Design Middle East June 2022

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JUNE 2022 | DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

Interiors and architecture from the Gulf, Levant and beyond

FIT-OUT POWERLIST 2 0 2 2 FIT-OUT FIRMS AT THE FOREFRONT

It’s time to recognise the region’s top fit-out suppliers, who serve as the backbone of the design industry. Design Middle East presents the fit-out powerlist 2022 featuring the region’s finest firms based on their landmark projects, implementation of cutting-edge technology, and notable remarkable achievements.

INDEX

THE GLOBAL INTERIOR DESIGN AND FIT-OUT EXHIBITION

bringing together industry leaders and showcasing creative products and installations

IKEA FOR BUSINESS IKEA OFFERS FLEXIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

FREDERICK TRZCINSKI

PARTICIPATION OF IDEAL STANDARD IN THE SALONE DEL MOBILE

Inspiring Solutions For Tomorrow

IDEAL STANDARD MENA T + 97148042400 | E idealstandardgulf@idealstandard.com IDEAL STANDARD DESIGN & SPECIFICATION CENTRE Building 7, Happiness Street, City Walk, Dubai, UAE | T + 97143096000 www.idealstandardgulf.com

FIT-OUT FIRMS AT THE FOREFRONT Design Middle East presents the fit-out powerlist 2022 which features the region's top 20 firms based on their landmark projects, use of cutting-edge technologies, and notable outstanding achievements.

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INDOOR AIR QUALITY Healthy Air Tuna Gulenc, vice president of Daikin Middle East & Africa, discusses the company's latest offerings, the emphasis on indoor air quality, and a market overview of the Middle East.

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INTERVIEW Ikea For Business Learn about IKEA for Business, the goal of this amazing initiative, and how IKEA supports its clients from delivery to assembly and installation.

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INTERVIEW Ideal Innovations Frederick Trzcinski, VPMarketing and Innovation at Ideal Standard, discusses how the company is the undisputed leader in innovation, the launch of the

Design and Specification Center, and their recent participation in the Salone del Mobile.

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PROJECT House Proud This one is all about pure love. This captivating twostorey home in Almaty, Kazakhstan, designed

by Elina Mussakulova of Interior Bureau sdelaemremont.kz, checks all the design boxes.

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TECHNOLOGY Living in the Future: The Power of HighPerforming Computers Z by HP Powered by Intel® Core™ Processors - Power through your heaviest workloads with highperformance workstation laptops, desktops, displays and solutions.

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INTERVIEW Five Stars Aloki batra, five hotels and resorts’ avant-garde ceo, talks to design middle east about how five’s signature style and flair ties into five’s highlyrated customer experience

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EMIRATES FLIGHT CATERING DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN A demonstration kitchen, that also serves as a high-end restaurant as well as an entertaining and dining area for the client's senior management.

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EVENT ROUND-UP MAXIMUM INDEX, the global interior design and fit-out exhibition, brought together industry leaders and showcased creative products and installations that wowed everyone.

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PICK OF THE MONTH Finest The Design House (TDH), a luxury furniture design atelier based in Dubai, has released its first collection, "The Origins."

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Editor's note

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he heat is on, and people are seeking refuge in cooler locales. I recently visited my favourite mountains, and every time I see them, they cast a spell on me. I mean, when the steep road leads you to the lap of nature and luxury, I am astounded by what Mother Nature has given us, as well as how great minds have created wonderful resorts and hotels in such difficult circumstances. It appears to be a difficult task to convert even an empty space into a usable setup, which is where fit-out suppliers come into play. In the end, they are the foundation of every establishment we see.

The June edition of Design Middle East celebrates and salutes these leading fit-out suppliers for their significant contribution to the success of each project. It's incredible how they can make any environment liveable, be it mountains, deserts, or terrains. Our top 20 powerlist is based on the firm's landmark projects, implementation of cutting-edge technology, and notable remarkable achievements.

We received an overwhelming response to this powerlist, and we thank each and every one of you for your contributions.

The edition also includes exciting projects, interviews, and reviews for our readers.

CEO WISSAM YOUNANE

wissam@bncpublishing.net DIRECTOR RABIH NAJM

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

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

rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818 EDITOR ROMA ARORA roma@bncpublishing.net

In addition, the latest marvellous collection by The Design House featured in the Pick of the Month segment is something I'm crushing on this month.

Roma Arora Editor roma@bncpublishing.net

CREATIVE LEAD ODETTE KAHWAGI

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

aj@bncpublishing.net DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER ALEXANDER BUNGAS

Alexandar@bncpublishing.net

SUBSCRIBE subscriptions@bncpublishing.net PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates T +971 4 420 0506 | F +971 4 420 0196

For all commercial enquiries related to Design Middle East, contact our Group Publishing Director JOAQUIM D’COSTA jo@bncpublishing.net | T +971 504402706 All rights reserved © 2022.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors.

Design Middle East is exclusively licensed to BNC Publishing. 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.

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News

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ubai-based interior design firm H2R Design has led the redesign of six TGI Fridays outlets in the region.

The Ibn Battuta (Dubai) and Al Wahda (Abu Dhabi) branches were completed in February 2022, following the Seaside (Kuwait) branch which was completed in mid-2021, with the remaining outlets expected to launch within the year.

The design intent was to reinterpret and elevate elements of TGI Fridays’ origins, but also to create a modern and fresh new look to embrace millennial trends and enhance the dining experience.

Speaking about the project, Hasan Roomi co-founder of H2R Design said: “TGI Fridays is a brand everybody knows and loves, so we were excited to work on the reimagining of six of their key outlets. We focused on creating a fun environment that prioritises the customer experience and promotes sharing good times, much like the brand values. We wanted the design to create a mood that makes guests feel happy and special and reflects what’s on the menu and the core values of the brand.

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Each of the six outlets has its own distinguishing features based on the size, location and audience needs at that specific venue. Distinctive furniture has been used in the space with a combination of rectangular and round tables. Modern chairs in block colours with a range of unique seating options, such as circular constructed booths, communal tables, lounge chairs, benches and banquets allow the customers the option of how they would like to dine.

Special features Everybody knows TGI Fridays for its famous red and white branding and its memorabilia adorned walls.

In line with this, H2R created an impressive wall with 3D dynamic backlit letters lighting up to reveal relevant descriptions that embody TGIF’s customer experience.

Images courtesy of Alex Jeffries for Ibn Battuta & Al Wahda photos and Mohammad Taqi for Seaside.

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H2R Design gives TGIF outlets a new look

H2R Design found clever ways to integrate “TGIF” into the design including a special projection brick wall where the letters are juxtaposed into the wall playing with the positioning and rotation of the bricks.

This eye-catching statement red section also complements the red communal tables and serves as a focal point of interest in the space.

Around the restaurant, much-loved timeless memorabilia are framed in vitrines while modern monochrome posters feature the TGI Fridays letters on iconic city landmarks.

Archpoint Bureau’s Secret Boutique Hotel in Moscow prioritises privacy and attention to detail

In every room, there are paintings by contemporary artists.

The classical themes in the paintings are complemented by daring inscriptions.

The interior is designed in a modern style with classic elements. In some rooms, it was decided to add a play of light to create a festive atmosphere in the evening.

Various lighting scenarios are used, including designer neon lighting around beds on the floor, on the ceiling, and around the paintings hanging on the walls.

The VIP zone can be accessed through a separate entrance from the street. It consists of two large rooms: the strict presidential one and the more relaxed “party” one.

Both rooms are decorated with natural materials – wood, leather, and metal. The walls and ceiling are covered with decorative plaster and decorated with mouldings.

The peculiarities of the presidential suite are an office or a cigar room, and a wine room. The atmosphere of the office is suitable for serious negotiations. One part of the room is furnished with a large marble

table, around which comfortable leather chairs are placed. For more personal negotiations, a second zone with soft armchairs, a leather sofa and a low coffee table is organised. The wine room is made for rest. Here a guest can comfortably sit at a table and relax while sipping expensive alcohol.

The “party” room is designed for relaxation in a company. For this purpose, there is a spacious common area with a Jacuzzi, a large table with a DJ console, a spacious sofa, and a podium for multi-level accommodation of guests. In the lobby of the room, the architects placed an art object – a selfie zone, which is destined to become the centre of attraction at the party.

The common hotel area of 12 rooms can also be accessed through a separate entrance. The peculiarity of this zone is in the art objects with which the rooms are lavishly decorated.

Image courtesy of Olga Melekestseva

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he Secret Boutique Hotel is a new hotel in Moscow Silk’s business district. Its designers decided to emphasise intimacy and privacy, which is reflected in both the name and the interior design. Archpoint Bureau created the design, which is evident in the well-thought-out details. The architects worked hard to design the interior, making each room unique.

The architects had several tasks: to divide the hotel into two zones – VIP and general hotel, to add leisure areas to the rooms so that they were suitable not only for relaxation, but also for business negotiations or parties in a large company, and to make the interior fresh.

10 Indoor air quality

HealthyAIR Tuna Gulenc,

VICE PRESIDENT OF DAIKIN MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, DISCUSSES THE COMPANY'S LATEST OFFERINGS, THE EMPHASIS ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY, AND A MARKET OVERVIEW OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

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According to tests performed in the laboratories of the Institut Pasteur de Lille, Daikin’s air purifier eliminates more than 99.98% of the human coronavirus HCoV229E in 2.5 minutes.

This virus is of the same family as SARSCoV-2, Coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are the goals and objectives of Daikin for 2022 and do you believe you are on track to achieve these goals?

At Daikin, we categorise our business goals and objectives through three different pillars, which include growth, localisation, and business lines. To set the stage, our goals towards sales growth have been accelerating as planned, as we saw Daikin’s sales transcend by 123% in just one year. As we put each market under the

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microscope, we have noted that our sales grew by double-digits across all territories – which motivates us to continue the pace and thrive above and beyond in 2022.

Since the start of 2022, we have aimed to complete and strengthen our localisation direction in key markets following a successful opening in Nigeria last year. For the remainder of the year, we at Daikin hope to achieve this goal by building strong channels with partners and

further aim to strengthen our business in North Africa and transform our solutions to better fit the market as we work towards establishing an office in Morocco. In addition, Daikin aims to launch/ amplify its ‘Breathe Health’ brand campaign across key markets to further raise awareness and understanding of its objectives.

Adding to this, increasing sales and service manpower in KSA, Qatar, and Egypt in alignment with our vision for Fusion 25: expanding our presence in the region.

In addition, Daikin works towards its business line goals by investing in wider refrigeration solutions and air purifier ranges. To spread the word, we look forward to kicking off our brand awareness campaign that explains who we are: experts in the air quality industry.

As goes with any business, we have worked hard to overcome certain challenges that we faced over the course of the year. Some of these challenges involve the supply chain – however, given that Daikin is well-positioned globally, with factories in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North

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America, and China we are in a strong position to manage our supply chain with a plan in place to better serve our customers.

What are your thoughts on the market overview in the Middle East?

The Middle East as a whole has been gradually recovering and with significant uptake in tourism, especially in the UAE. Aside from the UAE, we see that the KSA market is booming, and we have also seen room for opportunity in the Qatar market, given the upcoming World Cup. In addition, Africa is one of our top emerging markets for air conditioners with Nigeria being one of the strongest, followed

by Egypt.

As a whole, the region is moving towards more sustainable practices and regulations, having COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE. Moreover, we see an increasing focus on health and overall well-being, driving more demand for air quality products. There have also been large developments within

Tell us about the latest products that are being manufactured by Daikin?

At Daikin, we aim to help people to breathe easy in high regard and in line with our vision, we have launched several innovative solutions in recent times covering a new range of air purification solutions for both commercial and residential use, Hygienic Air Handling Units for healthcare applications, and inverter split types of air conditioners. All new systems provide high energy efficiency, comfort and IAQ levels.

We have seen that choosing the right air conditioning (HVAC) systems and purifiers for your home or office can vastly improve your quality of life. Daikin’s MC55VB poses a unique double method by having high power plasma discharge technology, and the patented streamer technology that provides further purification to open spaces.

Taking up a small amount of space and very quiet, Daikin’s MC55VB takes three steps to decompose harmful substances – with powerful suction, effective capturing of pollutants with the electrostatic HEPA filter, and decomposition by oxidation removing up to 99.97% of fine particles with the streamer technology.

How do these products increase energy efficiency?

