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I N T E R I O R S A N D A R C H I T E C T U R E F R O M T H E G U L F, L E V A N T A N D B E Y O N D
March
2018
INSIDE: Decoding the trends, innovations, and challenges in the paints industry
First
LOOK
Exclusive interior images of Zaha Hadid's first magnum OPUS in Dubai
ORIX - INDUSTRIAL Collection
DEKTON presents the new INDUSTRIAL series, the result of a collaboration with Daniel Germani Designs. It is composed of four colours reflecting both urban style and ecological character – these rustic materials add power, depth and personality to any architectural and decorative project. An exercise in technological innovation and sustainability for a more demanding world.
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
10 W UltraThickness Thickness Ultra (0.8, 1.2, 2, 3 cm) (0.8, 1.2, 2, 3 cm )
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Contents MARCH 2018
26
16
IN THIS ISSUE‌
16
Cover Story
22
OP-ED
24
Interview
26
Feature
32
Talking Point
Fabulous interiors of show apartment at The OPUS Mohammad Bin Zaal, CEO of KOA, emphasise on curated communities Stephen Atherton, design director of Sobha Group, talks the Hartland project
How paints create magic on your walls
Projects and innovation by Cosentino
52
Wish List
Contents MARCH 2018
42 36 46
36
Project
Luxe interiors of world's tallest hotel, Gevora in Dubai
42
Décor review
46
Preview
59
Supplier Focus
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Cheerful interiors of Masti at La Mer
Here's what to expect from INDEX 2018
Eric Berchtold, director Middle East & Africa, USM, talks about latest furniture trends
March 2018
REGULARS 5
Editor’s Note
10 Newsmakers 58 Events 60 Pick of The Month www.design-middleeast.com
PERFECT LIGHT ANY WHERE
LUCTRA® FLEX provides good light exactly where it is needed. Anywhere. Anytime. No cables. No restrictions.
www.luctra.eu
Workspace at Index Hall 7 · Booth 7B308
The
Design
Forum March 15, 2018 W Hotel, Al Habtoor City, Dubai
The Design Forum 2018 is an exciting platform to trigger design conversations, interact with industry leaders and network amongst peers. The forum will feature interactive panel discussions and presentations. Tapping into the region’s current trends, the forum will include industry experts with their opinions on the topics which matter today: Biophilia in design The changing design phase of education institutions
3D printing & technology in design The growing fit-out industry
To be a part of this exciting event, contact us on the details listed below
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ROMA ARORA DEPUTY EDITOR MOBILE: +971 50 250 4625 DIRECT: +971 4 420 0506 ROMA@BNCPUBLISHING.NET
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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
Deputy editor Roma Arora roma@ bncpublishing.net
Sales manager Stephanie Hughes stephanie@bncpublishing.net
Art director Ifteqar Ahmed Syed Marketing executive Mark Anthony Monzon
Welcome We have closed another great issue with exclusive content. The cover features the marvellous OPUS and the first look of their show villa, which is breathtaking. One can clearly see the magic of late Zaha Hadid in each and every design detail. This edition also has a colourful and informative paints feature with details like trends, market conditions, competitions, and challenges discussed by the industry leaders. World’s tallest hotel, Gevora, comes to Dubai and a wonderful pictorial spread shows the contemporary designs and elegant decoration of the hotel. March is a very important month for the Design Middle East team as we are gearing up for our first event—Design Forum 2018 at W Hotel, Al Habtoor City in Dubai. This would be an exciting platform for the industry to come together, network, and discuss key matters of design and architecture. For reservation, please check the link: http://design-middleeast.com/forum/ Another interesting event coming up this month is the INDEX from March 26-29 , 2018 at the World Trade Centre. The four-day festival of design would have regional and international brands coming together under one roof with their latest offerings. Looking forward to this one for sure! So, what really caught my attention this month is the newest innovation from Steelcase called SILQ. This chair responds wonderfully to the human movements and I wish I could have one. Soon. Happy reading! Roma Arora
mark@bncpublishing.net Photographer Farooq Salik Hayder Al-Zuhairi
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For all commercial enquiries related to Design Middle East contact stephanie@bncpublishing.net T +971 55 725 9293 All rights reserved © 2017. 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
March 2018
|5
NEWSMAKERS
Jeremy Loisel
SWITCH MADE delivers energy-efficient façade lighting for Dubai Mall
WISH is one of Teka’s largest investments in R&D in recent years
