quality of design.

Rabih Geha

Founder, Rabih Geha Architects (RG/A)

Rabih Geha founded his design firm RG/A in 2006. For Geha and his team, authenticity remains at the forefront. Each project retains an individual identity based on the stories it has to tell and is built with meaning, relevance and most importantly passion. Geha holds a B.A. in architecture from The American University of Beirut and a master’s degree from l’École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle. RG/A clients include Aishti, Add-Mind Group, A&S Chronora Rolex,

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of ideas, tips, thoughts, and strategies is helping clients explore how design can play a role in making the world a healthier place. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Thorsen has completed the design of two high-end international restaurants, a luxury hotel renovation, a private investment firm’s headquarters and Gensler’s new office at Alserkal Avenue.

Four Seasons Hotel, Images d’Orient, Uberhaus, Patchi, U Energy health Club, 7 Management Group, and more. The 2020 global crisis and pandemic was quite the challenge for Geha and pushed the architect to reflect on new experiments: ‘it is the survival of the most adaptable, responding to ones’ needs in the world of now and tomorrow.’ He feels that the boundaries will be further dissolved and experiences combined; the world today requires flexible schemes and adaptability.

Christian Merieau

The rooftop bar at five-star Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments located in Nsambya

“Our usual lively and noisy work environment was not always conducive to the deep thinking a designer needs to create something truly unique.” Surprisingly, for Merieau the work has not slowed down because of the current pandemic. He elaborated: “The projects that are in the design phase are moving ahead as planned. This could be linked to the fact that they are located in various region of the world. The projects that we currently working on are in Uganda, Senegal, Seychelles, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, and many in Saudi Arabia. The local hotel projects under construction are not only going ahead as planned but move ahead with an increased sense of emergency” “We have not yet had to suffer from a negative financial impact.

ing director for well know international design firm. He brings a wealth of experience of over 30 years of designing international projects to his position as managing director of MMAC. Merieau feels that the interior design industry is in flux, driven by shifting people behaviours and the greater freedom for innovation that advances in technology offer. He explains: “Technology is now fostering major changes in our industry, in how we interact with our customers, but also in terms of how all stakeholders respond to that.”

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MMAC Design is a Dubai based award-winning interior design agency founded by hotelier – Christian Merieau and designer Anil Mangalat that specialises in luxury, upscale and upper mid-scale hotel, and restaurant design. Merieau honed his skills from the foundations of interior craftsmanship rising to the ranks of senior management. After early education in hotel administration, he obtained a degree in Interior Design in 1989, and later qualified as an interior architect in Geneva, Switzerland. Merieau relocated to Dubai 2005, as manag-

NOVEMBER 2020

Managing Director / Partner MMAC Design Associates

It is however to be noted that we have been asked for some additional financial efforts on some of our project that is under construction. At this stage of the crisis, our real concern at this stage hotel investment will be in 2021, as I could strongly affect our business development target,” adds Merieau. Some of the current projects by MMAC is Hotel Barcello, Dubai; Hotel Rotana Mozaic restaurant, Fujairah; Hotel Rove – La Mer, Dubai; Hotel Embassy by Hilton, Makkah (KSA); Hotel Hydrangea, Riyadh (KSA); Hotel Marriott, Kampala (Uganda); Hotel Hyatt, Kathmandu (Nepal); amongst others. design-middleeast.com

Michael Magill

Managing Director/ Creative Director RSP

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Micheal Magill’s career spans over two decades with experience across Asia, Middle East, and Europe after obtaining my Bachelor’s degree for Architecture from Sheffield University in UK. RSP is a global design firm with over 1,500

The arrival view for the highly anticipated Hindu Mandir complex in Abu Dhabi

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people worldwide spread across 13 studios. The headquarters was established in Singapore 65 years ago and since then, all offices have collectively delivered over 2,500 built projects. “I was fortunate to establish the Dubai branch 10 years ago and have watched it grow to a team of 90 experts including master planners, architects and interior designers,” says Magill. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges both for people and society. Magill comments: “As with everyone else, the first few weeks presented a challenge as we adjusted to a 180-degree change in how we have all become accustomed to working. However, as a global company, we had the advantage of working with clients and colleagues in different countries, therefore, we just had to implement the same methods internally in the Dubai office to make the remote workplace seamless for us. Our team quickly adapted and the workflow was back on the right pace and overall, I’d say it impacted our workflow in a positive as

