Design Middle East May 2020

DESIGN EXPERTS ON COPING, WORKING, AND LEARNING AMID COVID-19

DEAN OF DESIGN Interior designer Thomas Pheasant on his latest collection for Baker, what inspires him, and design lessons learnt from his recent maiden trip to UAE

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May 2020

Feature

MAKING AN ENTRANCE! Unique entrances for unique buildings Bauporte doors provide the entrances to some of the worlds most iconic buildings and now we have brought our experience and expertise to the Middle East.

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Contents M AY 2020

18 12 IN THIS ISSUE‌ 18 Cover Story

Thomas Pheasant, interior designer, talks about his latest collection for Baker

16

OP-ED

22

Talking Point

26

Feature

32

Project

Martin Rosocha, from Caparol Arabia discusses the impact of COVID-19

Experts from LWK + PARTNERS on importance of human connections

Leading design experts on coping and working amid the pandemic

Healthcare projects by Mirodec

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Contents M AY 2020

32

REGULARS 5

Editor’s Note

12 Newsmakers 35 Tips & Tricks

35 2|

May 2020

36 Show Report 60 Pick of the Month

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Canopy of Light M A N D A R I N O R I E N TA L J U M E R I A , D U B A I D Y N A M I C I N S TA L L AT I O N D E S I G N E D I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N WITH DESIGNWILKES

preciosalighting.com

Give good hygiene a hand The fastest most energy efficient HEPA-filtered hand dryer1

User friendly Tested to withstand real washroom scenarios, the durable design uses ‘time of flight’ sensors that accurately detect hands in 0.25 seconds to activate air and reduce waiting time.

It is also our quietest Airblade to date.2

HEPA filter Fleece-lined glass fiber HEPA filter captures 99.95% of particles,6 including bacteria and viruses, from the washroom air.

10 second dry time7 Ergonomic drying angle and Curved Blade™ design follow the curves of your hands to remove water quickly, for fast, comfortable hand drying.

1

Dry time and energy consumption calculated for Max mode.

Dry time was determined using Dyson test method 769 based on NSF P335 to a measurement of 0.1g residual moisture.

2

Average loudness (measured in sones) compared to Dyson Airblade™ hand dryers.

3

Compared with other Dyson airblade models.

4

Measured in Eco mode.

5

Average electricity price US$ 0.1/kWh for the US market, as of May 2019. For calculations visit www.dyson.ae/calcs.

6

HEPA filter tested to EN1822-5, by an independent testing laboratory, under prescribed test conditions.

7

Dry time determined for Max mode using Dyson test method 769 based on NSF P335 to a measurement of 0.1g residual moisture.

Sustainable design Straight line configuration allows for simpler air flow paths, meaning less energy consumption3. And efficient aerodynamics means the Dyson digital motor draws up to 87% less energy 4 than a warm air hand dryer.

Lowering costs to just $19/ year to run in Eco mode.5

Dyson digital motor V4 Using digital pulse technology, the Dyson digital motor V4 spins up to 75,000 times a minute in Max mode.

Find out more 04 350 7877 dysonprofessionalmea@dyson.com www.Dyson.ae

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

Art director Aaron Sutton aaron@bncpublishing.net

Welcome “Hope and fear cannot occupy the space. Invite one to stay.” ­—Maya Angelou, poet and singer We all are scared, there’s fear around us, and things might not even be the same once this pandemic gets over, but still, I would say that one thing should always be around and inside you and that is hope.

At least, it works for me, hope gives you a reason to keep going.

Let this hope stay with us!

On the cover of the May issue is American interior designer Thomas Pheasant who was in the city recently to launch his latest collection for Baker Furniture in Dubai Design District. He is one of the most humble designers I have come across and his collection is as genuine and marvellous as him. Read more about this designs and inspirations in our latest issue.

The feature, this month tells us how the design industry is coping with the new way of remote working, e-learning, virtual interaction, and lots more. Leading design experts have shared their opinions on how they feel and are surviving during such uncertain times.

Other exciting reads include OP-ED, talking point, project review, lots more.

Happy reading and stay safe!

Roma Arora

Marketing Executive Aaron Joshua aj@bncpublishing.net

Digital Media Producer Ahmad Khader ahmad@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

jo@bncpublishing.net

T +971 504402706 All rights reserved © 2019.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors.

Design Middle East and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Design Middle East.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

Images used in Design Middle East are credited when necessary.

Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission. Prices are quoted in US dollars.

What I am fascinated about is the Stellarnova console created by Brodie Neill of Made in Ratio covered in the ‘Pick of the Month’ section

FOLLOW US ON www.design-middleeast.com /designmideast /designmiddleeast /designmiddleeast @designmiddleeast

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Our SME eShop delivers.

So that your business never stops. du.ae/SME

// May 2020

Newsmakers

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Art Painting Lab launches community art collaboration to create a monumental mural masterpiece

UnitedArtEmirates is a grass-roots art initiative created to unite, inspire, and encourage the UAE’s community during a tumultuous time in the world. The initiative is asking everyone; artists and amateurs alike, to create and share a piece of visual art with Art Painting Lab, whose mission is to paint one or more public murals, using the artworks they receive from the public. These murals will commemorate this time in history;

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they will tell the story of how the UAE’s residents came together to create something inspiring in uncertain times.

A group of resident artists at Art Painting Lab, an art consultancy and service provider, wanted to create opportunities for more artists to be recognised, as well as communicate the importance of art and culture as a pillar that binds societies. Art and artists are relevant during the good and

hard times; an integral part of our society, their roles document and shape our history and culture.