Daikin was among the first to respond to the growing demand for air quality solutions by tapping into

the power of technology to provide products and services designed to improve air quality and promote efficient cooling and energy consumption.

Daikin’s products use the latest technology to ensure optimum efficiency, using unique swing compressors and R32 refrigerants along with online energy monitoring and management via different cloud solutions.

How is Daikin taking steps to achieve its sustainability goals?

Daikin's sustainability goal is to provide safe, healthy air environments while striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. This goal aims at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 throughout the entire lifecycle of its products. To achieve this goal, we need to act in every aspect of our business operations. From materials procurement to development, production, >>>

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the hospitality & residential sectors which further support the current/growing state of the market. Our innovative full food chain solutions ensure food safety in transit, storage, display and processing, and we aim to offer the most convenient and efficient solutions to fulfil any requirement of the market.

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Daikin's sustainability goal is to provide safe, healthy air environments while striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. This goal aims at reaching carbonneutrality by 2050 throughout the entire lifecycle of its products.

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With indoor air quality having a big influence on people’s performance and well-being, Daikin’s air purifier helps purify indoor air by circulating it through the unit and letting the air pass a multitude of filters and purifying technologies.

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Daikin Air handling units Energy efficient controls, allowing the user to determine a wide range of settings, resulting in excellent operational flexibility | Safe operation - fully integrated electrical panel for units taller than 80cm | Amazing tailor made capability to meet the specific customer needs.

“Loop by Daikin” is our revolutionary refrigerant program and an essential part of our commitment to creating a sustainable future, via Recovering, Reclaiming, and Reusing the refrigerants in our new all-in-one service solutions.

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transport, installation use, recovery, and recycling. In fact, 98% of the product lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions occur from the energy consumed during operation and from the emissions resulting from the use of refrigerants.

To reduce the environmental impact of using air conditioners, Daikin is developing and adopting the inverter technology in its wide product range to help reduce energy consumption during operation time.

Refrigerants are essential to the heat exchange of air. However, when emitted into the air, refrigerants affect global warming. Daikin is gradually designing all its products to use lower global potential refrigerants such as R32. “Loop by Daikin” is our revolutionary refrigerant program and an essential part of our commitment to creating a sustainable future, via Recovering, Reclaiming, and Reusing the refrigerants in our new all-in-one service solutions.

Daikin’s mid to long term strategy to reduce its net emissions to zero consists of the following blocks: 1) Through Supply chain - Decarbonize its operations via a green and efficient supply chain including production 2) Through Products – Increase the energy efficiency of products, development, and adoption of refrigerants with a lower global warming potential 3) Through Solutions- Use of energy management systems to carry efficient operation of buildings, provision of energy services throughout the value chain

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4) Emissions offset the remainder by recovering and reclaiming refrigerants, spreading the use of heat pumps and water heaters, use of renewable energy and protecting forests Daikin’s efforts to spread the use of high energy-efficient air conditioners using low global warming potential refrigerants have improved its contribution to greenhouse gas reductions by 70 million tons-Co2 in the fiscal year 2020.

To reach carbon neutrality in 2050 while maintaining sustainable growth, Daikin has set goals to reduce its net emissions by 30% in 2025 and by 50% in 2030 vs its baseline emissions in 2019.

With your vast experience in Daikin, how has the industry evolved in the past 10 years and where do you see it going in the next decade?

Over the past decade, we have not only noted a shift in consumer behaviour through the increased demand for a complete solution or service -

from on-site support and installation to troubleshooting and maintenance but a rise in demand for ACs overall. As such, experts at Daikin have ensured our customers are satisfied from point of purchase to providing exceptional post-purchase services.

Daikin has also taken a focussed approach on energy efficiency, which is why low GWP “R32” has replaced other refrigerants and heat pumps in Europe are replacing fossil-fuelled based boilers. With that in mind, we at Daikin have shifted our focus from product sales to solution sales. Over the past 10 years, Daikin has not only doubled revenue, but acquired several HVAC-R businesses across the globe, including Airfel in Turkey, Goodman in North America, Zanotti in Italy, and AHT in Austria.

Over the next decade, we foresee exponential growth in the Middle East and Africa regions as the global demand for air conditioning is on track to triple through 2050 according to the International Energy Agency.

14 Interview

IKEA

FOR BUSINESS LEARN ABOUT IKEA FOR BUSINESS, THE GOAL OF THIS AMAZING INITIATIVE, AND HOW IKEA SUPPORTS ITS CLIENTS FROM DELIVERY TO ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION.

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IKEA can cater to any client, whether retail or corporate and execute projects of any size.

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Could you explain what IKEA for Business is all about?

At IKEA, we pride ourselves in being recognised as a reliable brand and organisation for both our retail and corporate customers. We are currently operational in UAE, Qatar, Egypt and we are now expanding into Oman.

Our business functions on a twofold model, (1) our consumer facing B2C or retail front and (2) our B2B model, where we sell IKEA products and services directly to business clients.

In the retail model, we furnish and provide design services for personal residential or commercial spaces. With a B2B client we provide the same services, but at a larger scale. For example, with our corporate clients we support in furnishing commercial towers, offices, hotels, accommodations and more.

Over the past few years, we’ve worked with some of the best contractors, construction companies and consultants and serviced them to achieve world-class results. Our in-house design, logistics and installation teams enable a key-in-hand approach for clients.

IKEA can cater to any client, whether retail or corporate and execute projects of any size. Our team is well-staffed, qualified and experienced to meet the demands of our customer and provide solutions that will achieve the desired result. We have comprehensive market teams and huge logistics networks that enable us to meet and exceed client expectations. In fact, at any given time, we can seamlessly supply over 200 beds to a client, which has given us an advantage in the industry. Overall, our B2B clients choose us because IKEA is recognised as a reliable business partner who can provide expertise in the furnishing industry.

Given, that we operate in a highly service oriented-market, we also ensure that our B2B process is seamless for clients, providing everything they need from A-Z. This includes interior design, measuring, delivery, assembly, installation, and kitchen planning services as well as providing wide-ranging after-sales support.

We have extensive product ranges, which allows us to cater to a variety of sectors, including but not limited to retail, hospitality, retail, residential, and office spaces. However, in the region, we do a lot of work to support company’s residential accommodation furnishing, as well as support business and hotels.

So, what sectors does B2B serve? Does it include retail, hospitality, retail, residential, and even office space?

We have extensive product ranges, which allows us to cater to a variety of sectors, including but not limited to retail, hospitality, retail, residential,

and office spaces. However, in the region, we do a lot of work to support company’s residential accommodation furnishing, as well as support business and hotels. As you may have seen from our retail stores, our specialty remains residential furniture.

the requirements and vision.

IKEA supports its clients through and through, from delivery to assembly and installation. We use the bestin-class tools to help us provide optimum service. Even after the design elements are complete, we cater to our client installation needs, supporting with services >>>

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What services do you provide as part of this initiative, and are they affordable?

We always start every project with a site-visit, take measurements and understand the client’s brief and their requirements, these steps give us everything we need to ensure we can provide the best results. Once a brief has been captured from the client, our client - servicing team, led by a head designer, builds a design proposal with options for the client to choose from. This allows the client to visualise their space and opt for the right design style based on

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16 Interview

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terms of functionality, some of the furniture is can be adjusted to support versatile spaces.

For example, in the TROTTEN range, that has just been launched in our region customer can create an affordable and modular office space. The system features flexible desks and ergonomic chairs, as well as storage units, room dividers, monitor stands and whiteboards, to support various types of office layouts.

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With enhanced digitalisation, customers will be able to interact with and explore our product ranges, with the click of a button. At a global level, IKEA is will further strengthen its products and services range for the B2B clientele. Hence, we will be launching many new products and services that will support this business vertical.

With IKEA for Business, we plan to continue to expand the offering in the region. In particular, we want to go to digital to enable more seamless interactions between the customer and IKEA. We are also working to expand our digital footprint to be more accessible to our customers. We believe by incorporating more digitally enabled solutions will help us achieve this goal.

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such as curtain installation, wallhangings, and finishing touches - leaving the space crisp and clean, before handover.

One of our unique services is that we assemble the products on-site instead of pre-assembling. This again helps us to customise our approach with our client and be available for any last-minute changes.

In terms of budget, that depends on the client requirement and needs.

Whilst, we do have set steps in place to achieve the client’s brief, we personalise the approach for each project with an end goal to leave the client satisfied.

What are the advantages of IKEA’s office furniture, considering how practical and adaptable it is?

The office furniture is moveable, economical and sustainable with a modern Scandinavian look. In

What are your expectations for this programme, and how have you received feedback?

With IKEA for Business, we plan to continue to expand the offering in the region. In particular, we want to go to digital to enable more seamless interactions between the customer and IKEA. We are also working to expand our digital footprint to be more accessible to our customers. We believe by incorporating more digitally enabled solutions will help us achieve this goal.

With enhanced digitalisation, customers will be able to interact with and explore our product ranges, with the click of a button. At a global level, IKEA will further strengthen its products and services range for the B2B clientele. Hence, we will be launching many new products and services that will support this business vertical.

What are the most important elements when designing a workspace?

In our experience, we have learnt that with B2B clients, their top priority is functionality and quality of products, followed by the aesthetic outcome. The key is to get a solid brief and understand the client’s end-goal, whether it is a short-term rental or long-lease accommodation.

We do have pre-set styles that

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Has the pandemic changed the way business design offices?

It is needless to say that COVID-19 has changed our lives and even the way we do business. However, the preferences of our retail customers remain the same in terms of product

choices and mode of purchase. In fact, at IKEA, we’ve had to be more available for our customers and up our game on the digital platform.

When it comes to the B2B customers, the objective is different to a retail customer as they are driven by a set budgets, processes, and requirements.

They come prepared with what they want and how they want it. Hence, we must work backwards to achieve their brief and provide solutions that meet their needs.

Many people and businesses are becoming more concerned with sustainable living. What solutions does IKEA provide for living and working that are environmentally friendly?

Our B2B customers focus more on affordability, rather than sustainability, however IKEA’s sustainable product range is easily identifiable with a special tag marking it. As we take on our client briefs, we try our best to incorporate sustainable products that reinforce our brand promise to offer a product that will be functional, look good and most of all, long lasting.

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Who is the IKEA for Business aimed at?

IKEA for Business is not targeted at a particular audience, we are here to cater to anyone and everyone who has a design and furniture requirement.

We cater to all the customers, we don’t have a specific target audience, if anyone approaches us, we are there to help so whether that’s a small medium or large business. This holds true for both our retail B2C and our corporate segment B2B.

for their employees. Comfort, functionality and design element, all come together to make the perfect office space.

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can work for some customers, but we also merge different styles to meet the client’s needs.

Each of our projects is different from the other, hence it would be difficult to identify what reigns king for all clients. Bottom line remains, we at IKEA are solution driven and our purpose is to make sure that our client’s needs are met.

How important do you think the office environment is in keeping employees happy and content?

The hard truth of our lives in today’s world is that, despite COVID and all the flexibility of remote working, we do spend a great amount of time in our offices physically. Our B2B customers prioritise the functionality of the products and then work on the aesthetics to make a pleasant and motivating working environment

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Ideal innovations FREDERICK TRZCINSKI,

VP-Marketing and Innovation at Ideal Standard, discusses how the company is the undisputed leader in innovation, the launch of the Design and Specification Center, and their recent participation in the Salone del Mobile.

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Could you please explain your role at Ideal Standard and how your professional experience has added value to the brand?

I am extremely proud to work in a company that has had huge strides over the last 100 years by providing innovative bathroom solutions across the globe, with its optimal mix of design and functional excellence. As VP of Marketing and Innovation for the MENA region, I am constantly thriving to bring innovative and customer-focused approaches to business opportunities. Managing the marketing functions at

Ideal Standard MENA including, product marketing, business planning, brand, advertising, events, communications, and research, I oversee the strategies that drive revenue, growth, and share across the business in the Middle East and Africa.

What excites you the most in the industry today and why?

The challenges and opportunities of course. We live in a region booming with potential and yet with so many challenges. We have been and continue to be involved in extraordinary projects

| RIGHT | Calla comprises a wide range of ceramic pieces, including elegant basins and pedestals, sophisticated toilets and bidets, and a stunning statement piece – a neoclassical free-standing bathtub.

Share some exciting details about Ideal Standard's new Dubai Design and Specification Center (showroom) and what it will offer its clients.