"The digital revolution that we are in will drive new sectors and businesses that in turn with re-define the built environment over the next 10 years. I foresee most of the drive towards projects in education, research, and development sectors.”

productivity has increased. People are more focussed on efficiency and competence as they are balancing their work and personal life.” He goes on: “The drive for the paperless office is now complete as all sketching and design studies on a digital platform which are easily transferred between offices and teams. Though we will eventually return to international travelling for meetings abroad, it is now simpler to present our international design teams to clients and developing the creative process in the virtual world.” Magill’s is involved in prestigious projects. “I am currently working on a number of projects like the new Palm Tower - St.Regis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Island Masterplan in Kampot -Cambodia, Flagship Store in Beijing - China, high-end residential community in Singapore and a Hindu Mandir Cultural Complex in Abu Dhabi. All of these projects are at different stages of the design process and will be completed over the next three years,” shares Magill.

Chris Barnes

Lab, combining parallel paths of design and fast-track delivery. His latest designs of the multi-award-winning brands of LSB and Asia Asia are currently under development at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and his Black Tap designs are now present in six countries across the GCC and Europe with the flagship store recently opening in Dubai Mall. Barnes commercial portfolio lists high profile public projects such as Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre for DSO and Commercity for DAFZA, the new generation of office free-zones. The Talabat Corporate Office project, merges F&B design within a

17 Boran Agoston is an award-winning architect, with almost 40 years of extensive experience in worldwide architecture and masterplanning, who has led and delivered numerous high-end projects across several continents. In 2014, he joined SIEC as design director, where his global exposure brought skills required to lead the design and delivery of significant, high-quality designs and developments ranging across all major sectors of the industry.

corporate setting, inspired by the delivery aspect of the brand. He is currently redesigning the non-profit Crown and Creek Bar for the British Embassy Dubai, his second corporate social responsibility initiative.

Boran Agoston

Starting his career as a Construction PM in the UK, Chris Barnes achieved MCIOB qualification in 1991, before moving to Dubai in 1998, to expand his creative abilities. As owner and founder of Broadway’s Interiors, Barnes is the creative brain behind their success, winning “Boutique Firm of the Year” at the 2019 Design Middle East Awards, cementing Barnes as one of the most influential design professionals in the Middle East. Barnes continues to make an impact on the F&B sector with Baby Q, a fun and quirky design created using a collaborative approach with SLG and Art Painting

Design Director | Studio International Engineering Consultants (SIEC)

Agoston was integral to the growth of the company and worked on numerous residential, commercial, hospitality, master planning and transportation projects. His exceptional design capabilities on both the domestic and international design arena has led to several renowned projects in UAE and region. Agoston’s design approach is based on an architecture that has a modern sense of both tranquillity and spatial continuity taking inspiration from the culture, nature, history, climate and local architecture. His immense international experience has bestowed him with the ability to work effectively in different countries and cultures. Commenting on coronavirus pandemic: “We are living in challenging time of the climate changes, habitat destruction and recently, COVID-19 pandemic. Architects must be adaptable and stay at the forefront of the progress in this rapidly changing world. We need to learn how to leave with

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Owner and Founder, Broadway Interiors

nature again and to embrace new opportunities when the pandemic is gone. The new design philosophy should be based on sustainability, with an emphasis on innovative low carbon footprint buildings.” Agoston and his team are currently involved in several of the regions highest-profile projects in KSA where SIEC has been commissioned to develop some large-scale mixed-use projects and airport development.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

SZ 21

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Dina Murali

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Design Director-UAE & India DZ Design Dina Murali is the managing director and founder of DZ Design located in Dubai Design District (d3), which she established in 2015. Murali graduated with a degree in Architecture from India. Prior to establishing her practice in 2015, Murali worked with several reputed firms like Interior Motives, DWP, etc. As the design director, Murali leads the design practice with her architect husband Mohammed Zain Belgami, driving the operations and project management side of the practice.

