CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net Group sales director Joaquim D’Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706
Business development director Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818
Editor Roma Arora roma@ bncpublishing.net
Art director Ifteqar Ahmed Syed
Welcome It’s been a challenging, exhausting, and rewarding past one month. We delivered our first Design Middle East Awards 2018 on October 10, 2018, with great pomp and show. The whole vibe, the whole experience was enthralling and gave us and hopefully to everyone who was present there, a great lot of unforgettable memories. There were 21 categories and more than 300 people from the design fraternity attended the event. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you all for making it a success. The November edition features an in-depth coverage of the starry night. On the cover, we have three design champions who rocked at the awards night —Noor Al Muhaideb, winner of Lifetime Achievement Award; Firas Alsahin, winner of the Hospitality Project of the Year (Restaurants/Bars/Clubs) award; and Lama Harb who was declared the Architect of the Year. They talk about their win, career, and more. Moving on, the celebration continues with a complete list of the winners and runner-ups. We also have a great case study by Cosentino and the surfaces they have used for a stunning villa in Ibiza, Spain. The Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design are two events that we all are looking forward to in November. Gear up for more action in design! Happy Reading!
Roma Arora Marketing executive Mark Anthony Monzon mark@bncpublishing.net
FOLLOW US ON www.design-middleeast.com
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Photographer Farooq Salik
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SUBSCRIBE subscriptions@bncpublishing.net PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates T +971 4 420 0506 | F +971 4 420 0196 For all commercial enquiries related to Design Middle East contact jo@bncpublishing.net T +971 50 440 2706 All rights reserved © 2018. Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors. Design Middle East and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Design Middle East. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Images used in Design Middle East are credited when necessary. Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission. Prices are quoted in US dollars. Printed by UPP
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Contents NOV EMBER 2018
IN THIS ISSUE‌
16
Cover Story
22
DESIGNME AWARDS 2018
Three winners of the Design Middle East Awards 2018 narrate their success stories
A round-up from the biggest design awards in the region, Design Middle East Awards 2018
50
OP-ED
52
Case Study
56
Preview
60
Pick of the Month
Andrea Zoumboulis, Remy Architects on the importance of attention to detail in design and architecture
Cosentino’s Ominia Villa project in Ibiza is fascinating and inspiring in many ways
What to look forward to at Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design!
22 16 56 52 November 2018
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COVER STORY
Top guns
design
of
Three glorious winners of the inaugural Design Middle East Awards 2018 share their heartwarming journeys in the design industry and making it big By Roma Arora Photographs by Farooq Salik
T
he history was created and the winners were applauded. The Design Middle East Awards 2018 gave some beautiful memories and our cover story this month is featuring three winners of the prestigious award categories who’re sharing their success stories and what made them win! In conversation with the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award—Noor Al Muhaideb, founding partner and managing director, OPAAL Interiors; Hospitality Project Design of the Year (Restaurants/Bars/Clubs) winner Firas Alsahin, associate director at 4SPACE Design; and Lama Harb, associate director from JT+ Partners who won the Architect of the Year Award.
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www.design-middleeast.com
PROUD WINNERS: Noor Al Muhaideb, Firas Alsahin, and Lama Harb
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COVER STORY
I’m honoured to be receiving this award and certainly grateful for the recognition I have received.
Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award Noor Al Muhaideb, founding partner and managing director, OPAAL Interiors On winning: I’m honoured to be receiving this award and certainly grateful for the recognition I have received. Of course, as any entrepreneur does when setting out on a venture, I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each one of them has only strengthened me to make me the person I am today. A victory such as this makes all the hard work worthwhile. Current role: I’m actively involved in the daily operations of both OPAAL Interiors and Detay Living; it’s our furniture design and procurement company. The key to any successful business is in finding right the balance between vision, strategy, execution and a passion for what you do. The focus of my role is to inspire my clients with a completed project that goes beyond their expectations. Inspiration: Beautiful spaces and objects are an endless supply of inspiration. Because I'm a visual person, images, materials, textures often give me the map to my final design. I bring the vision of a project to life by creating a story through the journey, palettes, patterns, and forms that are full of beauty, adventure, and soul. Future of design: I believe motivation should be on the human aspect of the built environment. We already see digital trends being strong in design, with visuals and aesthetics such as VR, robots, and AI becoming second nature to us. So, more and more technologies will be emerging cutting the design process duration and increasing visual accuracy. Living spaces will go smaller, and communal areas will increase serving the lifestyle of millennials and newer generations.