We are very proud of our recently opened Design and Specification Center, located in a prime location in City Walk, Dubai. The new center is designed by world-renowned Italian designer Roberto Palomba and is a creative and inspiring showroom aimed at enabling interior designers, architects, and customers to find the right combinations of products to design their dream bathrooms.

The center, which spreads over 1,000 square meters, is a onestop destination for all bathroom solutions and showcases our latest designs and innovations. It is strategically designed using the concept of inspiration areas, illustrating the various aspects of the bathroom products, such as ease of installation and maintenance, water-saving

What are the exciting features of the Atelier collection, and what are the latest offerings from this line?

What are you exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile, and what are your expectations from this event?

How important is visitor and client feedback for your company's R&D for future developments?

Our latest contribution to the culture of design is our award-winning Atelier Collections. Designed by Roberto Palomba, these collections designate a new era of design that is deeply rooted in our rich heritage.

The collections are aimed at fostering the process of creation, and every collection brings together innovation and beauty to enable the realization of timeless projects.

Recently, we have added three new beautifully crafted ranges: Calla, Joy Neo, and Solo. The new collections represent a true fusion of design across the ages, each range inspired by classic bathroom pieces, combined with contemporary elements – delivering a new eclecticism in bathroom design.

These collections embody Ideal

Ideal Standard is previewing its innovative Solos concept at Salone del Mobile 2022. Part of the premium Atelier Collections, Solos is the perfect embodiment of the company’s new Singular™ approach which aims at providing considered, inspirational cross-category solutions that can be easily tailored for a personalized result.

The new collection represents absolute purity in design and is made possible by combining pioneering technologies and state-of-theart materials, with the company’s years of experience in ceramics and brassware manufacturing.

In addition to Solo, we will highlight our latest new ranges Calla and Joy Neo among other collections. As we expect to receive a huge >>>

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Standard’s Singular™ philosophy, to provide inspiring, holistic bathroom solutions from a complete range of product categories, which can be easily tailored to achieve custom designs and styles.

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aspects, and installation options.

In addition, it is also our training and specification center in the region, with a mandate to host, train and inspire interior designers, consultants and contractors, by presenting and providing complete bathroom solutions for all types of projects and buildings.

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in various markets like the Burj Al Arab Hotel in the UAE and Ajyal Aramco Community in Saudi Arabia. These types of opportunities energize us to grow and excel by providing a seamless synergy of functional and aesthetically beautiful solutions to our customers and partners.

Also, we are part of the solutions for water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa. We continue to expand our water-saving products portfolio to help reduce the impact of water consumption on the environment and the cost of our customers’ water bills each month.

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Our clients are the focus and purpose of our strategic communications. As we develop technologies that are directed at them, we are keen to keep them informed through our channels, in line with government regulations and national goals related to rationalising water consumption and obtaining a high rating in this field.

number of our existing and potential clients, we are going to focus on our design heritage that has influenced the latest additions to our Atelier Collections, which combine classic features with modern technology and innovative design to create inspiring bathroom solutions.

We also consider this event as an ideal platform to listen to our clients, discover their needs, and explore their expectations, as important elements that support our R&D efforts for future developments. Our team will be very keen to meet consultants and interior designers to find the right combination of products for them to create and design their perfect solutions.

Ideal Standard Singular™ is a simple, flexible process that means customers only need a single supplier and one dedicated point of contact but will still have access to unlimited inspirational bathroom solutions from a complete range of product categories, including brassware, ceramics, furniture, bathing, showering and accessories.

Singular™ was specifically developed to streamline bathroom design and simplify the selection process, while still inspiring creativity. It enables customers – from architects and designers to retailers, tradespeople and end-users – to create tailored, holistic bathroom designs whether it is for hotels, offices, public spaces, healthcare facilities or homes.

Let's talk about the singular concept in terms of design and performance. How will it benefit the end-user?

Why is sustainability such an important focus for your company?

It is a new approach to specification bringing together the company’s deep product knowledge, sector expertise and design services to enable customers to easily choose from thousands of products to create the right solution for their space.

With concerns around climate change growing, sustainability has become a key part of the agenda for both consumers and manufacturers, and bathrooms are no exception.

Homeowners now expect sustainability to feature high on the list of priorities

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Joy Neo represents an evolution of classicism, combining features from the more contemporary and cylindrical Joy collection with classic, square design elements, and either cross or leaver-handles.

for designers and manufacturers, with water-saving, in particular, a key part of this.

We see ourselves as a sustainable entity in everything we do, from the selection of materials and manufacturing methods to the final product.

To achieve this lofty goal, we continue to invest in the latest technologies in order to develop innovative products that guarantee high performance to

meet all customers’ needs and be environmentally friendly at the same time.

Could you give an example of how Ideal Standard products save water?

At Ideal Standard, we have removable flow regulators pre-fitted as standard into all our basin mixers. These ensure a maximum water delivery of 5 litres per minute in high-pressure central heating installations, such as those using combi

How important is it to educate customers about new technology and innovations, and what are you doing about it?

Our clients are the focus and purpose of our strategic communications. As we develop technol-

What are the most significant challenges you face in the industry in this region?

We consider challenges as opportunities for growth. With this mentality, one of the opportunities that is dear to our heart is to be environmentally friendly in everything we do. As such, we always seek to use environmentally-friendly equipment and consume less water in our manufacturing processes. And we are vigorously

Solos is the perfect embodiment of the company’s new Singular™ approach which aims at providing considered, inspirational crosscategory solutions that can be easily tailored for a personalised result.

growing our water-saving products portfolio, supplying removable flow regulators pre-fitted as standard into all our basin mixers, and designing our toilets with our patented AquaBlade® technology.

In addition to that, we embarked on a new era of design in 2018 with an exclusive long-term partnership with renowned design studio Palomba Serafini Associati.

The ground-breaking design has always been part of Ideal Standard’s DNA, by working with Master designers like Gio Ponti or Achille Castiglioni, Paolo Tilche, etc, influencing society as a whole and redefining the role of the bathroom within it. The company draw on its strong design heritage, taking inspiration from previous iconic products to create new, contemporary collections that will drive the brand’s overall design philosophy and shape the bathrooms of the future, marking the beginning of a new era of Design.

Now, Ludovica and Roberto Palomba – masters of international design with over 25 years experience delivering innovative bathroom design concepts, are expanding our portfolio to meet all styles of designs from traditional to contemporary and modern.

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ogies that are directed at them, we are keen to keep them informed through our channels, in line with government regulations and national goals related to rationalising water consumption and obtaining a high rating in this field.

Ideal Standard recorded successful participation in Expo 2020 Dubai with the Belgian pavilion under the title "Harmonious Diversity". We believe that this step will contribute to advancing innovation and design to more advanced stages to keep pace with the requirements of future markets. This cooperation will also create synergies between art and technology, and the introduction of modern and advanced technological expertise.

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boilers. Using Pressure Compensating Aerator (PCA) technology, which mixes air into the water stream, users can benefit from a softer and what appears to be a more voluminous flow, which is using less water.

Our shower handsets and shower heads are similarly equipped with removable regulators helping to produce water flows that feel higher than they actually are. The result is that consumers can save water without feeling any difference while they shower.

Many of our toilets are designed with our patented AquaBlade® technology. This unique system uses the same amount of water as a traditional toilet but is far more efficient, hygienic and easier to clean. Toilets which use this innovative technology also come with dual flush capabilities, to ensure superior flushing performance even at a low-water volume.

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Who are your most important clients, and where do you want to be more visible in the Middle East?

Ideal Standard has strong relationships with various segments of its clients, be it individuals, interior designers, architects, distributors, and even real estate developers. This relationship requires us to listen to them constantly, whether through direct contacts and correspondence, international exhibitions, or by holding joint seminars. We believe that these channels contributed to the consolidation of working bonds with our partners, and helped to develop our products constantly. design-middleeast.com

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POWERLIST

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Fit-Out Firms at the Forefront IT'S TIME TO HONOUR THE TOP FIT-OUT SUPPLIERS IN THE REGION, WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE DESIGN SECTOR. DESIGN MIDDLE EAST PRESENTS THE FIT-OUT POWERLIST 2022 WHICH FEATURES THE REGION'S TOP 20 FIRMS BASED ON THEIR LANDMARK PROJECTS, USE OF CUTTINGEDGE TECHNOLOGIES, AND NOTABLE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS.

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ALEC FITOUT

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LEC FITOUT, a part of the ALEC Group, specialises in the fit-out and refurbishment of 5-star hotels and resorts, cultural, immersive, and luxury mixeduse developments in the MENA region. The company was founded in 2009, and has in headquartered in Dubai, UAE. ALEC FITOUT is actively expanding across the region to capitalise on significant opportunities presented by the fit-out markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.

Utilising its in-house network of specialist contractors, coupled with an extensive local and international supply chain, ALEC FITOUT is able to offer a complete interior solution fulfilling the needs of project management, engineering, value engineering, design-built, procurement and fit-out, all under one contractor and to the high standards.

/ Laurent Farge, general manager, ALEC FITOUT. /

/ ALEC FITOUT recently brought to life luxury interiors for Dubai's iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab. /

Since its establishment, ALEC FITOUT has successfully completed over 90 projects across 4 countries, representing a total value of AED4.35billion.

Among its portfolio of iconic projects are the fit-out for the Burj Al Arab, and the KSA Pavilion which was awarded the ‘Best Pavilion’ award at EXPO 2020 and was also recognised for having the best exterior design and best display.

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HAVELOCK ONE INTERIORS

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/ NBB Emaar Square, UAE. /

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avelock One Interiors has established itself as one of the Middle East's leading fit-out contractors and manufacturers of high-quality joinery, metal works, furniture, and shop fittings since 1998. They have operations across all GCC locations (seven offices/ two factories and five markets – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE).

In Bahrain, Havelock One operates two large manufacturing and warehouse facilities totalling 520,000sqft. Furthermore, they have smaller but equally advanced operations in each country where they operate, as well as a global network of suppliers. They can deliver world-class projects at competitive prices by leveraging economies of scale, cutting-edge technology, a highly trained workforce, and a strong management team with experience managing large-scale and complex projects.

Havelock One's team is dedicated to overcoming our clients' challenges and is motivated by precision and a high frequency of project implementation.

Havelock One Interiors managing director Syed Kashif Akhtar discusses market progression, business focus, and

more. He says: “I am glad to confirm that this year has started with improved market conditions and a higher level of project activity as compared to the last two years of the pandemic. Most of our markets and divisions have secured new projects in the first quarter of 2022, and the pipeline of potential projects is gradually improving going forward. As per our business plan, we are targeting to return to the pre-pandemic level of turnover by the end of this year.”

He further adds: “We expect a very busy second half of the year. Accordingly, we have started and will continue to further align our resources, gear up by hiring, developing, and deploying more people as well as creating the right infrastructure and processes to support our ambition.

We have recently opened a new office in Riyadh, and our second factory in Bahrain will play a major role in providing the manufacturing support for our turnkey fit-out business model to expand further. Our positive impact on the interior design industry is mostly derived from the strong leadership team, financial stability, reliability as well as the culture of a collaborative approach across all our businesses. We continue to organise workshops with clients and designers on a regular basis to brainstorm ideas and solutions, picking the right materials, evolving prototypes further while doing R&D on the process and product innovation.”

Duty-Free Shopping Head Quarters in Abu Dhabi; Al Areen Palace Resort & Spa

by Accor in Bahrain; Empire Cinemas (three projects) in KSA; and Dolce & Gabbana, Hublot, and Moschino stores in Vendome Mall in Qatar are among their notable projects.

/ Syed Kashif Akhtar, managing director, Havelock One Interiors. /

/ Dimitri Papakonstantinou, managing director, ASI. /

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SI is the interior fit-out subsidiary of ASGC established in 1997. Operating over the years as both the fit-out partner of ASGC as well as other contractors and developers, ASI has gained a wealth of experience in many sectors of the construction industry.

Having a state-of-the-art woodworking factory in DIP as well as the in-house capability for the majority of the fit-out trades gives ASI an advantage in the market to differentiate itself from others. Their experienced management team is continuously striving to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all their operations. Innovation is a fundamental principle shared by the entire ASGC group of companies, including ASI. They are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to complete their projects.

Over the last couple of years, ASI has successfully stepped out of its comfort zone of ‘business as usual’ and ventured into peripheral fields linked to the interior's scope.

Whilst fit-out remains the core business of the company.