Teka launches new WISH range Teka presents WISH, its latest built-in product range including ovens, microwave, hobs, hoods, white line, kitchen sinks and kitchen taps. WISH range comprises high precision household appliances that share three key features: minimum consumption, easy to clean and user-friendly. The latest collection offers built-in household appliances featuring a new design characterised by its emphasis on straight lines, spaciousness, the combination of glass, steel and aluminium and incorporating sophisticated and user-friendly electronics. Through its new WISH range, Teka is undertaking the most extensive catalogue renewal in its history incorporating up to 100 new products. For this launch, the company of German origin has invested heavily in R&D over the past two years, focusing on a new industrial platform that enables it to improve the design, capacity, and features of its products. The latest WISH household appliances have been designed and developed in Europe. The process has involved roughly 900 people from five of the group’s different factories across four countries. In the revamp of its oven catalogue, the latest
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Teka WISH range firmly commits to electric and gas appliances and with minimum consumption, thanks to its A+ energy rating, which represents a 20% energy saving compared to previous models. The latest hobs boast a precision level that has never ever been developed, coupled with a minimum consumption. They also deliver direct access to functions such as keep warm, iQuick boiling, melting and simmering. Through its new WISH hoods, Teka incorporates into its range the perfect A4 cooker hood, the only one on the market that obtains the maximum qualification in all legally established efficiency of energy, fluid dynamic, lighting and grease filtering.
SWITCH MADE, a world leader in providing efficient, innovative and stylish lighting solutions, is partnering in ambitious infrastructure projects in the UAE. The French brand had undertaken the value engineering for the new façade lighting, developing a custom solution for The Dubai Mall, to give it a youthful and modern visual identity. The retrofit lighting solutions by SWITCH MADE will enable the mall to achieve an annual decrease in energy consumption for façade lighting by 40-50%. The new lighting has also increased the lighting quality of the mall dramatically with greater uniformity, illuminance and colour rendering efficiency in addition to enhancing the visitor experience by improving the perception of space. Jeremy Loisel, CEO of SWITCH MADE, said: “As a French company, we are committed to the vision of the government to enhance our international outreach. Building on the strong bilateral relations between France and the UAE, we see significant opportunity to partner in major infrastructure projects in the country. This is highlighted by the completion of the new energy-efficient façade lighting solution at Dubai Mall. We managed the project end-to-end, from design to value engineering, installation and support onsite, highlighting our integrated approach to project delivery.” SWITCH MADE provided the full package of lighting solutions including LED modules, projectors and cove linear lights to meet the design goal of creating peaceful, aesthetic ambient lighting.
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Omniyat and Dorchester Collection will also join forces on other projects in the region
Omniyat brings Dorchester Collection brand to Dubai Omniyat is bringing the famous and historical Dorchester Collection brand to Dubai for the first time with an iconic new development on the banks of Dubai Canal. The collaboration between the Dubai-based high-end developer and the luxury hospitality brand is a long-term agreement that will be rolled out in the coming years, putting Dubai on the same globally important footing for Dorchester as its established hotels in locations such as London, Rome, Beverly Hills and Paris. The project will include a 5-star hotel and luxury residences, managed by Dorchester Collection, at Marasi. The signed partnership between Dorchester Collection and Omniyat is based on the two companies’ shared brand principles and values, both being established names in the ultrapremium segment. An exclusive gala event in March 2018 will celebrate the announcement, unveiling the project’s official name and a preview look at the design. Entering the Asian market for the first time is a significant moment for the Dorchester Collection.
This partnership with Omniyat reinforces the Dubai developer’s credentials as the premium lifestyle and hospitality developer and exporter of refinement through close partnerships with the world’s leading architects, engineers, interior designers and award-winning artists. Mahdi Amjad, CEO and executive chairman of Omniyat, said: “We aim for authenticity through our projects that add to Dubai’s skyline and we only partner with the world’s most established brands that share our passion and excitement for creating unique, ultra-luxury developments. We want to fuel unforgettable experiences through our projects and we couldn’t have found a more suitable partner than Dorchester Collection.” Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, said: “We are delighted to partner with Omniyat with its global reputation for outstanding design. This is our first hotel and residence complex in the Middle East and we look forward to bringing our distinct style of hospitality to this region.”
