Design ME - March 2023

A BEACON of influence

THE AWARD-WINNING FORBES INTERNATIONAL

TOWER, Egypt’s new zerocarbon commercial tower, is set to raise sustainability standards. Maged Marie, CEO of Magnom Properties, and leading architecture firm partners Adrian Smith, Gordon Gill and Robert Forest of AS+GG Architecture discuss what makes this tower an icon already and how it will forever change the definition of luxury.

Interiors and architecture from the Gulf, Levant and beyond

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A beacon INFLUENCE OF

The award-winning FORBES INTERNATIONAL TOWER, Egypt's new zero-carbon commercial tower, is set to raise sustainability standards. Maged Marie, CEO of Magnom Properties, and leading architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG Architecture discuss what makes this tower an icon already and how it will forever change the definition of luxury.

OP-ED

Powerhouse women

Let's find out how leading architectural firm Aedas promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of the organisation as we celebrate International Women's Day in March.

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KITCHENS

Kitchen Central Ziad Abdel Nour, general manager at Universal Trading Company (UTC), discusses the region's booming kitchen segment, smart kitchens, and how the company prioritises sustainability.

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BUILDING MATERIALS

Delivering excellence

The CEO and founder of Graniti Building Materials, Carlo Nassif, talks about their successful career, how porcelain has taken over the luxury market segment, and future expansion plans

30 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Awards & accolades

It’s amazing to see how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is thriving, and we’re seeing some of the most amazing projects coming up there. The Design Middle East Awards KSA were held on February 9, 2023, at the Fairmont Riyadh to celebrate and recognise the talent, projects, and companies that are game changers in the region. Here are some glimpses of the starry night.

41 WORKSPACE DESIGN

Workspace dynamics

Timi Kovaevi, CEO of DC&T SPACE, discusses the company's core competencies, workplace culture evolution, change management, and the future of workspace integration with AI.

46 INTERVIEW

The View & well-being!

Havelock One completes turnkey fit-out of new Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa.

50 REVIEW

Ideal for all!

Nabeel Sheikh, hotel manager at Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, discusses the property's distinctive features, exciting guest offerings, and how the addition of Jones the Grocer to the hotel enhances the hotel's appeal.

54 ARCHITECTURE LEADERS AWARDS 2023

Meet the judges

A huge thank you to our jury panel for their support, encouragement and guidance throughout the awards process.

56 PROJECT

Earthy & elegant

David T'Kint transforms the JW Marriott in Riyadh by taking inspiration from the region's charming nature and opting for organic and soft lines that express Saudi Arabia's ever-changing windblown deserts.

It's amazing to see the incredible growth all over the world, and Cairo is one such region that is displaying great signs of progressive architecture. Our March cover story is all about the icon in the making.

Egypt's new zero-carbon commercial tower, the award-winning Forbes International Tower, is set to raise sustainability standards. Maged Marie, CEO of Magnom Properties, and leading architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG Architecture discuss how this tower has already become an icon and how it will forever change the definition of luxury. The tower, dubbed "A Beacon of Influence" and "The World's Most Sustainable Tower," has set the standard for futuristic projects and Egypt's commitment to being a MENA ESG leader. It is an absolute mustread!

The edition also features the the roundup of the first Design Middle East Awards KSA edition. The industry is booming and the region is beaming with some of the most spectacular projects. We received an an absolute amazing welcome and success at the awards. The Design Middle East Awards KSA were held on February 9, 2023, at the Fairmont Riyadh to celebrate and recognise the talent, projects, and companies that are game changers in the region.

Plus, we are revealing our jury members for their ongoing support and guidance.A huge thank you to our jury panel- Vera Edith Dieckmann,

FOLLOW US ON

XO Atelier; Charlie Kelly, dwp; Hani Asfour, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation; and Sandra Woodall of tangramGulf. This month, it's the passport I want. Do check out the Pick segment to know more.

Roma Arora Editor roma@bncpublishing.net

CEO WISSAM YOUNANE wissam@bncpublishing.net

DIRECTOR RABIH NAJM rabih@bncpublishing.net

GROUP PUBLISHING DIRECTOR JOAQUIM D’COSTA jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706

EDITOR ROMA ARORA roma@bncpublishing.net

CREATIVE LEAD ODETTE KAHWAGI design@bncpublishing.net

ART DIRECTOR SIMONA EL KHOURY

MARKETING EXECUTIVE AARON JOSHUA aj@bncpublishing.net

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER ALEXANDER BUNGAS Alexandar@bncpublishing.net

Khansaheb celebrates decades of dedicated service at awards

Over 50 staff members from Khansaheb's construction and facilities management businesses, each with more than 25 years of service, including many with more than 30 years, were recognised with certificates and awards for their dedication and hard work over the years.

In total, those recognised, clocked up more than 1400 years of service, with many starting their careers with Khansaheb soon after graduating.

Contracts manager, Sajeev Pavithran, who was awarded for his 30 years of service, said: “I’ve been working with Khansaheb since the first offices in Dubai were established. It’s been an incredible journey

watching the business take shape over the years and making a major contribution to the development of infrastructure in Dubai and UAE.”

Managing director, Steve Flint, commented: “The long service awards are a small way of recognizing the invaluable contribution our staff has made to the company over many years. Through their knowledge, hard work and dedication, they have contributed immensely towards the success of Khansaheb.”

Senior site agent, Muhammad Arif and his family are among examples of generations of family members working together in Khansaheb. Arif retired after completing 48 years of service in 2019 and his brother Muhammad Asif retired in 2021 after 44 years of service. Their sons continue to work for the company.

One of UAE’s foremost and largest contractors, Khansaheb has maintained a culture and reputation of employer of choice over its 88-year-old history.

The Dubai Studio of LWK + PARTNERS has been appointed as the lead architect of DIFC Living and Innovation Two, DIFC’s first mixed-use development in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of Dubai’s most sought-after lifestyle destinations, following the successful completion of a design competition. The project is a response to the ever-changing nature of workspaces and lifestyle options, and it includes more than 170 upscale residences that embrace the future of living in Dubai’s financial district. The project is scheduled to begin in November 2022 and be completed by 2025.

DIFC Living and Innovation

Two is a vital component of phase three of the region’s largest innovation community – DIFC Innovation Hub – with the residences expected to be highly sought-after.

Hong Kong-based LWK + PARTNERS’ Dubai studio was successful in winning the international design competition and took on the challenge of creating a mixed-use, livework-play destination with independent yet seamlessly connected residential and commercial spaces. The team devised creative and innovative solutions to facilitate multiple access points that prioritise security without hindering the connectivity and flow of the existing DIFC masterplan.

“We are thrilled to have been entrusted to design the first mixed-use development for DIFC,” said Kerem Cengiz, MENA Managing Director of LWK + PARTNERS. “DIFC

Living and Innovation Two will offer residents the very best in luxury living, with an emphasis on sustainable design and high-quality amenities that will set the benchmark for integration across the GCC, an expertise that we are uniquely placed to offer our valued development partners.”

“With a strong emphasis on sustainable design, the new development offers 170 contemporary apartments with best-in-class residential amenities, including a stunning infinity pool, a fully equipped gym, play area for kids, a café, residents’ lounges and a variety of upscale retail stores and a signature restaurant. The flagship project comprises 144,155 square feet of offices and co-working spaces and an additional 38,303 square feet has been earmarked for retail use. The state-of-the-art conference centre is expressed architecturally through a distinctive curved extrusion that cantilevers out from the building façade, offering exceptional views of the district.”

The building form, composed of interlocking geometries, carefully responds to the programmatic functions and site’s various characteristics, offering breathtaking city views. Building functions encompass residential, commercial and retail spaces and a conference centre and each corresponds to the unique geometry. The articulated form supports biophilic design offering external terraces, multiple outdoor green spaces and a sky garden making this a vibrant new lifestyle hub.

The twisted cube at the top of the tower, like a lantern, will define the new destination

and will become a landmark for the Dubai skyline. Housing a signature restaurant, it will place the new development at the forefront of exclusive dining and leisure experiences. Technology has been a key research tool that was employed by the design lab unit team and the design was fully developed in a virtual reality environment to test the design components and facilitate efficient and swift approval process to ensure smooth project delivery.

The concept of sustainability is ingrained in the building design with environmental impact measurement in place throughout every phase of construction and post-handover. The team, including H2R Design, BG&E, Zutari, Hyland Edgar Driver Landscape, ZKLD Lighting Studio and Climatize, among others, all designed to LEED standards – the global green building rating system – a design standard that has been championed and consistently used by DIFC across its entire footprint.

The new architectural landmark aligns with DIFC’s vision to enhance its proposition as a leading lifestyle destination and global financial centre and is set to become one of the most desirable addresses for residents and businesses alike in the heart of Dubai’s business and financial hub.