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Winner of the Hospitality Project Design of the Year (Restaurants/Bars/ Clubs) for Atmosfire Firas Alsahin, associate director at 4SPACE Design On winning: Delighted is an understatement, it was a real privilege to be part of the first Design Middle East Awards 2018 and pick up an award for Best Restaurant Design for Atmosfire, it is an enthronement for our F&B design sector, what makes it even better is the great competition in this category. Not to mention that the recognition is coming from a high profile jury panel. Current role: It is my responsibility to oversee the full design methodology. From the briefing of the design concept up to the project management. I work side by side with my team to ensure that we are on the same page and on the right track. Inspiration: I was born and raised in the city of Bonn at West Germany. The time where playing with Lego, reading comic books, watching Transformers, and Star Wars were a great way to entertain a child. Growing up with all these design elements fascinated me and shaped me to the path of being a designer. Sometimes, I draw my inspiration from art, a book or a movie, anything could be considered as an inspiration as long it has a story to tell. Future of design: Besides the futuristic elements and minimalism, I would like to see more authentic, historical and cultural elements. It's all about looking and going back to the roots.
Delighted is an understatement, it was a real privilege to be part of the first Design Middle East Awards 2018.
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COVER STORY Winner of the Architect of the Year Award Lama Harb, associate director, JT+ Partners On winning: For me, this award recognises the intangible qualities of the architect through his/ her work not only focussing on the tactile side of architecture but also on his contribution in providing excellence and inspiring the community. this award also puts a big responsibility on my shoulder to achieve architectural excellence, promote the profession of architecture, and contribute in creating buildings and social spaces that generate energy and feelings to the society. Current role: Being the right hand of our managing director, Joe Tabet whom I’ve been working with for more than 10 years, is a great opportunity in my professional career to explore a different colour in the architecture rainbow of diversity and practice. My responsibilities also include mentoring the team, embracing their ideas, energy and enthusiasm as well as ensuring their development through creating opportunities for their progress and make sure emerging professionals are valued. Inspiration: My Inspiration is architecture itself. For me, architecture is about serving others through the design of the built environment and making sure our work is the best it can be through its service to others and contribution to a more sustainably built world. Future of architecture: We must change the view that architecture is an addition or a luxury to be enjoyed in boom times, and instead understand it as a reflection of our society and our values. I would like to see more focus on the meaning and experience of the spaces, which will create a more holistic perspective of the built environment and effect broader change. Ask ourselves “what do we actually need, rather than who’s going to design it.” I would like to see architects going beyond the client perspective. Architects have a responsibility towards the public!
This award also puts a big responsibility on my shoulder to achieve architectural excellence.
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Featuring: Architecture Exhibitions Graphic Design Installations Product Design Talks & Workshops @dubaidesignweek #dxbdw2018
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Download the Dubai Design Week App for your complete guide to the week’s events and to access the latest updates and special offers. Scan the QR code to download the App
DESIGNME AWARDS
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY FAROOQ SALIK
PRESENTED BY
P L AT I N U M A L L I E S
S I L V E R A L LY
C AT E G O RY A L LY
T E C H PA RT N E R
I
t was an evening to remember! Design Middle East Awards 2018 presented by du was about the celebration of the creative best and foremost from the region’s design industry. The awards honoured the best of designers, architects, projects, and designoriented companies. The award ceremony with various categories strived to recognise the individual excellence, company strengths, and project success. The awards ceremony was held at Habtoor Palace-LXR Hotels & Resorts, Dubai on October 10, 2018. A big thank you to our judges – Alex Cunningham, associate director, Benoy; Ali Maarrawi, general manager, OFIS; David Daniels, director of architecture, SSH; and Hani Asfour, associate dean, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation in deciding the winners and runner-ups. Here’s the complete list of winners.
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Architectural Firm of the Year
GODWIN AUSTEN JOHNSON
The winner of the Architectural Firm of the Year was Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ). GAJ originally started in the UK in 1989 as Godwin Austen Johnson. In 1991 principal and managing partner Brian Johnson opened the GAJ headquarters in Dubai. GAJ’s body of work comprises some of Dubai’s most recognisable and prized buildings including the iconic Dubai Creek Golf Clubhouse, Gulf Hotel, The Hilton Double Tree & Garden Inn in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the win, Jason Burnside, partner at GAJ, said: “It’s such an honour and we are thrilled. The competition was so strong in this category and it feels great to win this award. The whole energy and vibe at this awards ceremony is so good and hopefully many more to come.”
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It’s such an honour and we are thrilled. The competition was so strong in this category and it feels great to win this award.
Runner-up: Gensler Other shortlisted nominations included Studio International Engineering Consultants (SIEC), KEO International Consultants, and LACASA.
www.design-middleeast.com
Interior Design Firm of the Year
SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*
It feels great and it’s a big motivation for us to go ahead and perform even better.
Runner-up: Studio EM Other shortlisted nominations included Bishop Design, MMAC Design Associates, Bluehaus Group, Godwin Austen Johnson, and OPAAL Interiors.
