Identity | November 2010

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Gang architecture: Chicago on a high Counter culture: beyond the culinary Deira revisited: crossing the creek Latin duo: The Campana’s eco beat

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Cover: Studio Gang’s Aqua Tower. Photography: Eric Hausman.

AL QARAOUIYINE MOSQUE

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SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE. PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HALL © HEDRICH BLESSING

BOLON FLOORING

NOVEMBER 2010

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FEATURES

24 Sparking interest

80 Gang leader

An exploding car installation, NASA-inspired art and human-centric designs were on show at London’s Tramshed exhibition.

Jeanne Gang speaks about reaching new heights through the Studio Gang-designed Aqua Tower in Chicago.

30 Urban renewal

86 Designs for life

Architectural concepts in Sydney, New York, Arizona and California display some leading-edge green initiatives.

The Agha Khan Architectural Awards recognise works fostering the greater good, with a number of MENA projects shortlisted in 2010.

68 Monochrome magic

124 A family affair

Über-modern design and panoramic views define this Miami beach apartment from Florida’s Nieto Designs.

Internationally-renowned Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana are guests at this year’s Abu Dhabi Art show.

74 Inorganic elegance Rodolfo Dordoni talks to identity about his latest project for Kettal, his refined style and why he loves his work so much.

November 2010

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Foto: Vogels채nger Studios, Germany

Furnishing is the outer expression of our inner style.

Philipp Selva Home.

Selva Middle East L.L.C. Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th interchange, Dubai Tel. +971 4 3411933 Fax +971 4 3411799 info@selva-me.ae Home Design Store, Mall of Emirates,1st Floor, Shop F8, Dubai www.selva.com

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DESIGN FORMULA

ISSUE 86 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer GROUP EDITOR & MANAGING PARTNER

Ian Fairservice GROUP SENIOR EDITOR

Gina Johnson | gina@motivate.ae GROUP EDITOR

Catherine Belbin | catherine@motivate.ae

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Dorothy Waldman | dorothy@motivate.ae CHIEF SUB-EDITOR

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Iain Smith | iains@motivate.ae

A taste of tomorrow Modern kitchens combine functionality, technology, eco-friendly materials and smart design in reimagining the multi-use nature of this space, which goes well beyond simple culinary utility.

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Belinda Igaya | belinda@motivate.ae ART DIRECTOR

Karen Evans | karene@motivate.ae GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION

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November 2010

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EDITORIAL

Talent recognition

Clockwise from top left: Patrick Frey, Beau McClellan; Ferrari World.

PHOTOGRAPHY: VIKRAM GAWDE

The UAE’s leading architectural practices, design firms and developers walked away clutching the lion’s share at this year’s International Property Awards (Arabia).

Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s 700 metre-plus mega multi-use tower designed by SOM of Chicago, was unsurprisingly among this year’s winners, as was Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Beach Golf Course and the iconic Yas Hotel. WA interior architects, creators of Emaar’s flagship hotel The Address, took the prize for best hotel interior.

The Woods Bagot-designed Qatar Science and Technology Park was recognised as the Best Commercial Building and Architecture – the concept is expected to set a new global benchmark for science parks. Part of the Qatar Foundation’s Education City, the architecturally striking Emerging Technology building has a floor area of 98,500 square metres.

The design sector remains upbeat as numerous projects are handed over and a number of new schemes are being tendered. Work continues at a feverish pace at the WA-designed One&Only The Palm Jumeirah, which is gearing up to welcome its first guests in mid-November.

There has been much design excitement at The Dubai Mall, where a number of Comité Colbert luxury product design events have been held, which saw the likes of Patrick Frey mingling with clients old and new. Active in the Middle East for the past 40 years, the family owned company’s Pierre Frey, Braquenie, Fadini Borghi and Boussac collections are now available at Bloomingdales.

Across at Mall of the Emirate’s new Fashion Dome, the new 360 square metre Bottega Veneta store is yet another example of the increasing importance designers are placing on retail interiors in the region and beyond. Using the finest leathers, wools, woods and metals, creative director Tomas Maier custom-designed everything, from the aerodynamically shaped window louvers of palm wood to the enormous VIP suite.

Sustainability remains the buzz word in just about every sector, including lighting. This formed the focus for much of the annual Light Middle East show, which attracted an impressive line-up of speakers, including Beau McClellan, the Scottish designer who created the world’s largest chandelier that enjoys pride of place in Doha’s Hitmi Building. McClellan spoke about how sustainability concerns should not affect the scale of design.

Jonathan Speirs, among the world’s most respected light architects, also spoke at the show, presenting on the challenges of lighting one of the world’s largest mosques, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayan mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Interiors are very much on people’s minds as Dubai prepared to host the 20th annual INDEX show, which organisers hope will raise the standard of design shows in the region. Visit the id stand and meet the id team from November 8 to11.

Group Editor Catherine Belbin.

November 2010

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Sparking interest Exploding cars and emotional design were on show in a disused East London tram shed during the London Design Festival. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN In the late 1980s, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and other young British artists used redundant warehouses in East London to exhibit their work and, in 2000, the Tate Modern Art Gallery opened in the former Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames. So it seems natural for a contemporary design exhibition to be held in a building used to generate electricity for trams 100 years ago, especially since it is in an area overflowing with creative energy.

Held in the century-old former Shoreditch tram system power station in east London, The Tramshed exhibition showcased 25 international design brands, between September 22 and 26. It was a fitting setting as Shoreditch and neighbouring Hoxton have become home to many artists and creative businesses over the past decade. Organised by Alice Breed,

Deborah Spencer and the design distributor De la Espada, with creative direction by Andrew Figueira, The Tramshed formed part of the London Design Festival. Encouraged by having received 6,000 visitors during the five-day exhibition, the organisers will run an event for next year’s design festival, but at a different venue. “We intend to move venues each year to keep the show fresh and invigorating,” Spencer says.

Tramshed highlights included bespoke furniture maker Benchmark’s craftsmen completing orders at a temporary workshop in front of visitors.

Human Made, an exhibition of “emotional design” by six designers focused on human involvement with furniture, from conceiving an idea for a piece, to making it, and finally to using it. Dwelling Lab, a sculpture centred on a BMW car, was the third showpiece.

Scin deep British company SCIN (pronounced skin) showcased surfaces and other materials they source for customers. The company was founded

by Annabelle Filer and Graham Cox, who developed an interest in materials research through their work as designers, and to find new techniques and products they work with materials experts from across the world, including NASA researchers and PHD students.

Their discoveries range from printing on water to Russian birch bark wallpaper to urethane “soft gem” panels. “We fundamentally believe that environmental or sustainable design heralds a new era in architecture and design, and one that has not been so exciting since the introduction of concrete,” Filer and Cox says.

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TRENDS

Against the grain Award-winning British designer Matthew Hilton specialises in producing wood furniture. He launched two pieces at the show, Different Trains, a modular cabinet with sliding doors, (pictured), and the Hide chair, which was created with a single folded hide. They formed part of the Human Made showcase. Hilton considers “beauty” and function equally important in design, an approach applauded by The Royal Society of Arts, which describes his work as “sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for industry.” He has created a seating installation for the Tate Modern Art Gallery’s Turbine Hall and also has work held in permanent museum collections.

Winging it Following a year in development, award-winning contemporary British furniture brand James UK premiered two new chair ranges. These included the latest version of its Wing Chair, in a new walnut finish, (pictured). A new style, fully upholstered armchair and sofa were also presented. The company mainly supplies furniture and interior products, including tables and wall hooks, to the upper end of the contract market. Furniture is either hardwood or upholstered. All products are made in Britain as the company’s founders, James Harrison and James Kinmond, consider this is the best way to ensure “an uncompromising approach to quality.”

Customers can choose fabrics and finishes.

Motoring on An “exploding” car was a big attraction at the exhibition. The Dwelling Lab installation was created by designers Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo. “We decided to use monochromes to make the environment more harmonic, cosy and as similar as possible to a real living room,” Ridolfo says. “The ‘exploded’ surfaces are covered with

everything that we can find in our cars after a long journey. Each section is linked with yellow elements... warning elements, since our desire was to give the feeling of a real construction site.”

The installation was commissioned by German car maker BMW and Danish designer-textile manufacturers Kvadrat.

November 2010

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TRENDS

Beam weaver

Country living Furniture that combines the style of British country kitchens with woodworking traditions from Japan and Scandinavia was displayed by Another Country. Made from oak, the designs for these pieces were pared back to their basic elements. Paul de Zwart, the founding publisher of Wallpaper magazine, started Another Country because he couldn’t find this type of furniture to buy. “The whole collection is based on the concept of a family of pieces that have grown out of the design of the stool and are all of an archetypal design quality,” he says. It is the company’s first collection and was made at the Wardour Workshop in Dorset, England.

Furniture made from beams was presented by VanHoffontwerpen, the Dutch brand led by “industrial tailor” Dick Van Hoff. Showcased chairs and cabinets were made in collaboration with De La Espada and form part of the Beams furniture series, the designer’s “ode to modernism in the early 20th century, referencing a time when the designer was a craftsman, using his proficiency in materials, form and function.” The idea of making furniture from beams appealed to the designer, because they are a “basic building block.” In addition to making wood furniture, van Hoff makes ceramics, with several museums displaying his pieces.

Anything goes British designer Michael Sodeau and Japanese company Suikosha presented their new brand ANYTHING, which sold its collection of stationery products in a first London pop-up shop at The Tramshed. The first phase of an ongoing project, the stationery products have functionality at the core of their design, the collaborators say. Products include a tape dispenser, alarm clock, stapler, scissors, rubbers, rulers, set squares and protractors, all offered in a choice of four colours, black, white, yellow and orange. Further additions are planned for the collection, after which the designers plan to specialise in “anything”, working with their stationery products, no doubt.

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identity [interior/design/property]

TRENDS

Flawless flooring Swedish flooring company Bolon laid woven-vinyl supplied by Flooring Concepts throughout the exhibition hall, integrating it into the exhibitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design scheme. Designed to looked like a textile floor covering, it is easy to clean and maintain like vinyl flooring and with the same longevity, the company says. Produced for public spaces, this flooring is used by shops, hotels and offices, and is sold in 30 countries (Chanel, Armani and Sheraton use it, as do designers and architects). The company has developed environmentally friendly flooring under its Bolon Green banner, which includes its Botanic collection, a type of woven vinyl flooring made with a new vegetable-based plasticiser.

Perfect imperfections Textile designer Charlene Mullen launched two collections of cushions, work she produced in collaboration with De La Espada for the Human Made showcase. The Atoms and Patterns collection features machine embroidered motifs, while Flock includes hand embroidered figurative designs. Mullen considers the imperfections of handmade work an extra aesthetic element that improves a design, she was declared Best Newcomer at Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100% Design exhibition in 2008 and this year she designed a cushion for the Lord Mayor of London to present as a gift to visiting dignitaries. Having started out a fashion designer, sources of inspiration range from Victorian christening gowns to prison tattoos.

Glass act Vancouver-based studio Bocci presented its chandeliers and pendants, which are designed by creative director Omer Arbel.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 28 Series chandelier, pictured here, was made by intermittently blowing air in and out of a glass matrix that was heated then cooled.

Glass at different temperatures reacts to the creation of a vacuum,

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resulting in distorted sphere shapes forming within a collection of larger glass spheres. This has the affect of making the larger spheres appear to implode and finished pieces are configured into hexagonal groupings to make chandeliers. In addition to its glass and lighting products, the company designs other products, including furniture.

Urban renewal A dramatic vision of how New York could look in the future, the expanding use of solar power at Walmart stores in California and Arizona and a library/community centre in Sydney featuring an array of environmental initiatives are put in the spotlight. TEXT: STEVE HILL BOOK SMART

The new Surry Hills Library and Community Centre in Sydney sets new standards for integrated sustainable design in public buildings.

Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt), the two-level structure features an environmental atrium which has a series of triangular, tapering airshafts that draw in clean outside air and passively cool it.

Experimental use of plants to biofilter pollutants is integrated in the gardens of specially selected plants within these glass enclosures. Natural daylight is filtered through layers of glass and garden and flow deep into the interiors.

The array of environmental initiatives intrinsic to the design also include a thermal labyrinth for passive filtering and tempering of the air, solar-tracking timber louvre systems, automated fabric shading, mixed mode ventilation, an extensive photovoltaic array, geothermal cooling bores, green roof, rainwater collection and recycling, and sustainable material selection.

Computerised building management and control systems automatically monitor and control the internal environmental conditions of the building, adjusting the ventilation and sunshade louvres throughout the day to control heat load, light and shade, and switching lights on and off when required.

The project also includes significant rainwater harvesting, storage, treatment and re-use systems with air cooled plant and water-efficient environmental control systems to significantly reduce water use.

Lace Hill.

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ECO

November March 2009 2010

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ECO

Clockwise from above: Efficient Living Machine; Jamie Lim’s straw clutch; WeWOOD watch.

SELF-SUFFICIENT METROPOLIS

Efficient Living Machine is an imaginative and dramatic view of how New York could look in the not too distant future as an energy self-sufficient metropolis.

The firms of LEDarchitecturestudio and HIDDENOFFICE have collaborated to produce concept proposals of a world where virtually everything residents require would be within easy reach thanks to an overlapping grid system that flows between buildings, becoming home to offices and residences as well as generating new public spaces for parks, recreational facilities and even farms, improving the livability of the city.

Residents would no longer need to have their own cars because the public transport system would be so convenient and efficient. And the vertical connections on the grid system – rising from stations on the city’s Metro lines – would be crucial in overall design terms, helping generate enough electricity, food, heat and oxygen for the Efficient Living Machine to be completely self sufficient.

Electricity would be generated by the use of wind turbines plus highly concentrated photo voltaic and hydrogen systems. And the fermentation of organic waste from farms would help produce a source of heating for residents.

Oxygen produced on these grids would be circulated throughout domestic buildings to enhance living comfort while rainwater would be collected and purified before being recirculated, ready to be consumed by residents.

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to a child in need in Cambodia. The company also helps support women entrepreneurs in the developing world.

This ‘one for one’ business model follows Kayu’s hugely successful range of bamboo sunglasses, with each sale resulting in sight-restoring surgery for a young child in India.

Lim, who was born in the United States but grew up in Asia, was inspired by the Toms footwear company, which donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair it sells.

Each of the new line of clutch bags is named after a woman who has inspired Lim, who worked in the field of investment management before establishing Kayu.

CHAINLESS GANG

Cycling is arguably the most environmentally friendly form of transportation and is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the rising price of petrol and trafficclogged roads.

This proliferation of bikes on city streets has inspired Biomega’s latest model, the NYC, which reinvigorates the firm’s status as a pioneer of chainless bicycles.

A smooth, quiet carbon fibre belt drive makes the NYC stand out from the crowd as well as a sleek, no-nonsense look that integrates a front mudguard in the aluminium down tube. It has been designed by the Danish group KiBiSi and will be available in the spring.

BAGGED UP

WAR ON WASTE

Jamie Lim’s San Francisco-based Kayu Design firm recently launched an ecological and ethical line of straw and shell clutches that are hand crafted by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines. For every clutch sold featuring sustainably harvested shell, Kayu donates one backpack and school supplies

Looptworks is an innovative business that takes abandoned materials and turns them into meaningful, long-lasting and limited edition products. The Portland, Oregon, company has a stated aim of ridding the world of waste while inspiring a generation to reduce their impact on the planet.

identity [interior/design/property]

ECO

Clockwise from top: Walmart’s initiative to install solar technology; Looptworks T-shirt; Biomega’s NYC chainless bicycle.