LWK + PARTNERS has been appointed as the lead architect for DIFC Living and Innovation Two

WomenPOWERHOUSE

Let's find out how leading architectural firm AEDAS promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of the organisation as we celebrate International Women's Day in March.

Aedas is one of the world's most prestigious architecture and design firms. As much as it focusses on designing bespoke buildings and realising design concepts, Aedas values gender equality at all levels of the organisation, making it one of the largest architecture firms worldwide with a friendly and multinational working environment. Aedas is dedicated to providing a supportive environment for women in the architecture field as a company that values gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. The firm provides training and apprenticeship programmes to help women architects advance in their careers, as well as the necessary support when needed. Aedas also ensures that promotions and career opportunities are transparent and objective.

Aedas highlights four incredible young women from Aedas' Dubai office and their inspiring stories of professional development and success. Aedas is overjoyed to be able to showcase these young local talents and celebrate International Women's Day with their achievements.

Khadije Hamad, is a Lebanese architect who utilised her career to overcome traditional cultural beliefs and achieve independence. In 2015, she graduated from the University of Sharjah with a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering and began looking for internships. She began her career as an architectural intern at Aedas Dubai, where she received invaluable mentoring and support. As an Arab Hijabi architect in an international firm, Khadije was encouraged and given opportunities to develop her character and confidence, eventually rising to the position of senior associate in just six years. As a senior associate at Aedas Dubai, Khadije has taken on leadership roles and has become an inspiration to many of the firm's young architects.

Throughout her career, Khadije has observed that women opinions are not fully reflected in workplaces. Thus, she is eager to strike a balance between family and career. In recognition of her achievements, Design Middle East awarded her the Young Talent of the Year award in 2021. "I want to demonstrate that balancing family and career is possible for women like me and be a role model for young talents to pursue any career they desire.”— Khadije Hamad

Another inspiring female architect at Aedas Dubai who has shown that perseverance pays off is Lama Al-Kharboush, a Saudi citizen who pursued her passion for architecture by obtaining a degree from the American University in Dubai.

"I am inspired by the vision of HRH King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Mohammad Bin Salman Al-Saud, which promotes Saudi women as an important part of the Kingdom's strength and provides us with the right opportunities to build our futures and contribute to the development of society," says Lama Al-Kharboush. Despite the challenges of being a Saudi woman working abroad, Lama started her career in Dubai as an architectural intern and prioritises building positive relationships with her colleagues, managers, and clients. Sharing Lama’s strong belief, Aedas has created a healthy work environment and empowered all team members by giving them full responsibilities for assigned tasks. Within Aedas Dubai, Lama had the opportunity to lead key projects and showcase her skills, becoming an Associate in no time. To further emphasise >>>

LAMA AL KHARBOUSH

equality and inclusion, she encourages young women to take pride in advancing their careers and demonstrate their ability to take on challenging roles within society.

After graduating from the American University in Cairo, as Summa Cum Laude, Nada Elemam joined Aedas Dubai as an Architectural Intern where she was fortunate to work under supportive leadership that helped her hone her skills and grow her potential. Nada has started to develop her career at Aedas, and says, “At Aedas, they are flexible and understand that sometimes employees may need to work remotely".

As a young woman architect who was born in Alexandria and grew up hearing comments about how a woman's education and career are less important than marriage and starting a family. She finds Aedas a company that has helped her balance her personal skills. “Aedas trains and equips my professional responsibilities, and I hope other women can receive the same ad-

vantage.” Nada’s desire is to become a great leader in the industry. Being an Associate of Aedas, Nada is capable of leading major projects in the region and managing a large design team. Clients may expect men to lead the project, which is one of the challenges of being a women Arab architect in the Middle East. Nada views this as a challenge and goes above and beyond to demonstrate her competence. Enjoying independence to communicate with clients, she encourages all women to take advantage of every opportunity to grow and support one another.

Hadia Hanan, an Afghan-American architect who moved to the UAE to study architecture at the American University of Sharjah, faced self-doubt and a desire to prove herself after a counsellor's comment about the difficulty of a woman graduating and pursuing a career in architecture stuck with her. Her perseverance paid off, and she graduated in 2018 with the Dean's Award, which is given to the highest graduating student from the College of Architecture each year.

Hadia says: "I've learned that selfdoubt and fear can be turned into a source of strength. It has given

me a sense of humility and the motivation to constantly work hard.”

She began her career as an architectural intern at Aedas Dubai and was promoted to Associate within three years. Hadia considers herself fortunate to work for a company that recognises and rewards hard work and talent.

Working with Aedas has taught her to take more initiative, embrace her differences, and develop greater resilience in the face of challenges. One of the most empowering things she has taught herself is to find success in the small moments rather than the big ones. Finally, the determination and hard work of these young women architects have shined through and led them onto a path they de-

sired, their inspiring stories also demonstrates that successful careers are possible. Aedas values diversity, inclusion, and teamwork and prioritises creating a healthy work environment where employees can thrive and achieve their goals. By promoting these values, the company not only helps its employees succeed, but it also creates role models for future generations. They all emphasised the importance of Aedas Dubai's Global Design Principal, Ignacio Gomez, and how he was instrumental in mentoring these women. They appreciate his and Aedas' advice and assistance. By working together towards a common goal, we can make a positive impact and improve the future.

LEFT KHADIJE HAMAD RIGHT NADA ELEMAM

HADIA HANAN

Kitchens

KITCHEN CENTRAL

ZIAD ABDEL NOUR, general manager at Universal Trading Company, discusses the region's booming kitchen segment, smart kitchens, and how the company prioritises sustainability.

It's incredible to see how the kitchen segment is thriving. How is Universal Trading Company pushing the boundaries of kitchen design through various collaborations and partnerships with top brands?

We’ve always been a leading name in the project business and also with customers. We have a strong presence in the market having some of the top brands as a part of our portfolio like Nolte Küchen which has been voted Germany’s most popular kitchen brand.

In the past year, we’ve focussed on expanding our footprint and our brand through different social

media activations, events and partnerships. We’ve worked with notable names like Nina Ali, one of the cast members of The Real Housewives of Dubai, Nisrine El Lababidi Moghraby a well-known interior designer and founder of Harf Noon Studios and Pallavi Dean of esteemed interior design studio Roar.

We’ve also continued to further our partnership and relationship with Majid Al Futtaim. Along with Nolte Küchen, we recently installed a world-class kitchen in the Majid Al Futtaim Imagine Hub. The theme of the design is an underwater concept. In this iteration, the loft island floats on a wave in the ocean, akin to a collection of archipelagos.

The flooring/ lighting mimics the feeling of walking on water. The beautiful kitchen shows how boundless the possibilities are with our kitchen designs.

How does Universal Trading Company's core design team influence home trends through the company's retail business?

We have an extremely talented design team. Their industry experience spans years and decades, and they are extremely creative. They can work with large spaces to make designs appear warm and inviting, They also are experienced in making kitchens innovative and compact in small spaces. There are no two kitchens alike. Our designers listen to each customer's design needs, making each experience personalised and enjoyable.

What are the smart innovative kitchen concepts we can expect to see in 2023? What is the level of consumer interest in smart kitchen appliances and innovative designs?

A lot of customers are working with small spaces or spaces that need to be multifunctional. Our team is well-versed in making sure that every corner of the kitchen is used with innovative pull-out drawers and added cabinet space. With Nolte Küchen, this can be designed with ease and with a product that is extremely well made.

We also know that consumers want smart appliances that help make their lives easier,

and more convenient and contribute to energy efficiency. We have appliances that connect to wi-fi or Bluetooth, have touchscreen interfaces and have cameras installed. This enables customers to have life-changing conveniences like receiving an alert when their water filter needs to be changed or turning the ice maker on or off from their smartphone. Our lives are incredibly integrated with technology and we know customers want that in their home appliances too.

What kitchen innovations is Universal Trading Company hoping to bring to the region in 2023?

Traditionally in the region, kitchen spaces were closed off to the rest of the living areas. More modern concepts have the kitchen as the focal point of the home flowing into the living areas. We’ve worked with developers and designers who embrace this style as well and they come to us because they know we can accommodate this design aesthetic. With Nolte Küchen, we have a lot of options and ranges for finishes and colours that will merge seamlessly into living areas. Nolte Küchen also has Nolte Living, a product line specifically made for living areas – built-in bookcases, tv units and cabinets that will match kitchen spaces easily. We also know that people want their entire homes to reflect one specific design aesthetic even in their bathrooms. With Nolte Spa, those same kitchen finishes and touches that our customers love can be >>>

Universal Trading Company is the exclusive UAE distributor of worldrenowned home and kitchen brands such as Nolte Küchen, AEG, IGNIS, and Turbo Air, among others and has been supplying European kitchens and appliances to large-scale residential and retail projects

Kitchens

With its commitment to innovation and sustainability, Nolte Küchen is the only kitchen and furniture manufacturer that currently holds two of the world’s most important environmental certificates – PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

integrated into bathroom areas –LED lighting, handleless design and our standard soft close drawers.