The prestigious Interior Design Firm of the Year Award went to SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*. Andrea Sensoli and his partners specialise in providing luxurious architectural designs to renowned clients in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and prides itself to be one of the best firms in the world for 3D visualisation of architectural design. Some of its major clients include the Italian ESTRA, Dubai DAFZA, The Kape , and many other residential, retail, and commercial clients. Commenting on the win, Andrea Sensoli, architect principal at SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, said: “It feels great and it’s a big motivation for us to go ahead and perform even better. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline and hopefully we would be part of this function next year too.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Fit-Out Firm of the Year
ABANOS FIT-OUT & JOINERY
Abanos Fit-Out & Joinery was named as the Fit-Out Firm of the Year. Abanos was established in 1985 and over the past three decades has delivered some incredible projects like Etihad Museum, Dubai Design District (d3), Old Souk Dubai, At.mosphere Restaurant in Burj Khalifa, Zayed University, and many more. They have recently won $13.4mn contract for The Expo Village project. Commenting on the win, Kamal Farah, CEO at Abanos Fit-Out & Joinery, said: “ I am very happy, excited, and proud of my team. We are striving to do better and better.”
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I am very happy, excited, and proud of my team. We are striving to do better and better.
Runner-up: ALEC Fitout Other shortlisted nominations included GDM Interiors, Dufit Interiors, and A&T Group Interiors.
www.design-middleeast.com
Décor Retailer of the Year
CHATTLES & MORE
I feel fantastic and extremely proud. It’s like a dream come true.
Runner-up: 2XL Furniture & Home Décor Other shortlisted nominations included IDdesign, KARE, and Maison D’art.
Chattles & More was announced as the winner of the Décor Retailer of the Year. It’s a homegrown brand, part of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, deals with unique, elegant, and stylish furniture and accessories. They collaborate with designers, manufacturers and artisans from around the world to deliver exceptional pieces with a story to tell. They provide a wide range of captivating designs matching customers’ imagination without compromising on quality. Commenting on the win, Adrian Shaw, general manager at Chattles & More, said: “I feel fantastic and extremely proud. It’s like a dream come true. Chattles & More is a homegrown brand and we started two and a half year ago. We are choosing products that are unique and not available in Dubai.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Business Excellence Award
ALSHAYA ENTERPRISES
Alshaya Enterprises won the Business Excellence Award. The brand enjoys a sterling reputation of the supplier of high quality furnishings for the office and home. The group also has a separate lighting division called Ambiance and their own kitchen brand called kitchenhaus. This Kuwait-based group has recently launched a state-of-the-art showroom in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road and aims to further expand its presence in the UAE. Commenting on the win, Huw Hughes, CFO at Alshaya Enterprises said: “We are delighted to receive this award. It’s a great event and amazing platform to bring the fraternity together and award the best talent in the region.”
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It’s a great event and amazing platform to bring the fraternity together and award the best talent in the region.
www.design-middleeast.com
Innovation in Design Award
MILLENNIUM BINGHATTI RESIDENCES
It feels great to be recognised on such a fabulous platform. We are obsessed with depicting the art-of-property and we are glad to be part of this ceremony.
Millennium Binghatti Residences by Binghatti Developers won the prestigious Innovation in Design Award. The unconventional design and the finely crafted apartments in Business Bay make this project unique. The building’s balconies are slightly ‘twisted’ to provide a pleasant amount of sunlight while also providing an incredible view of the Dubai Water Canal and Dubai Skyline. To magnify this design element, certain floors were repositioned to give the building its iconic wavy appearance, conceptualised as a tribute to Dubai’s historic ties to the Arabian Gulf. Commenting on the win, Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO and head of architecture at Binghatti Developers, said: “It feels great to be recognised on such a fabulous platform. We are obsessed with depicting the art-of-property and we are glad to be part of this ceremony.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Landscape Project of the Year
THE BLOCK BY DESERT INK
Landscape Project of the Year Award went to The Block by desert INK. ‘The Block’ stands out as one of the most unique and innovative landscape designs in the Middle East. This urban park project was constructed over a seven-month period at Dubai Design District and seized the opportunity to utilise more than 700 surplus concrete quaystones abandoned at the site during the construction of the adjacent Dubai Water Canal. Commenting on the win, Duncan Denley, managing director, desert INK, said: “We’re very pleased to win this award. The team really worked hard for this project and it’s great to be recognised in front of the design fraternity.”
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The team really worked hard for this project and it’s great to be recognised in front of the design fraternity. Other shortlisted nominations included Al Dana Waves Garden by Jaheen’d Design & Creative Company and Villa on Jumeirah Island by Milestone Dubai.
www.design-middleeast.com
Design Education Project of the Year
AQUILA SCHOOL BY NATIONAL ENGINEERING BUREAU (NEB)
It’s a great achievement for International Schools Partnership, NEB, and Intermass.
Other shortlisted nominations included Prince Sultan College for Visually Impaired, Saudi Arabia by ZAS Architects and Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai by U+A.