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/ 25 hours Hotel-One Central The largest 25 hours Hotel in DWTC’s One Central Development. The Phase comprises a development of 1 Hotel, ground floor F&B, retail, and lobby space, first floor meeting room, administrative areas, and bar/ restaurant. The 6th floor includes a Spa, rooftop pool and restaurant with landscaped terraces. The remaining floors comprise 434 no’s of hotel keys with a dedicated plant room on the 9th floor. /

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ASI

rameters. This can assist in making quicker and better decisions.

ASI has had the opportunity to demonstrate and expand its skills and experience on a variety of exciting projects throughout the UAE, including hospitality projects such as 25 hours Hotel in DWTC, as well as some exciting F&B concepts such as Dream Restaurant & Café and Mott 32 in Address Beach Hotel- JBR, as well as commercial projects such as Egypt Embassy Abu Dhabi and retail projects such as China Town Boulevard Expansion Dubai Mall.

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Furthermore, continuous internal evaluation of how things are done and, more importantly, how they can be improved is central to how ASI operates and thinks. A major focus was given to setting up measurement and data capturing systems to facilitate data analysis with the use of Power BI based dashboards and reports.

This focusses on preparing dashboards for each project which monitor critical path activities, technical submittal status, QHSE data, cost, cash, productivity, and other pa-

/ Egyptian Embassy Renovation Of Embassy, residence, service block & pump room building and proposed consulate & substation Building and modifying embassy site, with area of 4,411.11m2. /

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/ “Following a successful 2021, and an extremely successful Q1 2022 securing projects, we remain extremely optimistic about the UAE fit-out industry moving forward.

The industry has been through a few difficult years and although we still face challenges with the ongoing worldwide events, we have seen a substantial increase in good quality tender opportunities within last few months. Dubai is now a mature market for fit-out, and with limited large scale new build project opportunities, we anticipate substantial investment in the refurbishment and repurposing of existing assets which aligns with our experience and capabilities and puts us in a very strong position moving forward.” /

KHANSAHEB 4/ INTERIORS

K

hansaheb Interiors, a part of the Khansaheb Group established in 1935, is a leading fit-out contractor in the UAE with an enviable reputation for a diverse portfolio of high-quality fit-outs within all sectors.

Renowned for successfully delivering complex fit-out projects under extremely challenging circumstances in live operational environments, Khansaheb Interiors continues to be the contractor of choice for many clients undertaking major refurbishment/repurposing fit-out works within the commercial, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Khansaheb Interiors and Joinery employs 230 people and 1000 highly skilled workers, and their in-house MEP and metal divisions ensure the quality and control of all critical packages required for successful delivery.

Khansaheb Interiors takes pride in knowing their clients' businesses and working tirelessly to ensure minimal disruption to customers/guests and ongoing operations while improving the overall customer/guest experience of the facilities.

design-middleeast.com

/ Ross Trivett, general manager, Khansaheb Interiors. /

After a very successful 2021, Khansaheb Interiors has begun this year with a strong forward workload for 2022 and beyond. The Bulgari Marina Lofts development in Q4 2021, as well as the common area refurbishment of Emirates Towers commercial tower, Ski Dubai warm side refurbishment, and full refurbishment of Bab AL Shams Resort, continue to demonstrate the company's unrivalled capability operating within live operational environments.

In October 2021, Khansaheb Interiors achieved four years without an LTI recording more than 20m manhours. This impressive record has been maintained throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.

Khansaheb Interiors' flagship 2021 project, Heriot-Watt University, achieved LEED Gold status, a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

In January 2022, Khansaheb was awarded the highly coveted ‘5 Decades of Success’ award in the Construction and Infrastructure category of Arabian Business Awards 2021, chosen by the judging panel as having

27 within MEP systems and waterproofing, seriously affecting the operations and the running cost of properties.

Ross Trivett, general manager, Khansaheb Interiors, shares: “Following a successful 2021, and an extremely successful Q1 2022 securing projects, we remain extremely optimistic about the UAE fit-out industry moving forward.

The industry has been through a few difficult years and although we still face challenges with the ongoing worldwide events, we have seen a substantial increase in good quality tender opportunities within last few months. Dubai is now a mature market for fit-out, and with limited large- scale new build project opportunities, we anticipate substantial investment in the refurbishment and repurposing of existing assets which

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made a significant contribution to the Nation’s infrastructure and real estate over its 85 years, with many iconic and complex projects carried out to the very highest standards.

Facilitating Khansaheb Interior’s successful project delivery is the adoption and integration of the latest technology and best practice into every process and procedure. They use cutting-edge techniques to off-site manufacture/modularise gypsum and joinery products, reducing installation time-on-site and improving product quality.

Khansaheb Interiors has also embraced construction technology, resulting in significant performance improvements on construction projects and business management systems.

Khansaheb Interiors has shown strong continual growth in turnover over the last five years (circa 20-30%/ annum) which has been an exceptional performance during extremely difficult market conditions particularly over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Post-COVID-19, the world now faces further challenges in logistics, increasing energy and fuel costs, material supply shortages, etc. Despite these challenges, Khansaheb Interiors has performed strongly in 2022 and secured workload for 2022 and beyond. In addition, they have a healthy

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/ VIP Suites at Dubai Exhibition Centre. /

/ Jumeirah Beach Hotel. /

pipeline of quality opportunities from our key clients.

Following the completion of Expo 2020, Khansaheb has seen a notable increase in project activity, particularly within the hospitality refurbishment sector.

The increase in hospitality refurbishment has been anticipated for the last 3-4 years, as several existing hotels are more than 10 years old and require major refurbishments to remain competitive with newer properties. However, due to the postponement of Expo 2020 and the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality sector revenue, the anticipated increase has failed to materialise in line with industry predictions. This delay has exacerbated the requirement to refurbish with defects, particularly

aligns with our experience and capabilities and puts us in a very strong position moving forward.”

Among the prestigious projects by Khansaheb Interiors are the Double Tree

by Hilton in Business Bay, the Dubai Exhibition Centre for Expo 2020, Heriot-Watt University in Knowledge Village, and the Four Seasons Beach Resort in Dubai.

Some of their recent and ongoing projects include One Zaabeel link bridge fit-out; Ski Dubai warmside refurbishment; Jumeirah Emirates Towers common area refurbishment (spread across 33 floors, with an extensive upgrade of the ground floor entrance lobby and reception); and Bab Al Shams Hotel refurbishment (115 guestrooms, reception lobby and all bars/restaurants).

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ISG

/ BOTB, Expo 2020 Kutir /

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/ Steve Ramsden, managing director, ISG-Southeast Asia and Middle East. /

SG is a global construction services company with over 3000 employees. In the UAE, ISG was established in 2007, and has two offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The UAEbased team has 100 employees from 21 nationalities; of them 30% are women. The

design-middleeast.com

company works across multiple sectors including, corporate office, hospitality and leisure, education, healthcare, and government and completed more than 100 projects over the past 12 months, achieving an average Customer Experience (CX) score of 85%.

In 2021, ISG delivered the largest number of fit-out projects, commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai. ISG’s projects at Expo 2020 Dubai included almost 90 different structures, the most significant number of fit-out works by a single firm for thematic and country pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai.

This included 62 country and thematic pavilions, 10 Best of the Best (BOTB) restaurants, seven Local Gems restaurants, two Food Halls in addition to the Expo 2020 Media Centre, the Expo Monitoring and Control Centre, North and South Viewing Platforms, and Service Pavilions.

Also, throughout 2021, ISG delivered several projects at ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai, the LEED Platinum certified destination development in DIFC. ISG’s twoyear framework agreement positions the company for strategic and long-term

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ISG EMPLOYEES ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE RECENTLY VOLUNTEERED IN THE 1 BILLION MEALS INITIATIVE DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.

in the region grew significantly and the UAE business achieved its best results in 2021.

"We feel proud of our teams’ performance over the past 12 months.

The pandemic has had a major impact on how we operate and how we deliver projects, but ISG adapted quickly by implementing various continuity strategies that built on our experiences in Asia, which had started the COVID-19 response cycle, ahead of us here in the UAE. This high level of readiness and agility placed ISG in good stead throughout the pandemic, was well noted by our clients and will remain vital in the future." says Ramsden.

"ISG’s ability to adapt to the challenges brought forward by the pandemic, and the learnings that we have proactively acquired throughout, has enabled us to make measurable progress towards the global ISG strategy of "All 4 by 2024". This strategy encompasses delivering places where people and businesses thrive, providing the best customer experience in our industry, together with our supply chain partners, becoming a benchmark for HSE and making ISG the most attractive employer of the most innovative talent pool." concludes Ramsden.

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World Trade Center (DWTC), cycling at Al Qudra, and an employee-led Kite Beach walk.

Steve Ramsden has been at the helm of ISG’s Middle East business since 2016. In 2018, he was appointed managing director of the Southeast Asia & Middle East regions.

During his tenure, ISG’s presence

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involvement as a trusted partner for engineering and construction services, supporting ICD in realising its investment vision for the iconic development.

Projects delivered include highly spaced corporate office space, F&B and leisure spaces. In 2022, ISG has been appointed to several largescale projects including, the fit-out the new headquarters for Du in Dubai, the complete refurbishment of the iconic Jumeirah Mina A’Salam Hotel and the fit-out of new Roxy Cinemas in Dubai Hills Mall, to name a few.

ISG employees are active members in the community and have recently volunteered in the 1 Billion Meals Initiative during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The company has also raised funds for the Dubai Centre for Special Needs, travelling over 435km in the process. Managing director, Steve Ramsden, kicked off the initiative with a six-km walk on the opening morning, with other activities including badminton at Dubai

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/ Jamaica Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. /

/ Best of the Best, Expo 2020, Scarpetta. /

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6/ KPS

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ith over 500 employees, an annual turnover of more than US$ 150 million and 15 million square feet of space designed and transformed, KPS is a significant player in the interior construction sector. Across education, innovation hubs, IT, finance, workspaces, retail, healthcare, food and beverage, and hospitality, for three decades KPS has brought commercial spaces to life. With strong Swedish roots, over the years KPS has spread its wings. Founded in Dubai in 1992, the company now has a presence in nine countries across Europe and the Middle East. Its UAE offices are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah; New Cairo in Egypt; Beirut in Lebanon; and Paris in France; while its Saudi Arabian sister company RAM Construction has offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar. KPS satellite offices in other markets, including Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, complete the growing network. This is ideal for clients with a multinational presence and in many cases KPS has been responsible for delivering projects for the same client across multiple markets, allowing professional knowledge sharing to generate efficiencies that can be passed back to clients in time and cost savings.

However, despite its size and international reputation, KPS is still 100% privately-owned. This means the personal approach the company values in all its work is reflected in everything it does.

It also allows KPS to innovate and find surprising solutions when unexpected challenges pop up - and invest in a technology-led approach to interior design and construction. In a recent Design Middle East interview, Stephen Taylor, who took over the helm as managing director of KPS UAE earlier this year, said he believes that

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connected construction technology will be one of the main drivers that will unlock new value for the interiors sector: “Construction is like a team sport, and you are only truly successful if all the stakeholders are working together as one. Today, connected construction technology is transforming companies like KPS.” Stephen went on to share his vision for the sector: “At KPS, we believe that technology changes will make everyone, and everything works smarter. From building information modelling, through data collection apps, virtual reality, and wearables,

to 3D printing, open communication between technology to ensure the whole project team has the right information at the right time, will invariably lead to better project outcomes. With everyone on a project using the same set of information and communicating seamlessly, it becomes easier to minimise changes, address risks, and improve time and cost issues. These changes will affect more than just our day-to-day operations; they will shift the entire approach to creating and managing construction projects in many ways that are still hard to predict.”

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/ D-Quarters. Dubai Media City KPS transformed 56,000 square feet of opportunity in Dubai Media City into a brand new co-working space, called D-Quarters. /

after the completion of each project, KPS is still there for its clients, with post-contract support and aftercare services to guarantee peace of mind. KPS’ in-house design studio is a hub of inspiration, where over fifty in-house designers experiment with technology and creativity.

From the intricacies of MEP to the beautiful details of furnishings and finishes, the team takes pride in planning every detail with one purpose – to surprise and delight KPS’ clients.

KPS is also proud to give back to the community and recently found an innovative way to mark the UN’s thirtieth annual World Water Day – a special day to raise awareness of the two billion people across the globe who don’t have access to clean drinking water. It all started with replacing single-use plastic bottles in all KPS offices with refillable water flasks. Not only did this save plastic waste, but it also saved a lot of money.