It aims to do this by taking high-quality excess materials and components that already exist to produce small-run collections on an-going basis, including its upcycled T-shirts. “From concept to your closet, we can assure you that no new materials were used to create our clothing and that each item is as individual as the person who wears it,” says co-founder Gary Peck.

Traditional manufacturers can take more than a year to produce new collections, but Looptworks has shortened this cycle to weeks and produces no more than 500 items in any given style. Each is also numbered, adding to its collectability.

But the major driving force behind its use of left over or discarded material is the fact that 400 gallons of water are needed to produce one organic T-shirt, sparking an environmental responsibility not to waste any natural resources.

SOLAR STORES

Walmart is expanding its renewable energy efforts through lighter, lower cost, thin film solar technology, which is due to be utilised at between 20 and 30 sites in California and Arizona.

When complete, this project is expected to deliver 20-30 per cent of total energy needs at each location, produce up to 22.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy per year and add to the company’s current total of 31 solar installations in California and Hawaii.

Thin film solar panels look similar to the traditional crystalline panels but require fewer raw materials to manufacture, resulting in a smaller environmental impact over its life cycle.

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The Walmart projects are using both copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride thin film. The company’s large scale on-site installation of CIGS could help further the development of this technology and bring it to market quicker, while use of cadmium telluride thin film could help make the case for other businesses to adopt the technology for on-site commercial use.

TIMELY DEVELOPMENT

WeWOOD watches are made from carved silky-smooth toxin-free organic wood, creating some of the most stylish and sustainable timepieces to be found on the planet.

The company, established in Florence, Italy, earlier this year and now with a base in Los Angeles, uses four different types of wood in its unique creations: Maple, black Ebony, a brown ‘Red Wing Celtis’ wood salvaged from flooring material waste and an army green Guaiaco from South America, which is better known for its use in the pharmaceutical preparations of herbal teas. Wood is cherished because it is recyclable, biodegradable and requires smaller amounts of fossil fuels than processing other materials, such as concrete and steel.

And WeWood has made a further commitment to the environment by announcing a partnership with American Forests under which it promises to plant one tree for every watch purchased.

The oldest non-profit conservation organisation in the United States will this year alone have planted 4.8 million trees in 43 projects in 14 states and 10 countries to help restore forests. ID

Fashion forward Index, taking place this month from 8-11 November, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an ‘Innovation Showcase’, displaying 20 ‘wow-factor’ design advances from the world’s top brands. TEXT: LAURA COLLACOTT

VIP Sofa designed by Antonio Saturnino for Grassoler.

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DESIGN@LARGE

Clockwise from above: Toshiro Alloy’s Moonlight collection; Museo sofa by Formenti; Luca Schieppati designed the Ciclotte in collaboration with the Lamiflex Group.

“Visitors to INDEX 2010 are set to be wowed by a wide range of contemporary designs, featuring an unparalleled line-up of high-end inspirational products,” says INDEX Vice President Lu Buchanan. “Leading exhibitors from around the globe – including countries such as Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Russia – will be showcasing their latest product ranges, bringing a world of design to Dubai. To mark the significance of being the leading Interior Design Show in the region for 20 years, INDEX has sourced a stunning range of 20 products as a showcase of a new era for the exhibition which is stamping its mark as a world-class event with its distinct regional flavour.

“The 20th Anniversary Innovation Showcase collection [is] sure to make a statement and have people talking.”

Selected for their highly-stylised and thought-provoking qualities, the furniture and fittings in the showcase will include a broad range of products. The Bloom chair by Filippino designer Kenneth Cabonpue is inspired by the blossom of a flower, a sculpted, textural product with hundreds of fine stitches radiating from a central point of the seat. The Mow chair from the UAE’s Traffic design firm and created by Lebanese designer Fadi Sarieddine, is a simple wooden chair that uses a bed of fresh green grass as its seat to bring a breath of the outdoors, inside and encourage viewers to reflect on nature. The Smooth and Smoothie furniture collection by French designer Florent Degourc is inspired by the split drinks of childhood in a wonderfully naïve design. Italian mosaic specialists Sicis will be showing their Audrey stiletto shaped mosaic bathtub which is styled on

November 2010

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DESIGN@LARGE

Clockwise from above: Four Season’s table lamp designed by Jordi Mila; Robert Allen; Audrey stiletto shaped mosaic bathtub by Sicis.

a high-heeled shoe and covered in precious glass mosaics. Water trickles down from the top of the tub as you bathe to massage the shoulders.

Elsewhere in the exhibition, visitors will be able to see the latest products from international design heavyweights such as Poggenpohl, Hansgrohe, Robert Allen, Miele, Gaggenau, Elica, Dornbracht, Fosters, Brasslight International and Bang & Olufsen. A VIP Design Tour, developed in partnership with Scarlet Opus, will bring VIP buyers the opportunity to make direct introductions with the top companies and visionary designers at the show.

Not to neglect local talent, which will be promoted and nurtured through a series of features, The Al Habtoor & ISG Student Challenge invites students from local universities to participate in an interactive design competition; the Fekra Design Competition in conjunction with Al Ahli Holding Group and TASMENA (a non-profit organisation committed to supporting innovation in art, graphic, film, photography and architecture) awards prizes for local innovation; the Contemporary Majlis Competition calls four UAE-based designers to compete to design their own modern-day interpretation of the traditional Arabic majlis.

The seminar programme will encourage expert dialogue on a selection of topics, including ‘High fashion meets design’, ‘Sustainable wood – 21st century design solution’ and ‘Deconstructing a design project’.

Whilst positioned as a trade event, visitors looking to buy the latest in design products from around the world can visit INDEX from 4pm on the third day (November 10) and all throughout the final day (November 11). ID

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THE ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION NETWORKING

EVENT

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DUBAI

28 November 2010, 5.30pm at the Armani Hotel

The Italian Trade Commission (I.C.E., Istituto nazionale per il Commercio Estero) is the Italian government agency entrusted with the promotion of trade, business opportunities and industrial co-operation between Italian and foreign companies. It supports the internationalisation of Italian firms and their consolidation in foreign markets.

The event will see the organisation of a seminary dedicated to Italian contractors, including the presentation of the portal and a group of Italian designers/companies with extensive experience in contract working. This will be followed by an informal networking event to give participants the opportunity to meet the main local contacts (architects/interior designers and UAE customers) invited by the local Italian Trade Commission offices.

If you are interested in visiting our launch event at the Armani Hotel please contact us to be registered at dubai@ice.it For more information, logon to www.contractitaliano.com

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Books

“I take every opportunity to live with nature and have realized that its palette gives energy to all types of rooms.

Nature, obviously, plays the lead role in my interior story.”

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KITCHENS | DESIGN FORMULA

A taste of tomorrow In the new kitchen, avant-garde product makers mix the ingredients of maximum functionality, ultimate convenience and eco-driven design to create some stylish and chic dishes that address the needs of the future. TEXT: LISA VINCENTI

D ES IG N FO RM UL A

CONTENTS: 44 Symbiotic style 52 Sensory experience 54 Coloured in 56 Green is gold 60 Breakthrough technologies

Rustic touches, such as iittalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five-knife block, fuse function and personality.

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Bulthaup’s latest introduction re-engineers the kitchen and floating elements add an architectural, sculptural dimension.

The Bauhaus credo of “form follows function” rings a bit clearer today.

In homes, where the walls have literally come down and where space permits the kitchen has morphed into the hub of the home – a mantra repeated over and over again at Milan’s Eurocucina 2010, a fair dedicated to highlighting major design trends in the culinary corner of the home.

Cutting-edge kitchen designs are not only opening up to the abutting living area, they are seen as an integral part of it. What’s more, 2011 looks set to continue along a similar trajectory to 2010 while also offering something new: the raison d’être of all kitchen items needs to be improved functionality and increased eco-smarts but without sacrificing style.

Over the past several years, the home has witnessed unprecedented change as all areas have been liberated from early limitations on usage and boundaries – the bathroom has morphed into a spa; the master suite has changed from mere sleep quarters to a private sanctuary; and the kitchen has moved on from being just a cooking area to be at the core of family life.

The kitchen’s transformation to a multi-use room has altered the conception and needs of the space. Who would have thought, even five years ago, that the growing legions of telecommuters conducting business from home, would be hosting virtual meetings from the kitchen counter rather than the home office?

Or, that the new symbol of luxury would be preparing a culinary feast for friends from a well-appointed kitchen replete with all the requisite bells and whistles?

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“The trend towards individualised living, free from set structures and specific functions, will continue,” says Hadi Teherani of Hamburg-based architects Bothe Richter Teherani. “Whether sleeping, working, cooking, receiving guests, exercising or taking a shower, the focus will remain on the vision of a home liberated from all constraints. The more ingeniously this flexibility is provided through easy-to-change furniture systems, the less it will be necessary to define subliminal functional boundaries through architectural means.”

Avant-garde designs are focused on rethinking kitchen elements to make them look as elegant as anything found in the surrounding areas of the home.

Some of Europe’s most established designers have begun, over the past couple of years, to include doors that could be used to slide over the working portion of the kitchen, instantly converting it into a sophisticated wall system that also happens to be the kitchen.

Two years ago, these designs were niche products or the stuff dreams are made of. Well, not anymore, the concept has gone mainstream, but the design envelope continues to be pushed.

SYMBIOTIC STYLE

The top kitchen ateliers in Europe are paring technology and function for an aesthetic that reinterprets the space in some non-conventional ways. Pieces

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KITCHENS | DESIGN FORMULA

“Wall mount cabinets and handles are being replaced with sophisticated wall systems that hide everything a chef needs”

November 2010

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DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Clockwise from above: Form and function are married in Poggenpohl’s soon-to-be-released Artesio kitchen system; Franke expands the range of its Largo collection with this new under-mount version; this set of mouth-blown glasses designed by Norway Says for Muuto marries playfulness and sophistication.

such as cabinets free of handles, quite often motorised, or designed as a wall system move the kitchen beyond earlier design limitations and blur the boundary between living and eating even more.

“For me, the kitchen is a living space within the home environment – not a workshop, not a laboratory and certainly not an ancillary room. Only when the drama of cooking begins does the stage come into view,” Teherani says.

Premier designs coming to market are meant to flow seamlessly into adjacent regions. Hence, wall-mount cabinets and handles are being replaced with sophisticated wall systems that hide everything a chef needs in the smartest of ways. In fact, among the haute kitchen ateliers of Europe, the kitchen has become the showpiece of the home.

This is the concept behind the visually striking Artesio kitchen that Teherani designed for German cabinet-maker Poggenpohl. Like many of the latest crop of introductions, sleek countertops and kitchen cabinet faces are pared with integrated lighting and state-of-the-art storage spaces. Teherani’s all-embracing concept fuses architecture, home living and kitchen, building a visual bridge between cooking and living. The floor, walls and ceiling, all come into play in Artesio.

“What’s important to me with this kitchen is the whole home, what it’s like to live there,” the architect notes. “This kitchen creates an exciting living space with three-dimensional transitions and boundaries that can be defined by the individual. It’s somewhere you can also read a book or paint a picture in.

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“Right down to [the] table and chair, the entire kitchen, with its innovative style, is so easy to live in that kitchen is almost the wrong word for it. Using different element sizes, material qualities and colours, the kitchen provides a composition that embraces every space and fulfills every expectation – even through to the ceiling as the kitchen upper interior surface. The kitchen itself is space-creating architecture.”

Likewise, bulthaup, also based in Germany, radically re-engineered the kitchen space in its most recent concepts, b2 and b3. In b3, the superlative minimalism of its design combines solid and filigree shapes, floating elements and floor-standing blocks. The range of timeless surfaces stretches from aluminum and paint to the finest wood, and the system can conceal water, electricity and gas connections.

Consequently, it makes the kitchen appear to float, while individual objects make a statement like sculptures in the room. The b3 design system responds to its surrounding architecture and opens up storage space that can be used for multiple purposes. Pocket doors powered by precision mechanisms disappear gently to one side when opened, providing clarity without compromise.

The b2 concentrates on three functional elements: a workbench with work area, hob and water point, and two tool cabinets for appliances, crockery, tools and ingredients, but with the focus on mobility. Bulthaup collaborated with the Vienna-based EOOS design house, which used its “Poetical Analysis” method to create b2. Influenced by archetypal images, rituals and stories, the

DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Clockwise from top: Ufesa’s MaxiChef tabletop grill makes healthy meal prep a snap; Miele’s built-in coffee system and plate and cup warmer are smart solutions for coffee lovers; from high-end Italian cookware-maker Lagostina comes the vivid La Rossa Collection; Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Ovale series for Alessi.

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DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Above and below: The new Vitrini storage collection from iittala offers a playful place to put things on show.

result of their study presented a new evolutionary branch of the open kitchen with each element designed as an item of furniture to be moved, added to and re-combined. When the cabinets are open, the whole cosmos of the kitchen unfurls at a glance; when the doors are closed and the workbench cleared, the three pieces of furniture transform into pure, stand-alone features.

SieMatic, at this year’s fairs, took its award-winning S1 kitchen to another technical level by adding a compact touch-screen to control all the multimedia functions of the kitchen. In addition, S1 is an astonishing design, with an intelligent and comprehensive storage system that also plays host to integrated lighting and a built-in entertainment system, including a flat screen TV, internet connection and sophisticated acoustics.

SENSORY EXPERIENCE

“Mega Trends” like individualisation, emotionalisation and mobility permeate the latest kitchen designs. The way we live has changed and the home has become the central focus of life, so each area needs to meet not only its functional purpose but deliver a sensual experience as well. New lifestyles aren’t merely about the latest products and designs, but about creating a user experience that allows for recuperation and rejuvenation, as well as transport and longing.

Even meal preparation has shed its status as a daily chore and cooking is increasingly becoming a symbol of social affluence – time for oneself and others.

In addition, it has become another tool to connect to the world and make

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choices that contribute to a more sustainable future. Today is about a focus on essentials, not on excess, and the 21st century concept of happiness is about being able to slow down and savour life.

The financial restraints imposed by the recession has meant that many eat at home instead of going to a restaurant, or watch films at home instead of go to the cinema – all large trends that have shifted the focus to life in the home. With the increase in culinary TV shows, the current obsession with food and cooking in many urban centres continues, and even the increased traffic at the local farmers’ markets signal a growing desire to return to our culinary roots, while helping out local producers and the environment.

Hence the renaissance in items such as bakeware, as consumers turn toward nostalgic pastimes during these still uncertain times. Nonetheless do not expect to see your grandmother’s out-of-date kitchen tools and accessories: the kitchen and all of the accouterments required to turn out a four-star meal deliver a strong personal message about the owner, so while sleek finishes and lines predominate, sterility is oh-so 20th century.

Primal shapes, reworked classic forms and bold artwork inject the kitchen zone with life. There is no shame in leaving a Timo Sarpaneva cast iron pot by iitala or the modern Irony kettle by architect Masayuki Kurokawa on the cook top, or of displaying your professional cutlery in plain sight. The significance of these finishing touches convert the kitchen from showpiece to show-stopper.

Stylistic definition and originality have been the buzz words throughout the home in 2010 and this is expected to make an even stronger showing at the top furnishings fairs in Europe during the early half of 2011. Inspiration can be

Top to bottom: Japan-based Toyo Kitchen’s dramatic, cantilevered Linea, with its Venetian glass mosaics and etchings, transforms the kitchen to objet d’art; Siemens’ coffee-maker by Porsche Design, with its integrated thermos, is great for coffee on the go.

gleaned from the presentations among stalwart European kitchen makers and how they opt to showcase their current introductions.