Design Education Project of the Year was won by the Aquila School in Dubailand, which used a cluster-based design. This school premises feature short corridor, uniquely shaped classrooms, an abundance of natural light, open spaces, and walkways, and bridges that connect the clusters. Commenting on the win, Walid Al Kaddah, head of operations—Middle East at International Schools Partnerships, said: “It’s a great achievement for International Schools Partnership, NEB, and Intermass. It was a challenging project but the final result is just amazing. It’s a beautiful building and we all worked like partners.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Sustainable Project of the Year
SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL IN DUBAI BY U+A
Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai by U+A won the Sustainable Project of the Year. This school is the first educational facility in the region to have the Minergie certificate; the building consumes 1/3 of the energy of standard buildings. Minergie is a Swissregistered label for low energy consumption buildings. Building to Minergie standards means providing high-grade, air-tight building envelopes and the continuous renewal of air in the building using as energy-efficient ventilation system. Commenting on the win, Tiago Sampaio, associate director, U+A, said: “Sustainability is very important aspect of designing in this region. It’s a great achievement for the team. The awards are very well organised and I would like to thank BNC team for this honour.”
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Sustainability is very important aspect of designing in this region. It’s a great achievement for the team.
Other shortlisted nominations included One Life by Studio EM, Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai by U+A, and Xworks by AESG.
www.design-middleeast.com
Retail Project of the Year
AL RAWI BY ROAR
It feels amazing, we created a restaurant which has a retail function within it, and it picked up an award, we are overjoyed. Other shortlisted nominations included Symphony Fashion Store by H2R Design, Design Lotus Arts De Vivre by Bishop Design, The Contemporary District, Al Seefby 10 Design, and The Avenues Kuwait by Gensler.
Al Rawi by Roar was recognised as the Retail Project of the Year. It is a contemporary hub in Sharjah for the booklovers, writers and publishers, incorporating a restaurant, event space, and children’s creative zone. This multi-tasking space truly reflects Sharjah’s literary heritage – celebrated at the Sharjah International Book Fair, which began in 1982. Commenting on the win, Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director at Roar, said: “It feels amazing, we created a restaurant which has a retail function within it, and it picked up an award, we are overjoyed.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Commercial Project of the Year
OLIOLI BY SNEHA DIVIAS AETLIER
Olioli by Sneha Divias Atelier was named as the Commercial Project of the Year. Olioli is an interactive children’s play museum in Dubai, providing an opportunity for creative, open-ended, unstructured and limitless play. The mission was to create a destination for children that commence as a medium in order to be happier, more creative, more imaginative, and better informed. Commenting on the win, Sneha Divias, architect and founder of Sneha Divias Aetlier, said: "Winning an award in the inaugural Design Middle East Awards is a great honour. Olioli is very dear to me and for it to receive the recognition it deserves is very humbling."
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Winning an award in the inaugural Design Middle East Awards is a great honour. Olioli is very dear to me and for it to receive the recognition it deserves is very humbling. Runner-up: Imkan Corporate Office by Bluehaus Group Other shortlisted nominations included Oriana Spa by SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, Signature Element by Design Haus Medy, Edelman Office by Roar, and VR Park by 4SPACE Design.
www.design-middleeast.com
Residential Project of the Year
KH VILLA BY REMY ARCHITECTS
We are very delighted, it’s an honour to win an award for this beautiful project. We are glad to be part of this inaugural awards function. Runner-up: Marasi Water Homes by U+A Other shortlisted nominations included Villa Bar Al Jissah by Sneha Divias Atelier, Satwa Villa by GDM Interiors, Private villa at Al Khawaneej 3 by Kart Group, Dubai South Town Homes by SIEC, and Bahçeköy House by Habif Architects.
KH Villa in Abu Dhabi by Remy Architects was named as the Residential Project of the Year. After making a debut in the international market at Rafael Viñoly’s studio in New York, the world-renowned architect Andres Remy founded Remy Architects to develop innovative projects, with a unique architecture language. Over its 12 of existence, the studio’s designs have been awarded nationally and internationally. KH Villa is firm’s first project in the MENA region and draws inspirations from the experiences that take place during the design and construction phases. Commenting on the win, Iman Taha, junior architect at Remy Architects, said: “We are very delighted, it’s an honour to win an award for this beautiful project. We are glad to be part of this inaugural awards function.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Hospitality Project Design of the Year (RESTAURANTS/BARS/CLUBS)
Atmosfire by 4SPACE Design
Atmosfire by 4SPACE Design on Jumeirah Beach Road won the Hospitality Project Design of the Year (Restaurants/Bars/Clubs). The restaurant features open fire barbecue pit with six different grills from around the world and massive brick brazier spanning from the floor to high ceiling. Very chic and contemporary, this place is truly a treat for eyes. Commenting on the win, Amjad Hourieh, managing partner and project director, 4SPACE Design, said: “We were not expecting this, there were some great competitive shortlisted companies in this category. We are grateful for this amazing recognition. Thank you BNC for pulling out such a fabulous ceremony.�
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We were not expecting this, there were some great competitive shortlisted companies in this category. Runner-up: Scalini Dubai by Bishop Design Other shortlisted nominations included TWO at Symphony by H2R Design, BOA Lounge and Club by Bishop Design, Snooze Coffee Shop by Light Space Design, Brew 92 by Liqui Design, Le Petit Belge by Creneau International, and Hotel Cartagena by Atelier EPJ.