“Historically art renaissances occur during tremendous events and often incredible art comes out of them. We hope you will send us your artworks, there is no judgement, good or bad work.

Paint like no one is watching…”, said Sam Saliba, founder of Art Painting Lab. Art Painting Lab is hopeful that everyone will

take part and contribute – from children to adults to communities across the UAE – uniting to create a monumental masterpiece.

How to take part: Contribute your artwork by posting on Instagram and tagging #UnitedArtEmirates, or send it to hello@artpaintinglab. com. All contributors will be personally replied to, and art will be screened to ensure it is culturally appropriate. Deadline for all contributions is June 1, 2020.

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NEWSMAKERS

Dubai Chamber launches information portal to assist the private sector deal with the impact of Covid-19

The page includes news, economic and educational resources, and various economic viewpoints related to the existing challenges and ways to confront them

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the launch of an innovative information platform to follow developments and impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on the economy and business sector in Dubai. The new platform, called “Business Connect”, aims to help companies and institutions in Dubai to overcome the economic repercussions of the spread of the virus.

In addition to this, it also contains short promotional videos on various topics related to the business sector, some of them from representatives of the private sector on the Chamber’s campaign #BeSafe #WorkSmart.

His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out that the information platform will contribute in guiding the private sector towards making informed practical decisions based on reliable data. It will also help companies to overcome challenges and enhance their competitiveness based on their ability to keep abreast of all developments related to the business environment, indicating that this platform will benefit companies in managing its activities and operations. His Excellency pointed out that the Chamber is committed to playing its strategic role in supporting the business sector, preserving its

interests, and keeping it up to date with the current developments.

He stressed that the availability of reliable and accurate information is an essential part of plans to confront and overcome these exceptional circumstances.

The platform also includes interactive questionnaires for readers about the economy and the effects of the current crisis on their work, and proposals to confront them, in addition to providing a comprehensive guide that is constantly updated on the various incentive packages announced by the UAE and Dubai for the private sector. It provides a guide for companies on the National Disinfection Program and

the excluded vital sectors. This guide will be regularly updated according to developments announced by the relevant government authorities, which makes the “Business Connect” platform, a primary source of information, articles, analysis and documented news. This platform has been launched in cooperation with Entrepreneurs Middle East, and also provides advice for entrepreneurs and SMEs on how to deal with the current situation, remote working in addition to information on the Community Solidarity Fund.

The platform can be accessed by visiting the following link https:// www.dubaichamber.com/covid-19

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NEWSMAKERS

The majority of the materials used are natural finishes in subdued colour palettes

The Bowl One restaurant by Designsmith is full of fun and spunk It’s funky and quirky, the newest F&B project by Designsmith—The Bowl One. The Bowl One restaurant in DIFC offers healthy food from organic produce and sustainable processes, and that formed the seed for the design concept. The client wanted the space to be an extension of her spunky, entrepreneurial spirit and so Designsmith stepped in to create interiors that were contemporary yet timeless with modern details and a dash of fun.

Mihir Sanganee, design director, says: “The design is dominated by clean lines intercepted

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with subtle curves to guide the circulation of the space. One of the central design features, developed by our designers was the hanging system above the counter with a halo-like glow, which also doubles up as storage for the client’s home-grown pickling and margination process, helping the jars settle, and give that fresh organic vibe.”

Other design elements, such as the sliding panels on the back wall cabinets that double up as menu boards, and the entrance library staircase as well as all the seating and custom

steel finished counter spaces, were also designed and produced in-house to complement the rustic nature of the space. The area between the outdoor and indoor seating is blurred via bi-fold doors, creating an inviting atmosphere. Al Halabi worked closely with the designers to develop the equipment planning for the kitchen and artist Sijin Gopinathan collaborated with the studio for the graffiti in the interiors. Gopinathan also executed the graphics on the walls that give the place its peppy vibe. The fit-out partner for this project were Excel Engineering & Contracting.

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NEWSMAKERS

AECOM launches virtual public consultation tool The tool allows for instant feedback so the public reaction can be captured and saved for analysis and accurate reporting

The globally available tool allows clients to continue driving public engagement with their projects during the coronavirus pandemic AECOM has launched an interactive web-based tool that allows clients to engage and consult stakeholders from their computer or mobile device. By providing a more resilient approach to community engagement, the new tool will allow clients to engage with a wider audience who cannot attend in-person meetings during consultation periods.

“In the face of unprecedented challenges, it was critical that we create a seamless digital environment to visualise projects, meet virtually and bring communities together in partnership with our clients around the world,” said Kevin Carlson, AECOM’s Global Lead for Digital Transformation. “Over the next few months, we will continue to focus on bringing new collaborative experiences, driven by our global expertise in digital delivery, to the marketplace.”

Through the new platform, a virtual event can be personalised to show consultation materials including virtual reality and sound demonstrations, videos, maps, plans and pop up banners.

There is also a chat function so on-hand experts can remotely answer questions as visitors look around the materials, similar to what would take place during an in-person event. A demonstration

of the tool is available here: https:// consultation.ai/demo/.

“We already use a number of digital tools during our community engagement sessions such as visualizations, sound demonstrations and interactive apps, so it makes complete sense to bring them together on a digital platform,” said Andy Thomas, AECOM’s head of Visualisation & VR in EMEA. “The use of digital engagement tools enables stakeholders and communities to understand proposals, allowing them to provide an informed response and participate in the consultation process. This tool will allow that process to reach a wider audience, allowing more widespread buy-in for major infrastructure projects.”

AECOM clients, East Lothian Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Public Health England, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, have signed up to use the public consultation tool.