Explain briefly your collaboration with your brand ambassador Nina Ali and her concept of a modern kitchen. We are working with our Universal Trading Company brand ambassador Nina Ali on her stunning new home. Along with Nolte, we outfitted the kitchen and the pantry/laundry area. Nina already had a vision of what she wanted her kitchen to look and feel like. She had a vision of a homey space where she can make memories with her family and host

friends. After she visited our Dubai showroom she saw that the options to make her design perfect were endless. We were able to help her vision come to life using our 3D imaging and our designers produced a kitchen that is both stunning and functional.

How would you describe the new kitchen’s style?

Nina’s kitchen is the epitome of modern elegance. It reflects Nina’s own personal style of timeless elegance with modern touches. The kitchen is bright and made in neutral tones and has a large island space that is ultra-functional with integrated storage space and ample seating. Nina put much thought into every detail because she really envisioned how she needed to use the space – an area for a coffee bar, a place her kids could eat breakfast and where she can create and share her recipes.

NINA ALI:

“It’s been such a pleasure working with Universal Trading and Nolte on building my dream kitchen. The team walked me through the design process and being able to see exactly how the kitchen would look with 3D imaging was priceless.

I had all these different ideas and watching it come together exactly how I envisioned it was the most exciting process. I was actually surprised at how many different finishes and options Nolte has but it made it easy for me to get exactly what I had imagined.

I know it’s going to be a space where my family and I can create so many memories that will last forever. The kitchen really is the heart of my home and Universal Trading has made the idea of living in the kitchen a reality.”

How is Universal Trading Company pushing toward greater sustainability? What achievements are you most proud of?

Sustainability has always been important at Universal Trading. We’re proud to work with brands like Nolte that hold sustainable initiatives and efforts as important as well. Nolte is

the only German-made kitchen company that is both PEFC and FSC certified. As the UAE and Dubai pay close attention to sustainability with initiatives like the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, we are proud and well-equipped to support developers in creating industry-leading properties with sustainable features in the kitchen, living and utility spaces.

How has your perspective on sustainability changed over time?

We’ve always strived to complete projects with as little waste as possible. This means taking care to not have damaged items and also working with brands who value sustainable packaging and product innovations.

As sustainability becomes more important to developers, contractors and consumers both our project and retail operations continue to evolve in sustainable efforts. Taking care of the environment through our actions and the products we use is important to us and will continue to be important over time.

How is Universal Trading Company educating clients about the importance of sustainability, and what challenges do they face in doing so?

We want to educate both our retail customers and our fellow industry colleagues on the importance of sustainability. For example, Nolte has made efforts to use chipboard that is more sustainable to the environment. We know it is possible and you can still make a quality kitchen this way. We’ll continue to be an industry leader in offering the best appliances most of which are energy efficient.

Is the kitchen industry on the right track and on a sustainable path when it comes to the right initiatives and measures that promote sustainability?

I believe so. Sustainability is important to us all. We’ve learned so much over the last few years about how our actions affect our world. More manufacturers, designers,

developers and contractors are tuned into sustainable efforts and how they contribute to waste especially in construction. We’re all continuing to learn in this area but we know it’s a priority for everyone in the industry.

Universal Trading Company is also the exclusive distributor of Nolte Küchen, with a partnership that has been growing strong for 15 years.

DELIVERING excellence

The CEO and founder of Graniti Building Materials, CARLO NASSIF, talks about their successful career, how porcelain has taken over the luxury market segment, and future expansion plans

How has your journey with been, seeing your growth with the company's progression?

Graniti's entry into the market came at a time when property development in Dubai was at a tipping point, opening the door to an enormous and phenomenal blueprint that will soon put the emirate and the Gulf region in a construction boom. In 1996, we established the company and opened our first showroom in Deira, Salah Al Din street. In 2002, We felt the need to expand our collection , so we began importing a wider range of tiles, particularly porcelain tiles, because demand was high. We also felt there was a need to open a showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) in Dubai as a part of our expansion plan . So, the SZR showroom was launched in 2015, and in 2017, we expanded and opened one of the first concepts in the Middle East which is a specialised showroom for large slabs of porcelain tiles, which have recently become popular.

How has Dubai contributed to Graniti's success and proven to be an excellent location?

Dubai is a great place to work; we feel secure doing business here. I'd also say

The key to Graniti's success is a combination of many factors, the most important of which is their goal of providing the best service and satisfaction to all clients. They constantly assess performance levels and strive for excellence.

However, thanks to advances in technology, porcelain tiles are now available in a wide range of styles, resulting in our increased market share. Marble prices are also higher than ceramic prices, which has boosted our segment even more.

What exciting projects are you currently working on in the region?

we arrived at the right time and in the right place. Dubai provided us with the opportunity to do great business, expand further, and import various styles of tiles from around the world. We only deal with some of the world's leading manufacturers, such as Atlas Concorde, Ariostea, Marca Corona, Cotto D’este and the leading brands from Brazil, Portobello and Portinari, as well as many other brands from Asia, because we pay close attention to quality and delivery commitments.

How are tiles becoming more popular in the luxury market?

The luxury market is expanding; previously, people were unaware of porcelain tiles and preferred marble.

Graniti's prestigious projects include Tilal Al Ghaf for Majid Al Futtaim, which consists more than 1000 villas and townhouses, and Murooj Al Furjan for Nakheel. We are proud to be associated with and involved in the most recent and prestigious projects, such as the Bvlgari Hotel, Blue Waters, City Walk, and more.

How do you deal with competition in your industry?

In this region, competition is increasing by the day. To deal with this, our strategy is to avoid the competition. If the market is trending in one direction, we would rather deviate and explore another. And another important way of dealing with competition is through providing the best service and solutions for our clients to meet their demands and budgets. We maintain high standards and import high-quality products, and we work with high-end clients such as, Nakheel, Emaar,Meraas and many other big developers. >>>

Building materials

Graniti is involved in prestigious projects to provide high-quality products and services, such as Majid Al Futtaim's Tilal Al Ghaf project. It's a massive project with over 1500 villas.

We relocated some of our manufacturing base to India and visited the country several times to choose the best factories with the highest quality and designs.

installed from floor to wall without any cut piece and with less joints in the floorings as well.

Can you tell us about how the market has changed in the last five years?

the space a classy appearance and blend well with any interior style and decor.

Are you focussing on new ventures?

How are revolutionary engineered surfaces changing the industry?

Revolutionary engineered products are completely changing the game. They have many advantages over marble, such as being water-resistant, stain and scratch -resistant, lightweight, easy maintenance, consistency of colours and shades and many other benefits.

What are the latest trends?

Big slabs are the latest trends, they come in different sizes such as 120x240, 120x280,150x300, 160x320, and 100x300 where they are used for floors and walls especially in bathrooms, lift lobbies, corridors of buildings where the tiles are

The biggest change in the last five years was when India began producing tiles, which changed the world in so many ways. We relocated some of our manufacturing base to India and visited the country several times to choose the best factories with the highest quality and designs . In addition, the transit time is shorter in comparison to other countries, taking only 4-5 days. The container is less expensive. This is why many Indian companies are coming here and opening showrooms, resulting in fierce competition.

What are the most popular surface finishes in this region?

Personally, I prefer the marbleised look because it gives luxury and richness. Also, I like simple tiles with a concrete finish which are also popular and uncluttered The subtle and simple finishes give

We increased the size of our big porcelain tiles inventory because of the high demand. Additionally, we opened a new showroom for porcelain 12 and 15mm countertops in addition to the quartz and terrazzo tops and a showroom for outdoor furniture last year.

What can we expect from Graniti in the year 2023?

In 2022, the retail industry grew significantly. We will continue to grow in 2023. The Salah Din Street showroom will be renovated with a new concept. For nearly two decades, we have produced our own brand, Elina, in Turkey, India, China, and Brazil. We are planning to open a new showroom called Elina by Graniti , which will sell ceramics, sanitary ware and fixtures, mosaics, outdoor tiles and furniture, and of course our special collections of big slabs.

The FORBES INTERNATIONAL TOWER

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, Magnom and Forbes's new zero-carbon commercial tower in Cairo, Egypt, will raise green design standards and push the boundaries of modern construction.

Images courtesy of : Chris Goldstraw

A beacon INFLUENCE OF

Forbes International Tower, new zero-carbon commercial tower in Cairo, Egypt and an award winning project is set to elevate standards of green design and push boundaries of modern construction. Kasun Illankoon spoke to Magnom Properties CEO, Maged Marie and leading architecture firm partners Adrian Smith, Gordon Gill, and Robert Forest, AS+GG Architecture, to find out more about the project and the influence the project is set to make in the Middle East

In January 2023, Magnom Properties and Forbes, joined hands at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to announce their plans to build an innovative, environmentally responsive tower set in the heart of the rising New Administrative Capital in Cairo, Egypt.