www.design-middleeast.com
Hospitality Project Design of the Year (Hotels)
ROVE LA MER BY MMAC DESIGN ASSOCIATES
It’s a wonderful experience and I am glad that this hotel is given such a great recognition.
Runner-up: Al Alamein Hotel by H2R Design Other shortlisted nominations included Al Manara Lighthouse by MMAC Design Associates and Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait by Gensler.
Rove La Mer by MMAC Design Associates won the Hospitality Project Design of the Year (Hotels). The design of this stunning hotel revolves around the idea of an uncommon Dubai with elements of Arabic sailing heritage. The graphics and the art installations at the hotel represent the design narrative to this hotel. Commenting on the win, Christian Merieau, managing director and partner at MMAC Design Associates, said: “It’s a wonderful experience and I am glad that this hotel is given such a great recognition. Also, thank you for organising such a fantastic evening.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Developer of the Year
AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS
Azizi Developments was named as the Developer of the Year. The brand is contributing immensely to the growth and prosperity of the UAE. Although the foundation for this Group was laid in 1989, it was in 2007 when their towering presence first began to take shape. Mirwais Azizi was driven to design homes and communities inspired by modern urban living. But at the heart, it was about giving back to a city that had offered him and his family a place of peace and security. He set a vision for the future without losing sight of the past, ensuring he stays within client budgets, but goes beyond the norm to create the best possible living experience for people. Commenting on the win, Mohamed Ragdeb, deputy CEO Engineering, Azizi Developments, said: “It gives me a great pleasure to be part of this event. I would like to thank our customers for their continuous support and BNC for organising such a wonderful event.�
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It gives me a great pleasure to be part of this event. I would like to thank our customers for their continuous support and BNC for organising such a wonderful event.
www.design-middleeast.com
Entrepreneur of the Year
KAMAL FARAH
I am flabbergasted and very excited. I am blessed to have a team who believe in a common goal and objective.
The winner of the Entrprenuer of the Year Award was Kamal Farah, CEO, Abanos Fit-Out & Joinery. Farah changed the business model of his company, which was established in 1985, focused on joinery and evolved to include interior fit-out in the early 2000’s foreseeing the existing gap in the local market. He expanded his team steadily and organically, now operating in the UAE and GCC markets, employing over 1,200 dedicated and highly skilled professionals. Commenting on the win, Farah said: “I am flabbergasted and very excited. I am blessed to have a team who believe in a common goal and objective.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Luxury Project of the Year
SOBHA HARTLAND BY SOBHA REALTY
SOBHA Hartland by SOBHA Realty was announced as the Luxury Project of the Year. With a legacy and a track record of 40 years, the brand continues to disrupt existing standards of product quality and luxury across its core markets under the leadership of the group’s chairman PNC Menon. With its ambitious project, SOBHA Hartland is an eight mnsqft freehold community of lavish homes in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City and along the Dubai Water Canal, this project has taken luxury to a new level. Commenting on the win, Tirthankar Ganguly, chief marketing officer, SOBHA Realty, said: “True luxury is a very personal idea and it is backed by excellence in design and craftsmanship. This award is a big motivational aspect for the entire team at SOBHA Realty. We are happy to be part of this event and kudos to BNC team for arranging such a spectacular show.”
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This award is a big motivational aspect for the entire team at SOBHA Realty. We are happy to be part of this event and kudos to BNC team for arranging such a spectacular show.
www.design-middleeast.com
Interior Designer of the Year
PAUL BISHOP, BISHOP DESIGN
I am ecstatic, there are no words to explain my feelings. It’s a big honour and I would like to thank my entire team for supporting and working brilliantly always. Runner-up: Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director, Roar Other shortlisted nominations included Maja Kozel from Maja Kozel Design, Andrea Sensoli from SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, Meya Zaghdoud from MMAC Design Associates, and Noor Majid Muhaideb from OPAAL Interiors.