Varenna, which now offers everything from recipe ideas to music tips in its My Life catalogue, chose the British flag as inspiration for its new My Planet. The cabinet finishes, in glossy white acrylic and dark pine melamine, combined with Prussian blue and quartzite, create a fresh approach and serve as the backdrop to a simple, yet dramatic, setting. An oversize Union Jack rug sets the mood and shores up the color palette of the space, which, though largely relying on neutral tones, adds oomph via a handful or carefully placed pieces in red (a barstool, a well-placed tray and an antique tin jar).

My Planet, like a handful of other designs, speaks to a younger, highly multi-dimensional, sensual experience. After all, younger generations, weaned on a diet of iPods and Facebook, are accustomed to a dynamic lifestyle, and rely on new technologies and solutions designed to improve individual well-being and social relations – they also crave brilliance and novelty.

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Modern homes are adjusting to this desire for invention and flexibility, creating multipurpose living areas which are continuously able to adjust to changing moods and whims, whether to warmly welcome friends or offer a quiet, inviting place to read, think and work.

“We are predicting that as consumer attitudes become more upbeat, starting from the summer of 2010 onwards, this increased optimism will be reflected in a yearning for a greater use of colour and pattern,” says Victoria Redshaw, director of UK trend consultancy Scarlet Opus. “Consumers will be ready to be more adventurous and open to the idea of creating bolder interior statements. The will now desire interior schemes that intrigue, enchant, delight and surprise them.”

COLOURED IN

Colour, one of the simplest ways to express personality, is making a comeback in 2011. Though white, predominately white and a neutral palette remain stalwarts, the kitchen’s colour scheme is becoming richer and more nuanced through a selection of multiple cabinet faces, paring wood finishes with glossy whites, and a judicious use of colour. Vivid hues are also becoming a key statement for a handful of kitchen units, as consumers cautiously demonstrate confidence with colour.

So while the key materials are still wood or wood-effects and high gloss white, some are offering bright flashes of colour in unexpected places, such as on the insides of drawers and cupboards, as seen in Kitchen Window by WIS Design, where cabinets with cut-out windows display a series of colours from lavender to deep blue.

Nonetheless, many homeowners aren’t certain of how to execute such colourful gestures into their home, says Redshaw, who recently took part in an

KITCHENS | DESIGN FORMULA

White continues to reign in the kitchen but sterility is definitely out. From Ceramica Bardelli comes the hand-painted, decorative ceramic panels of Tuli to inject a dose of modern femininity.

November 2010

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DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Italian tile maker Appiani’s Mix 2010 range of ceramic mosaics, shown in Tribal Chic, creates an energetic gesture.

expert panel at Grand Design Live, one of the UK’s most popular home shows.

“It was amazing and refreshing that during our consultations with members of the public, time and again they explained to us that they were reworking their separate kitchen, dining room and living room into an open plan space – and although they wanted it to look clean and fresh, they didn’t want it to look clinical and characterless,” she says.

“More than anything else, the public wanted to know how to successfully incorporate colour back into their homes now that they are ‘doing up not selling up’. They clearly recognised that the bland beige boxes they had created in their houses had no personality and they didn’t want to make this mistake again. We were thrilled that the public confirmed to us on mass that they are ready to be more daring and express their personalities… they just need some direction to set them on their way.”

For those not able to undertake a full-scale renovation, a look through the catalogues of Europe’s top kitchen ateliers provides ample suggestions of how to introduce colour to the kitchen. A glance at Varenna’s My Planet illustrates how a handful of additions (such as a rug, a barstool, and a few small storage items) can infuse a kitchen with a new vitality. Another concept, by Italian kitchen maker Dada, pairs glossy white lacquer with cabinets and shelves in orange. In existing homes where white or another neutral forms the basis

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of the kitchen, simply painting an area, adding colourful shelving and a few well-placed objects, whether crates, a wine rack, rubbish bin, or even new cookware (such the red-clad La Rossa series by Lagoustina) displayed on a shelf, add instant pizzazz to the space.

GREEN IS GOLD

2010 proved that green is the new black. Consumers are clamouring for eco-conscious products and continue to demand that companies reduce their carbon footprint and develop sustainability into their core business strategy.

The excesses of the past decade and the toll this has taken on the environment weighs heavily on the consciences of many. The result is that what many perceived to be merely a passing fad or a niche concept has moved mainstream in Western societies.

According to UK-based think-tank nef (the New Economics Foundation) and Global Footprint Network, it now takes one-and-a-half planets to meet the world’s demand for goods and services – society has moved beyond what the earth can renew on an annual basis and absorb in terms of waste, notably carbon emissions. But while predictions are dire, nonetheless optimism abounds. Dubai has launched a massive programme in conjunction with

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DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

environmental conservation group the World Wildlife Fund to reduce its ecological footprint, the most destructive in the world, according to research organisation Global Footprint Network.

“Somehow we need to find a way to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly prosperous population within the resources of this one planet,” notes Jim Leape, director general of WWF International. “All of us have to find a way to make better choices in what we consume and how we produce and use energy.”

The WWF has mounted a large campaign to get more governments and businesses involved. Often innovation comes from the corporate world and groups such as nef are re-educating business on the positive impact an environmentally friendly corporate culture has on the bottom line.

“The pressure from around the globe for communities to become more aware is making the local market listen,” says Julia Dickerson, an interior designer with Obegi Home. “Many of the large companies here are from overseas anyway, so they adhere to the laws of their homeland. So when it comes to kitchens from Poliform Varenna, they are being produced in Italy following EU guidelines.”

Dickerson often tells clients to keep in mind that when they purchase a well-made kitchen, although they are paying a premium, it will last, a refrain repeated

Top to bottom: Popular in Japan for more than 40 years, this mini, rubber clock by GOM keeps time with style; Bulthaup’s b3 scenario illustrates the seamless merger of kitchen and adjacent spaces.

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DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Left to right: The stylish Luco corkscrew from Design Circle offers a fresh approach to barware; the Peak sink by Franke features a sleek, modern profile with its tight corners and square basket strainer.

again and again at the high-end furniture fairs during the past year. “You will not have problems with the hardware failing or its quality not lasting the investment time you thought it would,” she says. “This is a very important concept in terms of sustainability. Your kitchen will not end up in the landfill in a few years – it will last 20-plus years as you have purchased top quality and timeless design.”

Some appliance makers have built sustainability into their corporate culture.

Sweden-based household appliance maker Electrolux is one example. In Europe, according to the company, about two per cent of all CO2 emitted comes from the 630 million appliances currently in operation. Yet, modern appliances use only a fraction of the electricity they once did – today’s best refrigerator consumes 70 per cent less energy compared to average 1990 models.

“Our foremost challenge in a world where population and economies are growing exponentially is to continually reduce the impacts of our products while guiding the consumer on how to make further sustainability choices,” states Henrik Sundstrom, head of sustainability at Electrolux, in the foreword of Product Design in the Sustainable Era, recently released by publisher Taschen.

At this year’s Eurocucina, home appliance makers were finally admitted to the upper echelons of the fair, being invited in from the cold tents of a car park to dedicated exhibition spaces within. What they showed off in their impressive displays were not only cool new designs and smart technologies (such as intuitive touch-screens and displays) but also a commitment to green thinking.

Whirlpool KitchenAid introduced a full line of appliances that use less energy, either via induction cook tops or other means, and Samsung also chose to

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feature a line-up of green appliances. From Miele comes a stunning series of additions to its Design Worlds collection: White, Black, Fire and Ice. Fashionforward finishes, from pure-white and glossy black to the cool metallic hue of Ice, offer a sophisticated alternative to stainless steel “Although stainless steel still remains popular, kitchen trends are currently centring on monochrome palettes and consumers are increasingly seeking to blend excellent design with functionality in their kitchens,” says Neil Pooley of Miele. “We’re seeing kitchen design become crisper and cleaner – giving both a modern and unique contemporary look to any home. The Brilliant White Plus range has been heavily influenced by strong white colour cues in other markets, including cars and consumer electronics.”

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES

“In 30 years’ time, the kitchen will be so technologically advanced that it will almost be alive, responding actively to our needs like only a mother could.

Aromatherapy infused walls will be synced to your calendar, calming you before a big meeting or energising you before a gym session. The fridge will have selected some breakfast options, identifying the essential vitamins for your day via sensors. When you get home, a hologrammed chef will be on hand for recipe inspiration. This kitchen will be intelligent, predicting its inhabitants’ needs with smart technology,” states a report IKEA commissioned from The Future Laboratory to explore what the kitchen of the future could potentially look like.

ϐ ͷͲʹ ǡ ͳǡ Ǧ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ Ͷ͸͵Ͷ ȁ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ Ͷ͸͵ͷ ȁ ǣ ̷ Ǥ ǣ Ǥ Ǥ ϐ ͷͲʹ ǡ ͳǡ ǡ ϐ ͷͲʹ ǡ ͳǡ Ǧ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ Ͷ͸͵Ͷ ȁ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ ͸͵ͷ ȁ ǣ ̷ Ǥ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ Ͷ͹͸͵Ͷ ȁ ǣ Ϊͻ͹ͳ Ͷ ͶͶ͹ Ͷ͸͵ͷ ȁ ǣ ̷ Ǥ ǣ Ǥ Ǥ

DESIGN FORMULA | KITCHENS

Clockwise from top left: Karim Rashid re-thinks the banal in his contemporary interpretation of the hob for Gorenje; Rashid employs LED light stripes on this Gorenje oven that features seven colors to suit your mood; Dornbrachtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot and cold Tara Ultra Water Dispenser offers near-boiling water for tea in a jiffy; and architect Masayuki Kurokawa reworks the traditional Japanese tea kettle in Irony.

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For 2011, the kitchen is all about personality.

Bardelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tuli Art ceramics add a cheery vibe.

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KITCHENS | DESIGN FORMULA

Poggenpohl’s Artesio system fuses architecture, home living and the kitchen into an all-embracing system that includes lighting, walls, floors and ceiling.

A glimmer of the future was already present at the recent show 100% Design London. The Electrolux Design Lab competition, which showcased innovative concepts at the show, asked industrial design students to offer creative solutions for compact living. They were asked to consider how people will prepare and store food, wash clothes and do dishes in the homes of 2050, the year when urban populations will outweigh rural ones by a supermajority.

Peter Alwin, a student at the National Institute of Design, India, won the competition with The Snail, a super-smart portable micro-induction heater. It can be stuck directly onto a pot, pan, or mug to heat the contents, reducing the amount of space required for conventional cooking while adding portability to the process. However, the features that deliver a glimpse into what’s to come is how The Snail converts the energy from the sugar to heating up the unit.

Integrated sensors detect the food type being heated so as to automatically adjust the time and temperature.

Runners up to The Snail included Kitchen Hideaway by Australian designer Daniel Dobrogorsky, who delivered a virtual reality concept that allows users to imagine being in the a kitchen preparing meals together without actually having to do so; All-In-One Kitchen Shelving by Matthew Gilbride from the US, a modular, wall-mounted appliance that provides flexible modes of cooking,

refrigeration, air conditioning, lighting, and environmental design whilst reducing space; and the space age Bio Robot Refrigerator by Yuriy Dmitriev from Russia, a compact, cooling system that sees a biopolymer gel morphing around food items to create separate, chilled pods.

This concept of compact living and kitchens addressed by the Electrolux competition has already begun to take hold at furnishings fairs, with several kitchens that can be closed up into a box or mounted on the wall and hidden discretely behind a door. One recent example is the Nolte Küchen Dynamic Living Kitchen by Malin Kalesse, which converts from a comfy breakfast nook to a sophisticated entertainment hob by simply rearranging the movable tables.

The Kit – Cub kitchen by Paul Maudit covers all the basics of a kitchen space.

It adopts a cubicle form and houses a fridge, microwave, sink, cutting table, modular storage cabinets, garbage bin and an electrical cooking top.

“It’s not the beauty of an individual property that’s important for me, but giving space the right atmosphere and mood,” Hadi Teherani notes. “This is why solutions that only do justice to individual problems fall short and it is why design aficionados are often disappointed in their personal environment. With the home as people’s form of existence, that’s what counts most. Then, just being able to cook in a kitchen is not enough.” ID

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These egg shakers from Design Circle beat eggs in a snap.

Design sources appiani.it bardelli.it betterlifeuae.com; tel: (04) 330 9295 brt.de bulthaup.com; tel: (04) 443 2615 d-circle.eu dornbracht.com electrolux.com; tel: (04) 330 9295 franke.com; tel: (04) 254 7671 gorenje.com; tel: (04) 886 0858 iittala.com tel +(04) 340 0191 knb.ae; tel: (04) 283 1331 lagostina.it; tel: (04) 330 9295 miele.ae; tel: (04) 398 9718 muuto.com obegihome.com; tel: (04) 394 8161 pedini.it poggenpohl.com; tel: (04) 283 1331 poliform.it; tel: (04) 394 8161 rem-life.com samsung.com; tel: (04) 214 7777 siematic.com; tel: (04) 330 9295 siemens-home.com/ae; tel: (04) 3309295 toyokitchen.co.jp ufesa.com; tel: (04) 330 9295 whirlpool.com; tel: (04) 345 3633 wisdesign.se yankodesign.com

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The living room features black glass slab floor, custom circle sofa, custom desk in high gloss white lacquer, polished stainless steel trim.

Monochrome magic A luxurious condo in Miami makes the most of a dazzling ocean panorama with a simple but 端ber-modern design scheme. TEXT: LAURA COLLACOTT PHOTOGRAPHY: KEN HAYDEN

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INTERIORS

November 2010

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INTERIORS

With a breathtaking view over the azure waters of Miami’s South Beach, you can see why the European owners of this condo wanted to leave it to the sea to make the colour statement in their holiday home. They briefed their interior designer, Edward Nieto of Florida-based Nieto Designs, to create a home using an imposing all-black palette.

“Part of a designer’s process is to educate the client and help them to visualise their concept for the greatest impact,” Nieto says. He convinced them of the benefits of monochrome, largely eschewing colour for graphic, high-modern décor. “In order to make the black stand out, it needed to be balanced with white to increase the contrast and make the black elements more conspicuous,” the designer says.

Compensating for the lack of tints, the design incorporates multilayered textures and patterns, maximising impact. “The animal hides [both hair and leather] add texture in a natural organic manner,” Nieto explains. Texture allows depth to be introduced where colours might usually be used, but it is also a pragmatic reaction to one of the client’s allergy to wool and their request that cotton be limited to bed linens.

Completely gutting the apartment at the start of the year-long renovation project meant that walls could be moved and rooms reconfigured to develop a plan that is unique to the building and conforms to the client’s lifestyle. The reshuffled interior partitions have been covered with luxury materials including leather, hair-on-hide, modular arts and custom painted glass walls. The floors throughout are glass slab with Venetian plaster ceilings and Kreon lighting. As you would expect, the furniture is top-end, including pieces by both Fendi and Zaha Hadid.

Arriving at the elevator foyer, visitors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling zebra print – used throughout to unify the black and white theme – and a bespoke black lacquer pivot front door that is nearly two-and-a-half metres wide.

Opening it through the ritzy keyless entry system and stainless steel Italian

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Clockwise from above left: The elevator foyer features Michael Jackson Invincible

by Leonardo Hidalgo on white leather custom wall panels; Edward Nieto; The master bedroom features a black glass slab floor, white crocodile embossed leather Fendi king size bed, waterfall chandelier lamps, Alessandra chair custom upholstered in Spinneybeck black & white leather, Drift bench in white gloss polyurethane finish.

handles reveals a Leonardo Hidalgo Michael Jackson Invincible glitter-encrusted artwork – a rare splash of colour in the high-gloss apartment – mounted on a white leather wall.