The tower which is dubbed as a ‘A Beacon of Influence’ and the ‘World’s Most Sustainable Tower’ has set the benchmark for futuristic projects and Egypt’s commitment to being a ESG leader in the MENA region. The leading architect for the project is AS+GG, a US-based multiple international award-winning architecture firm. >>>

Magnom’s Sustainability Goals

“By embedding ESG considerations into all our projects planned for the region, our aim is to minimize carbon footprint, manage water, and integrate intelligence and resiliency into the built environment,” said Maged Marie, CEO, Magnom Properties.

Magnom Properties, a subsidiary and the real estate arm of Saudi Arabia’s Al Rawabi Holding, has partnered with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG Architecture), the architects behind the world’s tallest tower - Burj Khalifa and the award-winning architecture firm which specialized in building energy-efficient and sustainable projects around the world.

Commenting on the partnership, Maged said: “As with Forbes, it (AS+GG Architecture) was a shared vision of building an energy-efficient and sustainable project that led to our partnership with renowned architect, Adrian Smith, who has a very holistic approach to design. His idea of sustainability is not limited to the environment. Instead, he embraces an integrated approach that emphasizes sensitivity to the physical environment. To lay the sustainable framework for tall buildings in future and deliver the best in architectural design, it became essential for us to partner with a champion of sustainable architecture like AS+GG who are equally committed to pursuing a zero-carbon strategy.”

Adrian Smith, Founder at AS+GG the architect for some of the tallest tower projects in the world such as the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia and Burj Khalifa in Dubai, opened up about the inspiration behind the design and sustainability of the Forbes International Tower.

“The Forbes International Tower has been designed to take maximum advantage of the site both regarding views to the center of the new business district on its east and the planned Axial Park on its west. By orienting the tower, we also maximize the amount of power generation through the integration of built in Photovoltaic systems which in turn will generate enough energy to power this building.”

“THE FORBES INTERNATIONAL TOWER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF THE SITE BOTH REGARDING VIEWS TO THE CENTER OF THE NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT ON ITS EAST AND THE PLANNED AXIAL PARK ON ITS WEST

The talent pool Robert Forest, Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill from AS+GG Architecture

Maged Marie, Magnom Properties CEO.

AS+GG Architecture has always prioritized sustainability in its designs and with the current technology available these large towers that ordinarily would take up a lot of space and energy are minimised through the use of technology and analytics

Gordon Gill, Founding Partner at AS+GG, who’s work includes the design of the world’s first net zero-energy skyscraper, the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China, the world’s first largescale positive energy building, Masdar Headquarters, the next world’s tallest tower, Jeddah Tower in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, explains:

“There are numerous analytical models that are used to run scenarios for the environmental performance, comfort and energy and carbon analyses that are done for our buildings. As part of the design process, the findings can determine direction and solutions for the design and help literally form the building and its expression. This is a process of understanding and discovery as we test a range of balanced equations that come together to solve the design and make the building feasible. Without a high level of technology at all phases of the project, solutions related to everything from performance to aesthetics; installations >>>

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ANALYTICAL MODELS THAT ARE USED TO RUN SCENARIOS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE, COMFORT AND ENERGY AND CARBON ANALYSES THAT ARE DONE FOR OUR BUILDINGS.

PARTNERS,

FUTURISTIC TOWER WILL UTILIZE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING FULLY AUTOMATED HVAC FIELD DEVICES TO DRIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE EMISSIONS AND IS PRIMED TO ACHIEVE A PLATINUM LEED CERTIFICATION.

and maintenance, can be affected. Our sustainable approach to net zero life cycle carbon solutions demands this complex interrelationship between systems that balance the art and science of our work.”

Maged further added how technology leads to an extended building lifecycle: “Forbes International Tower is an innovative example of responsible, energy efficient, carbon reduction design. It is people-centric, prioritizes carbon neutrality, and features solar panels on the roof, fully automated HVAC field devices for efficient heating and cooling, and a

host of modern intelligent building technology to streamline smart operations.

Harmonious biophilic elements have been incorporated to assist in air circulation, bring greenery, and enhance employee wellbeing. Clean and efficient technologies such as solar will be utilized to improve building envelopes and reduce thermal energy needs.

In partnership with leading global partners, the futuristic tower will utilize advanced technologies including fully automated HVAC field devices to drive energy efficiency and reduce emissions and is primed to achieve a Platinum LEED certification.”

The location of Forbes International Tower in one of the most prestigious addresses in the world – the New Administrative Capital (NAC) in Cairo, Egypt – inspired us to push the boundaries of environmental sustainability.

“Like NAC, Magnom Properties and Forbes share a vision for the long-term and together we have committed to exploring low carbon pathways in line with the country’s ambitious Vision 2030 and net zero goals,” said Maged

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADING GLOBAL

THE

In addition to Egypt’s goal of being an ESG leader, they are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of Egypt's key initiatives for achieving the SDGs is the Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Egypt Vision 2030, which aims to promote sustainable development through economic, social, and environmental reforms.

The goals set out by Egypt are echoed through Magnom Properties goals and objectives: “Our developments are all for the long-term, as we wish to leave a legacy that shapes generations to come. To fulfil this vision, we will continue to seek carbon-neutral solutions to drive value through architecture. Our human-centric design approach, sustainable material selection and reliance on renewable energy solutions will be significant in delivering solutions that address the challenges of urbanization and climate

change,” commented Maged. Apart from Egypt, Magnom Properties has also set its goal to develop sustainable real estate, commercial and lifestyle projects in Saudi Arabia and wider MENA region.

“In line with our vision of redefining and shaping evolving lifestyles of community members, we will focus on building high value commercial and lifestyle projects in KSA, Egypt and the wider MENA region. These new developments will be a model of best practices in sustainability in line with Saudi Arabia’s net zero vision for the future,” said Maged.

The Next Iconic Project

There have been numerous iconic construction projects throughout history that have captured the imagination of people around the world.

In the 21st century, several new iconic construction projects have been completed or are currently underway. One of these is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is currently the tallest building

in the world. Another is the Shanghai Tower in China, which is the second-tallest building in the world and features a unique spiraling design. These iconic construction projects demonstrate the incredible creativity and ingenuity of architects and developers.

Could the Forbes International Tower become a landmark in Cairo, as the Burj Khalifa is in Dubai - Maged and Adrian Smith certainly think so due to its inno-

vative sustainable qualities and benchmarks that have been set.

“The Forbes International Tower will certainly be a landmark, not just in Cairo but across the region and the world as it aims to set new standards in high-performance, green building design by harnessing local natural resources in a sustainable manner,” said Maged

“The project will certainly become a landmark for Cairo due in large part to its highly resilient and highly innovative sustainable qualities and for the beauty and elegance of the tower itself,” commented Adrian >>>

OUR HUMAN-CENTRIC DESIGN APPROACH, SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL SELECTION AND RELIANCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS WILL BE SIGNIFICANT IN DELIVERING SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF URBANIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Something that Maged has always emphasised is the importance of the project that it is not about it being sustainable and energy efficient but bringing the human element about it as well. Whether it comes to the health of the individual or ensure they are safe within the building.

“Magnom Properties and Forbes also remain committed to delivering a carbon neutral tower that integrates smart systems to improve energy-efficiency, protect the health of occupants and ensure better safety,” said Maged.

For Adrian Smith, this is an important element too, “As societies evolve in the way they live, work and play, so does architecture change to meet the demands of the future. Innovative ideas can lead the way in this regard, such as the groundbreaking John Hancock Center in Chicago that, when built in 1968 was the first tall tower to contain a mixture of uses such as office, residential, shopping, restaurants, and observatory. On the other end of the spectrum, we have decades old buildings designed for single use that have outlived their initial purpose, however, are durable and resilient enough to be rehabilitated for new uses and extended building life.”

Gordon Gill added: “Performance based architecture

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) specialises in high-performance, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly architecture. They built the spectacular Burj Khalifa

allows us to understand the broader implications of our environment and how people live and use the buildings we design. It allows us to be site specific, culturally specific and to advance the science behind the art of design. In this way, the work is always unique, strives to offer a healthier and more intelligent building”

Apart from the Forbes International Tower project, Magnom Properties, has embedded in their philosophy to be ecologically conscious in all their projects.

“All our projects are rooted in the principles of sustainability. We take a holistic approach to both planning and the construction process to address the urgent issues of climate change and urbanization. Through all our projects across the region, we aim to create long-term community impact and contribute to building greener, smarter, beautiful cities.

At Magnom Properties, our philosophy of excellence is also realized through strategic partnerships with experts who are the best in their respective fields. We believe in the power of collaboration to drive change. Across all our projects, we are partnering with renowned names and brands to harness advanced technologies and set new standards in environmental sustainability.”

The ambitions of Magnom to set the sustainability standards could see more Iconic projects being built by the group in the near future.