Her recent works include Emirates Park Zoo, Abu Dhabi; Radisson Palace-Ajman, and several F&B outlets across UAE, KSA, and Qatar. Murali’s accomplishments also include working as a specialist design consultant representing the client for the award-winning interior design of Great Scotland Yard Hotel Project in London. Discussing the COVID-19 outbreak, Murali says: “Although the remote work was temporary during the lockdown, our office was quick to adapt to operating remotely, away from our studios. We adapted to the new ways quickly - such as using Zoom for studio meetings and meetings with clients. The business impact was not huge as we were lucky to be awarded three new projects during the lockdown and we also continued work on our existing projects. With the expectations of the vaccine in a few months, we are positive and hopeful that the business activity will pick up more momentum. “ There are certain design changes that Murali is keen to see in this region. She tells: “The region has had many firsts previously. But today, the UAE and especially Dubai has been a pioneer at improving our well-being in the context of the way we work, live and play. There has been the right kind of noise to encourage vernacular art and architecture using sustainable practices. In the future, the use of clean, green energy and materials, recycling and reusing will all gain momen-

Chalet/suite room at the Emirates Park Zoo & Resort in Abu Dhabi

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tum. We will all be less wasteful as a practice beginning with less use of paper to the use of VR and AR technologies in larger projects to help reduce wastage of time and materials. Saying this, the pandemic and laid down the importance of overall well-being at an individual level with a lot of thought going to the spaces we work. Flexible working hours and optimal use of real estate will be the way ahead.” The current projects in the pipeline for DZ Design are offices for Bank of Baroda in Dubai; Citymax Hotel in Business Bay; three hotels in Accra, Ghana; Lulu Money HQ- Manila, Philippines; Heritage Resort at Ras al Khaimah 2021 Oct completion; and residential projects in Dubai and London.

“WE ARE CHAMPIONS OF USING VIRTUAL REALITY IN LARGESCALE PROJECTS; THIS HAS HELPED IN REDUCING COSTS IN TIME AND MATERIALS LARGELY. WE ARE KEEN TO DO MORE WELLNESS PROJECTS IN THE REGION, NOT A SPA BUT A WELLNESS RETREAT THAT RESPOND TO THE LOCAL CONTEXT, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE DOING A HERITAGE PROJECT IN THE UAE, THE CONCEPT THAT WOULD BE REPLICATED TO OTHER SITES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.”

Recent projects led by Ashmore include Al Faya Desert Retreat & Spa gaining international acclaim and interest in Sharjah natural landscape, to a number of award-winning projects such as a large-scale Dubai Hills Villa exemplifying refined modernist luxury. The highly anticipated Sri Lankan Boutique Hotel with a fresh take on Tropical Modernism is currently nearing completion, practice breaks into the African market and takes on its first London Belgravia residential project.

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Jonathan Ashmore is the founder and principal architect at RIBA Chartered Practice ANARCHITECT. A practising architect and an active design critic, Ashmore is a post-graduate of the renowned Bartlett School of Architecture in London, a member of the RIBA Gulf Chapter and a British Council Cultural Excellence Fellowship Mentor. Having established itself in the Middle East, J Ashmore recently expanded to open a second ANARCHITECT’s office in London.

Husain Roomi Founder, H2R Design

By growing up in the midst of some of the most architecturally inspiring cities in the world, Husain Roomi has extended this influence with an Architecture Degree from Kingston University in London, England. He worked at Aedas Dubai and then in 2012, founded H2R Design along with his brother Hasan Roomi, and since then the design firm maintains a diverse commercial portfolio, with primary focusses in the hospitality,

retail, and F&B sectors. In 2019, the design studio expanded to house more of the region’s budding and reputable design talents to cater to the list of growing clientele. H2R Design is on the global map of commercial interior design with a portfolio of projects including Tom & Serg, The Sum of Us, Paperfig, Leopolds of London, Alamein Hotel Egy pt, Two Café, Symphony, Candylicious, Parkers, Hardee’s, Pizza Express, Cassette,

Founder and Principal Architect, ANARCHITECT

Rose Poudre, Rove Hotel at Dubai Parks and Resorts, Bagel Yard, Third Avenue, HOB, Brew, Ushna, Anar, and Asma, in addition to a wide spectrum of other upcoming projects.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Jonathan Ashmore

Edward McIntosh

Regional Design Director, Middle East, Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin

Edward McIntosh is a Fulbright scholar who graduated with honours from Columbia University in New York and has 18 years of worldwide experience in different sectors related to architectural design and education. After finishing his postgraduate studies, McIntosh worked and taught in different capacities in the USA and later moved to the UK where he made a career in the design and delivery of sports, events, and entertainment venues and masterplans including FIFA

World Cup and Olympic venues, plus numerous international top-league projects. McIntosh is currently regional design director in the Middle East at Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, focussing on complex projects in the hospitality, residential, commercial, placemaking, urban planning, transportation, sport and entertainment sectors having worked with clients such as Diriyah Gate, Qiddiya, KAFD, and Dubai Holdings. design-middleeast.com

Govind Shepley Creative Director TwentyOne06

“I think there is a real potential to cross the AR experience and a restaurant experience. This has the ability to really take brand awareness to the next level and create digital moments throughout the location.”