Those savings were then put towards the installation of an AquaTower at an elementary school in the Philippines. The tower came with an active filtration system, to remove viruses, bacteria, pathogens, and other contaminants from the water. Now in full operation, it will provide crystal-clean drinking water to the school and local community for generations to come.

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KPS always takes the time to understand its clients and their business and works alongside them collaboratively to bring their goals to life. These lifelong friendships, as KPS calls them, have not only fuelled the company’s spectacular growth but have also ensured an unusually high share of repeat business.

In many cases, KPS is refitting spaces today that it first created for the same corporate clients ten or even fifteen years ago.

Whether those clients want a complete service solution from beginning to end, or only need support on certain aspects of a project, KPS always takes the time to understand each unique need and helps to find the best solutions. The world is complicated enough so KPS likes to keep things simple.

A consultation is the first step where KPS assesses the space to be transformed and the exciting opportunities it contains.

KPS then plans designs and sets budgets and timelines for the project, from conception to completion. KPS’ project managers supervise every detail, including logistics, construction, and onsite installations. The KPS team is always an extension of each client’s team, helping them stay on track and within budget.

When clients need custom features, furniture, and installations, KPS creates a solution tailored to each specific need. Long

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/ KPS Showroom, Dubai Design District The newly reopened D3 showroom gave KPS the chance to transform its own space and create a new physical presence to demonstrate its FF&E capabilities to the world. /

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/ Stephen Taylor, UAE managing director, KPS After a long and successful international career, and several years managing operations at KPS in Dubai, Stephen took over the helm as managing director earlier this year. /

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/ Sean Nicholson, group CEO, INC Group. /

7/ INC GROUP

/ Cloud Space fit-out and furniture supply; 19,964sqft ADGMS Abu Dhabi. /

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NC Group has been active in the UAE since 2008, with foundations firmly rooted in the ethos of structure, transparency, and confidence, allowing them to provide full turnkey interior solutions. INC's inspiring and creative female-led workforce proudly specialises in premium services such as design, interior construction, furniture supply, and IT solutions, all driven by the desire to deliver tailor-made projects.

The firm prides itself on its ability to turn any area into a creative, efficient, and functional space through a panel of premium services.

Through their design and interior construction services, the firm offers comprehensive office interior design and fit-out solutions where every aspect, from inception to completion, is managed by the team. INC Group also provides innovative furniture solutions that are aesthetically pleasing and contribute to accentuating the overall design of each project. As part of their state-of-the-art

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INC GROUP EXPANDED WITHIN THE REGION AND LAUNCHED NEW OFFICES IN RIYADH IN 2019 AND AFRICA IN 2021. THE FIRM’S MIDDLE EAST ANNUAL TURNOVER IS AED 220MN.

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IT solutions services, INC Group remains up to date with industry trends to consistently deliver exceptional innovative, high-tech services that add value to their portfolio of clients.

Led by Group CEO, Sean Nicholson, together with the support of his senior management team, INC Group remains a result-driven firm that consistently offers definitive high-end solutions for its clients. The team’s commitment to be their client's trusted partner in the industry has ensured the firm’s growth and adaptability which has resulted in the completion of projects such as Cove Abu Dhabi, The Executive Center, Kerzner, and Coca-Cola, just to name a few.

With a surge in demand for commercial spaces in the Middle East and Africa by global blue-chip companies, of which the majority are the firm’s long-term clients, INC Group expanded within the region and launched new offices in Riyadh in 2019 and Africa in 2021. The firm’s Middle East annual turnover is AED 220mn.

8/ AL TAYER STOCKS

9/ BW INTERIORS

l Tayer Stocks is a Limited Liability Company that is entirely owned by Al Tayer Group. The company was founded in 1998, and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2023. Al Tayer Stocks (ATS) strives for excellence in execution by ensuring that our tried and tested ISO processes and procedures are followed to ensure best practise in quality, health and safety, worker welfare, environmental, and financial reporting, all while maintaining its reputation as a well-respected Tier 1 industry-accredited contractor.

ATS provides a comprehensive range of services to all industries, including commercial offices, entertainment, retail, healthcare, F&B and hospitality, education, and technology.

ATS is divided into three divisions: interiors, building, and MEP. In addition to the traditional procurement route, ATS provides a full turnkey solution when requested, utilising architectural and MEP design partners. Taking projects from concept, schematic, and detailed design through to successful construction.

ATS plans to establish a presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Among the key projects completed by the fit-out firm is the Museum of the Future in Dubai, the Apple retail store in Abu Dhabi, and the Ireland Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.

W Interiors is a well-known interior fit out contractor in the GCC, with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They specialise in all types of interior fit-out work, including hotels, restaurants, corporate offices, banks, airports, retail, and commercial projects, some of which are fully LEED certified. Furthermore, they have expanded their manufacturing facilities in order to export bespoke joinery to Europe and the surrounding regions.

BW Interiors is well-known for their successful projects such as The Arts Club Dubai, Amazonico Restaurant & Bar, Train Beach Club, VISA CEMEA Headquarters, Spotify Offices, Legatum Headquarters, Deutsche Bank, Chalk Hair Salon, and Citibank Refurbishment, to name a few.

The brand's vision is to improve on what they already do while also attempting to do it better. Their focus is on client service through ongoing training for their employees and operatives. BW Interiors believes in developing from within, as evidenced by the fact that the majority of their project managers, site managers, and foremen have developed from within their own ranks. Maya Bay Restaurant, The Guild Dubai, ManCorp Head Office, and One Palm Apartment 1604, among others, are some of their ongoing projects.

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“THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO, AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY LEARNING TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEMS AND CULTURE TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS AND TO MAKE THE FIT-OUT JOURNEY AS PLEASURABLE AS IT CAN BE FOR OUR VALUED PARTNERS."

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KOJ INTERIORS

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xtensive design and manufacturing facilities were formed in 2001, as a support service for the KOJ Group and has over the last years evolved into the new brand of KOJ Interiors which provides full turnkey design and fit-out solutions within the commercial, hospitality, and retail sectors covering the UAE and KSA. Its rapid growth and confident position in this highly competitive marketplace have been built on its Middle East experience, manufacturing strength, strong focus on customer service, building the best multi-national team of employees, and implementing ISO standards and online platforms that have worked well in the remote working environment.

After developing and expanding its design services, KOJ now provides complete control from concept to keys, as well as in-house authority experts to ensure timely mobilisation and final certifications and handovers. Implementing a Zero Defects policy has been a phased process, with Quality Control Managers ensuring that staff and clients are fully utilising the collaborative online applications for tracking and elimination of all common problems encoun-

tered in the high-quality finish industry.

KOJ Interiors has well-supported and ambitious future plans, which include the addition of related services and production, additional growth and control of site delivery teams, and geographic expansion.

Warren Gemlik, group development director at KOJ Interiors, shares: “The customer experience is at the heart of what we do, and we are continually learning to improve our systems and culture to exceed expectations and to make the fit-out journey as pleasurable as it can be for our valued partners. We are extremely proud to have built a multi-gender, race and nationality Team and that we place the focus on skill and performance above any other measure, we further extend this respect and fairness to our supply chain, with clear mission objectives and the objective of mutual success and goodwill. At times our projects can be complex, remote, and impacted by factors which are beyond our control and our solution-based approach proves to work well with our clients. Completing 38 projects from 1st March to before Eid was a challenge however very successful and it nicely identified areas of the business to strengthen >>>

and reinforce with new procedures and resources.”

Having recently secured high profile, high quality, and high specification projects with First Abu Dhabi Bank, Tecom, Dubai Holding, RAK Hospitality, Fertiglobe, Montfort, Five Guys, Nando’s and to be further

blessed by KOJ Group retail rollouts for Subway, LEGO, ELC and The Body Shop, to name a few, KOJ continues to strengthen and expand its position in the market.

Gemlik further adds: “Now that we have a complete service offering within the UAE, we are further invest-

ing in our traditional base of KSA and taken on some exciting internal Clients in Jeddah and Riyadh. We expect our decades of experience in this market to promote an exciting area of growth. We implement a collaborative approach to bring your visions to life.” / EMIRATES FLIGHT CATERING DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN A demonstration kitchen, that also serves as a highend restaurant as well as an entertaining and dining area for the client's senior management.

Our diverse and multidisciplinary team collaborated throughout every stage of this project's journey from design to production to fit-out execution.

Metalwork was a key design element within the project and our experienced team of metalwork craftsmen worked meticulously to create the bespoke Arabesque-inspired intricate details. /

/ THURAYA HALL This project at UAE’s leading tech hub, Dubai Internet City features top-grade fabric and a gold-textured ceiling along with metal coves that highlight the elevated design of this space.

KOJ Interiors manufactured all joinery units to fit the new space and concept. /

/ FMCG MULTINATIONAL COMPANY This project showcases our capabilities in design and fit-out.

From shipping our bespoke furniture and fixtures from our factory in the UAE to Jeddah, KSA, our team delivered and manufactured high-quality products that bring warmth and texture to their office. /

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11/ SUMMERTOWN INTERIORS

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ummertown Interiors is the UAE’s leading sustainable contractor, offering superior quality interior fit out solutions for over 24 years.

Reputed for its green expertise, and successful execution of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified interiors, the company specialises in commercial, healthcare, education interior solutions for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses.

Summertown was the first fit-out contractor to occupy LEED Gold-certified interiors in the UAE and has also been awarded the LEED Gold certification for its headquarters; operations and maintenance (LEED EBOM). This year Summertown earned its WELL Health-Safety Rating and is one of the first private sector businesses in the region to achieve the seal.

Summertown’s mission is to consistently deliver highend interior projects on time and within budget, whilst helping companies achieve their environmental goals and make operational savings. Summertown’s ‘JOURNEY2030’ goals are to deliver 100% sustainable projects, improve happiness and wellbeing and reach zero waste.

The contractor recorded a positive start to 2022 despite ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Q4

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/ Marcos Bish, managing director, Summertown Interiors. /

/ DIFC'S aspiration for the innovation hub, was to provide contemporary offices that characterise campus style workspaces conducive to an environment of collaboration, activity-bassed working with fantastic amenities - including a public auditorium for sharing ideas and knowledge, and social connection areas in the heart of DIFC. /

of 2021 saw the company increase its employees by 30% by focusing on expanding its Design & Build teams to enable more commercial projects.

In February 2022, the company delivered the new American Hospital Clinic, and Stay Well Pharmacy in Dubai Hills Mall. Further projects underway include BMW’s new head office, an ICU floor at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi, and new workspaces for Infiniti, DIFC, and Emirates Development Bank.

Summertown looks forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary this November.

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excellent track record of completing them on time and to a high standard.

Co-founded by Geetha Nayak and Pratap Mendonca in 2012, Design Infinity has since then maintained a steady growth rate of approximately 30% year-on-year, with a team that includes interior specialists, as well as in-house experts for MEP and IT. The company operates a large joinery factory in DIP- Dubai that covers more than 50,000 square feet, along with separate divisions for glass and metal works.

Design Infinity is currently working on a number of reputed interior projects ranging from hospitality, banking, corporate to retail sector. Some of our ongoing projects are Airtel, Emirati Hotel, Emirates Islamic Bank and Emirates NBD, IBIS Hotel at Dubai World Trade Centre, Sephora University, Hugo Boss Headquarters, Institute of Morganti and Woods Bagot Headoffice.

For Design Infinity, 2021 was a very successful year. The company commissioned several landmark projects. Last year, Design Infinity was awarded for their project Zayed University as the best fit-out project in the education sector.

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esign Infinity is a leading, fast-growing interior fit-out and design company based in Dubai, UAE. Established in 2012, Design Infinity provides a complete range of high-end interior services and turnkey solutions for commercial offices, spanning diverse sectors. With its corporate headquarters in Dubai and the regional offices in Abu Dhabi, Design Infinity is owned and operated by a highly experienced team of interiors specialists.

Since its inception, Design Infinity has successfully completed more than 600 projects. Design Infinity is the first company in UAE to offer a two-year DLP (defects liability period) for clients. It is the first interior company in UAE to have a SUPERBRAND status. The firm also achieved the world’s 4th highest Platinum LEED Certification for their Provis Khidmah Project.