The influence of AS+GG architectural projects in the Middle East

Projects such as the Forbes International Tower are set to take centre stage in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, a massive development project that aims to create a new city from scratch,

located 45 kilometers east of Cairo. The project is expected to cost over $45 billion and will be developed over multiple phases, with the first phase already completed. The new capital is planned to cover an area of 700 square kilometers and will have a population of approximately 6.5 million people when completed.

Many of AS+GG mega projects are implemented with the idea of further developing a city. After all if you have a mega structure in an area more projects and developments will take place around this. Adrian Smith explain how these projects act as a catalyst for development.

“The primary values of supertall and megatall structures is to both act as an Iconic catalyst for development on sites directly surrounding these towers and in doing so create a significant identity to the district, city and sometimes the country where they are built. In some cases, these structures define the city, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Empire State building in New York.”

Also, the MENA region offers up new opportunities for the architect firm where their projects are already influencing the development of new projects. “The Middle East has allowed us to explore a range of scales of our work; from master plans for cities, such as Expo City in Dubai, to the tallest buildings in the world in Jeddah. We are constantly challenged by the visions for these regions and welcome those opportunities to help explore new solutions for the Middle East that can serve as tangible examples for the world,” said Gordon Gill.

“The primary objective for us is to bring the highest level of quality to the large scale complex mixed-use projects that we have become known for and to design these buildings to bring a heightened level of sustainability, both culturally and environmentally to the built and unbuilt world,” concluded Adrian Smith

Award Winning Project & Future Growth Plans

The Forbes International Tower was awarded the Luxury Commercial Project of the Year as the Design Middle East KSA Awards this year. The project was recognised for its outstanding sustainable features, innovative elements, and contribution to the surrounding region. It’s certain that the project will have more scope to win more awards. The project sets the benchmark for future projects in the region and with sustainability being a key component for a plethora of governments you could see more projects like this in the near future. For Maged and Magnom Properties they see positive outcomes for future sustainable projects and economic growth in the MENA region

“In the Middle East, real estate continues to grow from strength to strength and is a core driver of economic growth and investment of choice. Global studies affirm a positive outlook for the market, and we are keen on growing in the region with the right partners,” concluded Maged.

PERFORMANCE BASED ARCHITECTURE ALLOWS US TO UNDERSTAND THE BROADER IMPLICATIONS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HOW PEOPLE LIVE AND USE THE BUILDINGS WE DESIGN.

Awards & Accolades

Huge cheers to the winners and highly commended of the Design Middle East Awards KSA 2023

IIt’s amazing to see how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is thriving, and we’re seeing some of the most amazing projects coming up there. The Design Middle East Awards KSA were held on February 9, 2023, at the Fairmont Riyadh to celebrate and recognise the talent, projects, and companies that are game changers in the region. Here are some glimpses of the starry night. Here's the roundup of all the exciting moments and wins from Design Middle East Awards KSA 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXANDER BUNGAS

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

Syed Al Shuhada

/JT+PARTNERS AND TAIBA INVESTMENTS

Syed Al Shuhada by JT+Partners and Taiba Investments won the Mixed-Use Development of the Year award. Sayed Al Shuhada is a modern intervention in a historical city that aligns with its heritage. Located in the Northwest part of Saudi Arabia, Medina is an oasis set on a plateau 620m (2300ft) above sea level, at the junction of the three valleys of Al-Aql, Al-Aqiq, and Al-Himdh. The firm was tasked with creating a modern architectural development that complements its historical surroundings. On an architectural level, the tower's organic shape mimics the mountain's fluidity and organic shape. The layers forming the verticality of the tower replicated the structure of the surrounding mountains.

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

/HAVELOCK ONE INTERIORS

Fit-Out Firm of the Year was won by Havelock One Interiors. Havelock One Interiors has established itself as one of the Middle East and KSA as a leading fit-out contractors and manufacturers of high-quality joinery, metal works, furniture, and shop fittings since 1998. They have operations across all GCC locations (seven offices/ two factories and five markets –Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE). In Bahrain, Havelock One operates two large manufacturing

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

Retal Rise and Nobu Hotel

/MIMAR SAUDI AND ARAC ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

Retal Rise and Nobu Hotel by Mimar Saudi and Arac Engineering Consultants were awarded with the Best Future Project award. RETAL RISE is ought to contribute to the development of Al Kobar new coastal sky line. It comprises two towers (one of which is NOBU hotel + serviced apartments while the other is a residential tower with a mix of different apartments types (2,3,4 bedrooms and penthouse apartments).

The design concept is based on creating "A CITY WITHIN A CITY," where all potential needs and desires are packed into the same building. Ranging from the building's occupants' business needs (meeting rooms, business lounges), to the well-being facilities (SPA and health club, swimming pool....etc.), kids club, beauty saloons, cafes, restaurants, facility management, and more.

INTERIOR FIT-OUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR

VOV Gaming /INC SOLUTIONS

VOV Gaming by INC Solutions won the Interior Fit-Out Project of the Year. INC Solutions, in partnership with JLL and WSP, completed the VOV Gaming located in The Zone to encapsulate the incredible concept within a built-up area of 984sqm. The fit-out and build of this project utilised advanced technological features and design integrity, which resulted in VOV Gaming being one of the most sophisticated designs in the region. The space offers multipurpose gaming lounges, private gaming rooms, a retail store, and an F&B outlet. Throughout the entire space, ambient lighting, including built-in LED columns and walls was strategically incorporated into the centre to enhance the gamers' experience.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Build Station /MARKETING HOME GROUP

Build Station by Marketing Home Group was selected as the Retail Project of the year. Marketing Home Group invested in Build Station project, where art meets design and engineering to provide creative talents and entrepreneurs the most significant creative hub for production, living, and entertainment. The project is essentially made to support the creative economy by providing a combined showroom/warehouse where designers can enjoy integrating design, beauty, and the real world. Designers can feel any product and get ideas on its form and function use within their projects. Additionally, clients can obtain the items on the spot and even have them customised within the two operational workshops present within the vicinity.

Forbes International Tower

/MAGNOM PROPERTIES RAWABI HOLDING

Luxury Commercial Project of the Year title was won by Forbes International Tower by Magnom Properties- Rawabi Holding. It is the new zero-carbon commercial tower in Cairo, Egypt, which will elevate standards of green design and push boundaries of modern construction. Envisioned by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG Architecture), the tower is located in the Northern Central Business District of Cairo’s New Administrative Capital, the innovative commercial tower harnesses the power of surrounding natural resources and elevates energy performance standards with a solar panel rooftop, fully automated HVAC field devices, and modern intelligent building technology. The harmonious biophilic designs assist in air circulation, brings nature indoors, and aims to enhance employee well-being.

Retal Residence Clubhouse

/MIMAR SAUDI AND ARAC ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

Retal Residence Clubhouse by Mimar Saudi and Arac Engineering Consultants was awarded Hospitality Project Design of the Year award.

The clubhouse's axiality in relation to the residential compound supports it being an important part for its residents. It is almost symmetrical to the two compound entrances and is close to all compound residents and other compound services.

The project makes use of the abstraction of authentic parametric Arabian patterns. Patterned perforated screens and GRC panels are integrated into the contemporary design in specific locations. Clubhouse guests will not feel alienated from the Arabian spirit while spending time in this modern amenity.

Architecture Firm of the Year

RSP

The prestigious title of Architecture Firm of the Year was awarded to RSP.

Founded in 1956, and now a global leader in the built environment, RSP has delivered almost 3,000 international projects, spanning various typologies. Just as a landmark cannot be created with individual building blocks, the firm cannot succeed without its people. Their purpose, combined with the strong technical expertise, is made possible by RSP's international team of 1,200 talents across 13 studios, in 6 countries. It is through enhancing and empowering the greatest assets that we can scale new heights.

MICHAEL MAGILL

Michael Magill received the prestigious Architect of the Year award. Under his design leadership, the studio was able to win exciting new projects in the region despite a tough business environment through existing and new clients including Huawei, Aldar, Al Futtaim, Majid Al Futtaim and Diriyah Gate Development Authority. He has also been instrumental in the expansion of the business with the opening of two additional studios abroad. The firm will focus on making further inroads in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in 2023.

/// INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

DIANE THORSEN/GENSLER

Diane Thorsen won the Interior Designer of the Year title. She has driven over 50 of design projects in 2022 as she’s working across Gensler’s entire APME region (covering Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, UAE, KSA, just to name a few) and also supports the

European regional HQ in London. She is very much a leader for Gensler’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and is committed to guiding and developing young talent, resulting is her being on the advisory board to Heriot Watt University as well as multiple other youth related programs.