“Using this web-based tool, clients can engage with a wider audience and communicate the impact and benefits of proposed schemes to communities without people leaving their own homes,” said James Sachon, AECOM’s technical director of the Stakeholder Engagement team. “This remote approach to stakeholder engagement during the coronavirus pandemic provides our clients and partners with a resilient solution to any consultation process.”

Briiv unveils the world’s most sustainable air purifier UK-based ‘Briiv’ has unveiled a brand new and eco-friendly way of improving air quality in homes—the world’s most sustainable air purifier ever created. The Briiv Air Purifier brings together the power of all-natural materials to deliver purification performance that equals that of conventional devices. Looking for a way to benefit from ‘countryside quality air’ inside homes everywhere, Briiv have designed an innovative system which utilises a powerful four-stage filter process – using 100% biodegradable and natural materials including moss, activated charcoal, coconut husk, and Astino wool.

In addition to sustainability, the Briiv Air Purifier has been designed with aesthetics at the forefront, ensuring seamless integration into any room in the home. Thanks to the proven efficiency of the 100% natural filters, the purifier will remove harmful toxins and particles from a 4m x 4m room in 30 minutes. Designer Sean Sykes, Five Create, commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be unveiling the Briiv Air Purifier, after many months in development. The device is like nothing currently available and is, without doubt, the most sustainable air purifier ever created.” “Everything we design has green credentials at its heart, so the Briiv Air Purifier has 100% biodegradable filters and is made from 90% natural and sustainable materials. Our efficient natural filters can even be composted down fully, to zero waste, within 3-4 months.”

James Whitfield, managing director at Five Create, said: “We’ve invested heavily in identifying the most efficient and renewable filter materials possible and we believe we’ve found the perfect combination. Our renewable Astino wool has even been chosen by NASA for air filtration in spacecraft thanks to its incredible ability to remove harmful particles and combat airborne viruses. Astino wool has been proven to perform as well as plastic HEPA filters in testing.”

Briiv has recognised that for many, city living comes with the downside of poorer air quality, allergens and airborne toxins which can have a negative impact on health and wellbeing. The new Briiv Air Purifier will provide a completely natural, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly way to cleaner air quality in homes across the world.

May 2020

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OP-ED

DEEP IMPACT

Martin Rosocha, managing director at Caparol Arabia on how the paints industry is coping with the outbreak of COVID-19 in the region

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May 2020

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OP-ED

Martin Rosocha,Caparol Arabia

COVID-19 is having a large impact on the Middle East region. Many industries are being affected and need to adjust to a new “normal”. Lockdowns and closures of businesses will drastically reduce outputs. Supply chains worldwide are already experiencing disruptions in delivery channels.

Global raw material supply is becoming more and more of a challenge, so there is a push for more in-country sourcing where possible. The main effects will be seen in the second quarter of this year and the negative impact will last for quite some time, well into 2021. In this downturn COVID-19 plays a major role, but so does the drastic decrease in the oil price. This will have a long-lasting effect on a region that is still largely dependent on oil revenues.

The paint industry continues to support vital infrastructure and construction projects, assisting the government response to COVID-19

through projects in the healthcare, utilities and transport sectors. The Middle East paint industry is an important sector for regional economies employing thousands of people.

To minimise the impact of disruption from the COVID-19 related measures and effects, companies are prioritising and re-adjusting raw material and supply sourcing. Production and inventories are carefully managed to ensure that customer orders can be fulfilled on time and stock levels are kept under control. Cash flow management must also be addressed to ensure business continuity and operational viability.

Strict health and safety measures, including enhanced hygiene measures, have been implemented across the paints industry.

Government restrictions and guidance is being followed through social distancing practices as well as frequent on-site disinfection,

cleaning and hand-washing. Remote working has been implemented too, reducing on-site staffing levels to only essential workers. Like all sectors, paint businesses are focused on protecting public health, particularly the safety of employees and customers.

Frequent communication is also vitally important, whether that be amongst internal employees, or external partners and customers, to manage expectations. As a global business, we already have the technology and infrastructure to swiftly adapt to remote working. Video conferencing is already used widely across the company and on an international level within the whole group.

Designers and decorators are potentially feeling the pinch, with non-essential maintenance and decoration being delayed or postponed.

For existing projects, business price pressure is increasing. “Re-pricing” is now the new normal in the construction industry, which increases the existing price pressure in the market. On the one hand, it increases the need to become more efficient in the construction processes by a more standardised approach using BIM, modular construction, and 3D printing techniques among others. On the other hand, the price compression on building materials might lead to lower quality levels in construction.

Despite the effects of the virus and even more of the low oil price, there are certainly some signs of positivity in the mid-term. Construction remains a vital part of the economies in the region. Many countries have development plans, which might now be delayed, but will continue with the support of the local governments.

People are also becoming far more conscious of the health benefits of different types of paint.

There will be increased attention on indoor air quality and paint, which could support anti-viral efforts, will be put in the spotlight. Awareness about health and well-being issues will be enhanced among government agencies but also the people living in apartments and houses.

This could lead to a greater demand for such products, especially when lockdowns cease, from homeowners as well as organisations such as healthcare facilities and schools. As a positive outcome of this pandemic and as an opportunity, there will be a different level of hygiene in the future and a far greater awareness of how paints can be complementary to healthier lifestyles.

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COVER STORY

CREATING HIS OWN DESIGN VOCABULARY: Thomas Pheasant

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May 2020

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COVER STORY

INSPIRED TO CREATE DESIGN MARVELS In conversation with interior designer Thomas Pheasant on what inspires him, the long-term collaboration with Baker Furniture, and the book he is currently working on

By Roma Arora Photography by Ahmad Khader He is known for his craft and skill-set for creating interiors beyond one’s imagination. Meet American interior designer Thomas Pheasant with an extensive career of 30 years, his diverse accomplishments have been widely published in the most prestigious architectural and interior design magazines around the world. In 2005, he was honoured by Architectural Digest US with the distinction "Dean of American Design".