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NEWSMAKERS Metaform is going to build the Luxembourg pavillion for the forthcoming Expo 2020
Marina 1 will also be offering a perfect setting for outdoor physical challenges with the opening of Al Zorah Bootcamp to promote wellness and fitness in the community
Metaform Architects opens subsidiary in Dubai The Luxembourgish architecture firm Metaform announced the opening of its first subsidiary in Dubai (UAE). The office, which is located in the Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Downtown Dubai, will focus on the project realisation of the Luxembourgish pavilion for the forthcoming World Expo that will take place in 2020. The new subsidiary will be responsible for handling the daily business concerning the Expo 2020 project and will promote Metaform’s architecture in the Middle East. In 2017, Metaform won the competition for the pavilion out of 19 submitted designs, prevailing against established architecture offices. The competition was called into being by the GIE (groupement d’intérêt économique), consisting of selected representatives of the Luxembourgish Ministry of Economy, Chambre de Commerce, Bâtiments Publics, SES Astra and Post Luxembourg. The theme designated for the Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is “Opportunity”. It reflects the history of Luxembourg, its present and future. The proposed pavilion is like the country: small and ambitious, intriguing and reassuring, and above all generous and open. For the festive inauguration of the new office, numerous representatives from Luxembourg and the Middle East were present. The Luxembourgish Minister of Economy Etienne Schneider as well as the general commissioner of Expo 2020 Maggy Nagel attended the event that took place on February 11, 2018, at the Burj Khalifa.
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Al Zorah launches creekside leisure destination, Marina 1 Al Zorah, a unique premium mixed-use development, nestled in the exotic setting of natural mangroves and a vast seafront in Ajman, redefines its position as the UAE’s must-visit lifestyle and leisure destination by officially opening its first creek-side development, Marina 1. It boasts of over 15 new dining outlets and recreational options, which opened recently on Thursday, February 1, 2018. Al Zorah Marina 1, under the guiding hand of renowned marina operators, ART Marine, is now offering world-class berthing and rescue services for boats and yachts between eight to 40m. Boat owners can now moor, access the promenade, and enjoy the new dining and recreational facilities at Marina 1. Additionally, the 37m luxury yacht, Nordic Star is available for charter for a variety of purposes, from dockside business meetings to full-day excursions, or weekend cruises. The expansive, architecturally designed Al Zorah Marina 1 is home to a recreational park featuring a diverse range of food and beverage
outlets such as Operation Falafel, La Villa, Kaakunada, Colorato, Sweetcorn, AquaBrown Coffee, Funtastico Snack Shack, Z lounge, and cruise floating restaurant, Marsa Ajman. Imad Dana, CEO, Al Zorah Development Company, said: “Al Zorah Marina 1 is a place where you can discover, explore and socialise with your family and friends. Offering the Northern Emirates residents and tourists an idyllic waterfront destination, the unveiled development blends leisure facilities with a collection of restaurants and lounges. Located just 15 minutes away from the City Centre Ajman, one can reach this destination by road, seaplane, Ajman abra and yachts from Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi.” Combining lifestyle with leisure, Al Zorah Marina 1 provides a host of entertainment venues for guests of all ages such as The Groovy Park, a family-friendly food park with an outdoor cinema surrounded by themed flower-decorated food trucks reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s.
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Danube launches nouveau surfaces from Europe Danube Building Material organised an exquisite exhibition of surfaces to mark the launch of its nouveau surfaces at AnYahh art gallery in February 2018. The new collection was installed across the art gallery like beautiful art pieces to create a world of artistic expression for the visitors. To grace the occasion present on the event were H.E. Valentina Setta - consul general of the Italian Consulate in Dubai, founder and chairman Rizwan Sajan, and other senior management of the group. The collection comes in four eclectic forms which are Viaggio - melamine faced chip boards from Italy, Evola - deep textured melamine faced chip boards from Belgium, Arpa - decorative laminates from Italy, and MyWoodWall from Germany – the DIY wooden wall panels to just ‘Peel and Press’ to create a feature wall from any bare surface or add stylish highlights to any room. The decors and finishes are carefully selected in line with the current fashion trend in the furniture industry across the world at the same time keeping in mind the local taste of the Middle East.