Paul Bishop was announced as the Interior Designer of the Year. Bishop has over 22 years of experience in the design industry on regional and global scale. He along with his team handles project worth AED20mn per annum with each fragment of the project production completed in-house. Some of his note-worthy projects are Intercontinental Hotel, Muscat; Studio City Hotel, Dubai; Larte in d3, and many more. Currently, he is working on 40+ projects within the region and internationally. Commenting on the win, Paul Bishop, owner and founder at Bishop Design, said: “I am ecstatic, there are no words to explain my feelings. It’s a big honour and I would like to thank my entire team for supporting and working brilliantly always.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Architect of the Year
LAMA HARB, JT+ PARTNERS
Lama Harb, associate director at JT+ Partners won the Architect of the Year Award. Harb has an over 20 years of extensive experience in worldwide architectural and construction industry. She is currently working on prestigious Ras Al Akhdar Hotel in Abu Dhabi, Mango Resort in Seychelles, Ritz-Carlton Saadiyat Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Commenting on the win, Harb, said: “I am speechless, it’s a great win. It’s a great honour and I would like thank my company for supporting me always.”
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I am speechless, it’s a great win. It’s a great honour and I would like thank my company for supporting me always. Runner-up: Nael Evans from Studio International Engineering Consultants (SIEC) Other shortlisted nominations included Mariska Stoffel from Killa Design, Medy Nahravani from Design Haus Medy, and Raj Patel from KEO International Consultants.
www.design-middleeast.com
Young Talent of the Year
WILLIAM BENNETT, DESERT INK
I am trilled to win this award. It is not just my win, the people and the team I work with, the award belongs to all of us actually. Other shortlisted nominations included May El Agizy from Bluehaus Group, Omar Nakkash from Nakkash Design Studio, Yasmin Farahmandy from Gensler, Nicola Fahy from Studio EM, and Amy Louise Dwyer from OPAAL Interiors.
William Bennett, senior landscape architect at desert INK won the Young Talent of the Year Award. Bennett came to the UAE four years ago with a passion for enhancing people’s lives and is doing some exciting projects. Some of his remarkable projects include Fossil Rock, The Block, and he is currently working on the Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavilion and is leading this project with a commitment to innovation, nurturing a design, which aims to educate visitors on the importance of careful resource use. Commenting on the win, Bennett said: “I am trilled to win this award. It is not just my win, the people and the team I work with, the award belongs to all of us actually. We are working on some exciting projects focussing on sustainability.”
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DESIGNME AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award
NOOR MAJID MUHAIDEB, OPAAL INTERIORS
Noor Majid Muhaideb, founding partner and managing director at OPAAL Interiors bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award. Muhaideb’s comprehensive wealth of experience through the implementation and delivery of various residential and commercial developments during her 15 years at Emaar Properties makes her a highly respected personality of the design fraternity. Her body of work includes eminent projects like Downtown Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek Harbour, Emirates Hills, Asmaran, Four Seasons Hotel Jeddah, KSA, amongst others. Commenting on her win, Muhaideb said: “I did not expect this. I am honoured and thank BNC for this. We are working in various international countries and launching a furniture company soon.”
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I did not expect this. I am honoured and thank BNC for this. We are working in various international countries and launching a furniture company soon.
Other shortlisted nominations included Mustafa Khamash from Kart Group, Andrea Sensoli from SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, and Chris Johnson from Gensler.
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DESIGNME AWARDS
starry night Glimpses from the
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OP-ED
Creating innovative and contextual architecture! Andrea Zoumboulis, partner architect, Remy Architects talks the firm’s design philosophy and the award-winning KH Villa
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ver the past 12 years, Remy Architects with offices in Argentina and UAE has been awarded nationally and internationally. Our designs are a result of a careful analysis of the building’s environment and its users. We create structures that provide a sophisticated sense of luxury and comfort with minimal impact on the environment. This is achieved by collecting detailed information about the client’s needs, project’s location, culture, available technologies, geographical, and climatic conditions.
Andrea Zoumboulis, partner architect, Remy Architects
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KH Villa in Abu Dhabi by Remy Architects
We are guided by empathy through understanding the client’s requirements as well as basic psychological needs. Fundamental studies on culture and environment are done at an early stage, which moulds the base for an architectural design. Inspired by the preference of function over form, our designs take into consideration the human scale and the environment. Our focus is based on creating innovative and contextual architecture. This is generated through a variety of different tools. Our designs harmoniously integrate nature with contemporary architecture. Predominantly pleasing our clients with unique designs tailored to their needs, we also generate sustainable buildings by blending architecture and technology. We dictate the mood and human behaviour by creating exclusive and diverse interior atmospheres that stimulate the user. Inside our studios, the team works as a unified unit and more than often as a family. As we continue to grow, we depend on the necessary
exchange of expertise and experiences from all members of our diverse team. Our award-winning project, KH Villa in Abu Dhabi was designed to be a successful marriage of Emirati and Western living. The culture-sensitive spaces are furnished with warm contemporary finishes and allow an abundance of light into the house without compromising the internal temperatures. The villa also incorporates mashrabiya panels to shade the bedrooms and provide privacy to the users. We owe a part of our success to the unique concept of merging the Emirati vernacular with contemporary and sustainable architecture, one that is relatively new to the private residential design industry in the UAE. As design and construction activities continue to evolve in the region, finding the balance between physical and economic growth is important to be able to create unique livable places. The studio’s vision is to broaden our design
Andres Remy, founder and director, Remy Architects
language and develop projects of varying scale within the region. Our designs emphasise on user experience and sensory stimulation. Often these concepts are overlooked on the detriment of a unique user experience. Our aim is to produce designs that will benefit private clients and the public for generations to come.