Pheasant was in the UAE for his maiden trip to unveil his latest collection in collaboration with Baker, which is available at Iconic Home in Dubai Design District. Pheasant says: “My career has spanned almost four decades now and it’s been a total revolution. I am inspired by what I see.

For me, the idea of simplicity and getting down to the essence of the idea is important. I can be inspired by the monuments in Washington DC, 18th-century buildings in Paris, but it’s not about reproducing what I see. It’s about digesting the idea and allowing it to linger inside my brain and then come out with the new ideas, that are modern but connected to the past.”

Pheasant further elaborates: “I can be inspired by colours, people, architecture, or poetry. It's amazing, it’s about opening up your senses to the world around you. I am also working on a book idea called ‘Seeking beauty’, it reveals the sensitive issues around me, how I capture my inspiration and what I do with it, and how I

translate that into something meaningful. I have the liberty of travelling to many places, the idea of the book is to share the luxury of stopping, enjoying, and seeing and then letting these different cultures that I’m exposed to inspire me to keep my own evolution going.”

In the history of interior design, there are certain rare innovators who elevate the practice of design and craft into the highest art. Such a designer is Pheasant, whose fifty-piece virtuoso Thomas Pheasant collection for Baker includes

all-new furniture, upholstery, and lighting.

In Pheasant’s approach with the latest collection, his insistence on purest function comes first. His chairs have exquisite lines and they also afford ease and comfort. His tables are the perfect height and dimension, with every surface and alignment exquisitely realized. His lighting brings an intimate, warm ambience and illumination to rooms.

Talking about his latest collection, Pheasant tells: “In this collection, I was inspired by modern Cleo Chaise from Thomas Pheasant for Baker furniture

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COVER STORY

FINDING INSPIRATIONS: Thomas Pheasant

American painters and sculptors like Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra, and Tony Smith, whose minimalist works demonstrate utmost refinement and sophistication. I feel great that Baker gave me full freedom to convert my ideas, my inspirations into some amazing pieces of design.”

The designer worked with the skilful team of engineers and artisans of Baker Furniture, where artistry and precision are applied to each piece, allowing the designer to create exquisite works of art for the home. For example, the Blade cocktail table, featuring floating panels over a large expanse, or the Sling chair, maintaining a slender profile of the frame. Each piece is executed with bravura, effortlessly

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achieved to render meticulously constructed metalwork in the former, or crisp silhouettes and tight upholstery with precisely placed fabric seams in the latter.

“My partnership with Baker began in 2002.

It’s been 18 years now and seven collections in between. The most beautiful thing about this relationship is that we’ve had great success and Baker has given me so much freedom.

Like in 2002, I had an idea of a constellation mirror in my mind, but I thought that it’s a beautiful concept but might be expensive and difficult to fabricate. But the brand allowed me to experiment and now that mirror has become an iconic piece for both

Baker and me as a designer,” shares Pheasant.

Pheasant is in awe of the design and architecture in the region. “Dubai is an incredibly exciting city. You can tell by the number of cranes outside the window, that there is so much happening and there is such an appreciation for design. The expressions of design and architecture are very modern and over the top. Similarly, I was in Abu Dhabi recently and there was so much stimulation and inspirations that I was trying to capture with my phone. I would love to do work in the UAE, but I would like to take what I am seeing and translate it into my own vocabulary of interiors,” finishes off Pheasant.

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COVER STORY

"I would love to do work in the UAE, but I would like to take what I am seeing and translate it into my own vocabulary of interiors." —Thomas Pheasant

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TALKING POINT

REINVENTING RETAIL: THE POWER OF HUMAN CONNECTIONS Ferdinand Cheung, director, LWK + PARTNERS and Kourosh Salehi, design director at LWK + PARTNERS, MENA, discuss how human connections play a vital role in the success of retail architecture

The Central Phase II, Yangon, Myanmar, LWK + PARTNERS

“The future of retail architecture is about human connections,” said Ferdinand Cheung, director at global architectural firm LWK + PARTNERS and a seasoned mixed-use commercial designer.

“Retail centres have shifted from being a venue of pure transactions to serving a series of larger community purposes where people socialise and engage in happenings.”

The change in consumer patterns is certainly felt throughout the industry. As Kourosh Salehi, LWK + PARTNERS, design director and one of the principal designers at its 2018-opened Dubai

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studio, observes: “Commercial developers are investing in commissioning more vibrant and alternative offerings. With transactions moving online, physical presence has decreased, but it doesn’t mean people are shopping less. It points to a change in consumer behaviour around how they shop or what kind of services come with their purchases.”

VALUE-ADDED EXPERIENCE “Contemporary retail centres focus on ‘what you do and experience there’ rather than ‘what

you buy there’,” according to Cheung , “They are no longer just places for straightforward transactions to take place. Themes, events, happenings are injected to jazz up the whole process of transaction. The objective is to provide a unique and memorable process.”

This rising demand for vibrant, social experiences has led developers to adjust their development and leasing strategies, to include a wider variety of entities in their tenant mix, including cultural and exhibition venues, children’s discovery centres and all-inclusive

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TALKING POINT

Xichen Paradise Walk, Chengdu, China, LWK + PARTNERS

lifestyle stores. Pop-up stores are also becoming a tendency to provide incubator spaces for foreign ventures or young brands to promote experimental ideas. Even big luxury brands, traditionally seen as anchor tenants at landmark shopping malls, are evaluating their store strategies to utilise more of these temporary spaces, showcasing seasonal themes and boosting their exposure to new audiences.