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Established in 2018 by Govind Shepley, TwentyOne06 is an integrated, multi-disciplinary, design, and branding agency, based in Dubai. Shepley started his career in the urban landscape of central London working as a designer for several award-winning agencies. Deciding after a few years to travel and gaining experience internationally having been inspired by global design, Shepley lived and worked in Belgium and Spain before settling in the GCC. After 10 years of International experience within some leading design agencies, Shepley took the risk to pursue his passion and set up his own design company in Dubai - ‘TwentyOne06’. Shepley’s most notable projects include Flow café for Sarood Hospitality, a project driven by sustainability and healthy living in Dubai; CRAB CHIC, a modern Russian Seafood concept ready for Expo 2020. Most recently proudly tasked with the re-design and revival of Tokyo, a 35-year-old heritage Japanese restaurant in Saudi Arabia. During the lockdown, Shepley planned to explore within to strengthen and evolve to improve their pitches. He explains: “This year we planned to expand our commercial

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design team to focussing on office designs and hiring our new project director with a wealth of knowledge. We have to diversify and COVID-19 has made it more relevant than ever. We’re reviewing our internal methods and previous projects and asking questions to stimulate change and growth. We are working on finding answers to various questions— How can we expand our services to achieve even better results, will design now need to be more relevant than

Flow Café

ever and will we need to start challenging our client’s ideations in order to excel existing boundaries or intently listen and guide them? Tactfully finding a balance between what our clients want and what they need will be crucial in surviving this. Dining habits may change and we expect to explore more open-plan less condensed designs, or even private areas becoming a premium in outlets with people becoming more and more conscious of space.”

Jesper Godsk

Founder, LW Design

Emma Stinson

Co-Founder and Creative Director, Studio EM

Sharjah-born Emma Stinson is the creative force behind Studio EM, the company she co-founded in 2011. Stinson has designed projects for many of the regions leading F&B and retail brands, including international heavyweights such as Michelin star chefs —Marco Pierre White and Vineet Bhatia. Whilst 2020,was impacted massively by the COVID -19 pandemic, it didn’t stop Studio EM from delivering projects such as Caya, a new Mediterranean-inspired café in Town Square or Brau in the Springs Souk.

bined with his urge to create, will take his firm to new arenas of imaginative creativity that doesn’t just mark the existence of an era but leave a legacy. Projects in the near future include the Waldorf Astoria in Kuwait, The Dubai Edition, Vida Marina Hotel, Mandarin Oriental – Public Floors, and the long-awaited One Za’abeel.

Stinson on the impact of COVID-19 on the industry: “The catharsis this brought was amazing, because now that time in the industry had literally stood still, I could really focus on the things I could control. I looked at where our agency has been, where it’s come to, I could look over all the old projects and see how we could have improved this or that and I had time to sit with the team and to immerse myself just in design, for the rest of the other stuff was out of my control, it was just noise, so many things that once “mattered” really didn’t matter at all."

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Dusit Hotel, Godsk holds immense experience under his belt. It is with this expertise that LW Design carries forward to meet every new challenge. After having spent over two decades in the region, Godsk is accustomed to align the industry’s potential with the economy. More importantly, he possesses sheer resilience that can allow LW Design to overcome any challenges that come their way. This, com-

Jesper Godsk co-founded LW Design in 1999, with the aim of creating bespoke designs from a firm that would signify the abstract of design prowess. Now, 20 years and a plethora of award-winning projects later, his vision for the industry and his brand remains the same. From Zabeel House to Grosvenor House, Hyatt Regency to JW Marriott Marquis, and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa to the magnificent

