Influential

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ARCHITECTS in the MENA

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

They are the Middle East's reigning and influential architects, reshaping the region's landscape with their creative minds, vast experience, in-depth knowledge, and foresight. Design Middle East presents Architects Powerlist 2023 and salutes them for their unwavering commitment to transforming the world and making it a better place to live for future generations.

12 F&B Regal Hailing from the iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, the heritage restaurant Shamiana presents a masterfully curated menu of authentic Indian cuisine with signature dishes from the world of the Taj.

14 INTERVIEW

Celebrating 20 Glorious Years

Joakim de Rham, CEO and CoFounder of Swiss Bureau Interior Design (SBID), discusses the company's fruitful 20 years of success in the region, the importance of a great team, changes in the design & build industry, and what the future holds for him.

56 DECOR REVIEW

The Icon

Why is Jumeriah Emirates Tower still an icon and a favourite among those seeking perfection

It's a hospitality icon in the heart of Dubai's financial district. When you enter the majestic z, which is adjacent to the emirate's newest landmark-museum of the Future, there is nothing less than perfect.

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REVIEW

The feel of the Greek Islands

AMMOS relaunched in December 2022, where the restaurant recently underwent a complete renovation over the summer months, where no stone was left untouched.

64

DESIGN COMPETITION

Work Redefined

Herman Miller announced the winner of the Work Redefined, The Design Challenge, and Design Middle East was invited to a candid conversation with the winning team and judge.

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PICK OF THE MONTH

Here We Glow

Lodes has renewed its collaboration with Norwegian architecture and design studio Snhetta to expand the Volum collection.

We are excited to present the first Powerlist of the year because it includes some new names that are causing a stir in the industry, as well as some established names known for their skill and talent. The architecture of the region reflects the state of the region, the well-being of its people, advanced infrastructure, and sustainable development. As we reveal this year's Architects Powerlist 2023, we salute each of you for your immense talent, incredible spirit, and foresight to envision and implement. So check out this special edition, which is unquestionably a keeper's edition.

The issue includes an interview. Joakim de Rham, CEO and Co-Founder of Swiss Bureau Interior Design (SBID), discusses the company's fruitful 20 years of success in the region, the importance of a great team, changes in the design & build industry, and what the future holds for him.

Herman Miller announced the winner of the Work Redefined, The Design Challenge, and Design Middle East was invited to a candid discussion with the winning team and judging panellist Esra Lemmens. The Wellness Suite, designed by RSP, was the winner of the 2023 challenge. The winning team envisioned a space that is highly flexible and collaborative, with wellness and connection at the forefront.

We are also gearing up for the Architecture Leaders Awards 2023 to be held on March

21 in Dubai. Nominations are open and once again we request you to be part of this event and make it a huge success. This month, I can't take my eyes off the stunning globe-shaped glass lamps by Lodes from the Volum collection. I don't mind a few of them lying around my library for a zen and calm vibe. Check out our Pick of the Month section for more information.

Roma Arora Editor roma@bncpublishing.net

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

EDITOR ROMA ARORA 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 www.mea.evonik.com www.mea.evonik.com www.mea.evonik.com

Whether it’s biotechnology, physics or materials science – we connect disciplines, areas of expertise and perspectives to create sustainable solutions that add value in partnership with our customers. Our specialty additives make the difference for end products becoming more valuable, more durable, more energy-efficient and in many ways simply better. And that answers the question of why we exist: to make people’s lives better day in, day out. Leading beyond chemistry to improve life, today and tomorrow.

Whether it’s biotechnology, physics or materials science – we connect disciplines, areas of expertise and perspectives to create sustainable solutions that add value in partnership with our customers. Our specialty additives make the difference for end products becoming more valuable, more durable, more energy-efficient and in many ways simply better. And that answers the question of why we exist: to make people’s lives better day in, day out. Leading beyond chemistry to improve life, today and tomorrow.

Whether it’s biotechnology, physics or materials science – we connect disciplines, areas of expertise and perspectives to create sustainable solutions that add value in partnership with our customers. Our specialty additives make the difference for end products becoming more valuable, more durable, more energy-efficient and in many ways simply better. And that answers the question of why we exist: to make people’s lives better day in, day out. Leading beyond chemistry to improve life, today and tomorrow.