Brands are also reaching out for a different relationship with their customers that focusses more on the emotional factor. Cheung thinks

design is a way to strengthen that connection, by communicating the nuances of brand identities: “There is a cultural aspect to designing retail spaces. Stores have come to represent the kind of lifestyle which a brand embraces, and they are important sites for forging relationships with customers, who are increasingly looking for a sense of personal connection and belonging.”

Part of that belonging comes from the level of personal touch felt at the store, which is increasingly seen as an ingredient for success in customer engagement. “Retailers recognise

that a personalised one-on-one experience can increase sales, customer loyalty and enhance shopper experiences,” said Salehi.

IMPLICATIONS FROM THE CHINA STORY Growing from its roots in Hong Kong, LWK + PARTNERS commands 34 years of builtenvironment experience in Asia with a diverse oeuvre stretching from mixed-use commercial complexes, luxury residences, schools and institutional facilities to urban planning, landscape and interior design. China is where it

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TALKING POINT

Zhengding Li Mixeduse Development, Shijiazhuang, China, LWK + PARTNERS

Ferdinand Cheung, director, LWK + PARTNERS

built its reputation, and recent years have seen it expanding beyond Asia with its Dubai studio opened in 2018, to facilitate its MENA expansion.

The latest studio opened in Singapore last year signifying further growth in Southeast Asia.

In the sophisticated, rapid-growing market of China, where retailers and mall operators keep uplifting their standards and operation models to align with changing consumer behaviours, LWK + PARTNERS is working with major developers to craft a series of lifestyle-driven complexes offering tailor-made solutions in the form of immersive environments. This approach is expected to set the tone for future retail environments especially in regional urban cores.

Turning to the MENA market, Salehi thinks there’s much to learn from the practice’s China experience: “The trend is to embrace innovative,

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customer-centric spaces which are engaging and enhance shopper experiences. Businesses must put more effort than ever into integrating with the overall community than being simply a service or product provider.”

DIGITAL HORIZONS “Online commerce is not exactly replacing physical retail as many has been debating for the last five years or so,” said Cheung, “Digital transformation has offered new opportunities to rethink and revaluate what the physical venues meant for us.

Ultimately, it is about defining a way of living.”

The likes of e-commerce, data analytics and augmented/virtual realities has hit the retail industry with a new ecosystem. But once the online frenzy has passed, it became clear that customers are still shopping in physical

stores, high streets and malls. In the Middle East especially, online retail still accounted for a smaller share of the market, at an estimated 2-3% compared with 10-15% in developed western economies, according to a 2019, report on new retail by PwC. “In contrary to common belief, people aren’t shopping less in physical environments. Even in China where internet shopping penetrates even the most rural communities, brick-and-mortar retail still accounts for most of the total retail sales,” said Salehi. “But we definitely see a major change in consumer behaviours. For instance, the social and retail-tainment aspect of shopping has by all accounts increased, which has pushed retailers to respond more innovatively to engage and connect with their customers.”

As consumers demand more than pure

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TALKING POINT

Kourosh Salehi, design director at LWK + PARTNERS, MENA

products and services, a new set of design criteria has emerged for physical stores. Retail designs are fast becoming multi-sensory and rely on a wealth of activating tools including the overall building and spatial design, lighting, creative signages, wayfinding systems, and more.

Experiential retail is increasingly considered an effective approach to marry online and offline retail, with well-curated user experience at the centre and with the aim to catalyse social activities. For Cheung, the emergence of the omnichannel approach is a feature of maturing markets: “With the practicalities of transactions streamlined digitally, people start to focus more on their surrounding physical environment.

They crave for real-life experiences like discovery and human interactions, something unavailable online. The satisfaction gained from physical

experience is irreplaceable.”

The implication for future retail design is clear: spaces must be flexible and highly receptive for digital plugins that will only get more advanced as time goes on. As retail brands are moving fast to reinvent the retail experience with eclectic technologies, the best solutions of our time will need to address the need to connect businesses and customers in all dimensions.

THE NEXT TREND IS PEOPLE Habits change and trends evolve. “Flexibility and changeability are critical,” said Cheung.

“For a successful retail space, we not only have to look into the visual and the experience, but also need to consider the usage and nature of the spaces provided.”

The future of retail is defined by consumers’

desires, wishes and craves. Retail spaces are evolving into lifestyle complexes that offer people the choices to organise their lives in ways that reflect personal values and preferences. Urban space has become a medium of self-expression.

In the digital age, architects and retail designers are also getting ultra creative to help businesses capitalise the advantages of technology to build stronger ties with their customers.

“It is long understood that urban spaces have profound cognitive effects on a city’s inhabitants,” said Salehi, “Yet too often the imperative to design something unique and individual tends to override considerations of how it might shape the behaviours of those who will dwell in it.

Places should primarily be about people and their designs should therefore be conceived according to their needs in real life.”

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FEATURE

RISING TO THE OCCASION It's amazing how the world is adapting to the new culture of working, interacting, learning, and doing business amid COVID-19. Let’s find out how the leading experts from the design industry in the region are coping, holding up, and continuing strongly

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FEATURE

Pallavi Dean

Founder and Creative Director, Roar The good thing about a consultancy organisation such as ours is that it lends itself well to remote working. Typically as consultants, we tend to spend so much time travelling to and attending meetings, some of which are unnecessary. In many ways, the new reality of remote working is far more efficient and productive.