L to R: Swamy Kannappan group head procurement, H.E. Valentina Setta - Consul General of the Italian Consulate in Dubai; founder and chairman, Rizwan Sajan, Danube; Madhusudhan Rao Tumpudi, CEO, Danube Group
Rizwan Sajan said: “I am glad to announce the launch of the Nouveau decorative surfaces from Europe. We at Danube had been actively involved in developing and revolutionising the building material industry over the past 25 years. “ Madhusudhan Rao Tumpudi, CEO, Danube Group said: “The growing demand of the construction sector reflects a healthy outlook. The new collection represents our answer to fast
trends, increasing complexity of products, and the shortening shelf life of products. We are known to deliver the quality products with best the durability and price. The exciting four collections Viaggio, Evola, Arpa and MyWoodWall are 100% made in Europe comes in texture and solid colours to cater to the demand for perfect decorative surfaces for varied projects.”
Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e wins Good Design award Bentley’s EXP 12 Speed 6e concept car has been awarded a Good Design award in the transportation category by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies . Founded in 1950, Good Design was founded in 1950 and receives submissions from thousands of the world’s leading manufacturers and industrial and graphic design firms, and then a panel of experts selects the best entries in each category for their outstanding design. The jury – which features leading designers, architects and journalists – met in New York and San Francisco
in late 2017 to select best designs in the world unveiled in the preceding 12 months. Chicago Athenaeum Museum president, Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, said: “EXP12 Speed 6e is a triumph for the luxury experience of high style, design, aesthetics, and originality. It brings the luxury electric car to a new level.” Bentley’s design director, Stefan Sielaff, added: “Bentley is defining the luxury electric vehicle segment. In a Bentley, the electric future will be as luxurious, effortless, exclusive and emotional as it has always been for our customers. We will take electric motoring into new areas of luxury, comfort and refinement – as only we can.”
EXP 12 Speed 6e was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show
March 2018
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LIVE IN THE LARGEST TOWNHOUSES IN DUBAI
800 999 999 I sobha.com
@sobhadubai
COVER STORY
Glory of
OPUS! The first look of show apartment at Zaha Hadid’s debut Dubai project The OPUS—magnificent, marvellous, and majestic
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Picture credit: Alberto Heras
Zaha Hadid
O
ne fall short of words, such is the magnificence of The Opus by Late Zaha Hadid for Omniyat, which is a combination of residences and a unique design hotel, ME by Meliá, the luxury lifestyle brand of the leading hotelier group Meliá Hotels International. OPUS has a dominant location, central to Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall and was envisioned and designed in its entirety by architectural legend, late Dame Zaha Hadid. From exterior to interior, each detail is a powerful testament of her unique aesthetics and vision of the future. Design Middle East was invited for an exclusive design tour of a show apartment at OPUS and the pictures say it all.
Design of the highest order Christos Passas, project director of The Opus, Zaha Hadid Architects elaborates more on its design, “The Opus is designed as two separate towers that coalesce into a singular whole to take the form of a cube. The cube is then ‘carved’, creating a central void that is an important volume within the building in its own right—providing views to the exterior from the centre of the building. The free-formed fluidity of this eight-storey void contrasts with the precise orthogonal geometry of the surrounding cube.”
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COVER STORY
The interiors are very chic, contemporary, and exudes minimalistic glamour
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March 2018
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Christos Passas
“The two towers are linked by a four-storey atrium at ground level with a wholly unique bridge connecting the towers 71m above the ground. This three-storey, asymmetric bridge is 38m wide. Together with the ME Dubai, the Opus will house 12 bespoke restaurants as well as a spectacular rooftop bar and office space.”
Challenges of design Located on an important site between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek, it was critical that the design maintained the contextual flow and connectivity of the site. Passas stresses, “Carving the void through the building introduces this required transparency to create a building with its own architectural presence, yet very much of its surroundings. The Opus also required large communal areas at ground level for important civic amenities such as restaurants and lobbies.
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COVER STORY
This defined the footprint of the building – which was then extruded to create the cubed form. The void carved within this cube enables natural light deep within the building and maximises the number of rooms with an external view,” The steel bridge that links two towers involve many calculations for each and every steel connection. “Due to the complexity of the bridge, these computer calculations also
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ensured any earthquake loads were taken into account,” says Passas.