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CASE STUDY Dekton Sirocco is used for the infinity pool
Cosentino T weaves magic for the
Spanish villa Cosentino shares an interesting case study of Omnia Villa in Ibiza where they used their spectacular surfaces on floors, staircase area, kitchen countertop, and bathroom in creating this soulful place
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he five-bedroom Omina Villa belongs to the UAE-based Spanish entrepreneur, Manuel Ayas and is situated on a 20,000sqm plot of land in Carretera de Sant Josep, Ibiza. This villa is surrounded by nature with views of the sea, the countryside, and a pristine natural reserve. Architect Jano Blanco has designed the villa and Jose Antonio Flores did the interiors for this project. Blanco created the project on modern and minimalistic lines. The interiors follow a muted grey and bright white colour palette with occasional shades of browns, giving an air of sophistication, warmth, and a general sense of spaciousness.
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The surface chosen for flooring is Dekton in strato colour
I want things to be big and bold. I don’t want to have a big window in the wall; I want the whole wall to be a window. – Manuel Ayas, owner of the villa
In conversation with the owner of the property, Manuel Ayas on the design, inspiration, and why he chose Cosentino surfaces for his luxury villa. The design vision: I wanted a space that is light, airy, and relaxing. I wanted guests to be awed by the views of the sea and the mountains and hence the extensive use of glass to blur the boundaries between inside and outside. I like simplicity in design and so I prefer clean lines. I also like an exaggeration. I want things to be big and bold. I don’t want to have a big window in the wall; I want the whole wall to be a window.
Favourite area: I love all the spaces but my favourite is the bedroom with the view of mountains. I find that space so calm and soothing. It is not the largest room in the villa but it is the room I choose to sleep in. Open plan kitchen: It is an open kitchen design with a huge island. My idea behind having a huge island was so that it could double up as a bar that people could mingle around. The hood is in-built into the ceiling and this gives the impression of a much larger space.
KEY FACTS Project: Omnia Villa Location: Carretera de Sant Josep, Ibiza, Spain Total surface area: 550sqm Project completion: Project completed in July 2017 (Construction time: 1 year and 2 months) Architect: Jano Blanco Interior designer: Jose Antonio Flores Surfaces by: Cosentino Dubai
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CASE STUDY Silestone in iconic white is used for the kitchen countertop
DÊcor and styling: The furniture is a mix of different pieces: A big wooden table from Canada, trunk and chairs from Sweden, and the rest of furniture from Italy. When choosing art for my villa, I wanted to have pieces that were powerful yet fun. You can’t really have anything serious and boring for a villa in Ibiza! I am a big fan of pop art and I love the work of New York based contemporary artist Domingo Zapata. He has some some great pop art pieces, which I bought through an art merchant. Choosing Cosentino: I visited the Cosentino factory in Almeria while holidaying with my family. My villa is my dream project, it is also a very important investment so I wanted to use the best. When I visited the factory, I was really impressed by the products, its quality, durability, properties, and versatility. I was also stunned by the level of professionalism and the visitors (architects and customers) they had from all over the world. I was convinced that this was the best possible material that I could use for my villa.
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I visited the Cosentino factory in Almeria while holidaying with my family. My villa is my dream project, it is also a very important investment so I wanted to use the best. Dekton Strato is applied in the stairs. It has anti-slip properties as well
Cosentino surfaces: Choosing the right flooring for my villa was the hardest. One of my main considerations was to have the largest possible slab. After visiting the showroom, I decided on Dekton, which offered large format slabs (1.4m x 1.6m). I found them to be durable and extremely low maintenance without compromising on the look. I chose Strato, a subtle grey because I wanted a shade that would contrast with the white but still not be too dark or overpowering. I wanted to maintain a sense of space. When it came to the design of the bathrooms, I chose Silestone Elegance sinks. Dekton Sirocco was available in anti-slip, which was great for the infinity pool.
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PREVIEW
Design Central Dubai is going to witness the maximum dose of design this month!