(*Diane was not present at the ceremony, so her award was accepted on her behalf by Gensler’s studio director Gareth Cain)

YOUNG TALENT OF THE YEAR

ALIA ALSADAT/AECOM

Alia Alsadat of Aecom won Young Talent of the Year. Alsadat is an urban designer and sustainability advocate with a background in architecture. Currently based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she has more than seven years’ experience gained in the Middle East. Passionate about sustainability, Alia works alongside AECOM’s purpose, to deliver a better world, and uses transformative ideals and methods to design responsibly. She joined Aecom in 2020 and has a wide-range of experience on several national mega masterplanning and architectural projects

DynamicsWorkspace

How do you approach your work as a CEO? Talk us through your creative process.

My role as director revolves primarily around three key segments. As a company, we are very focussed on our clients' user experience, which is why we always prioritise client satisfaction with the services and solutions we develop. The second part is unquestionably focussed on the team and on creating conditions in which our team and employees have all of the prerequisites for initiating a creative process and providing innovative and high-quality designed solutions to businesses.

The third part is undoubtedly crucial, as it aims to expand business and open new markets, such as Saudi Arabia at the moment. What inspires me the most is attempting to create favourable conditions for a creative process in which high-quality solutions that assist our clients in various aspects of business are produced, ranging from increasing the efficiency of office spaces through the implementation of human design principles to shaping a communication strategy and branding through the space.

What are your company's core competencies?

Since the beginning of its business, DC&T has studied and reflected on the way and dynamics of space use by teams and people, including how people exchange information in space and collaborate. It has always been our focus to understand the ways in which space

TIMI KOVAEVI , CEO of DC&T SPACE , discusses the company's core competencies, workplace culture evolution, change management, and the future of workspace integration with AI.

DC&T is a professional consultancy company with offices in UAE and Europe specialising in workplace consulting, work dynamic, and office design consultancy.

actually shapes individual behaviour, including decision-making about whether we will consume something, buy it or not. That is why, through many years of experience, we have developed a methodology that helps our clients in all matters related to the way of working and the dynamics of space use. Furthermore, no matter how beautifully we design an office, people frequently find it difficult to adapt, which is why we realised that change management is one of the key elements when redesigning a space so that the project and, ultimately, the investment itself will be profitable. Our entire design process begins with the people rather than the space, which I believe is one of our key strategic advantages.

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in workplace strategy, and what are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?

As companies frequently face space challenges such as too much or too little office square footage and insufficient quality adjustment of space according to the real needs and activities of teams and people, we asked ourselves how we could better solve these challenges through a more adequate connection of people, space, and technology, and, ultimately, with sustainable workspace design. Workplace strategy is one of the few disciplines that successfully brings together and connects experts from various fields, resulting in excellent results for businesses. This is exactly what inspired us to further specialise in that segment and become one of the leading companies in that area. It is workplace design that enables a comprehensive approach, in which companies can make spaces that are maximally functional, efficient, and tailored to the people, while also obtaining an inspiring interior design that exudes the brand and visual identity of the company that people will associate with. There is no better reward for us than designing a space in which we achieve the ideal balance of management and people. For management, this means achieving maximum space efficiency and cost optimisation, and for people, it means creating an inspiring, comfortable, and functional workspace.

How are millennials influencing and impacting organisations, as well as the approach to office design as a result?

New generations are actually the biggest drivers of change in the office space design industry, and I would say that most of the new ideas and innovations come from millennials. >>>

They

build engaging and sustainable workspaces that not only look good but also empower your team to be more active and efficient.

design and

This Oracle office encourages new dynamics among employees and creates a completely new work experience.

Workspace design

For Glovo's office there are spaces for internal meetings, spaces for meetings with clients, and a space for education that employees often use.

Of course, one of the main reasons for this is the constant development of technology, which enables younger generations to work when they want and from where they want. It is precisely the hybrid way of working that is one of the new foundations of the workplace strategy, and office design is being adapted to a significant extent to new trends, for which millennials are the biggest ambassadors. Today's office design caters to people seeking flexibility, work from home opportunities, and increased collaboration. We have the most expertise in finding the right balance in today's trends in designing office and business spaces in this area.

What are the most common challenges associated with designing for collaborative environments?

Our experience shows that designing collaborative spaces is the most challenging in finding the right balance between space for a focused way of working and space for collaboration and socialising. We very often see the problem that, due to trends, offices are designed with too many collaborative zones, which in the end are not sufficiently usable and create the cost of office square footage, especially when companies have a large increase in employees and no longer have the opportunity to expand in the existing office, very often due to inadequately planned office square footage that due to the trend, they went to too much collaborative space and too little working space.

In the end, this results in additional costs for the company due to the need to relocate to new office premises or redesign existing premises if space permits. It is critical to find an appropriate measure when designing collaborative and work spaces. This is the only way to have a successful workplace design.

What is one thing that every workplace needs?

Our experience tells us that at the end of the day, every workplace still needs people in the space. One of the biggest challenges today is to bring people back to the office and create a comfortable environment and opportunity for innovation and productivity in the workplace. As we proactively design offices as destinations, it is critical to include appropriate zones, a focussed way of working, and concentration, which is precisely why we invest large resources in researching how people work and use space, so that we can provide spaces that are, on the one hand, a playground ground for socialising and exchanging ideas, and on the other hand, peaceful destinations where you can work. Finally, our research shows that when it comes to designing office spaces, people have the greatest need for soundproofed spaces where they can concentrate and efficiently perform all of their activities.

What, in your experience, are the most common factors that architects and office interior designers overlook?

I would say that the most common mistakes we see on the market when designing an office are insufficient understanding of the company's organisational design. This can be seen in the part where very often people and teams are adjusted to the structural space element like walls, instead of the space which we will be maximum adjusted to the people and teams. On the other hand, there is very little conversation with people and insufficient understanding of team and individual work dynamics, which makes the situation very difficult for architects, because in this way they design the office according to their intuitions, which can sometimes turn out great, but very often, considering the complexity of today's companies and very diversity teams within companies this is not the case. Just for example, in many hi-tech companies, teams change several times in a few months depending on the

projects they are working on. Each change of team has different needs in space, and that part is very important to anticipate as much as possible during space planning and office design. Not to mention how many new people are onboarded every little while, which greatly affects the projection of expansion and thus the workplace design. Today, in order to successfully design office spaces, you need to have the mindset of an average IT worker, which many architects and designers sometimes lack because they look at the office space only from their own perspective.

Have you noticed any differences in workplace cultures between the Middle East and other countries, and does this influence your approach to workplace design strategy?

Where we see the most differences is that in Europe, for example, companies invest much more in the comfort of workplaces such as ergonomics. It should certainly be taken into account that the legal regulations are also different between Europe and the UAE. For example, in Europe there are already known lawsuits by employees who complained that their health was impaired due to sitting on bad chairs or that they had significant problems because the workplaces were positioned without natural light. These things are very sensitive in Europe and fall under legal regulations. In addition, they would point out that in Europe,

in general, more is invested in Workplace well-being. In the Emirates, the projects are more luxurious, and the design is generally approached more luxuriously and with more expensive materials, but very often not sufficiently adapted to people or customers. We see great potential for progress by creating spaces with human design precisely here.

What is the role of change management in terms of the success of a space transformation?

I would say that change management is the key to successful implementation of Workplace strategy. If people are not involved in the design process and the needs of the people who will use the spaces are not sufficiently understood, then if you design the most luxurious spaces, you will never realise the full potential of the organisation, but you will very quickly need to reinvest in the space because the function of the space is not sufficiently adapted to the people. Only if the design passes from the needs of people, customers, users, then we can have real results where people will much more easily accept certain changes or spaces that have been designed. Involving people from employees to customers is the best thing organisations can do when designing a space, and it will pay off double in terms of results, productivity or money.

How is workplace design impacted by the rapid advance of technology?

Design and technology have become inseparable in creating a superior experience for users. From the very tools in which solutions are created to virtual reality, which increasingly helps in the process of designing spaces or workplaces. With today's technology, ordinary users become designers, and this is a trend that will grow more and more in the coming period. As for IOT (internet of things) technology for offices and real estate as such, big developments are also taking place here, perhaps a little slower compared to some other industries, but progressive enough. We are increasingly working on projects where we advise clients in the design process on how to incorporate smart sensors into the space that measure the occupation of workplaces, occupied spaces, heat, air, etc... Furthermore, the best part is that these tools are fully automated and are gaining more and more artificial intelligence skills where they learn about people's behaviour in offices, from how they use certain spaces to suggesting which spaces are underutilised and how such spaces can be designed differently to be used more.

What do you think the future holds for workplace design?

They aim to create a productive work environment, efficient use of space, and a smart working concept.

I believe that the future of workplace design is in a better connection of people, technologies, and space, and that space will be designed and integrated with artificial intelligence, which will be very interesting for us as workplace design experts, as well as developers and engineers. Spaces will be designed with much more autonomy for the users of those spaces, and the majority of it will be even more automated, from smart collaborative boards to time recommendations of how much time we spent in the office on a specific activity. We are entering an exciting period in which we will combine our design services with the implementation of workspace technology for our clients.