The company, comprising over 550 staff, specialises in large-scale interior fit-out projects across the UAE, with an

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/ Geetha Nayak, co-founder and managing partner, Design Infinity. /

/ Accor project by Design Infinity. /

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/ Ahmed Sultan, partner and general manager, Finasi. /

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/ "The Gorge" at the Finnish pavilion, Expo 2020. /

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inasi is recognised as a quality-driven interiors firm with a passion to deliver superior design projects. Founded in Italy in 1969, Finasi in the UAE is part of the Gargash group of companies. The company specialises in high-end fit-out bespoke joinery and landscaping services, and it has multiple offices in the UAE, Africa, and Italy, employing over 300 people.

Finasi's furniture showroom in Dubai Design District features furniture from exclusive brand partnerships with various high-end European furniture brands, including Armani/Casa, FIAM, FLOU, Zanotta, ColombinioCasa, Gufram, GandiaBlasco, UnoPiu, and LiuJo. Driven by a highly skilled and vastly creative team in fit-out solutions, Finasi is committed to creating high-profile, innovative designs while ensuring construction excellence. Finasi has been

involved in various sectors, including commercial, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and F&B, with a focus on ensuring the clients' journey from concept to delivery. Some of its successful projects include 11 Woodfire restaurant, AMG showroom, Westlodge, and Alaya.

Finasi offers a Design and Build solution for the residential sector in landscaping, delivering a wide range of solutions for all landscaping requirements such as pools, water features, hardscape, softscape, pergolas, gazebos, outdoor kitchen, fences, gates, planting, irrigation, drainage, and outdoor lighting.

Finasi’s state-of-the-art joinery is located in DIP along with the metal and glass workshop. The joinery uses cutting-edge European technology to ensure the highest quality of production and delivery. The joinery is structured and equipped to cater and deliver premium service to clients in a variety of industries such as residential, F&B, commercial, bespoke projects, and large-scale developments focusing on kitchens, wardrobes, vanities, and doors with the Al Barari Developer.

Finasi was able to participate as an interior contractor at Expo 2020, working on two pavilions, thanks to its commitment to excellence and extensive know-how gained over the years. The Finland and Netherlands pavilions both had exceptional success as a result of this opportunity. The Netherlands pavilion won several honours, including "Sustainable Construction - Project of the Year." The Finnish pavilion, a magnificent design called "Gorge" featured beautiful woodwork around the pavilion's interiors, executed by Finasi's creative team.

Finasi has partnered with Dietmar Kautschitz (SPI) once again to lend its expertise and knowledge to the IP participants at Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai, Japan, leveraging the experience Finasi gained from participating in Dubai's "World's Greatest Show."

Finasi, as always, is eager to break down barriers and overcome new challenges in future projects while leading the design and fit-out world.

14/ INNER SPACE INTERIOR DESIGN to the Noor Energy Visitor Centre and the video he posted on social media.

Inner Space has architected, built, designed, and fitted out the 22,000sqft spectacular sand dune shaped Centre, located in the world’s largest solar park named after the Ruler of Dubai.

shaped seats – engage and inspire children. /Expo 2020: Uzbekistan Pavilion, three floors Delivered a captivating showcase for Uzbeki-

where children and parents can engage in a variety of activities. The massive 5.9m magic faraway tree is surrounded by minimalist clouds.

FIVE MAJOR DESIGN AND BUILD PROJECTS

/ Playtorium,

Meadows Village, 10,250sqft Delivered a magical world for kids that fosters unfettered imagination and maximises sensory experiences. Myriad bespoke elements – from multi-hued kites, clouds, and a massive hot air balloon to a giant xylophone and ice-lolly

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/Ajman Bank – 10,000sqft Delivered an award-winning, chic, highly functional, employee-oriented office space where wellness, collaboration and employee experience took centre stage. Everything was bespoke.

/ Ajman Bank Cafe Lounge. /

stan. Bespoke Mashrabiya elements, mosaics, lush carpets and iconic trees with branches spanning across the ceiling are all redolent of the Silk Road, sustainability and the country’s vision. /Nezesaussi Grill, Arabian Ranches Revamped and converted an existing bar into another compelling iteration of the Nezesaussi brand. The highlight is the highly efficient honeycomb inspired bar design, which is a result of painstaking research with employees, mock drills, and experimentation. /FiaFia Play Area & Café (by Alia Al Habtoor) at DIFC Gate Avenue Delivered a play area that represents celebration, gathering, and happiness,

In 2021, Inner Space's design and build projects included automotive, banking and finance, healthcare, real estate, media, IT, telecom, public sector, early learning and play centres, hospitality, and retail.

Inner Space plans to introduce two key solutions in 2022: a high-tech, ergonomic smartpod for hybrid and remote working models. The digital solution, currently known as Hornbill, is intended to transform employee workspaces, collaboration, and wellness. Second, the firm will launch an annual service that will work to keep client spaces well-maintained, highly functional, and always looking their best. Aside from these, plans are in the works to expand into Saudi Arabia.

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nner Space, an award-winning design and build firm founded in 2004, has expanded dramatically over the last 18 years.

They have offices in India and Sri Lanka, in addition to their 10,000sqft headquarters on Sheikh Zayed Road. The company is also a licenced EPC (construction) contractor.

Across the Middle East, the team has completed over 1,500 projects for global and local brands.

Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, Lotus, Mitsubishi, MAN Trucks, and Claas are just a few examples of major automotive projects.

Despite the challenges of enhanced health and safety protocols amid a raging pandemic in 2021, Inner Space Interior Design completed over 75 medium to large interior projects and transformed an impressive 250,000sqft of space.

A key highlight was HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s visit

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/ Playtorium Cafe. /

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15/ PINNACLE POWERLIST

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/ Joseph Charles, CEO of Pinnacle Interiors (seated in the centre) with his team. /

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INTERIORS

innacle Interiors has been an accredited and award-winning organisation for over a decade and is a force to be reckoned with, elevating the aesthetics of design and pragmatic build to adapt and regulate the ever-changing elements of the working and living environment. Evolving with the new hybrid and constantly changing Industry that has been nothing short of unpredictable, it has been incredible how the organisation and team have adjusted from the pre and post-Covid eras, having to reset workloads, targets, and resources. Management support, as a core structure of professionals, provided the most dedicated commitment to complex clients and projects, leading with their skilled architects, designers, and project team, by engaging and delivering remarkable projects such as the EXPO 2020 pavilions.

With Pinnacle Interiors' commitment, they have been able to reshape the new normal, navigate the new concepts and desires of clients, assess and interpret the latest expectations, and provide informed decisions on sustainability, bespoke designs, furniture, and finishes to effectively enhance a commercial office, a luxury residence, a warehouse facility, or a fine dining F&B establishment.

Pinnacle Interiors encourages agile working to enhance exceptional designs with a workforce that specialises in sophisticated technology, quality, and elegance to navigate the constant changes in spaces, interactive virtual elements, and intelligent automation. While incorporating recycling, sustainability, and natural elements of biophilic designs that directly connect to nature, the space, and conditions, acoustics elements of an environmental ecosystem are provided into the physical interior surroundings to

design-middleeast.com

/ The firm’s projects and design concepts incorporate natural lighting and biophilic elements, an olive tree was installed in the heart of this space embracing the elegant corporate décor. /

promote and supplement health and wellness.

Future goals include emerging in key areas, evolving with cutting-edge technology, 3D printing, designing and incorporating the metaverse, and leading in the construction of spectacular projects that will be game-changers with innovation in design technology, elevating and demonstrating their potential for innovation and expansion within the UAE, the Middle East, and internationally.

Pinnacle Interiors has been named the Interior Design Fit-Out Firm of the Year by Identity Design Awards 2021 for The Coffee Lab at Port Rashid.

Among these honours is the Design Middle East Award for the highly commended refurbishment project of the

year for The Capital Club in DIFC. Current commissions include a high-end F&B establishment at the Address Downtown, a coffee apothecary, a boutique pharmacy, an exclusive residence in Downtown, an International Consulate in Emirates Towers, and a contemporary café in Abu Dhabi.

“We at Pinnacle Interiors in 2022 are embracing the changing approach from traditional design and build processes to include an innovative approach of cutting-edge technology in an “Era of Disruptive Innovation” we aim to transform the future of the industry and market with strategic design and build solutions for our clients and projects,” says Joseph Charles, CEO of Pinnacle Interiors.

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esignsmith, founded in 1988, is a turnkey Design & Build Contractor that provides end-to-end services ranging from complete construction and civil works to bespoke joinery and furniture. They describe themselves as a 34-year-old start-up, combining the zeal of a young firm with extensive industry experience.

Located in Al Quoz, the firm offers a huge manufacturing facility spread across 70,000 sq.ft spans 70,000sqft and is equipped with cutting-edge machinery and technology. They are able to cater to projects in the luxury segment across the UAE with their 450+ strong team.

The company is led by two brothers who head the design and build divisions. They have made great strides in the last five years, establishing their legacy with timely builds and exceptional qualities.

While Dhaval Sanganee, the CEO, oversees the build operations, Mihir Sanganee is responsible for the firm's design deliverables. This has made it possible for clients to have a single point of contact from start to finish, making them one of the few one-stop solutions for large corporates and F&B industry.

Designsmith's notable projects include Raclette & Grand Beirut for MBT Group, Three by Eva in Al Wasl, amongst others for F&B industry.

Their portfolio also includes the broadcasting studio and newsroom for Khaleej Times, the UAE's largest English daily.

“We see the entire fit-out industry flocking to Saudi Arabia in search of greener pastures, but we’ve found a niche for ourselves in the UAE market and want to expand further locally. There is no dearth of opportunities in the UAE, in fact this is giving us the advantage of being focussed towards developing further and being more quality-specific,” explains Dhaval Sanganee, CEO of Designsmith.

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/ Dhaval Sanganee, CEO of Designsmith. /

In 2022, the company is expanding its capabilities by signing some of the most luxurious residential projects in Dubai Hills and Emirates Hills, totalling over 200,000sqft. In addition, some new food and beverage brands are entering the market in prominent locations such as Dubai Mall, Downtown, and Dubai Hills Mall. They've also partnered with a few design studios to become their manufacturing and fit-out partners, allowing for great synergy in a design-led fit-out practice to achieve the desired result.

The company is also upgrading its systems by investing in a bespoke technology platform that will provide clients with access to everything from design and estimation to snagging and handover. This will enable seamless stakeholder management and on-time delivery. This is amongst the first of its kind in the region to support clients and consultants alike.

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SWISS BUREAU INTERIOR DESIGN

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wiss Bureau Interior Design (SBID), one of the UAE's leading design and build firms, works to improve the lives of our clients, their businesses, and their people. Since 2003, it has served global multinationals such as Richemont, Cartier, Nestlé, Julius Bar, Mastercard, Visa, and others.

The firm was commissioned on over 25 high-profile projects in the previous year. Among the notable projects are five new LEED Platinum Certified projects located in the iconic ICD Brookfield Place, including a 28,000sqft office for Richemont and its brands, including Cartier, Van Clef & Arpels, and Mont Blanc, a 15,000sqft wellness clinic in Dubai, multiple high-end residential projects, and several large commercial spaces, all under design and build methodology.

The firm has enjoyed continued growth despite sometimes turbulent market conditions. Its geographically diverse portfolio across various sectors has allowed SBID to weather the storm, therefore retaining regional talent and facilitating a strong bounce back from COVID-19 in 2022. Standing alongside CEO Joakim de Rham is a highly accomplished directorship team coordinating the company's operations. The combined expertise of the leadership team has resulted in a robust operation poised for continued success by implementing tried and tested procedures, quality control best practices, and management methodologies developed over years of experience.

19/ DEPA

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epa is a leading fit-out contractor that employs thousands of in-house skilled labour and owns seven state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Germany, Egypt, and the UAE. Depa has recently successfully delivered a number of iconic projects including The Address JBR, UAE Pavilion Expo 2020, Thematic Pavilion Expo 2020, COEX Expo 2020, Mashreq Bank HQ, Dubai, W Hotel Palm Island, and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jumeirah Dubai Presidential Suite. Depa completed the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in 2019 and received prestigious awards.

Depa currently has five projects in the UAE, including an Address Hotel and an InterContinental Hotel, five projects in Saudi Arabia, including a large project designed by Zaha Hadid, two projects in Egypt, two projects in India, and a recently completed InterContinental Hotel in Bangladesh. The firm has successfully delivered projects in 43 countries.

The premier fit-out contractor has won various honours over the years.