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Firas Alsahin

Co-Founder and Design Director, 4SPACE

Firas Alsahin established 4SPACE in Dubai with his co-founder Amjad Hourieh in 2012. Alsahin is a fully accredited SBID (Society of British and International Design) Professional and winner multiple awards. He also led 4SPACE to achieve the recognition – the Overall Winner of SBID International Design Awards in 2018. Alsahin’s passion for design resonates to all

his projects in the field of F&B, Retail, and Hospitality sector. He always considers his designs to be futuristic, minimalist, functional, sustainable, and social. Some of the noteworthy projects by 4SPACE includes F&B establishments such as PAPA Bar Village, Matal Eatery, Space Cup, and a floating villa— a residential project in Dubai. design-middleeast.com

58 Creative 30

Owner and CEO Kristina Zanic Design Consultants

Bachelor of Design, Zanic is a prominent figure in the world of interior design. Having been the founder and co-owner of Design Worldwide Partnership (dwp), Zanic spent over 20 years based in Thailand, and worked with numerous international brands, multinationals, and prominent companies. Through her cutting-edge designs and dedication to her clients Kristina led ‘dwp’ to global recognition within the industry, establishing over 14 offices in five continents. Zanic has spent the past nine years working in the Middle East and has since established

her own signature creative design studio in Dubai: Kristina Zanic Design Consultants. Her eye-catching designs, relentless enthusiasm, and personalised service have already won her a variety of prestigious assignments in the United Arab Emirates, Europe, India, Africa, and KSA. Inspired by her passion for travel and to explore foreign cultures, Zanic ’s exclusive designs are often a result of the fusion of elements and detail from her travels. Her clients include Accor, Marriott, IHG, Jumeirah, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Emaar

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NOVEMBER 2020

Kristina Zanic

Carla Conte is considered a retail and environmental branding specialist with experience in designing shopping centres, retail destinations, beauty, wellness, fashion brands, food experiences, and cinemas. Her instinctive yet highly strategic design expertise is the major force behind the work design-middleeast.com

PJSC, Meraas, Signature Clubs International / Capital Clubs, Rotana Hotels and Resorts amongst others.

Carla Conte

Creative Director and Founder Brand Creative

she has produced in North America, Latin America, the UK, Asia, and presently the Middle East. In 2011, Conte founded Brand Creative which platforms multi-disciplinary design thinking and currently has a team of 18 designers across three countries. Conte and her team is working on a range of diverse and interesting projects over the last year. From a certified organic skincare brand called Ixora (with locations at Dubai mall & Dubai Festival City) to a unique hotel concept in Morocco. Some of their other exciting projects include Mansour, a chain of jewellery stores in KSA, Izil beauty located at Dubai Mall, Furless electrolysis clinics, Alissar florists, a new ‘store in store’ concept for Centrepoint, an updated concept for The Loft Fifth Avenue (multiple locations are currently being rolled out), the retrofit for a shopping mall in Salalah, and the canteen branding concept for Facebook’s new Dubai office.

Conte feels that COVID-19 pandemic has made us re-think our systems and processes. She stresses: “Designing with ‘local’ in mind is more important now than ever - whether that means the specifying of materials or the execution of works. Supporting local keeps money flowing in the market that we’re in. We have managed to educate our clients on the maintenance of materials having to endure heavy sanitiSation. There is a newfound appreciation of understanding the technical side of specifications which is refreshing.” Ixora skincare boutique

RIBA Chartered British Architect and Bartlett Graduate Jennie Binchy is the co-founder of Binchy and Binchy Architecture. Her current projects include an extensive Training Centre and Hotel in Oman, a chain of French Bistros, and several private residences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Speaking about the coronavirus pandemic, Binchy says: “I think this has been an acute and difficult time for the design industry. But this

is a challenge we can use positively, to diversify and improve our abilities’, says Jennie Binchy, ‘When our cyber world expanded, our physical world shrank to the walls of our home. We used this time to improve our skills to create interiors that were more bespoke than ever before. While importing goods was restricted, sourcing and creating locally was an exciting challenge that also has a positive impact on the economy and the environment.”

Laila Al-Yousuf

Design Director and Partner, SAY Studio herself through her approach to each project with an unwavering commitment to great design. Her designs start with an analysis of her clients’ needs, and it is through this method that she ensures that each design is both unique and perfectly tailored. Her diverse background, international experience and commitment to research in the field, ensure that each interior is fresh because it possesses the right mixture of functionality and design.