Jihad Raad, Division Director Hospitality Manufacturing–Fit-Out Bahrain, Havelock One

& Well-Being! The View

Havelock One

COMPLETES TURNKEY FIT-OUT OF NEW JUMEIRAH GULF OF BAHRAIN RESORT & SPA.

Havelock One Interiors implemented the interiors for the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & spa, a new luxury resort on its West Coast beaches. The Jumeirah Group has opened the doors to its newest project in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This spectacular 196-room property is inspired by the island’s pearl diving heritage and will provide unrivalled Arabian hospitality with a focus on well-being. The Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain seeks to diversify the growing hospitality landscape in Bahrain, by offering a haven on the pristine untouched beaches of the Arabian sea.

Havelock One was retained to deliver the manufacturing and fit-out, resulting in an end project that will allow guests to immerse themselves seamlessly in the luxuries on

offer. The scope of the project spanned across all aspects of the hotel, including five types of guest bedrooms and villas, as well as ten restaurant zones, ranging from premium restaurants, family-style dining, and a poolside eatery. In addition, the fit-out of the lobby, meeting rooms, VIP majlis and FF&E for 12-15 zones.

The ID consultant, GM Architects and the concept architect, DSA Arch have designed a magnificent interior for this resort, spanning over 400,000 sq. ft. The use of mother-of-pearl accents and deep blue tones pay homage to Bahrain’s history as ‘the island of pearls’.

The wood works for this project were on a grand scale and included all bedroom aspects; doors, closets, vanity and hanging shelfs which were manufactured and fitted by Havelock One. Bespoke bed bases were created for all 196 rooms in Havelock One’s Bahrain facto-

ry, along with poolside cabanas and decorative screens.

In conversation with with JIHAD RAAD, Division Director Hospitality Manufacturing – Fit-Out Bahrain, Havelock One

Was it challenging to win this project?

There was a lot of competition to win the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain project as it’s such a prestigious addition to the hospitality landscape in Bahrain. We were invited to tender by the client and were hugely pleased to win the bid towards the end of 2019.

Why did Havelock One win the job?

The client had confidence that Havelock One, due to our experience and our facilities on the island, would be able to deliver the project on time.

Our experience in coordination between trades helped win us the job, as there were so many moving parts and different suppliers involved in creating the finished design. The client was confident we had the contacts and skills to complete the necessary tying up of loose ends and ensure the project ran smoothly to completion.

What’s works did Havelock do?

We were responsible for most of the front of house areas, including supplying fixtures, furniture and equipment (FF&E) for the lobby, all day dining, banquet hall, spa, pool bar, Italian restaurant Due Mari, the main entrance porch, hallway ceilings, private luxury villas and bedrooms. We completed the majority of the fit-out in all 196 guestrooms, including the ceilings, bedroom furniture, special finishes, mirrors, vanities, >>>

The Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain is the Jumeirah group's second development in the Kingdom, and it has already won numerous design and luxury architecture awards.

The scope of the project spanned across all aspects of the hotel, including five types of guest bedrooms and villas, as well as ten restaurant zones, ranging from premium restaurants, family-style dining, and a poolside eatery

bespoke decorative cladding and doors.

We also created custom luxury cabanas for the pool area and an incredible curved ceiling feature in the pool bar.

What were the challenges you faced during the project?

The main challenge for us was joining the project at a later date and coordinating with so many existing stakeholders. We were awarded the job at the end of 2019 just before the start of the pandemic, as such we faced challenges with supply chain delays as well as having to identify new strategies to mitigate Covid cases on site in order to keep the work on schedule.

What’s the highlight for you of this project?

For me it was the enjoyment of working on a variety of themes throughout the project and the vast array of different materials we used, as each zone had its own look and feel.

In the FF&E in particular, there was so much diversity of the models we needed to cater to each functional area. All the variations meant a huge range of materials and details were needed to complete the manufacturing of the designs, which was challenging and stimulating at the same time. We used different techniques including weaving, oriental patterns and arabesque fretwork made with our in-house CNC machines. In total we delivered approximately 9,000 pieces of FF&E, distributed throughout the guest rooms and 12-15 functional areas including public areas, corridors and spa.

Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

Yes, we are off to a busy start this year with lots of new and existing opportunities in the hospitality sector. This year we will complete the luxury Raffles Al Alreen Bahrain hotel and we are currently very active in the Saudi Arabia hospitality market. We are excited to have just received the first order for phase one of the public areas of Four Seasons Riyadh. Other existing projects include St. Regis Riyadh, The Oberoi Madina, Kimpton KAFD and Hampton by Hilton Kuwait.

The woodwork for this project was extensive and included all aspects of the bedroom, including doors, closets, vanity, and hanging shelves, all of which were manufactured and installed by Havelock One.

Idealfor all

Nabeel Sheikh, hotel manager at Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, discusses the property's distinctive features, exciting guest offerings, and how the addition of Jones the Grocer to the hotel enhances the hotel's appeal.

Delta Hotel by Marriott Jumeirah Beach is a great place to stay for both business and pleasure. Jones the Grocer, the UAE's favourite café and gourmet grocer, was recently launched. The addition of the Australian gourmet eatery is expected to boost the hotel's vibrant appeal even further.

Tell us about your professional career and how your previous experience has helped you in your current role in the Middle East.

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, specialising in operations and team leadership, I previously managed the rooms division of a luxurious five-star hotel in Asia before joining my current role in Dubai. Drawing from my extensive background in implementing guest satisfaction, brand assurance, Food & Beverage, and revenue management initiatives,

my prior exposure has proven invaluable in my current position.

How important are leadership skills in your role, and how do you motivate your employees on a regular basis?

In my position, leadership is crucial as it provides the necessary support, guidance, and inspiration for achieving our objectives. By fostering a shared vision and setting measurable, precise, and attainable goals, my team can collaborate effectively to develop and execute a winning strategy. Maintaining open lines of communication, soliciting continuous feedback, and promoting a collaborative work culture all play vital roles in keeping the team motivated and engaged.

Can you tell us what are distinct features of the property?

We are located in the heart of JBR with convenient access to the beach and JBR walk; our property is a prime location for tourists seeking entertainment, dining and shopping options. Designed with families and longterm guests in mind, our fully-equipped apartments offer a comfortable stay and guests can also indulge in a variety of dining options, including the all-day Jones The Grocer and our signature Brazilian churrascaria, Fogueira.

In your opinion, what is the most impressive part of the hotel?

It has to be our rooftop restaurant and bar Fogueira, which offers breathtaking views of both Dubai Marina and JBR and Ain Dubai.

What is the unique value proposition that you offer to your customers?

Delta by Marriott Jumeirah Beach has fully serviced studios and apartments, that offers convenience and value for money. With the close proximity to the beach, this offers a great affordable alternatives to families who want to experience the beach with more flexibility and without the price tags of beach resorts.

Tell us about the hotel's restaurants and bars, and how they provide a unique experience. What are some dishes and drinks that you recommend everyone try?

Our hotel restaurant serves up delicious cuisine, prepared by our talented chef using the best ingredients. From Fogueira, serving

traditional Brazilian churrasco to our brand-new Jones The Grocer, a modern gourmet café, our menus offer a range of dishes to suit every palate. Speakeasy, our cosy traditional neighbourhood pub offers cold beers and delicious comfort food with a giant screen to watch your favourite sports. Our Saturday Brunch at Fogueira is a must-try with up to 16 different cuts of meats served by passadores along with a live band and samba dancers who guarantee an entertaining afternoon. >>>

WE ARE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF JBR WITH CONVENIENT ACCESS TO THE BEACH AND JBR WALK; OUR PROPERTY IS A PRIME LOCATION FOR TOURISTS SEEKING ENTERTAINMENT, DINING AND SHOPPING OPTIONS.

Apart from excellent culinary offerings, the hotel has an outdoor pool, a large gym, and a wellness spa, making it one of the most tranquil and stylish places to stay in Dubai.

How is technology enhancing the consumer experience? Technology has given us the tools we need to provide the best possible guest experience. Some of the technological advancements used successfully at our hotel range from tracking our guests' preferences to avoiding the front desk by sending room keys to their phones or simply using a mobile app to send requests to the hotel for action.

How did the Jones The Grocer outlet is a fantastic addition to the property, and what kind of feedback are you getting? Guests are extremely happy with the change! The opening of Jones The Grocer allowed us not only to seriously upgrade our guests’ breakfast experience, but also to offer delicious gourmet food for lunch and dinner. The venue is bright and welcoming, with an outdoor terrace as well as a fun play area for kids, making it ideal for families to spend some time.

How, according to you, is the hospitality industry evolving? What is your vision for the hospitality segment in the Middle East?