In the guest bedroom there is a queen-sized bed upholstered in black, crocodile embossed leather and draped with black otter fur bedding – this is not for the squeamish. Keeping with the fur theme, hair-on-hide wall panels and white circular reliefs decorate the walls while subtle high-lacquer furniture keeps the theme crisp.

The master bedroom has larger dimensions, and a sun-drenched balcony with views over the ocean and beach from the 30th floor vantage point. The bed here is a king-sized, white crocodile embossed leather number from Fendi against a white wall of wave relief. Interest points are provided in a dramatic, high-backed Alessandra chair finished in Spinneybeck black and white leather (what else?) and a large, sassy artwork from prominent Haitian fashion photographer Marc Baptiste.

With such a prominent animal skin theme in evidence, it stands to reason that the bathtub in the en suite is brash zebra-print, which forms the main focal point of a large, immaculate space. Drainage for both the bath and the shower are concealed beneath the bath platform to keep the theme streamlined. Three

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INTERIORS

Left to right: The master bathroom features bathtub with zebra print hair-on-hide leather skirting; The study has an ocean view from the 30th floor and features a Murphy sofa-bed system with custom high gloss black lacquer cabinets. Art is Marilyn by Marcos Marin in water-jet cut stone.

rotating mirror storage cabinets line one wall, offering ample cupboard space to ensure that clutter is cleared from the theatrical space.

The living room has at its heart a custom-made sweep of a desk accompanied by two leather upholstered Fjord chairs in black and white, with family photos, orchids and a torso sculpture on the counter adding a personal touch. It is a space designed for the modern communications age; the desk allows family members and guests to work or play on their laptop in a sociable arena, while an enormous 103in Runco TV, set into the wall, means that other people can simultaneously watch a movie. A semi-circular sofa and Fjord ottomans face the seascape that stands on top of a patchwork rug of hair-onhide pelts and embossed leather.

Although carefully multi-functional, the space is large and the furniture risks looking sparse and uninviting. Unsurprisingly, Nieto disagrees. “Together, this furniture, along with the custom rug, is not only functional but also artistically minimalistic, whose clean lines are well suited to the client’s personal taste,” he says. “The seating was created to take advantage not only of the views but also watch the TV, and yet create a sculptural statement that makes an impact along with the custom desk that is molded into the shape of the sofa.”

Next door, in the dedicated study, a prism-shaped white desk and ergonomically balanced Ashton desk chair face the ocean to stimulate reflection and rumination. The rectangular frame above the desk is a light fixture, which functions not only to provide lighting for the desk but also to add an angular element to the space.

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The owners travel frequently between their homes worldwide and need allocated space in each for work, rest and play. However, they also – as you can guess from their über-modern design tastes – like to entertain. The study doubles as a third guest bedroom thanks to a Murphy bed that pulls down from the wall. Personality is injected through spool-shaped tables, one the negative of the other, silk and cashmere crocodile embossed pillows and a portrait of Marilyn Monroe cut into stone.

Polished surfaces, rough hide textures, bold modern art and hyper-designed contemporary furniture collectively turn a simple colour directive into a glossy, avant-garde home fit for the fashion set of Miami’s Ocean Drive; and not a design vice in sight. ID

Inorganic elegance Rodolfo Dordoniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refined design style is always much in demand. identity caught up with him to talk about his recent project with Kettal, his passion for work and why he has no time for himself. TEXT: RUBY ROGERS

Bitta collection for Kettal.

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PROFILE

November 2010

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PROFILE

Kitchen for Dada.

It’s Rodolfo Dordoni’s birthday (he was born in Milan in 1954) and his phone has been ringing off the hook since we sat down. “I’m so sorry, all my friends are calling to say happy birthday,” he explains. Does he mind that he has to work today? “Not at all,” he says with a smile. “I love it.”

The fact that he has been a name on the design circuit since he graduated in 1979 not only speaks of his enduring success but also his passion for his chosen profession. “One of my greatest challenges is finding time for my work as well as for me. At the moment I probably spend more time working than anything else.” Dordoni pauses to correct himself. “Actually I definitely spend more time working. Somehow I have to find a work/life balance.”

Achieving that elusive balance was never going to be easy in 2010 as it’s been a busy year for Dordoni. Highlights include Eurocucina, where he unveiled his debut kitchen design for Dada, a fresh take on a traditional kitchen (“I wanted to create a new product where rational, technological innovation plays a primary role”); and the 606 series of wooden bedroom storage units for Molteni & C, featuring painted side inserts and frosted glass tops in a range of colours that allow customers to create contrasts between the frame and drawers.

Then there is the reason why we are here today, chatting about everything from Dordoni’s favourite colour palette – “blue, grey, beige brown and black, that’s it, I am boring in this way” – to his proactive work ethic: “I don’t see difficulties as a problem, I simply find a way to solve them.”

We are at the Parc des Expositions in Paris. It’s September and the second day of the twice-yearly trade show Maison & Objet, a big-hitter on the

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exhibition calendar. Dordoni has taken up temporary residence on the Kettal stand to launch his Bitta outdoor furniture collection. It’s his first time designing for the Barcelona-based company, whose bulging portfolio includes designs by some of the most important names on the international design scene: Patricia Urquiola, Marcel Wanders and emiliana design studio.

“I don’t know why they called me,” Dordoni says modestly. “Perhaps it’s because I have some experience designing outdoor furniture, not a lot, but some.” He admits that his initial impression of Kettal was cold metal furniture.

“When we talked they told me that my impression was correct, but not exactly correct,” he recalls. “Kettal’s motivation is the creation of timeless and functional furniture. They asked me to design something a little warmer for their collection using more natural materials.”

So how do you make metal appear warm? “Colour and taste,” Dordoni says.

“Do I mean taste?” Perhaps you mean texture? “Ah yes, texture!” he laughs.

“Colour and texture can transform a technical material like metal into a warmer material.” Which brings us neatly to his Bitta collection, a series of aluminium structures either wrapped in braided polyester cord to create comfortable seating solutions or teamed with teak or stone, used for the tabletops.

“My aim was to create dense braiding that would still let the air through, reminiscent of the braiding of the ropes used to moor boats,” says Dordoni, patting the sofa we are sitting on, which hails from the Bitta collection. “This makes the pieces look lightweight but, at the same time, they look just like cosy nests in natural colours to sit back and relax in.”

PROFILE

Left to right: Andersen slim set for Minotti; Rodolfo Dordoni.

He doesn’t like working with clients just once, prefering to develop strong, long-lasting bonds (his history with the likes of Italian tastemaker Minotti spans 13 years). “I hope this relationship will be successful and interesting,” he says of Kettal. How does he determine success? “I don’t mean it in terms of sales,” he clarifies. “Success means that we understand each other and we like working together. I hope this collection is the first step and we can develop it.”

I ask if it is easy to adapt to working with different companies. “It should be easy,” he says. “I try to work with a maximum of two companies producing the same type of product. I then try to get to know the company, to understand its people, to talk to them, to listen to them. If you do this then it is not difficult to work with different companies, you just have to spend more time getting to know them before you start work.”

Treading a similar path to many Italian designers, Dordoni graduated in architecture but swiftly moved into product design. Whether this was by luck or design he does not say. Instead he explains how he studied with none other than Giulio Cappellini and upon leaving university joined Cappellini’s family business. Back then the company was producing furniture for the traditional market and together the design duo set about transforming it into the cutting edge company it is today.

“I worked as the art director from 1979 to 1989,” Dordoni recalls. “For 10 years I spent more time working with furniture than architecture.” Among the numerous products he designed, standout pieces include the Aliante shelves (1980) and Cuba sofa (1986), which are still very much part of the Cappellini collection today.

We fast forward in time to talk about Dordoni Architects; established in 2005 together with Luca Zaniboni and Alessandro Acerbi, who died prematurely in 2007. He tells me that the studio specialises in architecture and interior design for the residential sector, although it also produces designs for offices, restaurants, hotels and yachts.

“Product design, furniture design and architecture are different disciplines, but the way I approach each project is the same,” Dordoni says of his refined and

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elegant signature style that permeates his vast repertoire of work. “I’m rational, I’m square. It is difficult for me to design something organic.“ He admits to not being technical minded – “when we are working on something architectural my contribution to the project is mood, shape and proportion, my partner does the technical bit, not me” – and goes on to explain the importance of a solid team. Dordoni says his philosophy to life is never to accept a compromise. “I don’t know if this is good because sometimes you get very good results when you are more flexible, but I feel comfortable living like this,” he adds.

To wrap-up I ask Dordoni what advice he would dispense to up-and-coming designers. “Be honest,” he says after some thought. “How can I explain this in English? What I mean is that you have to create something of your own. Don’t make a copy. You also have to believe in yourself and your ideas.”

Great advice from a great designer. ID

Gang leader

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HALL © HEDRICH BLESSING

As the principal architect of Studio Gang, the innovative studio behind Aqua Tower, Chicago’s celebrated new landmark, Jeanne Gang has reached new heights, both vertically and sustainably. TEXT: ASHLEE BEARD

SOS Children’s Village community centre in Chicago, one of Gang’s favourite projects.

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PROFILE

The daughter of a civil engineer, Jeanne Gang spent her childhood on family excursions visiting famous bridges and landmarks throughout the United States. Little could she know that one day she would create her own monument of modern engineering, the world’s tallest residential construction designed by a woman.

Standing at 250 metres, the Aqua Tower ranks among the top 10 tallest buildings in Chicago, the historic home of the skyscraper, alongside architectural icons like The Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe and Burnham & Root’s Monadnock Building, a favourite of Gang. However, for the principal of the 38-strong Studio Gang Architects, this was not about making gender statements or record attempts.

Trophy architecture is not her style. The stimulus behind each project, be it a high-rise development in India or a local park project in downtown Chicago, is more about the imprint it will leave. “We are very interested in environments and how a building works with the environment, rather than overriding it,” Gang explains.

When developer and executive architect of the Aqua development James Loewenberg approached Gang and her team to come up with an interesting take on his 1.9-million-square-foot commercial and residential tower.

Gang and her team rose to the challenge admirably. “My creative process is to do the more cerebral, analytical stuff first, then turn that off to allow myself and my team to draw. By doing that the information is embedded in the product, so it brings more depth, or at least a deeper understanding and the physics of it, as opposed to just applying the same form over and over,” the architect says.

Residents’ views of local landmarks, wind patterns and bird flight paths were just some of the considerations that have not only inspired Aqua’s unique form, but also LEED certification (the industry standard in green building) and PETA’s Proggy award for Most Compassionate Architecture Firm of 2009.

Inspired by the indoor/outdoor aspect of Chicago’s celebrated Marina City Towers (a 65-storey mixed-use development and the world’s tallest residential

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HALL © HEDRICH BLESSING

PHOTOGRAPHY: DIANE TASHIMA

PROFILE

Left to right: Columbia College’s Media Production Center, Chicago; Jeanne Gang, principal of Chicago’s Studio Gang.

building upon completion in 1964), in which the bedroom and living room of each apartment boasted a balcony, Gang’s challenge was to incorporate outdoor spaces as high as 82 storeys.

“In modern life there is a tendency to screen everything out, but on the top floor you get the authentic feeling of being in a city. You get accustomed to the height. It’s kind of thrilling to be looking out over Chicago from this perch,” she explains.

To curb the effects of the elements, Gang came up with concrete cladding in a swirling undulating form that is as functional as it is beautiful. The wavelike decks, each unique in shape, not only offer shading, reducing the need for ventilation in summer, they also act to confuse and break up the path of the city’s infamous strong winds.

The studio is currently working on a development in Hyderabad in India for the burgeoning community of professionals within its growing IT sector and there’s also another tower in the offing, but Gang will only reveal that it will be an office block and that it could possibly be in New York or Shanghai.

While working in India, Gang discovered the plight of the women in Mumbai’s sex trade. “Last autumn, we set up a studio collaborating with an NGO in Mumbai. My students designed a safe house for sexually trafficked girls in the region. This was a way of learning how you can do something for the community, bring some architectural thoughts to other problems,” she says.

This again boils down to her inquisitive approach and the desire to create buildings that perform socially as well as they do architecturally. And despite the accolades and fame that Aqua Tower has received, SOS Children’s Villages, a

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low budget community centre dedicated to training and reuniting foster families in an impoverished neighbourhood in Chicago, remains the most fulfilling project of her career to date.

“What I’ve seen is a pride in the building. It’s used for very important life ceremonies, such as weddings and graduations, and it’s really respected. It has also had an effect on the neighbourhood, where it has inspired improvements around it. People have begun to take care of the pavement surrounding it. I’ve seen how it’s used and that feels great,” Gang explains.

Although she has not yet built anything in the UAE, Gang hints that a possible second office in either the Middle East or Asia may be in the offing. The studio is currently working with William F Baker, the structural engineer behind Burj Khalifa, although not on a tower, but an experimental lightweight home in California’s notorious earthquake zone.

However, one imagines that the Gulf’s openness to innovation, married with a commitment to sustainable architecture would make it the ideal region to experiment with further groundbreaking technologies and take tower building to an even higher level. Even so, she eschews the idea of joining the ranks of trophy architects in favour of more cultural challenges.

“I enjoy so many types of projects, but I would really enjoy something like a museum or a performing arts centre, something where there’s a chance to make a strong connection to the culture,” Gang says. “With our process of learning, our research, we’d like to bring a deeper understanding to the architecture and become part of the environment. I think that would be really interesting for us.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC HAUSMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG MURPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY: STUDIO GANG ARCHITECTS

PROFILE

Clockwise from top left: The studio is currently renovating the South Pond of Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, a 19th century city landmark; The award-winning Bengt Sjostrom Starlight Theatre in Rockford, completed in 2003; Aqua Tower.

In Chicago, the studio recently completed Columbia College’s new Media Production Centre, a space dedicated to education within the arts and media.

One of the biggest challenges for the team was the integration of high technology into the architecture while adhering to Gang’s acclaimed green principles.

“We found some really interesting ways to do it,” she says. “Take the sound stages for example. The hot lights need cooling, but most of the time designers deliver cold air from above. We dropped the supply of cold air to just below the light level and used fabric ductwork made of cloth, so it’s also very quiet.

We discovered during the modelling stage that this would save a lot of energy because the hot light layer acts as an insulation, so you use much less air conditioning and you are delivering it directly to the space where the people are, as opposed to trying to overcome the hot lights.”

A green roof, which not only reduces water but also helps isolate the acoustics within the building, and the use of recycled and low emitting materials have become standard practice among Studio Gang’s projects.

If the structural influences came from Gang’s father, could her social conscience be attributed to her mother’s strong role within the Belvidere

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community during her youth? “I guess my mum was a kind of community activist, she was completely involved and remains so, even in her 70s.

She was also a good seamstress, she had a craft that she developed over the years and I really admire that,” Gang notes.

As a highly successful female principal architect since founding Studio Gang in 1997, she has become a role model for the women currently studying architecture in the United States thanks to her studio’s audacious approach to architecture, without losing sight of the founding reason behind building – life. So why are so many women turning to architecture, particularly when, according to the American Institute of Architects, only 17 per cent of women who represent more than quarter of staff in architecture firms in the US are reaching principal level? Is the success of women like Gang and Pritzker-winner Zaha Hadid making it more accessible?

“I think that’s important in terms of visibility,” she acknowledges, although Gang believes that gender is no longer relevant. “It’s a rewarding career.

There are technical, cultural and creative aspects. The act of creating things is very engaging. For me it’s my whole lifestyle. Even when I’m on holiday I look at buildings, I don’t do architecture then go home and not do architecture.