Raised in Dubai and educated in the US, Laila AlYousuf has a unique perspective on designing for clients in the Middle East. Besides the numerous design awards she has acquired over the years, Al-Yousuf goes beyond design. Her dedication to socially responsible initiatives through her commitment to Surge for Water and her LEED AP qualification typifies her commitment to making a real difference. As a design director, she redefines

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Design Director, Binchy and Binchy Architecture

NOVEMBER 2020

Jennie Binchy

Sneha Divias

Founder, Sneha Divias Atelier

Principal designer and architect of her namesake firm, Sneha Divias is known throughout the region’s design industry for her consistent and layered style. She holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Lusiada University of Porto and has completed an array of courses at the Delft University, as well as the Istanbul Technical University. She specialises in interior design with a degree from New York University. Divias constantly tries to test her creative capacity by challenging herself with new projects

like the Banyan Tree Residences, Dubai Holding Offices, creative spaces like OliOli, and the immensely successful children-centred café and shop, White & the Bear. Her upcoming residential projects which include villa’s in Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Ahmedabad and Al Khobar as well as a penthouse in Dubai. The commercial projects include a children’s space and a nursery both located in Abu Dhabi, not to mention, a café, library, a multi-purpose area for Warehouse 421, amongst others. design-middleeast.com

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NOVEMBER 2020

60 Review

SOUND. DESIGN. CRAFTSMANSHIP

Beoplay H95: Bang & Olufsen celebrates 95 years of excellence with new flagship headphones

o celebrate 95 years of innovation in sound, design and craftmanship, Bang & Olufsen set out to create the finest wireless headphones the Danish audio specialist has ever built. The company announced the new Beoplay H95: the highest quality in sound, long-lasting comfort, truly effective noise cancellation, a beautiful chassis, the highest quality materials and the most satisfying user experience in a Bang & Olufsen wireless headphone to date. “Beoplay H95 is a distillation of the best elements of Bang & Olufsen sound, design, and craftsmanship – an enhancement within

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the headphone category that elevates our 95 years heritage of high standards”, says Bang & Olufsen SVP of Product Management Christoffer Poulsen. Superior fit for long-term wear Comfort and fit are essential to truly enjoy the sound quality. Beoplay H95 comes with an oval, over-ear design with soft lambskin ear cushions that provide a luxurious and superior fit for long-term wear, while an innovative and intuitive user interface is provided through a combination of touch control and mechanical dials.

Through research and experimentation, the Bang & Olufsen engineers created an earpad design that fits nicely around the ears and is no bigger than necessary. This shape, formed in soft memory foam, also creates good contact with the skin, which is important to block the noise from outside. The head-band design has been completely revamped for a cleaner look, with top-grain cowhide, custom-knitted textile, and softly padded with memory foam for comfort. A brushed aluminium framework contrasts with the texture of the leather headband giving a minimalist and refined appearance. Magnetically detachable lambskin ear cushions feel as good as they look, and the adaptive memory foam inner padding, combined with rotating and tilting earpieces that ensure a perfect fit, provide the ultimate in comfortable listening and passive sound cancellation. “Beoplay H95 is the product of our philosophy that purposeful design is beautiful design— aesthetics and performance working together”, says Bang & Olufsen VP of Design Gavin Ivester and continues: “We express purposeful design with essential forms, driven by function, pristinely executed. That attention to detail and outstanding performance are the core of our design language, Expressive Minimalism, and give the Beoplay H95 its calm, confident personality.” Optimised in Bang & Olufsen’s Virtual Acoustic Laboratory Beoplay H95 is designed around a set of customised 40mm titanium drivers with neodymium magnets mounted in ported enclosures, while the sound design is implemented using filters in a proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) engine developed by Bang & Olufsen. The headphones build on its impressive passive noise reduction with the most advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) of any Bang & Olufsen headphone, which is both adjustable and adaptive. The ANC performance is entirely based on digital processing and uses both a feed-forward and feedback microphone to reduce noise as much as possible. The tuning and testing of the ANC processing was done under real-life