Depa's seven state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities have produced high-quality furniture for a variety of clients and renowned hotel operators.

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18/ EMKAY

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MKAY was founded in 2004 by Michel J. Khoury. He is an architect with over 20 years of international experience. His expertise and technical knowledge along with competent managerial skills have played a pivotal role in the growth of the company since 2004.

The majority of the projects they work on are extremely complex. They transform obstacles into opportunities. Emkay has successfully combined skills and quick problem-solving techniques with the quality-oriented ethics of their dedicated workforce and extensive regional experience. This formula has earned them an undeniable reputation for consistently exceeding customers' expectations.

TECOM Group, PepsiCo, Emerson, Medicare Medical Centre, American Hospital, and Tashas Cafe are among their prestigious clients.

20/ A&T GROUP

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&T Group Interiors, founded in 2009 with the initials of the founders Atti Abu Assi and Tareq Khalafawi, is a leading interior fit-out contractor with a people-centric core.

With a solid and diverse client base, the firm's extensive portfolio of successful projects includes hotels, restaurants, leisure and entertainment parks, retail stores, and commercial spaces.

The company had a busy 2021, which allowed them to expand their operations and teams across several divisions such as civil, design, QS, procurement, and planning. Early 2021 also saw the establishment of a second office in Riyadh, KSA, followed by the acquisition of two new F&B projects in the region. To date, the firm has been awarded 22 turnkey interior fit-out projects across the UAE and KSA in 2021, totalling 120,000sqft and valued at AED60 million. These projects span the hospitality, residential, and commercial sectors, and have had a positive impact on the ongoing development of prestigious locations such as Expo 2020, Bluewaters Island, Emaar Fountain Views, The Address Beach Resort, West Palm Beach, Dubai Hills, and The Opus.

Among the recently completed projects are Eva Beach House, Ecos Hotel, Basko Dubai, and Sand Restaurant.

Occasion

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C O L L E C T I O N

Fashioned to be the Center of Attention The OccasionTM faucet and accessory collection was inspired by the high fashion and effortless glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The flawless lines of each piece—from faucets to lighting and accessories—catch the eye and draw it across the entire design. Just like the era that inspired it, the Occasion collection is always graceful, ever refined, and fashioned to be the center of attention.

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House Proud

THE COLOUR PALETTE USED THROUGHOUT THIS RESIDENTIAL SPACE IS VERY SOOTHING AND HAS A CALMING EFFECT.

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“

altanat, the owner of this house, approached Mussakulova and asked for two projects. Her aunt has a small apartment and her own house. If we were prepared to take on aunt's apartment, we were not prepared to take on the house in the photos. Why? Because the house's walls were already built, the design was created by an architectural firm that took on the project from the ground up. We never undertake projects after other designers, as we informed Saltanat. She sighed and stated that she would be our most obedient client and that she was prepared to accept all of our decisions. We had faith and did not give up,” shares Mussakulova.

The start of the housework coincided with the first wave of COVID-19 and a strict lockdown. “We were forced to work online due to the epidemic, which prevented us from fully getting to know and ‘feel’ the client.

We were very concerned when we coordinated the planning solution and the project concept, despite the fact that Saltanat gave us carte blanche for everything and instead of references, we received the cherished ‘I want your taste and style’. Fortunately, all of our proposals were met with enthusiasm and accepted on the first try,” adds the designer.

Layout

For Mussakulova and her team, it was a challenging project. “This two-storey home has five bedrooms. We arrived at work with already constructed walls, almost all of which were load-bearing. We believe design-middleeast.com

Images captions courtesy of: Sergey Krasyuk

Diana and Elina Musakulov (below) founded the small interior design firm in 2016.

They have remained a small bureau until now in order to maintain an exceptional level of individuality and attention to each project.

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This one is all about pure love. This captivating two-storey home in Almaty, Kazakhstan, designed by Elina Mussakulova of Interior Bureau sdelaemremont.kz, checks all the design boxes. BY ROMA ARORA

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that planning solutions are our bureau's hobby, but we were very limited here and couldn't even move the openings. The project of a two-storey house initially assumed very few storage areas, no laundry room, storage rooms, and showers were designed so small, as if this was a forced solution for a small city apartment, rather than a house built from the ground up.”

Within these strict constraints, the design team did everything possible to ensure the residents' comfort: they completely redesigned the arrangement of furniture and equipment, as well as attempted to allocate more space for household needs. For example, they abandoned the architects' original plan to build a large library with a soft sunbed beneath the stairs in favour of a storage room. On the second floor of the house, non-standard depth cabinets were built around the door: in addition to storing extra blankets, bed linen, and towels for all family members, the designers installed a steam closet. >>>

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Images courtesy of: Tamara Hamad / Omrania

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FLOOR | Oak parquet WALLPAPER | Cole&Son DOORS, PANELS, FRAMES | Made to order according to the designer's sketches CEILING LAMP | Forestier CARPET | Ligne Roset CHAIR | Made to order according to the designer's sketches COFFEE TABLE | Woud FLOOR LAMP | Aromas

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LIVING ROOM ZONE FLOOR | Oak parquet CEILING LIGHT | Norman Copenhagen FLOOR LAMP | Miniforms TABLE LAMPS | Aromas SOFA, POUF, TWO ARMCHAIRS | Miniforms COFFEE TABLE | &tradition COFFEE TABLE | Fredericia CARPET | Amini DRAWER BY THE FIREPLACE, MARBLE FIREPLACE PORTAL | Made to order according to the designer's sketches POSTER ABOVE THE SOFA | Ekin Buyuksahin POSTER ABOVE THE DRAWER | onerdukeni.kz TV | Samsung Frame DECOR ITEMS | Zara Home, H&M Home TEXTILE | Made to order according to the designer's sketches CHAIR | Miniforms FIREPLACE TOOLS | Ferm Living

design-middleeast.com

“Ordering a planning solution for a room with load–bearing walls is sometimes thought to be a waste of money. However, we believe that you can change the perception of space even with the help of furniture placement. We've been debating how to design a kitchen-living room in this house for a long time. As a result, we changed everything to make the room as functional and interesting as possible: there is a large island with a built-in extractor hood, a breakfast table for small family gatherings, a large table for receiving guests, a cosy library by the window, and a sofa area

with a decorative marble fireplace,” explains Mussakulova.

Interior style

Mussakulova describes her vision: “We don't have the same taste in home interiors as we do in luxury chain hotels. We recognise that this concept has many supporters, but we took the opposite approach. We designed each bedroom to stand out from the others in the house, as if it were designed by the tenant himself.

We made the common areas bold and

47 colourful, with no sets of furniture from the same series or accessories.

We envisioned the interior to resemble a patchwork quilt, with each element complementing and emphasising the beauty of the others.”

Colour scheme

There is no, for example, a combination of two colours or a single accent colour in the house. The team did not limit themselves, and when designing this interior, they were colourists, recalling Kandinsky and Matisse's Fauvism period canvases.

Furniture and decor

Dozens of different furniture and decor items flew in from all over the world for the project. “We were concerned that COVID-19 would cause delivery delays, but the project went smoothly. We decorated a two-storey house from rough finishing to the final painting and an aromatic candle in nine months, which is an excellent result given the circumstances of the time,” says Mussakulova with pride.

WALLPAPER | Harlequin CEILING LIGHT | Gubi LAMP ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE | AROMAS BED | Noctis DRESSING TABLE, POUF | Made to order according to the designer's sketches MIRROR | NORMAN COPENHAGEN CARPET | Handmade from India CHAIR | Ton TEXTILE | Zara Home DECOR ITEMS | Zara Home, H&M Home

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Designers knew they were working on a house, not an apartment, so they wanted this house to have classic English elements like ceiling panels, wall panels, and classically shaped doors. At the same time, they chose modern-looking furniture and lamps.

It came out eclectic and fresh.

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Decorative techniques

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MASTER BEDROOM

LIVING AND KITCHEN ZONE (1ST FLOOR) CEILING LIGHT | Oak parquet WALLPAPER | Lambet&fils CHAIRS AND BENCHES | Ton DINING TABLE | Calligaris CHAIRS AT THE DINING TABLE | Carl Hansen KITCHEN APPLIANCES | Smeg DECOR ITEMS | Zara Home, H&M Home TEXTILE | Made to order according to the designer's sketches

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JUNE 2022

48 Technology

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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LIVING IN THE

FUTURE The Power of High-Performing Computers

Z by HP Powered by Intel® Core™ Processors Power through your heaviest workloads with highperformance workstation laptops, desktops, displays and solutions.

Tested, optimized and certified to power complex workflows, Z high-performance workstations are engineered to outperform your typical PC. From data analysis and visualization to real-time rendering, 3D designs and animation — Z Workstations drive the heaviest professional workflows design-middleeast.com

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THE FUTURE NOW High-performance computing (HPC) is where the future becomes the present. It is transforming industries from AEC to retail and data to gaming. By putting expansive computing power into the hands of smaller businesses via individual or networked workstations, HPC is accelerating creativity and possibility, and enabling the integration of cutting-edge tech including AI, AR and VR into the everyday.

For the MENA region, this is a game changer. As highperformance computing becomes more available, more powerful and more affordable than ever before, it can be an equalizer – allowing homegrown SMEs, innovators, entrepreneurs and governments to participate and compete globally and to champion local and regional priorities.

Data, for example, has been described as the currency of the moment. More than half of the world’s top 10 companies are data-based platforms, and data is increasingly sought after by businesses in every consumer-facing activity from financial services to retail. But crunching that data quickly and effectively, parsing it into something useful and visualizing it requires a bedrock of solid computing power – something that was until now limited to a handful of companies, institutions and governments.

On a micro level, HPC allows any size of business to boost productivity, efficiency and creativity. Creatives – and those who depend on them – can rejoice at the end of hours- and days-long renders that are often endemic to the creative industry. High-performance computing systems like Z by HP Powered by Intel® Core™ Processors ensure that it’s now possible to work in 3D in real time – what one digital craftsman described as going from “being on crutches to flying on a rocket.” >>>

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ational Geographic named it one of the world’s most beautiful museums; closer to home, Dubai’s Museum of the Future is called ‘the world’s most beautiful building.’

A third descriptor that everyone can agree on is that the Museum of the Future is a shining example of the transformative power of high-performance computing.

Technology and automation defined every piece of this iconic building, museum management have said. In an interview with The New York Times, architect Shaun Killa said the design used Building Information Modeling (BIM) at every stage. BIM, simply put, represents the digital transformation of the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. It allows everyone involved in a building project –architects, clients, suppliers, environmental engineers, manufacturers – to access and collaborate on a single 3D model, to create immersive visualizations with VR, to test, analyze, optimize efficiencies and sustainability and much more.

In a city filled with remarkable architecture, the standout Museum came to life with an intelligent computer algorithm combined with architectural software. Every element – from its zero support columns to its calligraphy-led exterior panels – was digitally imagined and tested before fabrication and installation.

In a world where high-performance computing is becoming much more accessible, this is a sign of the times. Today’s high-performance computing is limitless, a perfect fit for a region with abundant potential.

JUNE 2022

The product is available at leading retailers and online through Amazon and Sharaf DG

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50 Technology

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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JUNE 2022

According to industry participants, these sea changes are not only transforming workflows in animation, visual effects and rendering but powering breakthroughs and changing. The knock-on effect is substantial: With 3D becoming a more realistic option, for example, it is making its way into industries from fashion to film effects, scientific and medical applications.

Infinite resolution or (n)K resolution is also becoming increasingly doable, with the right horsepower under the hood and the right tools and knowledge.

Every machine is intensively tested with the specialist software required by the customer, and then certified by the software vendor, to protect the investment and to ensure the hardware and applications deliver to their full capability.

ABUNDANT POTENTIAL In Dubai, the recently opened ‘Store of the Future’ boasts Augmented Reality shopping, allowing shoppers to virtually try clothes and navigate in store. This is only the tip of what is possible with AR: Self-driving automobiles, telehealth, intuitive indoor and outdoor navigation all use this tech. Clearly, the applications of highperformance computing are both limitless and diverse.

Finally, HPCs are also a ticket to the emerging world of the metaverse. Where VR was once closely (and perhaps only) associated with gaming, it is increasingly becoming a business tool with more and more companies adopting it for training, remote collaboration and other immersive tech uses. Following Moore’s Law, VR headsets are also becoming more affordable, more powerful and easier to wear – with VR tools and solutions expanding exponentially to match.