“I don’t know if that’s something that’s especially appealing to women, but it is definitely rewarding. It’s a speciality, because you are required to know different aspects about everything you do and I love that aspect of it. It’s always about learning something new and making things, and I love to make things, working on projects around the world. I think that in response to Sartre’s theories on why we exist, for me it’s to make things.”

From landscape projects aimed at preserving local wildlife, to structures shaped by solar patterns, it is no wonder that Jeanne Gang has made such a huge imprint socially, as well as architecturally. ID

Designs for life Projects that have contributed to improving the well-being of communities across a variety of nations are being recognised for their good work. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN

Wadi Hanifa Wetlands.

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DESIGN@LARGE

The 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA), which recognises excellence in socially responsible architectural design, will be hosted by Doha, Qatar, in October. Recognising architecture which reflects the pluralism that characterises Muslim communities, it rewards projects that not only exhibit architectural excellence, but also improve the overall quality of life within communities.

The award honours the achievements of not only architects but also municipalities, builders, clients, master craftsmen and engineers, who each play important roles in the architectural process. Key criteria for selection include excellence in contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, historic preservation, reuse and area conservation, as well as landscape design and improvement of the environment.

The host venue for this year’s AKAA, the Museum of Islamic Art, is an architectural marvel in its own right, designed by IM Pei, the world-renowned architect behind the Louvre in Pyramid in Paris. Representatives from the MENA region are strongly represented among this year’s 19 nominees, which includes projects from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon, along with a number from Asia.

Projects and architectural firms from across the region have always featured prominently in the award, which is held every three years. In 2007, two projects from Yemen received top honours: the restoration of a 16th century madrasa in Rada and a broad programme of rehabilitation for Shibam’s Old City. Projects from Iran, Morocco and Jordan also rank among past winners.

Nominees are selected by a jury appointed by an AKAA steering committee for each three-year award cycle. The nine members of the 2010 master jury are senior architects, designers and other industry professionals from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the United States and the UK. Among this year’s jury representatives from MENA are Omar Abdulaziz Halaj, architect and chief executive officer of Syria Trust for Development, Faryar Javaherian, architect and curator of Gamma Consultants in Iran and Basem Al Shihabi, architect and managing partner of Omrania Associates in Saudi Arabia. Projects shortlisted for the 2010 award include the following: WADI HANIFA WETLANDS, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

The Wadi Hanifa (or Hanifa Valley) is the longest and most important valley near Riyadh, a natural water drainage course for an area of more than 4,000sq/km and a unique geographical feature in this dry region.

The Wadi Hanifa Wetlands project is an initiative of the Arriyadh Development Authority and is designed to restore and develop the wadi as an environmental, recreational and tourism resource. Having been exploited in an aggressive and environmentally destructive manner in the past, the project aims to restore the balance between the resources of the wadi and the people of the area.

Work so far has included the introduction of landscaping, the conservation of the natural environment and the development of recreational areas. Another key development is the creation of an eco-friendly wastewater treatment facility that provides additional water resources for the rural and urban inhabitants of the region.

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Clockwise from left: Al Qaraouiyine Mosque; The American University of Beirut; Souk Waqif; Tulou housing, Beijing.

RESTORATION OF AL-QARAOUIYINE MOSQUE, FEZ, MOROCCO

Dating back to 859AD, the Al-Qaraouiyine Mosque is ingrained in the social and religious fabric of Fez, as both a place of worship and a learning institution.

The project was undertaken by Mohammed Fikri Benabdallah for Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, with the aim to preserve the mosque’s history along with its important religious, cultural and social role in the lives of the citizens of Fez. Relying on Moroccan experts and professionals, the strategy involved rigorous documentation, a careful readjustment of the haphazard interventions made on the building in the past 60 years and a sensitivity to the continuing daily use of the mosque by worshippers.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, BEIRUT, LEBANON

The American University of Beirut has a century-old campus perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, comprising more than 80 academic, residential and administrative buildings. This joint project between Sasaki Associates and Machado and Silvetti Associates followed a master plan encompassing both existing and future architectural, landscape and urban design needs of the university.

Its improvements to the campus infrastructure combine renovation of existing buildings with the preservation of historic structures, alongside the addition of new buildings such as a sports centre, business school and other classroom and parking facilities. An important aspect of the programme is the improved pedestrian access, including the revival of promenades, plazas and green spaces.

SOUK WAQIF, DOHA, QATAR

Mohamed Ali Abdullah’s private engineering office undertook a major rejuvenation project to revive the Souk Waqif, a heritage site dating back to the time when

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DESIGN@LARGE

Nishorgo Oirabot Nature Interpretation Centre.

Doha was a village and its inhabitants gathered here to buy and sell goods.

Incorporating a comprehensive study of the site’s history, the project aimed to reverse dilapidation and restore the original character, lost over the years through inappropriate renovations and additions.

Traditional materials and strategies combined with new, sophisticated features, including heat management and lighting systems, were introduced, restoring it to an open-air public space used by shoppers, tourists, merchants and residents.

NISHORGO OIRABOT NATURE INTERPRETATION CENTRE, TEKNAF, BANGLADESH

Located in a protected forest and nature reserve in the Chittagong district of south Bangladesh, a key theme of this project is nature education, the promotion of biodiversity, conservation and eco-tourism. It combines viewing platforms, an exhibition area and a dedicated space for the screening of educational and environmentally friendly films.

Led by architects Vitti Sthapati Brindo and Ehsan Khan, the building sympathetically combines man-made and natural materials and structures.

Concrete slabs are pierced by tree trunks where necessary and platforms float on unobtrusive structural walls, minimising their environmental impact and working with the natural landscape.

TULOU COLLECTIVE HOUSING, NANHAI, GUANDONG, CHINA

This pioneering prototype for affordable housing from URBANUS, Xiaodu Liu and Yan Meng architects draws inspiration from traditional tulou structures found

in the rural areas of China’s Fujian province.

Within a contemporary setting, the project uses the traditional design features of an outer circular block, a rectangular box within and connection to the outer ring by bridges and a courtyard. Resulting from research into current urbanisation trends and the traditional houses of the region, the Tulou Collective Housing project provides low rent housing to a large cross-section, particularly migrant workers.

The lower floors contain shops and other community facilities, with upper floors dedicated to residential units. Individual apartments are positioned for optimal natural light and ventilation, with a wooden and concrete wrapping around the structure shading individual balconies that provide outdoor spaces.

REVITALISATION OF RECENT HERITAGE, TUNIS, TUNISIA

Though there has been a drive to restore the historic centres of cities in North Africa region, the 19th and early 20th century architectural heritage of these places has often been overlooked.

The Association de Sauvegarde de la Medina de Tunis (ASM) has undertaken a long-term project, starting in 1998, to revitalise these areas which reflect the important cultural exchange between the southern and northern Mediterranean.

One part of this extensive project includes the Ville Nouvelle of Tunis, built when Tunisia was a French Protectorate. ASM’s revitalisation plan involved restructuring the public spaces and returning them to chiefly pedestrian access, restoring key monuments and also guiding other public and private sector organisations in their preservation projects. ID

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THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL, DEIRA

idProperty

CONTENTS: 92 Chic niche 98 Enter the dragon 104 Antennae 107 Portfolio 110 Mix and match

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Chic niche A thoroughly modern hotel in the heart of Old Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deira corniche delivers the very best of both worlds. TEXT: LAURA COLLACOTT

The all-white rooftop lounge.

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LOCAL | idProperty

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idProperty | LOCAL

Clockwise from top left: The bright skylight above the Jacuzzi; rooftop pool by night; a section of the geometric bar design.

Dubai has long neglected the boutique hotel in favour of glitzy, polished five-star towers, and when one or two have opened up, they have been in unlikely, though character-filled, backwaters. However, times are changing as hoteliers are switched on to the desirability of intimate, more stylised properties.

This is demonstrated by the city’s latest addition to the boutique family, which can be found on Deira Corniche, near the wind-towers and coral houses of original, pearl-trading Dubai.

Although as yet without an official name, the Boutique Hotel will be a microcosm of this contrast, providing purpose-built, super-styled lodgings in the midst of Old Dubai when it opens its doors over the November Eid al-Adha celebrations. Set back from the road, the black glass frontage – highlighted with illuminated, multi-coloured panels – adds a smoulderingly modern face to the otherwise fairly indistinct ranks of shops and apartments.

The solid surface façade, normally used in working kitchens, is making its debut in the GCC having been specially tested by the manufacturers for its suitability as external cladding in a hot, humid environment. The colours on the exterior hint at the separate colour schemes on each of the four floors within.

Neutral colours – white, grey beige and black – and design staples of wood panels and marble surfaces are skilfully interwoven with flashes of orange, green, blue and yellow to clearly distinguish each level. The lobby is awash with white, highlighted by a muted but heavily grained expanse of cherrywood reception desk and polished marble finishes that subtly reflect bold, colourful lighting effects.

The same solid-surface cladding used in black on the exterior has been employed internally, this time in white, with the express purpose of providing a vast blank canvas for the lighting: “Directing RGB [red, green, blue] lights on the

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white gloss of the solid surface allows us to change the colour and atmosphere, as per the changing requirements,” explains Hatem Miladi, chief architect of Draw Link Group who designed the hotel.

The high-gloss, heavy-duty material provides a super-modern look compared to the traditional white paintwork and unique welding, meaning it is easy to create a “monolith” appearance without any obvious joins. It is easy to maintain and clean, which may explain why it has been used so comprehensively, from the lobby to the bar.

The lobby space is flooded with natural light from the large skylight above and is enriched with stripes of colour emanating from the balcony-style corridors. Low, flat sofas in a blush pink are arranged in the airy lobby against a faux fireplace and bookshelf wall – whitewashed – to invite guests to sit and read. A white, ground-to-roof relief artwork provides a centrepiece that mimics the furnishings of a classical house to counter the otherwise supremely modern reception area. The glass banister of the staircase allows guests to enjoy the wall of blue light that it snakes around.

Daousser Chennoufi, CEO and key architect of Draw Link Group, says the team wanted to bring a feel of contemporary luxury to the four-star property, but without the five-star price tag. “Our focus was on the quality of the spaces, the freshness, and the atmosphere instead of over-use of luxury materials within a heavy design,” he says.

It’s a philosophy that pervades the hotel. The common areas epitomise simplistic chic, the business centre is minimalist without skimping on any essential services, the dining room capitalises on texture and hints of colour without being overpowering.

Think you know our wallcoverings?

PO Box 34625 • Dubai • Tel: 00971 4 3387399 • Fax: 00971 4 3387401 • Email: customerserviceuae@muraspec.com

idProperty | LOCAL

Clockwise from left: The subdued lobby showing hints of the colour schemes on each floor above; entrance by night, showing the solid surface facade and lighting to their best advantage; sitting room of the executive suite.

Up at the rooftop pool, you could be in Monaco. White furniture, a greenlined pool and dark slate tiles, with few other distracting accessories, provide a crisp, clean backdrop to the sunbathing. Add purple bolts of light and it’s easy to see how this doubles as a hip nightspot, not just on the outdoor terrace but also at the adjoining inside bar.

Here an angular frame fills the room. Painted entirely in white and complemented by white furniture, it gives the sensation of being inside a cut diamond. The bar itself continues the prism theme by mixing straight lines with angular shapes, encompassing everything from the bar to the colour-changing light feature set into the ceiling.

The spa and fitness centre on the top level is defined by the subtle glow of coloured glass, and shafts of natural light at considered intervals. Separate male and female changing areas are tiled with the same muted grey slate found at the pool, but colour is injected – as you’d expect – in the bright mosaic walls of the showers and steam rooms.

Unfortunately, the flower-patterned mosaic and garish orange alcoves in the Jacuzzi room seem to have missed the mark, which is a shame given the careful contemporary feel cultivated in the rest of the hotel. However, the beautiful

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roof lantern that sits above it, letting you watch the stars as you soak in the bubbles, almost redeems it.

The hotel’s 99 bedrooms and four suites feature clean, sharp lines in a more calming two-tone palette, using white and rich wood grains to moderate the vibrant splashes (which vary in line with the theme of the floor). A feature wall behind the bed of brushed stainless steel is in keeping with the edgy approach and provides an exact counter point to the bedding below. Progressive automatic touch panels control the lighting, television and mirror. Move up to one of the four executive suites and you’ll add a sitting room and private bar, where cosy tweed sofas are smartened up with crocodile-skin leather cushions.

Colour combined with artistic lighting and the widespread use of solid surfaces are the key design facets that give the property a contemporary feel throughout. Direct lighting has been avoided in order to enhance colour schemes with dashes of brightness, while transparent surfaces have been utilised to allow changing perspectives to maximise the design.

Just a short walk from the rustic charms of the original coral homes and dhow wharfs of Deira, the Boutique Hotel offers guests a glimpse of the polar extremes of Dubai design. It’s an attractive contrast. ID

Enter the dragon Hong Kong’s property market is feeling the full force of China’s economic miracle, but will cash-laden Chinese buyers be enough to keep the prices of luxury homes sky-rocketing? TEXT: RICHARD WARREN

More from less: Architect Gary Chang’s small apartment becomes a ‘20 room mansion’ thanks to a series of moveable walls, bookcases, shower cubicles, and more.

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INTERNATIONAL | idProperty

Hong Kong’s property market resembles a dangerous chemistry experiment, all fizz and froth, excitement and speculation, a series of interconnected test-tubes, Bunsen burners, petri dishes and jars shaking and teetering as their contents boil and bubble. Either the world’s greatest property market bull-run will keep on defying global trends, or the whole lot will come crashing down, destroying dreams, fortunes and estate agents’ sincerest assurances.

Prices have nearly doubled for super luxury homes since the start of the year, fuelled by an economic boom, near-zero interest rates and thousands of buyers streaming across the border from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Reeling from the reverberations of this housing boom, Hong Kong newspapers scream that prices are “out of control”. Analysts compare the market to a casino, politicians demand restrictions on Chinese buyers, first-time buyers accuse developers of hoarding land and the Government is accused of either being neglectful or interfering, depending on which side of the argument you stand. Without doubt, rocketing property prices in Hong Kong is a hot topic of conversation.

Hosts at dinner parties in Hong Kong’s most prestigious residential district, The Peak, can mention casually to guests that they live close to the world’s most expensive street. A survey by website Financial News reports it costs Dhs257,000 per square metre to own a home on Severn Road, the 1.5 kilometre stretch winding its way up The Peak. A 74 per cent rise in prices on the road over the past 12 months lifted it from eighth on the world’s most expensive streets table in 2009, to number one today.

Guests at Severn Road dinner parties, however, won’t feel jealous of anyone, because prices for their super-luxury homes have risen 88 per cent over the past year, Savills estate agency reports. Driving up these prices is a stream of incoming wealthy Chinese – two out of every five buyers. In the mass market, where mainland buyers are few, prices have risen a relatively modest 35 per cent.

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Top to bottom: Optimising space: Chang’s 32-square-metre apartment; one of the six en-suite bedrooms from 33 Tung Tai Wan; hi-rise highlights of Hong Kong’s Central and Admiralty districts.

Most Chinese buyers are entrepreneurs arriving in Hong Kong to launch their businesses on its stock exchange or high net worth individuals looking for a safe haven for their money. China’s strict capital controls mean investing in Hong Kong is one of the few ways mainlanders can move money offshore legally – although the Chinese flag flies over Hong Kong it remains semi-autonomous, a Special Administrative Region, with its own immigration and tax policies and currency, the Hong Kong Dollar.

A Chinese national can get permanent residency in Hong Kong if they buy a home worth Dhs3.1m or more and about 9,000 residency applications from PRC nationals have been received so far in 2010.

Unintentionally, the United States has helped push up prices. The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar, so Washington’s attempts to stimulate its own economy with low interest rates means the cost of borrowing in Hong Kong is low, too.