The hotel business has evolved over time. The introduction of new ideas and technologies has fundamentally changed the way we travel today. As a result, players in the hospitality industry are constantly looking for new ways to innovate in order to remain competitive. The ability of hotels to quickly adapt to the latest travel trends and tailor personalised experiences to meet individual needs will shape the hospitality industry's future. The region's hospitality industry is poised for numerous opportunities. A surge in construction activity, combined with a growing population and favourable government policies and regulations, will open up new growth opportunities.

Jones The Grocer, a popular Australian restaurant, has 122 indoor seats and 96 outdoor seating areas.

What difficulties come with maintaining a hotel?

There are multiple challenges that we face almost on a daily basis from managing digital reputation, attracting and retaining qualified associates, rising operational costs, evolving guest expectations, and others are just a few of the ongoing difficulties encountered by the hospitality industry.

Is sustainability important for the resort? If so, how do you work it into your designs?

While integrating sustainability across our daily operations, our operational teams are working to reduce our environmental impact through various property-based initiatives. Every department has a sustainability champion who works towards reducing property’s carbon, energy, water and landfill waste footprint, from sourcing locally to offering reusable beach bags, to installing our own water bottling plant to remove single use plastic, are a few initiatives that we have implemented.

Tourism has had a massive comeback in the region – how do you see this translating to bigger growth in the hospitality sector in 2023?

With both leisure and business trips on the rise, the hospitality industry is continuing its strong post-pandemic recovery. Many new hotels will open in 2023, and with Dubai becoming a more popular tourist destination every year, this trend will only continue.

The three-bedroom suite is ideal for large families or groups of friends travelling together. The rooms have attractive wooden flooring. The rooms and apartments are spacious and designed to provide a relaxing and comfortable stay.

JUDGES MEET THE

A huge thank you to our jury panel for their support, encouragement and guidance throughout the awards process.

Vera Edith

Dieckmann

XO ATELIER CREATIVE DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

Vera Edith Dieckmann founded XO Atelier in December 2018 to realise her full creative potential in the field of design. She is a graduate engineer with a focus on architecture and over 25 years of experience in all aspects of interior design. Working for renowned firms such as David Ling in New York, Gunther Spitzley in Zurich, Matteo Thun Studio in Milan, and DWP Malaysia, Vera also honed her skills at Global Hospitality chains Marriott Holdings and FRHI, now known as Accor, expanding her knowledge of custom product design: light installations, furniture, textiles, and accessories. Vera founded her studio to provide clients with the support and dedicated services they require, motivated by her innate desire to discover a unique path.

Charlie Kelly

REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTORASIA & MIDDLE EAST DWP

Charlie Kelly is a RIBAcertified architect with more than 30 years of experience in the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. He has a track record of leading and managing large teams on innovative designs in various parts of the world, with a focus on the delivery of complex projects. He has successfully completed numerous projects in a variety of sectors, including mixed-use, commercial, masterplanning, hospitality, residential, education, transportation, infrastructure, and defence projects.

Hani Asfour DEAN

DUBAI

INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION

Hani Asfour is the Dean of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). Asfour is an MIT and Harvard-trained architect with over 25 years of experience as a practising designer, innovator, and educator. Prior to joining DIDI, he taught architecture at several universities in Lebanon and the United States. He is a founding partner of Polypod, a multidisciplinary collaborative design studio in Beirut, Lebanon. He speaks frequently and widely about the importance of redesigning design education as a key driver of the creative economy.

Sandra Woodall DESIGN DIRECTOR

TANGRAMGULF

Sandra Woodall is a UK-qualified architect and urbanist who has lived in the Middle East for over 25 years, where she leads the award-winning MENA design studio for tangramGULF, a firm known for delivering diverse social infrastructure projects throughout the region with sustainability at the forefront.

Woodall's design approach utilises traditional desert urbanism and building materials used in a contemporary manner, creating contextually climatic responsive designs which incorporate nature to promote improved health and well-being for the benefit of all. This was demonstrated almost 20 years ago when tangram delivered the very first government building in Dubai to incorporate a green roof, reducing both the effects of the urban island effect and the buildings’ interior temperatures and thus the buildings’ energy demands.

Earthy&Elegant R

David T'Kint transforms the JW Marriott in Riyadh by taking inspiration from the region's charming nature and opting for organic and soft lines that express Saudi Arabia's everchanging windblown deserts.

iyadh Capital commissioned David T'Kint to rebrand the Burj Rafal hotel to become the first luxury JW Marriott on King Fahd Road in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. The multiyear conversion captures the region's charming nature in the interior features with earthy tones accented in green to emphasise when the 'Rain finally comes to the land'.

Riyad Capital commissioned David T'Kint to rebrand the Burj Rafal hotel as the first luxury JW Marriott on Riyadh's King Fahd Road. The first phase of the multi-year conversion, which included extensive public areas, was completed in 2022. The JW Marriott brand pillar, 'Be present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalised in spirit,' was at the heart of the brief, allowing

The seating area at the Capital Lounge offers guests an extraordinary luxury tea experience. Each piece of furniture has been hand-selected.

guests to preferentially experience nature in a tactile way through carefully curated sensory sophistication.

The interior design of the JW Marriott captures the region's charming nature; the lines are organic and soft, and they express Saudi Arabia's ever-changing windblown deserts. The colours are earthy and permeated with green hues,

reminiscent of nourished landscapes as 'Rain finally comes to the land,' an excerpt from an ancient inspirational poem. Guests are surrounded by a series of green elements that have been cleverly integrated into the various interior spaces as they travel through the hotel, immersing them in a world of peace, tranquillity, and harmony. >>>

T'Kint completed the first phase in triple the forecasted time, just over one and a half years.

T'Kint completed the first phase in just over a year and a half, which was three times faster than expected. Upon entering the JW Marriott, guests are greeted by a beautiful triple-volume lobby with a glazed façade overlooking the elegantly landscaped outdoor water feature. The walls feature heritageinspired patterns that complement the building's modern façade. Backlit and highlighted by beautifully textured cladding, the seven-metre-wide reception desk is an imposing sculpture on marble flooring. A hand-blown glass Bomma pendant light installation depicting a clear desert night sparkles in the ceiling, illuminating the comfortable, organic-shaped seating below.

The interactive concierge library at the hotel encourages guests to learn about Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage. The Capital Lounge provides guests with an exceptional luxury tea experience. Each piece of furniture has been hand-picked to add intrigue to the Rosso Levanto-clad counter feature. A tea cellar rounds out the one-of-a-kind experience. The tea sommelier creates craft

The JW Marriott captures the region's charming nature in the interior features; the lines are organic and soft and express Saudi Arabia’s ever-changing windblown deserts.

Splashes of natural greens play with otherwise neutral tones.

beverages for guests and visitors to enjoy while embarking on a journey to discover a unique blend of teas from around the world. Casa Cacao is the brainchild of the three Roca brothers, who are famous for their three-star Michelin chocolatier El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain. The tile-clad counter is inspired by their Spanish-style outlet, and the rich walnut wood wall serves as the perfect backdrop. The Kitchen on 3 is an all-day dining establishment that pays homage to century-old culinary traditions. Lush greenery and splashes of colour, in keeping with the JW Marriott brand identity, create a nourishing vibe. The restaurant is the hotel's beating heart, seamlessly fusing traditional gastronomic traditions with the energy of a modern world. In a modern marketinspired kitchen, this spice-filled dining experience serves authentic Middle Eastern dishes. The hotel's partially renovated executive lounge offers exclusive benefits and privacy, as well as splashes of natural greens that contrast with otherwise serene neutral tones.

The colours are earthy and perforated with green hues resembling the nourished landscapes.

David T'Kint and his team of designers, Riham Farajy, Eilyn Xin, Majd Johar and Sara Alameen worked closely together as by nature, a refurbishment project is infinitely more complex than a new-build property. When parts of a building are demolished, it's common to find unexpected challenges. FEBC sourced and procured all of the furniture, light fittings and accessories, whilst Bomma provided the decorative glass installation. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, MICE spaces, and 349 guestrooms over 66 floors will follow in the next phase.

passport?

Height-adjustable tables have become a staple in the home and office environment, offering users variety and comfort regardless of the tasks at hand. These pieces offer immense flexibility, but what if that flexibility could be pushed even further? What if a table could naturally provide more mobility, agility, and range, broadening its multi-use capabilities—creating an instant workspace? Herman Miller’s Passport, the brand’s newest table offering, is designed to do all of that—all while keeping space prioritisation top of mind. With the rise in hybrid working, shared office space and demand for

innovative home office solutions, designers at Herman Miller saw an opportunity to reimagine the role of a height-adjustable table, resulting in a solution that is both effortlessly useful and endlessly flexible.

Passport offers up the ideal, adaptable work surface solution that can perform in a wide variety of spaces including home, corporate and educational environments. Intentionally compact in design, Passport is large enough for the essentials but small enough for tight spaces. It’s available in two sizes, with enough surface space for a laptop, notebook, and even a favourite beverage