As with AI, 3D and other future techs, HPC is also democratizing VR and the Metaverse, encouraging the growth of mini-

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metaverses within businesses and industry ecosystems.

Because the implications are both powerful and exciting – HPC currently powers simulated hearts to determine the best operational procedures before surgery and thereby revolutionize cardiac health, among other sensitive applications – due diligence is critical to any HPC system.

The verification system adopted by HP for its high-performance Z desktop and laptop machines powered by Intel® Core™ processors, computing systems and VR headsets, for example, requires ISV software verification.

Every machine is intensively tested with the specialist software required

by the customer, and then certified by the software vendor, to protect the investment and to ensure the hardware and applications deliver to their full capability.

As HPC-enabled workstations usher in a new era, the image of the Museum of the Future remains fitting. Just as the solid part of the structure represents the knowledge we have today and the void represents all that we do not know, so HPCs represent both the promise and the ever-growing potential of the future.

If you look at the ways to bring the future into the daily life of your communities, start with HP ZBook Studio G8 with Intel® Core™ i9-11900H processor.

® ® A product designed byCosentino Cosentino A product designed by

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

TOPS ON TOP TOPS ON TOP

TOPSON ONTOP TOP TOPS Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport Cindy Crawford on Silestone Seaport

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

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

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

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

52 Interview

Five

STARS

ALOKI BATRA, Five hotels and

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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JUNE 2022

resorts’ avant-garde CEO, talks to design middle east about how five’s signature style and flair ties into five’s highly-rated customer experience

Please tell us about your role at FIVE, at the Brand through your eyes…

As CEO, FIVE my role is all-encompassing in order to create the best entertainment lifestyle luxury experiences for Millennials and Gen Z from all around the world – from conceptualizing and launching homegrown IPs such as Maiden Shanghai, The Penthouse, Cinque and Soul Street and events such as Naughty Noodles, Nomad Brunch, Skyline Thursdays and Bohemia – all of which have helped me to craft the unique and characteristic Vibe at FIVE – for visitors, and the FIVE Tribe.

FIVE has gone on to win key guest experience awards such as Gamechanger of the Year 2021for FIVE Hotels and Resorts at the Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards and Conde Nast Traveler Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, Best Beach Hotel (MENA) 2021 for FIVE Palm Jumeirah As well as has been recognized by Great Places To Work, a global authority on workplace culture, as the No. 1 Hospitality Company In UAE, No. 4 Best Workplaces ™ In UAE, No. 6 For Millennials In GCC, and No.4 Best Workplaces For Women ™ In GCC. What role does technology play in improving guest experiences?

FIVE is a digital-first brand! With over 700,000+ active Social Media followers on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and Facebook, is ranked No. 2 with regards to Engagement on LinkedIn as compared to FIVE’s competitor set and receives 57% of its bookings directly from the brand, which is a 120% Growth over 2019.

Notably, FIVE scored 3.7 in Google’s Digital Maturity Index, which is 120% Higher than the Hospitality Industry Average of 1.7. This clearly shows FIVE’s keen connection with customers – current and potential, who choose to directly communicate with the brand via varied digital channels.

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Beach by FIVE- FIVE Palm Jumeirah

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Have you noticed any changes in what customers are seeking out more of ?

All experiences at FIVE are customised for each and every customer – and therefore are thoroughly bespoke. These perfectly curated experiences are exactly what well-travelled, discerning Zillenials are looking for.

FIVE welcomes a worldwide community to FIVE-styled offerings – all of which may be individually experienced by visitors as per their own personal choice. This freedom of expression lies at the core of the FIVE lifestyle.

Since its inception, FIVE has welcomed 192 Nationalities to one unique FIVE Experience with 4,000+ Events and with 360+ DJs, over 1,784 Days.

What sets FIVE apart from a customer standpoint?

“FIVE has a unique and complete in-house ecosystem of hardware (furnishings, fittings, lighting etc) and software (homegrown experiential entertainment offerings) combined to create a ‘Vibe at FIVE’ like no other in the world.

Music plays a central role in the guest experience at FIVE. Therefore, FIVE’s selfnamed Music Label, FIVE Music, which reflects the multi-genre ‘Sound of FIVE’ was launched in order to provide a worldwide audience with access to the hottest FIVE-curated Playlists and Exclusive Releases by guest-starring world-famous Artists at FIVE-styled homegrown events. FIVE >>>

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Music produces and releases a hand-crafted portfolio of FIVE-star tunes – all of which capture the Zillennial energy of the Vibe at FIVE. FIVE styled signature events such as Bohemia and Skyline Thursdays not only have a particular musical style – but also a distinctive design ethos. This design sensibility enables FIVE to elevate the overall experience. For example, Boho-inspired Bohemia celebrates music with festival flair while celebrity-favourite The Penthouse ever-changing design currently embraces Carnival revelry and Soul Street’s immersive dining experience showcases the work of street artists such as Pichiavo and Laucky by way of a famous 3-D mural and long handed painted Asian area specifically.

FIVE’s successful formula has resulted in FIVE Palm Jumeirah being Ranked No. 1 246% higher on TREVPAR with 31% higher Occupancy while FIVE Jumeirah Village is also Ranked No. 1 and showcases 286% higher TREVPAR and 42% higher Occupancy than its competitor set.”

Also stay tuned for FIVE’s third luxury offering in Dubai – FIVE LUXE, JBR which opens in 2023 with a fresh FIVE avatar and has already broken records with an AED75mn sale of its Penthouse.”

FIVE Music produces and releases a hand-crafted portfolio of FIVE-star tunes – all of which capture the Zillennial energy of the Vibe at FIVE.

Cinque's authentic Amalfi Coast menu reinvents Italian cuisine from Capri to Sorento. The familystyle dishes, created by Chef Giuseppe Pezzella, are inspired by the true flavours of Italy's Amalfi Coast and mamma's classic dishes.

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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JUNE 2021

54 Interview

What role do dining venues play in the success of the hotels?

“FIVE’s award-winning culinary offerings at The Penthouse, Maiden Shanghai, Cinque and Soul Street are an essential component of the ‘Vibe at FIVE.’ With a diverse and loyal customer base, each venue has won recognition; for example – Best Gastro Pub, Goose Island, FIVE Jumeirah Village at the BBC Good Food Magazine Awards 2021 and Bar of the Year, The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah at the Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards 2021.

These awards are a reflection of the singular design, ambience, guest service, and gastronomic offerings displayed at each location.

What regions or countries do you see as having the biggest potential for growth?

“FIVE Zurich opens doors to the public on June 30th 2022 with a mega performance at The Penthouse (a homegrown Dubai concept taken to Europe for the very first time) by global superstar Lost Frequencies.

FIVE’s first international outpost takes the FIVE experience a step closer to its’ current source markets – the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France – all regions with tremendous growth potential.

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FIVE Palm Jumeriah is a party and culinary hotspot with a variety of restaurants, bars, and a nightclub, each offering a unique experience.

Whether looking for a gourmet dining experience or to dance the night away, the resort offers laid-back or high-energy options from breakfast until the early hours.

Maximum INDEX, the global interior design and fit-out exhibition, brought together industry leaders and showcased creative products and installations that wowed everyone.

The 2022 trade event, which is growing in popularity, included inspiring features, conferences, and interactive fireside chats. This year's event featured extraordinary design installations by some of the region's best designers.

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Image courtesy of Mark Goodwin

56 Event round-up

T

57

he 2022 edition of INDEX welcomed over 22,000 visitors across all of its co-located shows. INDEX, the Middle East's largest and most important interiors event, brings together the world's leading furniture and homeware, kitchen and bathroom, lighting and decor brands, as well as regional hospitality, residential, commercial, and retail buyers.

The event was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 24-26, 2022.

Each installation was displayed at various entrances throughout the show, and visitors can came to experience, touch, feel, and explore a variety of inspiring walkways inspired by global and regional styles.

With an exciting programme of conferences and fireside chats which addressed issues such as the future of design and the changing workplace, Elaine O’Connell, Vice President of Design & Hospitality at dmg events said: “We are extremely pleased to have welcomed so many visitors from around the world, with 21% of visitors attending INDEX coming from overseas, while 79% came from the Middle East region, as we start to return to face-to-face events.”

The three-day event is the largest single trading and networking event on the Middle Eastern architecture and design industry calendar, and it takes place in a uniquely dynamic region.

The 2022 trade show, which is growing in popularity, included inspiring features, conferences, and interactive fireside chats. This year's event featured extraordinary design installations from some of the region's best talent, including "State of Mind," designed by ODG Design and built by depa and Stretch Ceilings, "Serenity Pool," designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants and built by Bond Interiors, and "Ray of Light," designed and built by Design Infinity for Cosentino.

The INDEX Design Talks conference, The Work Design Summit and the new Retail Leadership Forum, brought together the leaders and thinkers of the industry for a series of live debates and discussions on important design-focused topics which saw a large turnout of attendees. Some key takeaways from the talks included tips on how architects and designers can explore the Metaverse and conquering the new technology, as well as the shift to more sustainable projects. >>>

Some key takeaways from the talks included advice on how architects and designers can explore the Metaverse and conquer new technology, as well as the shift to more sustainable projects.

design-middleeast.com

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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JUNE 2022

58 Event round-up

AT THE EVENT, A DIVERSE RANGE OF PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WERE ON DISPLAY, INCLUDING ONEOF-A-KIND ARTWORK, LIMITEDEDITION PIECES, LUXURIOUS FURNISHINGS, AND VARIOUS HANDMADE ITEMS.

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he Work Design Summit, saw a series of panel discussions which included a discussion titled ‘The Education outlook: From hybrid learning to hybrid working - what do Gen Zs want in their universities and workspaces?’. This session highlighted how this particular generation views their working lifestyle in a post-pandemic world, while a special Masterclass titled ‘RESHAPE: how 3D printing could reinvent interior design’ was led by co-founder and Head of Design of Nyxo, Mirko Daneluzzo, in which he talked about the various printing technologies, materials, and applications used for 3D printing in interior design.

A diverse range of products from around the world were on display, including one-of-a-kind artwork, limited-edition pieces, luxurious furnishings, various handmade items, and even the world's most expensive bathtub, allowing exhibitors from the region and around the world to present their work to show attendees.

The Retail Leadership Forum, which debuted in 2022, provided dedicated intelligence and critical discussion for Middle Eastern retailers of interiors products. With an increasing number of retail buyers in attendance, the show provided an opportunity for retail leaders and buyers to learn about the latest consumer trends, logistics strategy, and detailed procurement techniques.

Furniture retail professionals discussed critical industry issues at the new Retail Leadership Forum,

which was created in response to the growing number of retailers attending the show. Visitors learned about the latest consumer behaviour trends, e-commerce success strategies, leadership, how to create a retail space that elicits emotion from customers, and detailed procurement techniques.

INDEX Dubai, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education Creative Arts Academy, invited aspiring Emirati interior design students to a Q&A panel discussion with some of the region's most successful designers. This session aimed to enrich young minds ready to learn the fundamentals of interior design while also outlining some of the most important factors to consider when deciding on their next career step.

INDEX is set to return to Dubai next year on 23 – 25 May 2023.

A diverse range of interior design speakers took the stage at various conferences and seminars, including INDEX Design Talks.

Expert speakers will discuss a variety of key industry topics, such as integrating design with NFTs, luxury hospitality experiences, cultivating timeless designs in the metaverse, and more.

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60 Pick of the month

Finest

DESIGN MIDDLE EAST

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JUNE 2022

The Design House (TDH), a luxury furniture design atelier based in Dubai, has released its first collection, "The Origins."

The Origins Collection was created for TDH's clients seeking beautifully handcrafted furniture with craftsmanship and longevity in the DNA. It was designed to reflect contemporary, city living with smooth, modern lines. Similarly, local manufacturing allows for greater customisation, putting the clients' needs at the forefront of the process.

The collection features the finest raw materials sourced both locally and internationally, ranging from high-quality fabrics

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to natural wood and raw stone. The TDH Origins Collection includes 41 pieces, all of which were handcrafted in Dubai by the most skilled craftsmen. The collection has something for everyone, whether it's families with young children who need high-performance furniture or clients with an eye for design who want an exceptional statement piece.

The Origins collection includes marble coffee tables, edgy contrasting consoles, luxury tufted beds, feather-filled cloud sofas, armchairs, and statement benches. www.thedesignhousedubai.com

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