D
ubai Design Week is back with a bang! Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Design Week will hold its fourth edition from November 12-17, 2018 at d3. More than 120 companies participating and 230 events taking place, encompassing exhibitions, commissioned installations, awards
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and competitions, talks and workshops, tours and experiences for design enthusiasts and public visitors alike. Dubai Design Week will this year launch its first app, allowing visitors to create personalised schedules on the go based on preferences and interests and to be the first to get notified of mustattend launches and events. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO of d3 says: “d3 is once again thrilled to be the strategic partner and host of the fourth edition of Dubai Design Week. For 2018, we are proud to add d3’s ‘UAE Design Stories’ exhibition to the programme and highlight several projects under d3’s ‘Design for Good’ initiative, which supports and promotes social change within the UAE. It's always important for us to continue to support the growth of the design industry as a whole and it is events like this that celebrate design from across the region which truly cement Dubai, and d3, as a design destination.” Another major highpoint of Dubai Design Week is the Downtown Design, which will be taking place in its custom-built exhibition space on the d3 Waterfront. The event will be held from November 13-16, 2018. The 2018 edition will present a selection of established and emerging exhibitors, comprising over 175 brands, including 40 regional designers. This November, Downtown Design will be introducing Downtown Editions; a new and curated section within the fair, showcasing limited-edition and bespoke design by individual studios, brands, and designers from the Middle East and beyond.
Rue Kothari, fair director at Downtown Design says: “Our sixth edition is the most ambitious to date with more than 65 new brands, the inaugural showcase of Downtown Editions and large-scale installations, debuting at the fair. Delivering a unique experience, award-winning architects H+A have master-planned the fair around the theme of ‘Liveable Cities’; new fair features will include bespoke café concepts, a pop-up retail destination, indoor landscapes and activations on the waterfront terrace. This new blueprint coupled with a fresh creative
direction will mark a new phase of growth and success for the fair.” Key brands including Bernhardt, Bomma, cc-tapis, Herman Miller, Marset, Matteo Brioni, Meridiani, Moroso, and THG Paris will return to present their new ranges at the fair's biggest showcase to date. Latest works and collections will be brought to the fair by brands exhibiting for the first time; AlShaya Enterprises, Arper, Artemide, Baxter, Cappellini, Cassina, Diesel Living, Frato, Gandia Blasco, Leyla Uluhanli, Manfredi Style, Normann Copenhagen, Puiforcat, and Villeroy + Boch.
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EVENTS
THE MONTH AHEAD
Trade fair dates for your diary…
EVENT IN FOCUS Dubai Design Week
November 12-17, 2018 Dubai, UAE Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Design Week is the largest creative festival in the Middle East, reflecting Dubai’s position as the regional capital of design. The six-day programme is made up of +200 events covering design across a range of disciplines including architecture, product, furniture, interior, and graphic design. Staged in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai Design Week provides an accessible meeting point for the global design community, a platform for regional design and acts as a catalyst for the growth of the creative community in Dubai.
Downtown Design
November 13-16, 2018 Dubai, UAE Set around the theme of ‘Liveable Cities’, Downtown Design is back again. Located on the waterfront overlooking Dubai Creek, there are six large-scale installations, landscaped indoor gardens, bespoke café concepts and pop-up retail, creating an engaging and dynamic experience. The sixth edition of the fair will present over 175 contemporary international design brands alongside 40 regional designers, the largest ever curation of Middle Eastern talent. This year also sees the launch of Editions, a showcase of limited edition design from individual designers, studios and design collectives.
Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai
November 22-24, 2018 Shanghai, China Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai is an international benchmark for creativity and design, and an unparalleled showcase for Made in Italy products and the Italian Way of Living in Shanghai. This is a “special” edition brought to the Chinese market by the international platform for furnishing that is the Salone del Mobile.Milano, showcasing a selection of top Italian companies, representing the pinnacle of Made in Italy and top quality manufacturing. The Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai promises three days of design and luxury furniture, in the same style categories as those showcased in Milan.
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INSIDE
November 28-30, 2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands The INSIDE World Festival of Interiors is a three-day event for interior design professionals. Held at RAI Amsterdam, INSIDE is where the world design and architecture community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange ideas and be inspired. It is the only global interiors festival where keynote talks from the industry’s most influential figures sit alongside live judging presentations from over 500 award finalists plus global networking and an international product exhibition.
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PICK OF THE MONTH
Posh and plush! Living spaces that are all about comfort and style need something as spectacular as the armchair Diva. The original and decorative lines of art deco characterise this small armchair with a wraparound backrest, creatively shaped like a shell. The revolving one is ideal for teatime or conversation, the fixed version is perfect for a waiting room. This armchair can also be used at the dining table or as a small sofa. The structure is made with poplar plywood and solid wood. Price: AED6986 onwards + VAT Availability: Nakkash Gallery, Dubai Design District, Building 7
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Every question, met with a solution. Dedicated service managers. Our business is trust.
ORIX - INDUSTRIAL Collection
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COSENTINO CITY DUBAI Dubai Design District (D3) Building 4-A, Unit 401 042428131 infomiddleeast@cosentino.com Discover more at www.dekton.com Follow Us: F CosentinoMiddleEast
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