Design Infinity receives LEED GOLD certification for its Airtel Africa Services project in Dubai

Design Infinity receives the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification for its interior design and build project with Airtel Africa Services (UK) Ltd. This is the first project for which Design Infinity has attained LEED Gold certification for its client since the company started offering LEED certification from last year. This offering was announced by Design Infinity on its 10th Corporate Anniversary last year. Airtel Africa Services (UK) Ltd office received the highest level of points in LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) Commercial Interiors v4 certification in GCC, and has achieved 70 points in the USGBC rating in the telecommunication sector.

Pratap Mendonca, managing partner of Design Infinity, commented: “We were entrusted with the responsibility of providing tailored fit-out solutions for Airtel’s new Middle East office. We created a smart workplace that transcends the physical boundaries of the cubicle and office, creating an environment of collaboration and communication that fosters productivity and increases employee satisfaction.”

Geetha Nayak, managing partner of Design Infinity, commented: “We aim to provide sustainable solutions for our clients. By creating the LEED certified workplace for our reputed client, we will continue to focus on greener offices, promote higher productivity and bring significant energy savings for Airtel’s Head office. Our team has done a marvelous job in designing as well as executing the office space, spread over two floors in Building 20, Dubai Internet City.” Design Infinity last year moved to a bigger, new, fully equipped new 60,000sqft joinery factory comprising state-of-the-art machinery. The company also started its own signage and upholstery division, demonstrating quality craftsmanship.

Bob Weis, the former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, joins Gensler

Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, announced that former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, is joining the firm as Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. A visionary within the entertainment industry, Weis brings to Gensler more than 30 years of leadership, creating, designing and developing some of Disney’s most iconic projects around the globe.

As countries emerge from the global pandemic, demand is greater than ever for engaging, immersive experiences and more meaningful human connections. Weis’ experience in pioneering large-scale groundbreaking and story-driven experiences further expands Gensler’s ability to drive design innovation, offering transformative value to the firm’s more than 4,000 global clients as they look for opportunities to bring people together in new and exciting ways.

For Gensler Middle East, Weis’ appointment affords an opportunity to augment its existing offering to its culture and entertainment clients with a particular focus on KSA and the UAE. KSA has rapidly secured its position as a hub for cultural events, art exhibitions and movie theatres, while historically the UAE has been the largest investor in the entertainment and leisure space.

“We are thrilled that Bob is joining our global innovation design team. A creative design force, his leadership and expertise in entertainment design will enhance the ways people interact with and thrive in the spaces and experiences we create around the world,” said Gensler Co-CEO Andy Cohen. “Now more than ever, design has the power to shape how we experience life. Bob is joining us just as we emerge from the pandemic as people are craving compelling, visceral experiences in the places where they live, work, and play.”

“At Disney, we often collaborated with Gensler, and I was able to see first hand its culture of design innovation that transforms the quality of life in our world,” said Bob Weis. “This is what visionary companies are seeking, and what we all are yearning for as we interact with the world around us. Gensler’s commitment to leading the future of design is perfectly aligned with my passion for developing unique, immersive experiences with a diversity of creative voices.”

In his new role, Weis will collaborate with Gensler’s global leadership platform to envision and bring to life unique experiences for clients across a variety of industries.

Tim Martin, Managing Director of Gensler Middle East, added: “Recently the UAE Government announced its plans to attract 40 million tourists to the country, every year, by 2040 with an investment of Dh100 billion ($27bn) to further diversify the country’s economy. The countries in the GCC region will likely sharpen their focus in developing leisure tourism facilities to attract more visitors, so for the region, this announcement is perfectly timed. With Bob onboard, we are going to add another dimension of innovation to our design services, which will help us deepen our relationships with our existing clients and develop our offering to prospects.”

During his time at Disney, Weis led more than 200 major projects around the world with a capital value of more than $30 billion. From the U.S. to Shanghai, Tokyo to Paris, Weis’ design and innovation imprint has been indelibly left on theme parks, attractions and rides, resorts, and cruise ships. He has also consulted with major clients including Smithsonian, National Geographic, NASA, and the United States Navy, among others. Bob has received numerous industry accolades and awards and remains closely connected to his Disney roots.