The safety of our staff is our number one priority. We implemented remote working across the business and asked everyone to work from home from the early stages of the pandemic, and are now conducting all internal and external meetings virtually.

Here at Roar, we are huge fans of Zoom and Microsoft Teams - these video call systems have completely changed the way we work and I don’t know how we were doing without them before!

So far, on the whole, we’ve been fortunate as the vast majority of our projects are going ahead. It hasn't been entirely smooth sailing: we’ve had a restaurant project cancelled and an office design put on hold. But happily, we’re seeing a good number of new enquiries and RFPs. Partly from the government as part of the UAE economic stimulus plan, but also from the private sector – we’ve just submitted a bid to design a big regional HQ in Dubai for a multinational company. So hopefully the business impact will be manageable.

I believe there will be two main take-aways from this - the first one is that antimicrobial finishes will be increasingly specified in office projects despite their higher cost and the second one is that we will probably move away from the sharing/hot desking concepts and return to a more traditional, cordoned off approach reminiscent of the cubicle style workstation.

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FEATURE

Ben Corrigan

Founder and CEO, Bluehaus Group

The health and safety of our people and teams is always of primary importance. We established operating safety protocols in early February and moved our people and teams to work from home before a firm directive was received from the government, albeit we were aware a directive was imminent. We have both office-based and site-based team members, so for the officebased team we are all working from home and communicating consistently, and for our postcontract team members who are visiting the site more regularly we are in regular contact to ensure they both comply with government directives to keep them safe, and also implement increased levels of safety over and above government directives to keep them safe.

In terms of supporting our clients and partners, working remotely has presented some challenges but also learning and opportunities.

We have found clients and partners are very receptive to using video conferencing and screen-sharing much more than before to present design progress, or for bidding or project meetings, and actually, the success of this and productivity has surprised us all.

Microsoft Teams’ effectiveness has really surprised us and we are excited about ensuring we continue to use this, and other great tools, more consistently once we return to the workplace. We do ‘not’ believe the office is dead as is being discussed currently, far from it in fact as humans are social beings and human connection and interaction will always be essential to a business or a company’s culture. What I believe, we will return to a more balanced approach (e.g for every 3-4 meetings you have with a client,

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partner, collaborator, etc 2-3 will be virtual and this will be widely accepted), where virtual and remote working will be more widely accepted.

We have been relatively fortunate that many of our projects, at least at the time of writing this, are progressing. That said we have had two hospitality projects placed on hold but hopefully, they will come back online as now is a great time to refurbish. Cash-flow is always critical in times of crisis so it is a challenge with

collections but we are leaning to our experience of previous crisis and the disciplines required to manage collections and cash flow and will continue to drive this day-to-day, we also have a responsibility to our sub-consultants and partners to ensure they are also getting paid as many are privately owned SME’s much like Bluehaus Group.

I am a big believer that the greatest learning presents itself in times of challenge if you look for it. We have a ‘lessons learnt’ document which is being well populated and will be reviewed down the road and have already announced to the business that when we return to the Workplace we will be implementing a ‘4+1 Workweek’ meaning Thursday will be a ‘flexiday’ to choose to work from the Workplace, from home or a café. We are very excited to see how this goes but confident this will improve our team-culture, our productivity and the happiness of our people and teams.

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FEATURE

Kristina Zanic

Owner, Kristina Zanic Consultants At Kristina Zanic Consultants, we adapted to remote working very quickly and we continue to deliver our projects in a timely manner. In the design industry in general, a few changes have happened as well, for instance, there are several virtual conferences taking place, and even design festivals are going virtual, which proves that creativity cannot be knocked down.

Safety and well-being of our employees is of utmost priority, which is why we were ready for remote working well ahead of the government announces to the lockdown. We have implemented all latest available apps for video conferences and calls, such as Teams and Zoom, which we use the most, as well as Go To Meeting which has been popular for quite some time now. We have also provided our staff with the necessary remote access to our server, and I am pleased to say that the strategy was successful: all of our usual processes are running smoothly and without any technical issues, which is yet another confirmation of the quality procedures we have in place. Technology is helping us all currently and we continue our day-to-day work effortlessly.

Our projects are still running, and our design team is busy with deliverables; we all make sure that the project milestones are met and that we produce our design packages on time.

No one holds a crystal ball with answers on how the future will be shaped due to the Covid-19 situation, however, I am positive that we can all learn from the circumstances and start implementing what we’ve learned so far, not only the social distancing behaviour but also changes in the office-working style for instance.

There are several learnings from all this! For one,

the creative process has not changed at all, we still use the sketch paper, we still discuss several ideas together on our Teams calls and collaborate longer together. Another aspect is also sustainability – less printing and less papyrology in some cases, as documents can be provided electronically in soft copy. Another good thing is also training

for our team: we are introducing new training programs for our design personnel so that we will be ready for the re-start stronger and even more qualified. In addition between the two offices, we are all able to get together via teams and the connections are amazing so we may consider doing this more often.

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FEATURE

Christian Merieau

Managing Director, MMAC Design Associates

The current situation has, however, allowed us to realise that our usual lively and noisy work environment was not always conducive to the deep thinking a designer needs to create something truly unique. The quality of some of our work might have been enhanced by the confinement.

Working from home for personal reason, was already something that we had allowed our team to do on a regular basis. It was therefore not too difficult to go a step further.

Many of our team members have taken their office computers home and they have wellsecured access to all our project data.

To communicate with did set up WhatsApp group chats for each project teams. We also have a regular online project and staff meeting via GoToMeeting. Co-ordination meeting with our clients and other consultants does sometimes take place via GoogleMeet, MicrosoftTeam of Skype. We try to avoid using ZOOM because of the data security issues.