Folds flat into compact aluminium carrying case To enable enjoyment in the home, home office, workplace and for travel, Beoplay H95 is easily and elegantly transportable. The aluminium mono arms, a Bang & Olufsen signature element, are sculpted with refined surfaces and upgraded with additional pivoting hinges so the headphones fold flat and inwards to a very small size that fits neatly into a compact aluminium-shelled carrying case. Lined with matching textile inside, the headphones are protected from knocks as you go from one place to another. The case is classic Bang & Olufsen – built to last from beautiful materials and meant to be featured – not hidden to truly complement the Beoplay H95 headphones. Accessories in aluminium, leather, and fabric The sign of true craftsmanship is in the details. Even the accessories – flight adapter, charging cable and audio cable – have been given a touch of refinement with matching aluminium housing and woven fabric cords with a leather strap to make tangled cables a thing of the past.

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Superb battery time and call quality Beoplay H95 comes with a market-leading battery time with up to 38 hours of playtime in one charge – even with ANC turned on. If you need to keep in touch with family or work colleagues, four-voice microphones give superb clarity when making calls. Beoplay H95 uses beamforming and advanced noise reduction technology to capture the voice as clearly as possible, while simultaneously reducing the influence of background

noise. This also includes extensive sidetone processing that gives a more natural feeling of speech. Moreover, Beoplay H95 comes with a user-adjustable transparency mode to allow the user to hear surroundings without removing the headphones.

Precision dials for volume, ANC, and transparency Bang & Olufsen has pioneered touch interfaces on aluminium surfaces. Today, the Danish audio company is taking this a step further by adding a precise aluminium dial to each side of Beoplay H95. Inspired by the focus rings on the lenses of high-end cameras, the dials move with precision and just the right amount of smooth resistance. Each dial has a fine, linear texture that confirms contact. It is a high-touch element that feels natural to use, and it makes sound preferences quickly accessible. The dial on the right controls volume, while the dial on the left adjusts ANC and transparency. In today’s world, restorative silence can be a vital part of mental space and peace of mind. The new Beoplay H95 headphones build on its impressive passive noise reduc-

tion with the most advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) of any Bang & Olufsen headphones, which is both adjustable and adaptive. The ANC performance is entirely based on digital processing and uses both a feed-forward and feedback microphone to reduce noise as much as possible. “Home, work and transit can all be dynamic environments that demand a response, whether it is to adapt to a new noise level or change your focus for a minute to respond to someone. The dials make it quick and easy to do what you need and keep the moment flowing. They feel like precision equipment because they are”, says Gavin Ivester.

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conditions as well as Bang & Olufsen’s Virtual Acoustic Laboratory (VR Lab) in Struer, where the engineers can emulate a variety of different noise conditions ranging from airplanes, train stations, office spaces and street noise.

ACC and aptXTM Adaptive To further bring an unrivalled listening experience, Beoplay H95 comes with ACC and aptXTM Adaptive – the next generation dynamically adjustable audio codec, designed to deliver robust, low-latency, low-bit rate, high-quality wireless audio – while Bluetooth 5.1 secures optimal connectivity. Pricing and availability Beoplay H95 which will retail at AED4,050, launches in black and grey mist. It is available online, in select retailers and Bang & Olufsen stores now.

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DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

NOVEMBER 2020

Pick of the month

A desk lamp that disinfects your space! Signifyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disinfection desk lamps will help consumers to disinfect their homes from viruses and bacteria in an effective way. The cleanliness of objects and surfaces at home can have a profound effect on our health and wellbeing, as we are all at risk of contracting or spreading viruses and germs when touching items. A proven and effective way to neutralise viruses and bacteria is through UV-C irradiation. The UV-C disinfection desk lamps are easy to use, with a concise control panel and built-in voice guidance. As the exposure to UV-C can be harmful to eyes and skin, users are not only asked by built-in voice guidance to leave the room before the light turns on, but Signify also added an extra layer of protection to the desk lamps with a built-in sensor that detects movement from humans, and instantly shuts down the lamp upon detecting such movement. Within a matter of minutes, the desk lamp can effectively deactivate viruses, bacteria, moulds, and spores that can present unseen dangers to the home. The time to disinfect a room in a house depends on the size of that room and type of surfaces or objects present in such room. For example, an average-sized living room takes about 45 minutes light exposure to be sanitised, a bedroom needs 30 minutes, and a typical bathroom 15 minutes. Availability: www.lighting.philips.com

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Our SME eShop delivers. So that your business never stops. du.ae/SME