THE FITOUT reveals the latest exquisite interior design work for Abu Dhabi’s Newby Tea Cafe

THE FITOUT successfully completed its latest interior developments for the Newby Tea Cafe in Abu Dhabi. The cafe features THE FITOUT’s unique and sustainable range of interior solutions, which also comprised civil, floor, and lighting work among others. The project’s success was enhanced by its early completion, adding another milestone to the company’s growing record of accomplishments.

THE FITOUT used its distinctive range of interior solutions to develop the latest branch of the Newby Tea Cafe, with some of the key elements being a folding partition made of gold leaf, a ten-meter floating table in the reception, and a golden metallic mesh. The company also undertook civil work, such as building walls and partitions, as well as screeding and waterproofing solutions for wet conditions. The ceiling work, which included gypsum ceilings and metallic panels for the reception spaces, along with flooring works such as self-levelling, carpet works, parquet flooring, and more, were successfully managed by the professional teams of THE FITOUT. Sherif Nagy, general manager of THE FITOUT, stated: “Since its inception in 1987, our company has grown to become a reliable provider of complete interior solutions that meet the highest standards in regard to both quality and services. As one of the leading suppliers of customised highend joinery works and fit-out solutions, our recent completion of the Newby Tea Cafe has once again demonstrated our passion for quality finishing and interior solutions. Newby Tea has a proud history as an award-winning luxury tea brand. We were committed to maintaining the authenticity and richness of this brand throughout the project, which allowed us to deliver elegant interior designs for the brand. With many more similar projects in the future, we are confident that we can further solidify our position as a reliable provider of fitout solutions.”

The highest levels of quality were also met for the wall finishes, which included the use of an emulsion paint finish, premium wallpapers, marble cladding, FR MDF cladding, and moulding. Along with providing an adequate amount of lighting with LED strips, spotlights, and SS fixtures, the company also made sure to include advanced glass works, door finishes, and other joinery works like coat hangers, pantry lounges, and cabinets for the female lounge. All MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) works were also completed with the utmost professionalism to guarantee the safety and comfort of customers of the Newby Tea Cafe.

GROHE expands its Saudi footprint with the largest showroom of its kind in Jeddah, in collaboration with Bayt Alebaa

As part of its ambitious growth strategy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, GROHE is partnering with Bayt Alebaa to showcase its latest breakthroughs, reiterating its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s transformation, and contributing to its vibrant economic diversification. GROHE, one of the global leaders in complete bathroom and kitchen fittings is partnering with Bayt Alebaa, Jeddah – the Kingdom’s go-to destination for ceramics, marble, kitchens and sanitaryware. This is the first-of-its-kind showroom featuring GROHE’s exquisite designs, innovative sustainability solutions, and advanced technology. The partnership with Bayt Alebaa is another strategic step by GROHE as it expands its presence in the Kingdom. The showroom will showcase GROHE’s GET collection of faucets available exclusively at Bayt Alebaa. In addition, consumers and businesses in the Kingdom will have access to GROHE’s range of bestselling bath and kitchen solutions that have been specifically designed to meet sustainability and design standards, with their contemporary design and futureoriented functions.

Fawzi Dernaika, Leader, KSA, LIXIL EMENA, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Bayt Alebaa in Jeddah, which will enable our customers to experience the beauty, elegance and cuttingedge innovation that defines GROHE’s products. Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic progress is spurred by new projects in real estate, hospitality, and public infrastructure. We are proud to support this strategic growth with a strengthened product portfolio for consumers as well as the commercial and residential sector, which will be showcased at Jeddah. Our vision is centered on delivering some of the smartest and most innovative solutions for our customers in KSA and beyond.”

With the launch of GROHE’s partnership with Bayt Alebba, many Saudi consumers can now enjoy access to GROHE products that champion sustainable and responsible water consumption. GROHE’s Saudi expansion is also aligned with the Kingdom’s key objectives in Saudi Vision 2030 to reach net zero by 2060 through new investments in energy and water conserving technologies. GROHE’s range of products offers contemporary designs adapted to suit modern lifestyles and sustainability demands – such as touchless faucets that can reduce water consumption by up to 70% and contribute significantly towards green accreditation. In the last ten years alone, GROHE has received over 300 design and innovation awards as well as several top rankings as one of Germany’s most sustainable large brands.