Surprisingly, the work has not slowed down.

The projects that are in the design phase are moving ahead as planned. This could be linked to the fact that they are located in various region of the world. The projects that we currently working on are in Uganda, Senegal, Seychelles, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, and many in Saudi Arabia.

We have not yet had to suffer from a negative financial impact. It is, however, to be noted that we have been asked for some additional financial efforts on some of our project that is under construction.

The local hotel projects under construction

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are not only going ahead as planned and will be moved ahead with an increased sense of emergency.

At this stage of the crisis, our real concern is how the hotel investment will be in 2021, as it could strongly affect our business development target Remote working is likely to become a big part of how interior design firms will be running its

resources. The tools that we had to put into place will be beneficial for the future.

What we can learn from all this is‌I hope we will remember how fragile we are. I hope that we will have learned that we can live with less. I hope that we will remember to care more for each other. I hope that we will come out of this humbler, more aware, more decent, more respectful . . . . . . . . maybe just more human.

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FEATURE

Melani Sabhaney

Co-Founder and Design Director, Interspace Design projects in many sectors are complete standstill, due to various issues. Inaccessibility of work sites for one. Although construction is an allowed segment by the authorities, many clients have decided to re-think the need to proceed.

The hospitality and travel sectors being acutely hit has crippled us in many ways. Our projects are on hold, temporarily as of now, but looking at how long this is going to take will decide whether the client will go in for new premises and continue expansion plans under the then prevailing economic conditions.

It has been difficult with private clients in the residential sector as well, since working from home has certain limitations when it comes to deciding on finishes and materials, without being able to review and approve physical samples, decisions get delayed.

As a design firm, our work has primarily been based on personal client interactions. We did try to hold occasional one–on-one meetings at office maintaining safety protocols, but for the past two weeks, that has also been completely stopped.

The safety of our staff is paramount. Our entire team works from home. We have formulated work logs and frequent interactive meetings to keep them motivated and productive through this time.

We use the online cloud platform EGNYTE to store our files and resources. Microsoft Teams is our work meeting platform and has been very effective. Zoom is also being used with some clients who find that easier to access.

We are apprehensive to how this will impact the future of the company, we hope the larger projects will not be stalled for longer and thereby

reducing the present percentage deficit in finances. We hope the smaller private projects will resume post-crisis and help us tide over.

Although this has impacted staff salaries and incentives.

Remote working has been a way already with larger firms being involved in outsourcing work, but for a smaller boutique firm such as ours, this is a new experience. One that we are learning from. Personally, I find it more tedious, since we are used to the conventional sit over a table and brainstorm practice, while doing it over a zoom call does somehow feel detached. That being said we have realised that we can do effective work from home, it just requires a different mindset, adaptation being the keyword.

Maybe this will lead to a new culture, we learn from our experiences. The new work concept where with only front runners, who need to interact with clients, being out in the field and the major back-end workforce working remotely.

Makes us question the need for large offices.

Might be a win-win situation for all concerned.

Cutting costs on travel and office spaces and supplies. Time saved on travel and not to mention fewer people outside is less pollution as we have come to see.

As one of the many COVID related messages we keep reading, this one did strike a chord. “We fell asleep in one world and woke up in another� but how well we learn from this and progress forward will be interesting to watch.

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PROJECT

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE How Mirodec is changing the look and feel of the healthcare establishments with its innovative glass products

Mirodec is revolutionising the way glass is used in the field of design and architecture. They are offering great products and technology, redefining the standards of the glass industry in the region.

From 7-star hotels and presidential palaces to high-end residential villas, and retails shops, Mirodec’s diverse portfolio spans across major sectors including hospitality, residential, commercial, F&B, and governmental projects.

“Recently, we witnessed a sharp increase in demand for our products in the healthcare

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sector. Due to hygiene and ease of maintenance, decorative glass has become a key component of hospitals’ interiors,” says Michael Khoury, general manager of Mirodec Gulf. A few years ago, Mirodec had successfully completed 15,000+ M2 of glass in the 5-star Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2019, the company handed over the challenging Burjeel Medical City and was awarded two other hospital projects in Kuwait and KSA. As a result of this trend, Mirodec was extremely proud of partnering with NMG,

design and build turn-key solutions provider, specialising in creating sustainable modular interior solutions for a wide variety of industries, most notably healthcare. The company’s prime focus is designing, constructing and furnishing spaces that elegantly combine the highest levels of functionality with stunning aesthetics.

Both firms mutually collaborated on several hospitals in the region. Locally the two main projects handed over in 2019 were 'Latifa Hospital' in Dubai and the 'Specialized Rehabilitation Center' in Abu Dhabi. Khoury shares: “Today, and

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PROJECT

Michael Khoury, general manager of Mirodec Gulf

Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE

in light of all that is happening around the world, one cannot but fully appreciate the value of such top establishments at a time where healthcare standards are of the utmost importance.”

Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital is a new kind of speciality hospital that is revolutionizing the future of rehabilitation in the region designed to ensure breakthrough therapy in a healing space. It is the nation’s first acute, sub-acute and long-term rehabilitation and care facility with outpatient capabilities, complemented by highly specialized skills and equipment, including the

latest bionics and robotics located in the heart of the UAE’s capital. It provides evidence-based care and services to an increasing number of patients requiring rehabilitation care. Their mission is to be committed to providing all patients and their families the highest quality rehabilitation services, leveraging stateof-the-art technologies and harvesting the highest standards of clinical talent. Creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement shape their future.

Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital is

licensed for 166 beds. Their core focus is aimed at their patients and their families. Patients will receive individualised care provided by a multidisciplinary team in a healing environment.