Peter Yuen, deputy managing director at Savills Hong Kong, says record low interest rates are encouraging Chinese and Hong Kongers to buy. “The rate of borrowing is only one per cent,” he says. “It was four or five per cent five years ago. And the supply of property is really limited. For luxury property, in the three years 2010 to 2012, only 90 units per annum will become available, whereas for the 10 years before 2010 the average number of units built per year was 413.” In the mass market, supply has been cut by tens of thousands of units, he adds.

Underpinning high property values is a large population (seven million) living in a small space, which, in practical house-building terms, is made smaller by much of it being mountainous. The home of an average family of four (or more) is a flat between 28 square metre to 46 square metre in size and only the lucky few have a balcony. The north shore of Hong Kong Island, the photogenic, high rise stretch that overlooks Victoria Harbour, is the most densely populated place on the planet.

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idProperty | INTERNATIONAL

Infinity pool with a view at 8 Tai Tam Road, Hong Kong Island.

However, Hong Kongers find ingenious ways to cope with their cramped living conditions. Hong Kong architect Gary Chang turned the 32-square-metre apartment where he grew up with his parents, three siblings and a tenant into a “20-room mansion” by creating a series of moveable, false walls that double as defined storage spaces, such as bar counter, bookcase and so forth. Pull out one wall and a bathroom appears, put it back and your lounge returns.

While many in Hong Kong’s property business are cracking open the champagne to celebrate the housing boom, others are developing Botox-beating frowns. Stephen Chung of Zeppelin Real Estate Analysis considers Hong Kong’s property market today to mirror that of 1997, just before prices crashed 60 per cent in a six-year slump. Hong Kongers just cannot afford to buy a home, he argues, so prices are unsustainable.

Many Hong Kong residents agree and their demands for the Government to cool the market are growing louder. So far, its attempts to do this by releasing more land onto the market for developers have failed and tightening mortgage restrictions is the latest plan.

Yuen is sanguine, however. “We learned a big lesson in the Asian financial crisis [in 1997] when our leverage was 118 per cent, but now, the leverage ratio is only 35 per cent, so it is not that high, and we don’t foresee any big external shock coming in the region,” he says. Nowadays we are much more integrated with our motherland. If you look at the PRC economy you can see that it is very strong, we are talking about a GDP growth of around nine to 11 per cent.”

He does acknowledge there are risks though, for instance, an interest rate rise could reduce demand and prices. “From the middle of next year interest

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rates will go up in the US, so our interest rate will go up, too,” Yuen says.

Another factor is China’s inflation rate. If it rises too fast, Beijing may control its economy more tightly, damaging GDP growth in China and Hong Kong, he says. But despite these concerns, Yuen forecasts prices will rise 20 to 30 per cent in Hong Kong’s luxury housing market over the next 12 months, and 10 to 20 per cent in the mass market.

“The Government recently put up some sites for auction [to developers] and competition for them is severe,” he says. “The bargaining price is already 20 per cent above market level, so I would say that the developers are all expecting 20 per cent growth.”

Yuen recommends that potential investors in Hong Kong property ought to aim high. “Go to the luxury market, because we believe there will be more PRC investors or end-users who will buy property in Hong Kong,” he says.

“Eighty-seven per cent of companies looking for an IPO listing in Hong Kong are PRC companies, so you can see that, as time goes by, there will more PRC companies listed in Hong Kong and, obviously, it will be very natural for the senior staff or the boss to have their own accommodation in Hong Kong.”

Properties on the market include number 8 Tai Tam Road, a five-bedroom waterfront home with heated swimming pool in salubrious Southside, on Hong Kong Island’s south coast. The price is available upon application, but will probably run into the hundreds of millions of dirhams.

Investors willing to ride Hong Kong’s helter-skelter property market will be pleased to know that website The Global Property Guide considers its rental market pro-landlord, sales transaction costs low and rental income tax moderate. Rental yields are a modest 3.25 per cent. ID

IF YOU LOVE STYLE, YOU’LL LOVE...

idProperty | ANTENNAE

They are grumbling in Britain, desperate in Taiwan and investor-friendly in Cuba, while China is hot, hot, hot. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN

EAST MEETS WEST IN FOR THE KILL

“Seeking a murder house for residence” – this internet ad has raised eyebrows across Taiwan and East Asia’s media. The Taipei office assistant who posted the advert hopes it will bag him a bargain in the Taiwan capital, where steeply rising property prices are making it tough for lower earners to buy a home. Properties where a murder has been committed are usually shunned by Taiwanese who fear troubled spirits will bring occupants bad luck. Sellers can face fines, even jail, if they do not disclose that a murder or suicide took place at their property. But, for Taiwanese priced out of the housing market, “murder houses” can be a lifeline to property ownership, because they can cost half as much as other homes to buy.

Homebuyers are less desperate in Thailand, where prices are slipping backwards, though demand at prestige developments like Royal Marina Phuket, remains strong.

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UNHAPPY FAMILIES

There’s much grumbling in Britain. Apparently, 96 per cent of Britons think the country has housing problems, according to a survey conducted by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Gripes include homes are too small, too expensive and too few in number. To cap it all, most respondents believe the Government cannot improve matters – and the public’s pain is shared by surveyors, estate agents and property developers. A survey by personnel recruiters Judd Farris found half of those working in the property business want to quit. Career advancement problems and a poor life-work balance are cited as the major reasons.

Another survey may generate more dissatisfaction – according to Your Move estate agency, most women in relationships say they decide whether to buy a joint home, but most men think the decision is shared. “It seems clear that men don’t realise they aren’t in control of the proceedings.

The global housing recovery will continue in 2011, reports estate agency Knight Frank. Its Global Residential Market Forecast 2011 report shows property prices rose rapidly in Hong Kong and Singapore, steadily in China and Australia, but fell in many Western markets, in 2010. However, this East-West divide will narrow in 2011. Price rises in the Asia-Pacific region will slow to more sustainable levels, Knight Frank says, while in the United States and European states like Britain, Switzerland, Monaco, Latvia and Lithuania, prices will stop falling and even edge up slightly next year. Some European states will continue to lag, notably Spain and Ireland, where prices will fall, though less sharply than this year. Irish prices are already 31 per cent below their 2006 peak and ongoing economic contraction means there is little cash to go round for home buying. The Spanish housing market will be drained of cash by Madrid’s deficit-busting austerity measures.

TASTY TURKEY

EXPENSIVE TASTES

Property prices in China’s 70 major cities are rising at a rate of nine per cent a month. The China Real Estate Association demands developers price their homes “more reasonably” and says that if they don’t, then the Government must control the market. Underpinning high prices is the voracious Chinese appetite for bricks and mortar – astonishingly, for a country that is still governed by a Communist party, 90 per cent of Chinese own their own home and one quarter have a second home. The Government has already attempted to cool price rises by raising interest rates and the deposit needed for a mortgage and the next step may be a new property tax. The world’s property professionals must hope the boom continues because it is great for business. For example, London-based architectural practice PRP has just completed its masterplan for Chongqing, western China’s key industrial city of 9.5 million people.

Turkey is flavour of the month and the year for property pundits. Citing its rapid economic recovery following the credit crunch, the financial prudence of its government and its booming tourism industry, The Global Property Guide enthuses “we believe Turkey offers an exceptional opportunity for property investors” in its report Turkey: Europe’s Best Residential Property Investment? Some encouraging stats: GDP is forecast to grow five per cent in 2010, inflation is 5.7 per cent (its lowest level in 39 years) and interest rates are down to 10 per cent – they were 60 per cent seven years ago. Turkey’s liberalised mortgage market is expanding, so that could help raise property values and, unlike some other places in the world, banks are keen to lend. Much focus is on Turkey’s commercial hub, Istanbul, where rental yields reach 6.35 per cent for 75 square metre flats in the Bakirkoy district.

DOUBLING UP

PAIN STREET

Cuba’s Government is making it easier for foreigners to own property on its island. A new law extending lease lengths from 50 years to 99 years has been welcomed by international developers building leisure communities on the island. Extending lease lengths will make buying a home in Cuba more attractive, they say. The first hotel, golf course and holiday homes complex under construction, The Carbonera Club, will be completed in 2011 by its British developer, Esencia Hotels and Resorts. Among other developers arriving on the island, Canadian firm Leisure Canada plans to build two leisure resorts.

Ten more golf courses are also planned. Cuba’s leasehold reforms are timely as buyer interest in the Caribbean is rising rapidly. According to website Rightmove, Caribbean holiday homes searches have doubled over the past 12 months, welcome news to the developer of The Landings, a resort scheme being marketed on the island of St Lucia.

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. In the United States, house prices have hit a new low in the current cycle, down 1.7 per cent in two months. Another record – new home sales are at a record low of 288,000 per month, a long, long way down from the normal 900,000 level.

Mortgage lending applications are only slightly above the 14-year low recorded in August. “The upshot is that as long as unemployment remains high and negative equity remains widespread, overall housing demand will remain weak,” warns Paul Dales, US economist at consultancy Capital Economics. He forecasts more repossessions on the way. Main Street may be suffering, but Wall Street is booming, and that means bankers and stockbrokers are back in the money, some of which they are spending on homes in The Hamptons, the fashionable seaside towns on Long Island, pushing sales back up to pre-credit crunch levels. Is that good news? You be the judge.

BUILDING DEATHS

Next time you admire a beautiful building you may want to reflect on this sobering fact: as many people are killed on construction sites throughout the world each year as die as a result of armed conflict. According to the International Labour Organisation, 60,000 construction workers are killed at work each year, that’s around one death every 10 minutes. The building industry accounts for almost one-in-five of all fatal workplace accidents, with falls, crushes and electrocution the main causes. To help reduce deaths and injuries, Britain’s National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH) is launching a new health and safety qualification for overseas construction managers. “Our new qualification will equip supervisors and managers with the skills they need to control the major hazards that affect this industry,” says Teresa Budworth, NEBOSH’s chief executive.

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Architecture Interior Design Engineering

www.lwdesigngroup.com

PORTFOLIO | idProperty

Green shoots of recovery The region’s property sector is experiencing a new surge of optimism, with encouraging signs from a number of hotel and residential developments. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN

Yellow Lounge at The Address Dubai Marina.

HELLO YELLOW

A new chic nightspot, Yellow Lounge, has opened at The Address Dubai Marina, one of Dubai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Offering an elaborate menu of beverages and a trendy ambience with chilled lounge tunes, Yellow Lounge is situated on the ground floor of The Address Rive Gauche restaurant. With a combination of tasteful design, casual dining areas and a sophisticated drinks selection, it suits either intimate occasions or social gatherings. The Address Dubai Marina is one of five hotels under The Address Hotels + Resorts brand, which is owned and operated by Emaar Hospitality Group.

PUTTING ON THE RITZ

The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, originally slated to launch in 2008, is due to open at the end of November, making it the brand’s sixth property in the region.

The hotel, directly connected to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), contains 341 guestrooms and suites, including two Ritz-Carlton Suites and 124 serviced apartments. Designed by Gensler architects, it reflects the longstanding

tradition of the Ritz brand and complements DIFC’s urban design, which is also

by Gensler.

A further expansion of another of the group’s hotels, Ritz-Carlton Dubai, will see 301 rooms on site by 2013. An extension containing 152 rooms is due to open in the second quarter of 2012, whereupon the existing 138 rooms will close ahead of the refurbishment’s completion. Additional hotels are earmarked for Abu Dhabi, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

BACK IN BUSINESS

Nakheel, the beleaguered developer behind some of the most ambitious developments in Dubai, has announced that work will soon resume on a number of projects stalled during the downturn.

Construction will recommence on Al Furjan, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights Clusters, Veneto, Badhrah, Jumeirah Islands Mansions and International City residential developments, which were placed on hold in 2008 and 2009.

According to a statement from Nakheel: “We expect that all short term projects will be fully mobilised by October 2010.”

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Clockwise from top left: Nakheel's Al Furjan; City Seasons Oman; Radisson Blue Dubai Downtown lobby; Park Hyatt Dubai.

The company has also flagged new mall developments along with plans to expand some of its existing retail properties, including Dragon Mart and Ibn Battuta Mall. It intends to construct up to five new malls near some of its existing Dubai developments, including Discovery Gardens and Jumeirah Village, with these properties expected to be a combination of supermarkets and specialist retail stores.

The positive announcements come after Nakheel’s restructuring of its considerable debt obligations, a process that began in March and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Among some of the mega projects placed on hold at the height of the downturn were Nakheel’s The Universe, Palm Deira and Dubai Waterfront.

There are no immediate plans for their recommencement.

BEST OF THE BEST

Park Hyatt Dubai has been named best Middle East hotel at the annual Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards in New York.

The Dubai hotel, which opened in 2005, finished first in its category ahead of the Four Seasons, Doha and David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem. It attracted an average vote of 87.9, with more than 25,000 readers voting in the annual awards, which has one of the highest participation rates in the United States.

Each of Park Hyatt Dubai’s 225 rooms offer stunning views of Dubai Creek from their balconies or terraces. The luxuriously appointed rooms and interiors comprise a fusion of Moorish and Mediterranean influences from designers Wilson Associates.

The Middle East winner was one of more than 915 winning resorts and hotels across various categories of the Readers’ Choice Awards.

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FEELING BLU

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown, is one of the latest establishments to capitalise on the exclusive address next door to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

Built by Rezidor Hotel Group, the 220-room property is scheduled for a 2011 opening and is the fourth Dubai hotel property in the Radisson Blu portfolio, joining its properties at Deira Creek, Media City and Dubai Marina.

Located on the upper floors of a mixed-use building, some rooms in the property offer breathtaking views of the 828m Burj Khalifa.

With a clean, modern design, all rooms enjoy Radisson Blu signature services, including free high-speed internet. The hotel also has a fully equipped business class lounge and conference facilities including six meeting rooms, two board rooms and a business centre.

EASY DOES IT

The first Dubai hotel from Europe’s innovative, budget hotel group easyHotel has opened in Jebel Ali. Part of the super-budget easyGroup, easyHotel is defined by its simple, modern design and no-frills approach. The 216-room, six-storey hotel – decked in trademark orange livery – is the first one-star addition to Dubai’s hotel sector and also the first Gold LEED-certified hotel in the budget category.

Design on the project was provided by Hypsos Middle East, which collaborated in the creation of the basic amenities of each room, including en suite bathroom, wireless internet access and work desk space. It focuses on

PORTFOLIO | idProperty

Crystal Lagoons.

smart, basic yet strong materials, in line with the easyGroup strategy.

Operated in Dubai by Istithmar Group, the easyHotel is constructed using a pod design, which centres around a compact, ergonomically-designed, prefabricated room. Once completed, the pods are then connected using a novel “stack, connect and stick” building concept. This involves the pods being stacked on top of each other, connected by prefabricated corridors and lift-units, and then finally “stuck” onto a concrete platform.

being constructed by the same group. It features 264 rooms mixing traditional Arabian design and hospitality with modern facilities.

Becoming the fifth UAE hotel for the Bin Ham Group, it joins its City Seasons Suites and City Seasons Hotel in Deira, Dubai, City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel in Abu Dhabi and City Seasons Hotel, Al Ain.

DOUBLING UP

Development of a different kind has seen Chile’s Crystal Lagoons Corp sign a deal to build new lagoons in Oman.

A Dhs1.83bn deal to construct a seven-hectare lagoon property in Oman was signed at the recent Cityscape Global conference in Dubai. In partnership between the Chilean developer and Kuwaiti company Alargan, the development is also set to include three hotels, 400 villas and 800 apartments.