Its striking design has a functional purpose with patient healing in mind. Mirodec proudly took on the task of meeting NMG’s many challenging design requirements. Despite having numerous different graphic designs in the hospital’s rooms, Mirodec resorted to the UV digital printing technology, which allowed them to deliver the project at a record time while

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PROJECT

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

keeping it within budget.

There is a lot one can do in interiors using glass and mirrors and the knowledge needs to be spread. Designers who understand its potential ultimately utilize their talent to develop it in the most beautiful ways. Khoury acknowledges the manufacturer’s responsibility of working closely with interior design firms and constantly demonstrating to them the multiple products achievable thanks to the technological advancement in the sector.

“As long as we can mutually create a product that is hygienic and fits the design intent, the trend of decorative glass use in healthcare will stay on the rise in the years to come,” adds Khoury.

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Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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TIPS & TRICKS

MAKE MOST OUT OF ‘WORK FROM HOME’

Laura Bielecki, senior manager – Interior Design at Ellington Properties, offers tips on effective remote working Divide your living space into more distinct zones; an office requires a dedicated space, even if it’s only a desk. Avoid using the dining table by day as an office workspace.

By creating a dedicated workspace, you will be able to divide personal time from “office” time and find more semblances of weekends, family time.

Place your desk in a comfortable space within your home. Ideally near a window where you can catch a bit of sunlight and see the passing of time.

If you have happy houseplants or fresh cut flowers arrange them within view of your desktop/ laptop. The liveliness, greenery and fresh scent will keep you going.

An ergonomic chair will assist you in getting through long hours without back pain, numb legs or other workplace injuries. Many stores are still delivering if you need to purchase office furniture. Alternatively, check if your company can lend you a chair.

A task lamp is a must for achieving optimal working conditions, especially in a home environment. Find a floor or table lamp from somewhere in your home and adapt it to your work scenario. Ideally you want one where you cannot see the light directly in your eyes and is dimmable.

Pin up schedules, phone numbers, notes etc. along with inspiration and photos of colleagues or office moments. This will keep you quick and tuned in.

Think carefully about what is behind you.

Will your kids or spouse sneak up on you? Is the background clean and conducive to Zoom/TEAMS meetings? Consider placing your workspace where you have a wall or screen behind you. Possibly a nice bookshelf, art wall, plants etc. Creating a vignette for your calls makes you look professional from home and shows off your style, organisation, and status.

Laura Bielecki, Ellington Properties

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SHOW REPORT

ENGAGING MINDS

Highlights of the IFI Design 2050 – Technology Design Education congress held in Dubai

It was a major event and the who’s who of the industry along with the international design forces joined their hands to make IFI Design 2050 – Technology-Design- Education congress a huge success. The event supported by DUBAI –Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, (DTCM) in collaboration with the UAE’s Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) was held from February 25-28 2020, at Park Hyatt, Dubai. Over 1,000 leading international and regional designers participated in this major four-day event for the design industry, where a major new international design competition will be launched. The event witnessed over 300 international delegates from 65 countries. Some of the keynote speakers at

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the event were Ashley Hall, Professor of Design Innovation, Royal College of Art London, UK; Arturo Dell’Acqua Bellavitis, Professor and Dean, Milan Polytechnic, Italy; Rosanne Somerson, President Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, USA; and Dr Ibrahim Karim, the cofounder of BioGeometry.

Shashi Caan, IFI CEO, said: “The International Federation of interiors, architects, and designers is a professional body for architect, interiors, and designers. All professions have one professional body that helps them to bring them together, to raise the bar of education, set standards, network, and engage in a lot of other activities.

IFI is such a world body for designers and architects. APID is a very long-standing and

important member. We’ve been to Dubai before as well. We come together with APID to uplift the discipline, to cause public awareness, and also to take some important initiatives together. “ Caan further explains: “The general assembly happens once every two years, it’s a bi-annual meeting with members only.

Because the meeting requires travelling of members from all across the world, we also combine with our congress and a series of other events for the development of the industry. When IFI comes to any particular country or city, the idea is to get that member and city, and their industry the maximum spotlight for their benefit and progress.”

The event highlights topical issues such as

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SHOW REPORT

sustainability and environmental concerns. This year they focussed on Dubai and covered three important aspects –design, technology, and education.

HE Farida Abdullah Kamber Al Awadhi, the first Emirati woman interior designer at the helm of APID for over a decade said: “We had eminent and influential speakers participate in the Congress.

This was a unique opportunity for designers in this region to experience first hand their vision for the profession as we move forward.”

Several prominent and highly influential local designers also particiapted in the panel discussions and shared their views on interior design. An IFI Interiors Education Policy Development workshop was also held.

Shashi Caan, IFI, CEO

HE Farida Abdullah Kamber Al Awadhi, APID President

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PICK OF THE MONTH

Centre of attraction Stellarnova console is created by Brodie Neill, founder and creative director of Made in Ratio. Neill has paired bronze with bamboo to create this masterpiece. Exclusively available at Mint in London, the wall-mounted console features a solid recycled bronze leg and a two-tiered sustainable bamboo top, ebonised using an organic stain and carved in the form of a crescent.

Bamboo remains one of the most sustainable and fast-growing natural materials, which are also extremely, stable when cross-laminated into boards. Supporting the canti-levered console and creating a perfect sense of balance is the single Stellarnova leg at the apex of the tabletop. With its biomorphic form inspired by nature, the Stellarnova leg is designed with a triangulated attachment point, reducing the overall material usage and resulting in a more refined aesthetic.

For more information, visit: www.madeinratio.com

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