The Oman lagoon is one of 50 projects currently underway in the Middle East and North Africa, and one of a handful of lucrative deals signed recently.

These include Dhs18.3bn and Dhs4.4bn projects in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, Egypt, and a Dhs918 metre “Dead Sea Lagoon” in Jordan.

Despite the grand scale of the lagoon projects, Crystal Lagoons Corp maintains it adheres to principles of sustainability and environmental consideration. All lagoons are filled with brackish water taken from shallow wells in the desert.

The group’s Dhs4.4bn Dubai Crystal Lagoons project, located in Downtown Dubai, is nearing completion of the first stage, comprising a pilot lagoon ahead of constructing the full range of water features. ID

Hotel JAL Tower Dubai is scheduled to open on Sheikh Zayed Road by early December, marking the company’s second property in the UAE, joining the Hotel JAL Fujairah Resort & Spa. The distinctive 471-room, 51-storey, slick glass tower, designed by German firm BRT Architekten, is located near the Dubai World Trade Centre and opposite Dubai International Financial Centre.

It also features seven restaurants and bars, including the Japanese-themed Benkay and Icho Teppan Grill. A health club with gym, spa and rooftop pool is also incorporated.

HOTEL FOR ALL SEASONS

The latest City Seasons Hotel, in Muscat, Oman, will be the newest addition to the Al Ain-based hotel group’s portfolio and is slated for a 2011 opening.

Located in Muscat’s Diplomatic area, the hotel is attached to a shopping mall

LAGOON WITH A VIEW

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PHOTOGRAPHY: LUIZA SIGULEM

Piracicaba.

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INTERNATIONAL | idProperty

Mix and match A cinematographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye helps Brazilian architect, designer, film-maker and sometime analyst Isay Weinfeld see the art in architecture. TEXT: ASHLEE BEARD

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PHOTOGRAPHY: LEONARDO FINOTTI

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALVARO POVOA

Left to right: Casa D’Agua; Livraria da Vila.

During the inaugural Architecture International Congress (AICO) at Oporto, Portugal, leading architects from Europe and South America took part in a six-day conference at the Oporto Alfãndega Congress centre, a former customs building looking out from the north bank of Porto’s River Douro.

As Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld took to the stage, images of a sculpture

by Brazilian sculptor Sergio de Camargo, a scene from Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange and the mournful wailing of Ewa Fröling in Ingmar Bergman’s Swedish classic Fanny and Alexander filled the auditorium. Not what you’d expect of an architecture lecture, but as the deafening silence within the auditorium throughout the 40-minute presentation attested, Weinfeld is not your average architect.

Though trained as an architect, at the outset of his career he happily straddled the worlds of architecture and film-making. And for more than a decade following his graduation from São Paulo’s Mackenzie School of Architecture in 1975, Weinfeld’s reputation grew for his celluloid works rather than his structures. His film career began with early works such as Sleeping Beauty from1975, which won the award for best plot in São Paulo, and eventually culminated with the highly acclaimed comedy Fogo e Paixào (Fire and Passion) in 1988, his first feature-length film.

Since then, despite the fact he is once again working on a short film, Weinfeld’s focus has shifted back to his studied profession. However, in his eyes it was never one or the other as the two are inextricably joined. “I once read in

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a newspaper that my films were very architectonic and that my architecture is very cinematographic!,” Weinfeld laughs. “But it’s completely mixed, it’s exactly the same thing for me, the process of doing each is very similar.”

The comparison is an easy one to make. Take his 2006 Iporanga house in Guarujà, a two-level cubic structure where each room is like a stage set, a combination of perfect symmetry, vivified through the addition of carefully selected modern furniture pieces against textural backdrops. Weinfeld is a fervent advocate of sustainability, and the unfinished raw aspect of indigenous woods and organic materials contrast against the refinement of Brazilian design classics, such as Sergio Rodrigues’s Diz armchairs.

Flashback to Weinfeld’s presentation, as he draws to a close, the exiguous references of his “gallery of inspiration” end, leaving the viewer faced with luxurious, glossy shots of completed projects, such as Iporanga, that seem to say volumes more than lengthy discussions or site plans.

This sense of “cinematographic” drama pervades throughout Weinfeld’s work. He admits that, unlike many architecture students in Brazil, it was not the masterworks of Niemeyer or the Le Corbusier that inspired his career choice.

“My decision came from other choices. I started with art, visual arts, then films, architecture then came from this, but not from anything specific,” he says. “I decided to go to university to study architecture, but I really didn’t know at that time exactly if this was my profession. I still don’t know to this day… but I don’t think that’s bad.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: NELSON KON

INTERNATIONAL | idProperty

Iporanga.

Just as a script writer or an actor must know their characters inherently to create convincing scenes, each prospective client must first undergo a “session” with Weinfeld, an integral part of the process for the architect, who favours holistic projects over simply creating buildings. “The first thing, obviously, is to share an empathy and affinity with my client, this is very important. The second is respect for the client, which I put into my work. When I build a house, it’s not my house but their house, seen through my eyes. Each project is completely different to the others because people are unique,” he explains.

“I have to talk a lot with clients to finally understand, to find the elements to be projected. If I don’t feel that I have found enough, then I continue discussing with them until I have something to start with. My profession is 95 per cent psychoanalytical and five per cent architecture.”

This approach has proved the foundation of some fruitful projects, such as the luxury, family-owned Fasano hospitality chain, for which he has won much acclaim (not to mention awards). As Rogerio Fasano says: “Isay is a friend and a person that understands my way of thinking, my sense of humour and finally, the philosophy behind the Fasano brand. We have done many projects together, so to choose him is the best way to go. Always.”

Weinfield and his 30-strong team are currently juggling four Fasano hotels throughout Brazil, in addition to its more imminent opening, a new location in Uruguay. Stretched out across 480 hectares of rugged South American landscape, 205 private villas will share the estate of Fasano’s first luxury hotel

outside of Brazil, Las Piedras Fasano. Meanwhile, in Belgrade the architect is currently nearing completion of another family-owned boutique hotel, Square Nine. Although it too shares all the trappings of the luxury hotels that are springing up in response to the city’s current boom, the characteristic use of rich dark woods and stone creates a cosy ambience in contrast to the current wave of minimal, trendy design hotels.

As Weinfeld admits: “I prefer to be in old places than in new ones because most of the new places are beautiful to see but completely uncomfortable.

Comfort is so important to me.” Set on one of the few remaining sites that allows for new construction within the city’s historic centre, Square Nine is part of the massive regeneration within the Serbian capital.

The architect has seen cities such as Belgrade and Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, grow, and has some advice for Dubai’s urban planners. “It’s important to keep the scale of the city. If you see Brasilia, it has no corners for people to meet on.

There are no cafés or bars on the corner, but yet corner cafés and bars are a good thing in the city, they are places to meet,” he says.

“With cities such as Venice, you have this surprise of the space, first you are in a very narrow street, then all of a sudden it opens up to a beautiful piazza. This is the emotion of space in the city, the thrill of it, it makes you feel good. I hope you have this in Dubai, because we don’t have this in Brasilia. It is important to have people meeting on the streets, to make it a lively city. It’s important not to lose the human scale.” ID

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FORUM

Couch couture Designer sofas, electronic tablets and Mini masterpieces feature among this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best in design. TEXT: LAURA COLLACOTT

SITTING PRETTY

Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Quoz district, commonly used for warehousing and light manufacturing, is fast becoming a hub for art and design. Sofa Studio has just opened here which designs, re-upholsters and manufactures custom-made home products such as seat furniture, curtains, cushions, bedspreads and lamps. Combining the design influences of its Indian and Dutch founders, the reasonably priced studio offers customers freshly styled furniture with a European twist. Choose from fabrics by the best design houses, such as Manuel Canovas, Pierre Frey, Boussac and Romo.

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FORUM

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Introducing the new Jallum light wand from Baccarat, which can be used as a stand-alone light or in a grouping for a more striking arrangement, inside or out. Designed by famous light artist Yann Kersalé, the lamp is modular with an upper of cut crystal and a lower unit of anodised aluminium set with electroluminescent diodes.

Bubbles and patterns within the glass cast a range of subtle and evocative shadows after hours. The artist has previously worked with major architects to illuminate buildings such as the Agbar Tower in Barcelona, the Louvre in Abu Dhabi and the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Sprinkle some of the same magic over your home.

ITALIAN BUZZ

Italian brand Palladio Interiors will be launching their presence in the Middle East, using INDEX 2010 as a springboard. The suppliers of fine Italian design, architecture and furniture believe there is an appetite for the same daring design here in the Middle East as there is in its existing markets of Italy, Russia and the Ukraine. Ennio Guzzo, General Director of Palladio Interiors Worldwide, said: “We look forward to offering turn-key interior solutions, unique designs and design services never seen before in this region.” By which he means distinctive, exclusive architecture and bespoke furniture and interiors.

WATCH THIS

Watchmakers Philip Stein, whose fans include Oprah Winfrey, Rupert Murdoch, Madonna and Samuel L. Jackson, has launched its first automatic timepiece that incorporates natural frequency technology. Wearers say this balances their ‘chi’ to give better sleep, less stress and reduced jet lag. The Swiss-made movements are visible through the centre skeleton dial, which is available in black and ivory. The Automatic Watch with genuine alligator strap retails at Dhs8,965, but buyers can choose from a leather strap or metal bracelet.

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INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW 2010

8 –11 NOVEMBER 2010, DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

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TEXTILES & UPHOLSTERY FABRICS

FORUM

COMFORT AND STYLE

A sleek new addition to the BoConcept family, the Carmo sofa boasts low backs, wide seats and refined details. Designed modularly and available in more than 80 fabrics and leathers, the range can be arranged in a number of different combinations to fit any room. Danish designer Anders Nørgaard explains: “I guess we gave the upholsterer an interesting challenge when we added pipings to the edges of the sofa. But they help define the shape of the sofa. It’s an exclusive detail.”

CONNECTED

Samsung introduced the first of its new its new tablet device, the Samsung Galaxy Tab at this year’s GITEX show. Users will be able to experience PC-like web-browsing, multimedia viewing, voice and video calls, SMS and social networks on a convenient 7-inch display. And at just 380g, it won’t weigh your pocket down. “Mobile is in our DNA,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung. “The Samsung Galaxy Tab has been designed to enable consumers to maximize their online experience wherever they may be. This is only the beginning of its innovations as a pioneer in smart media devices.” The Galaxy Tab also offers access to literature, film and music libraries.

MUSIC DRIVE

Celebrated electronics designers Bang & Olufsen has signed a partnership deal with car manufacturer BMW to blend ‘innovation and tradition with cutting-edge technology and design’. Sharing values and brand identities, the two companies have worked together to produce an entertainment concept that combines the joy of driving with the enjoyment of excellent sound quality. The new High-End Surround Sound System, apparently a new age in car entertainment, was demonstrated in the BMW 6 Series concept car at this year’s Paris Motor Show. A hand-crafted acoustic lens at the centre of the instrumental panel maximises the optimum sound in front of the loudspeaker, improving the sense of space and realism for driver and passengers, when compared to traditional baffle-designed speakers. The hole patterns of each grille covering the 16 speakers were meticulously drilled, so no matter which angle you look from, the holes are perfectly aligned. All you need to know is that it sounds great.

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FORUM

CLEAN FIRE

Brandoni’s bioethanol fireplace, launched at Cersaie 2010, delivers the ambience of a traditional fireplace without the work or fitment of a smokestack.

Producing a fixating orange-yellow flame, it adds a point of fascination in a stylish, elegant design.

The clean-burning ethanol combusts at around 400 degrees Celsius, emitting no toxic gases and requiring no chimney, with the unit readily installed in any interior.

TRUE METTLE

Looking for a foyer focus with a difference? Visit Marzorati Ronchetti, exhibiting in Dubai for the first time at this year’s Index show. The unusual metalworker creates custom-made, sculptural centrepieces for public and private spaces. This example shows the company’s work displayed as part of the stunning Missoni Store in Los Angeles which is designed to imitate a woven fabric thanks to its interwoven aluminium bands.

BREATHE IN

Celebrating the power of aromas in evoking different moods, THE One has brought out a new range of scented candles in collaboration with a series of international designers. We like fragrance master Michael Loring-Probst’s, which use the cleanest, long-burning coconut wax to fill homes with exotic aromas.

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FORUM

ON THE WALL

Design agenda

BIGLIETTERIA

Ever fancied designing your own wallpaper? Now you can with a new website launched last month. Kollektion & Co in conjunction with Mr Perswall – standing for Personal Walls - have developed a site that allows customers to individualise existing patterns or upload their own images. Printed in Sweden, Middle Eastern buyers can expect to have their floor-to-ceiling murals delivered within a fortnight of ordering. “The core idea of our brand is to invite the consumer to tell their story by taking an active part in the design process and creating personal homes with the help of wall coverings,” said Irene Gimmersta, Co-founder of Mr Perswall.

INDEX Interior Design Show, Dubai UAE, November 8-11 KEM Long Beach 2010, California, United States, November 17-18 JAPANTEX 2010, Tokyo, Japan, November 17-19 Sia Guest 2010, Rimini, Italy, November 20-23 The Big 5 2010, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 21-24 ZOW Moscow 2010, Moscow, Russia, November 22-26 IFFT Interior Lifestyle Living 2010, Japan, Tokyo, November 24-26 The Sleep Event 2010, London, United Kingdom, November 24-25 Saudi Office Expo 2010, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 12-15 NeoCon East 2010, Baltimore, United States, December 15-16 DAR DECO 2010, Tunis, Tunisia, December 17-26 Le Marche 2010, Cairo, Egypt, December 21-24

MINI MAKEOVER

Makers of the iconic MINI car unveiled a new model range at last month’s Paris Motor show, featuring ‘chiselled body surfaces, a sporty, stretched side view, short front and rear overhangs and large wheel cut-outs.’ Inside, integration devices for iPods, mp3 players and mobile phones have been upgraded to meet the most modern of technological needs. For those who choose the extra features, the MINI Visual Boost radio and navigation system can access MINI Connected, a service

operated through Apple that allows the phone, music player and online functions, including a web radio, to be operated using a joystick, steering wheel button or onboard monitor. Twitter and Facebook lovers will also be able to view posts through the on-board monitor. Engine adjustments in the form of direct petrol injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger (for all you petrol heads) have been introduced that will make the car more fun and carbon efficient to drive.

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Stuffed animals hand-sewn onto canvas, in Campanasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cake Stool.

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PROFILE

A family affair The internationally renowned Campana brothers combine class and cutting edge design to create some truly memorable products. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN

November 2010

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PROFILE

Clockwise from above: The Vermelha chair designed for Edra; Favela chair, inspird by Brazilian shanty towns; Humberto (left) and Fernando Campana outside the Estudio Campana.

Since bursting onto the international design scene, brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana have worked with some of the world’s leading brands and applied their quirky, avant-garde style to numerous projects across various mediums.

The eclectic duo are the founders of Estudio Campana, a Sao Paulo design studio internationally renowned for its cutting-edge furniture design and its creation of intriguing objects. In addition to releasing work under their own brand, their concepts have also been produced by companies including Edra, Alessi, Artecnica, Bernardaud, Corsi Design and Kreo.

Recently they worked on a gloriette, a traditional French garden structure, for Veuve Clicquot, which was unveiled in Milan earlier this year. The mushroomshaped metal structure is surrounded by a swirl of Clicquot yellow metal, which in turn rests on arches of apuí, a resistant, natural fibre from – where else – the Campana’s native Brazil.

Also shown in Milan were their storage solutions designed for Edra. Called Barbarians, these are storage units arranged around a central column supporting five shelves. Made in aluminum and other metals, the supporting structures are entirely concealed by dangling lengths of fireproofed raffia. The Campanas’ pendant lights, assembled out of around 180 differently shaped pieces of laser cut, glossy anodised aluminum, were also revealed as part of the latest Edra collection.

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Portraying their Brazilian identity within their design is a key challenge underpinning the Campanas’ work. Many of their projects are reinterpretations of what they describe as “lovely, unusual solutions” they have witnessed in some of the poor communities of their country. Working with sustainable materials and pursuing a minimalist approach is also a core theme of the brothers’ work.

“For us, material, form and function are articulated. At first, we decided to work with cheap materials because we lacked the money for the more expensive ones – today this is a conscious choice due to our environmental concerns,” Fernando says.

Their outlandish, artistic interpretations of chairs are among some of the Campana brothers’ trademark works. These make use of recycled materials including wood and metal, with the brothers commonly transposing everyday objects into the design. “We give simple and everyday objects a new lease of life, a new meaning,” is how they describe their method.

Fernando and Humberto see their work as bridging the divide between artisan and industrialist, establishing a dialogue between emotion and functionality and exploring the middle ground between craftsmanship and mass production.

Their first artistic collaboration resulted in a collection of iron chairs in 1989 called Desconfortaveis. The first chair, made of heavy iron plates, was called

PROFILE

Clockwise from top left: The Vitoria Regia stool; Cabana, part of the Barbarian-inspired collection for Edra; Campanas’ reinterpretation for Lacoste; the Harumaki chair is part of the Sushi collection.

Positivo (positive) and, according to Humberto, was inspired by a dream.

Fernando soon followed this with a lighter and more functional chair called Negativo (negative). “Forty other chairs followed them, exploring the artistic potential of discomfort, the poetry of the distorted and the error,” Fernando says.

The Campanas’ skill in understanding the essence of brands, in recognising and playing with brand origins and imbuing them with their own sense of adventure, has seen them regularly called on to reinvent global brand identities.

In fashion, the brothers partnered with Grendene shoes and purses in 2009 to reinterpret the traditional Lacoste polo shirt. They also released the Campana collection for Brazilian jewellery brand H.Stern in 2001.

Interior design projects are a specialty of Estudio Campana, which is currently redesigning the D’Orsay Museum’s Café Hauteurs in Paris, due for completion in 2011. Meanwhile, through another project, the former Olympic Hotel in Athens, they are exploring ways to create a new ambience in the design of their first signature hotel.

Between 2006 and 2010, the Campana brothers also reinvented the international chain of Camper stores, starting with Berlin (2006), then Zaragoza and Barcelona (2007), Florence and London (2008), and most recently New York (2010). At home, the brothers are involved in a number of residential and landscaping projects in Sao Paulo, along with an extensive renovation of the Sao Paulo Municipal Theater café bar.

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The creation of sets and costumes for the Marseille National Ballet production of Metamorphoses in 2007 was among their more recent artistic partnerships and they have also been curators of art exhibitions and collections, both at home and abroad, such as the Jardim de Infancia (Kindergarten) exhibition at the Sao Paulo Museum of Modern Art in 2009 and the Campana Brothers Select: Works from the Permanent Collection at New York’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum in 2008.

Eight years separate Humberto and his younger sibling, Fernando. Both were born in Brotas, a city 250km from Sao Paulo with abundant natural resources, to a primary school teacher mother and an agricultural engineer father.

The duo grew up in a house with an unpaved basement and a vast backyard, surrounded by fruit trees and streams leading to the majestic waterfalls of the Brotas region.

Their early dreams hinted they were destined for extraordinary things: Humberto wanted to be an Amazonian Indian and Fernando wanted to be

PROFILE

Top to bottom: Cipria, a fake-fur creation for Edra; a fruit bowl as part of the Fratelli collection for Alessi.

astronaut. While neither of them achieved these particular dreams, both initially pursued careers quite different to their ultimate vocation.

Humberto obtained a law degree and moved away from Sao Paulo, but, upon graduating, he began to research what had been his main interest since childhood – the infinite possibilities of craftsmanship, before returning to his home city in the late 1970s to attend iron and terracotta sculpture workshops and jewellery classes.

Fernando studied architecture, taking an interest in the research of alternative methods of using materials. He also studied theories around the power of communication and outline synthesis, along with the construction of small-scale objects. After graduating, he followed an internship at the 17th edition of Sao Paulo’s Art Biennial.

The two began working together in 1983, by which time Humberto had established a small studio of handcraft products and asked for Fernando’s help in filling a large holiday-season order. The younger brother soon realised there was much more on which the two could collaborate and their artistic collaboration has continued until today.

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In some ways, the two brothers describe themselves as being quite different: Humberto sees himself as more intuitive, while Fernando regards himself as more rational.

In terms of design, art and architecture, they both appreciate the same aesthetics – but diverge sharply in their appreciation of music, literature and movies. According to the brothers, among the most significant years in their artistic partnership are 1989, 1997, 1998 and 2009. Respectively, these are the dates of their first exhibition, their meeting with Italian architect Massimo Morozzi, the launching of their first chair in a Milan exhibition and their retrospective exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum.

Next the Campana brothers will be the standout guests at Abu Dhabi Art from November 4-7, participating in a series of talks and lectures during the four-day event. The event is part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s vision to transform the emirate into a global crossroads for arts and culture. It comprises a broad programme of events, combining interactive sessions and presentations from leading international figures in the art and design world. ID

ANTENNAE

A stylish addition to the Dar Es Salaam skyline, plans to expand Terminal One at Bangalore Airport and a master plan for the West Knowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong make this month’s architectural headlines.

TEXT: STEVE HILL

5 6 3 8 4

7

1

2

3. EIDHOVEN 1. BANGALORE 2. DAR ES SALAAM

SPORTING CHANCE

TOWERING AMBITION

Construction work is underway on Mecanoo’s Fontys Sports College. Due to be completed in August 2012, it will become a major focal point for Dutch sports stars thanks to the provision of five gymnasiums, a 15-metre climbing tower, classrooms and parking garage. A compact building layout means that architects have been able to provide a plinth, or stage, that draws athletes to the structure’s interiors. The climbing wall has been located in one of the centre’s corners, acting as a beacon, while huge glass windows enable climbers to be seen by the outside world. Teaching areas can be sealed off to ensure that only sports halls are accessible during athletic events.

TAKING OFF

Terminal One at Bangalore International Airport – the gateway to Southern India – is to undergo a 62,000-square metre expansion to cater for rapidly increasing passenger traffic expected to reach 17 million by 2015. HOK’s design for the project unifies existing and new facilities under one dramatic swooping and curving roof which will create a dramatic canopy to the main entrance. The new expanded terminal will include 83 check-in desks, while the number of baggage reclaim belts will be increased from nine to 13. Seating arrangements within the new terminal will also increase from 2,300 to 5,300.

Construction work is expected to last 18 months.

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The central business district of the largest city in Tanzania is now home to Exim Tower, a stylish 15-storey structure by SPASM Design Architect.

The services for the building are four structural masses that hold up clean floor plates which have been stretched in alternate directions to create double height outdoor terraces on each floor.

The glazed body of the tower is protected from solar gain and glare by a second skin of stainless steel mesh which acts like a veil, reducing power consumption by 18-22 per cent and also buffering ambient street noises. A water feature acts as an open fire sprinkler reservoir.

5. OSLO CENTRE OF ATTENTION

4. NANJING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHY: FOSTER + PARTNERS

BDP has won a competition to design a new Faculty of Medicine and an administrative building containing a museum and conference auditoria at Nanjing Medical University. The 70,000-square-metre project is the first on the campus by a foreign architect. The sustainable design of the buildings responds to the specific climatic conditions of Jiangsu province while providing opportunities for students, staff and visitors to enjoy access to internal or external landscaped spaces throughout the year. BDP has also presented a strong architectural form that unites the two new buildings, and responds to the landscape setting of the campus master plan. The project is due to start on site in spring 2011.

A new 67,000-square-metre Norwegian research university on the outskirts of the nation’s capital in Aas is being designed by a team consisting of Henning Larsen Architects, Økaw and several Danish and Norwegian specialists.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences will be merged with the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and the National Veterinary Institute of Norway into one large new university and research campus, which is expected to open in 2018. The winning team has been offered a contract for sketch and outline plans while the construction phase is expected to begin in 2015.

7. WEST KOWLOON 8. VENICE 6. STOKE-ON-TRENT

PARK LIFE

TICKET TO RIDE

Foster + Partners’ master plan for West Kowloon Cultural District on a reclaimed harbour-front site will have at its heart a 19-hectare great park and green avenue that will provide a landscaped setting for a series of spectacular new cultural buildings. A total of 17 cultural venues will include an opera house, concert halls and a 15,000-seat Arena with Expo Centre below. Arts educational facilities, apartments, offices, shops and transport links will be fully integrated in the scheme while there will also be two kilometres of harbour-front promenade. City Park will achieve a carbonneutral rating with a synergistic system of highefficiency and low-consumption infrastructure.

PRIZE GUYS

Construction work is due to begin in March on a futuristic new bus station in this English city.

Grimshaw Architects, the designers of the Eden Project, are completing final blueprints for the city centre project which will replace a dated 1960s structure and become central to a huge redevelopment of an existing shopping centre.

A new department store, wide range of shops, cafés, restaurants, public spaces and a multi-screen cinema as well as a hotel and improved parking are also planned. Grimshaw beat off entries from five other companies to win a competition to design the new station.

The Anglo-German architectural company of Sauerbruch Hutton has won an international competition to design M9, a new cultural centre in Mestre, Venice. Described as ‘a new museum for a new city,’ it will feature a new building with 3,800 square metres of space to accommodate a permanent collection, 1,900 square metres for temporary displays, a media centre and auditorium. Judges were impressed by “a cuttingedge structural and systems concept that is ecofriendly and energy saving” and which “offers a first-class design solution and extremely flexible use.” Work on the site is due to begin next year and be complete in 2014.

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Inspirations November 2010

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BOOKS

This month’s titles offer tips on how to stylishly decorate your home and illustrate the much-changed landscape of Dubai.

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SMALL HOUSES

ROOMS

ISLAND LIVING

GUEST ROOMS

NICHOLAS POPLE

MOORE, HOLTZMAN (EDS.)

LINDA LEE PAUL

ANNA KASABIAN

UNIVERSE

RIZZOLI

UNIVERSE

UNIVERSE

DHS150

DHS225

DHS55

DHS50

Diminutive houses, as the blurb says, are no longer synonymous with under-privilege but with a range of “culturally coded values: compactness, efficiency, discrimination, discreteness, minimalism.” Not to mention rising pressure on land in the world’s crowded cities. Nicholas Pople opens with a comprehensive exploration of the social and historical background behind compact housing, which will be of interest to architecture buffs. He then illustrates some 37 case studies that represent the best in this field, built worldwide over the last decade.

It is astonishing that some of the photography made the final cut, blurred and poorly framed as it is.

These detract from some of the professional imagery found elsewhere in what is a pretty technically-minded book. Critics have said that the homes featured are for the wealthy who have the luxury of being able to prioritise style and substance over economy and a desire to minimise environmental impact. There are certainly some gems of insight to be found in the collection, but it is more of an academic essay than a guide to embedding the same principles in a project of your own.

Rooms is a largely photographic collection of some of the world’s most luxurious, bold and creative interiors.

Most, if not all, are exaggerated, eccentric and classical in their slant.

Photographer Derry Moore, also the 12th Earl of Drogheda and one of Architectural Digest’s key contributors, has captured some of his famous friends them in their own rich settings.

See the creativity of interior designer Elise de Wolfe, contemporary designer Renzo Mongiardino and ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev manifest itself in their homescape. Sneak a peek at Charleston, the famed haunt of the Bloomsbury group, India’s Falaknuma Palace, Pauline de Rothschild’s London residence and the grand English country residence of Chatsworth Hall, Derbyshire. Collaborating with editor Joseph Holtzman of Nest magazine fame, Rooms features a rich variety of exquisite homes that in many cases look like period drama film sets. If you can look past the disappointingly clumsy layout and amateur typography, you will enjoy these private homages to interior design as much you’ll enjoy displaying it on your coffee table.

“Intrigue preserves our love affairs with islands,” says author Linda Lee Paul. “Time spent on an island is a journey to the centre of a specific and small compass.” To celebrate the peculiarities of island living, Paul has captured 25 charismatic homes found on islands or relevant shoreside locations. Most are just off the coast of the UAE and – though the title may conjure images of Swiss Family Robinson-esque treehouses – not all are in sunny climes. Instead a variety of homes across a spectrum of locations and scales are presented as best examples of tailoring an island home to its site.

The author recognises that often “to live on an island is to live a life apart,” but highlights the fact that those who live in remote settings may wish to feel more part of the world or removed from the mainstream.

And in that respect, their homes are precisely reflective. Many readers will find the properties and their entailed lifestyles alluring – we particularly enjoyed ‘lava flow’ in Hawaii, ‘moonhole’ in the Grenadines, and ‘gulf islands’ on the Northwest shore of the UAE.

Everyone wants their guests to be comfortable. Aside from planning for their entertainment, this should at a very basic level extend to making their room comfortable and inviting – with a comfortable bed and a host of thoughtful extras that make them wish they didn’t have to leave. Candles, reading lamps, easy-read books and extra blankets feature highly. Author Anna Kasabian is devoted to the notion: “The guest room is more than the extra room in the house. It is a space for you to create memories, to extend warmth and comfort for another.” She has compiled an anthology exemplifying good guest bedrooms. What counts as ‘good’ varies depending on the demands of the location, so Kasabian has drawn examples from across the climatic variety of the Americas. Steering away from the dangerously close territory of hotel interior design, this book provides plenty of inspiration to help you ensconce your visitors in the utmost personable charm. Perfect for those who love to entertain and very reasonably priced. ID

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BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM MAJOR UAE BOOKSTORES

“C OM IN G H OM E”

HANDWO VEN O UTDOOR FURNITURE CREAT ED WITH WEATHER-RESISTANT D EDON FIB ER

www.dedon.de/treehouse Nakkash Gallery · Al Garhoud Street · P.O. Box 26767 · Dubai-UAE Tel: 00971 4 2826767 · Fax: 00971 4 2827567 nakkashg@emirates.net.ae · www.nakkashgallery.com

ICON

Thonet S285 TEXT: STEVE HILL

Marcel Breuer is often referred to as one of the fathers of Modernism and among the most influential furniture designers of the 20th century. Yet this Hungarian-born American architect might never have earned such a revered reputation but for the fact that he was a keen cyclist.

Riding one day to work at the Bauhaus, the famous German school of design, it dawned on Breuer that the mass-produced lightweight and strong tubular steel bent into his handlebars could also be used to make furniture. He enthusiastically set to work on this revolutionary development, designing a series of chairs, most notably the B3 (1925), B33 (1927) and B32 (1928), ahead of conjuring up his S285 desk, which this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

Thonet is marking the landmark by producing two versions of this instant classic, a ladies edition with a white open-pore finish tabletop and drawers

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featuring hardwearing fabric in bright colours, and another for men in black, with leather lining for the drawers.

It says much for Breuerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision that his original design remains as relevant and effortlessly stylish today as when it first appeared in 1935, sparking countless imitations and endless experiments with tubular steel to take furniture manufacturing into new and radical directions.

His use of a material that proved to be affordable to the masses has been described as the single most important innovation in 20th century furniture design. And although Breuer went on to become a highly respected architect and interior designer, he will forever be associated with tubular steel furniture, as the thousands of people who sit on one of his chairs or at his S285 desk will testify. ID