Engineering marvel Designing the glazing for the Opus with a special fritting pattern in the form of pixelated ridges and the latest UV coatings were used to reduce solar gain and glare to prevent reflections. Passas shares, “This enabled reflectance values below a
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As the Opus is actually in the form of two adjacent towers, each tower will shade the other throughout various times of the day. – Christos Passas
certain limit and did not compromise the design ambition. The cube’s flat facade includes a mirror frit to reflect sunlight and also a varied reflection when the building is viewed from different directions. As the Opus is actually in the form of two adjacent towers, each tower will shade the other throughout various times of the day.” The double-curved geometries of the void’s glazing required advanced computational design
and manufacturing techniques. Each of the void’s 4,500 triple-glazed midnight blue panels have been created and installed to a unique specificatio.
Zaha Hadid’s collaboration with Omniyat The mesmerising building is a celebration of Hadid’s work as an inspiring visionary, who reshaped the boundaries of architecture as art
and fundamentally changed the way people imagine and experience buildings. “Omniyat’s vision of treating each project as if it were a unique work of art connects directly with our ambition, enabling the inventive quality of our work; expressing a sculptural sensibility within the Opus that reinvents the balance between solid and void, opaque and transparent, interior and exterior,” finishes Passas.
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OP-ED
Curated communities! Mohammad Bin Zaal, CEO of KOA thinks it’s the right time to curate new living communities in Dubai
I
n such a diverse and rapidly developing region, the next generation of residents have new desires and specific visions for their living environments. Developers need to think out of the box and move forward to align with the diverse audiences. Developments are often looked at as single units rather than creating a thriving community, we need to move
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with the times to distinguish, diversify, and curate new living communities in Dubai. The idea is simple, to look and listen to the market, it’s been a cookie cutter approach for far too long. The dominant model for real estate in Dubai has been an inside–out approach. Developers dictate what residential communities should look and feel like based on their economies of scale, their preconceived ideas. People
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are often forced to compromise on their ideal living situation because there are simply no other options available to them. We have a very different approach, myself and the team look to the end consumers – what are their needs, their aspirations, the gaps in the market - and develop the brand, and our developments, on those findings. We build in direct response to consumer feedback rather than trying to use an outdated model that has no depth or consumer knowledge behind it.
Dubai’s market Dubai is actively working to nurture entrepreneurs and young creative people – it would be foolish to ignore these new talents and new communities that are culminating within the region. Incubators of young, raw talent are popping up over the city and are driving new visions and a new mind-set to the forefront and this needs to be catered to with new living and working solutions. When we look at generation X in this market, this is a key target for us. Generation X in Dubai is well into their careers, ready to take the next step and settle in Dubai but they have not been catered to with the current real estate offering. This is a cohort of people who are well-travelled, highly individual and demanding – they don’t want to compromise on what is potentially their biggest investment. These are the people we want to resonate with. There are so many possibilities when you bring creative minds together in the right environment within Dubai. It’s key to curate places for creation, collaboration, education, and meaningful networking for both individuals and businesses.
There is a huge gap in this market to reflect the talent and vision of this city.
Design and environment Our environment impacts our mind-set – the places you work and live can determine a person’s mood and ultimately the results we produce in our personal and work life. Another element of the evolution that is needed in property development in Dubai is the meticulous detail behind the design and aesthetic of a community. The idea of a truly boutique development, where the focus is on quality and craftsmanship over quantity, is something very new for real estate developments in the city, but again it’s something that is seen more often in other industries. It’s encouraging to think a place that we develop can genuinely have an impact on a person’s day, enhancing human experiences through design. It’s our responsibility to curate living spaces where people thrive whilst keeping it's relevancy for years to come.
International movements In other markets around the world, curated spaces have been developing and launching over the past few years. Cities such as Antwerp, New York, London, and more have seen great successes in this field. There is a huge gap in this market to reflect the talent and vision of this city. Not only can we see what has and hasn’t worked internationally, we have such a rich pool of varying cultures and nationalities that we can only excel in responding to this through our work in design and development. It’s been clear to me for a while that
Dubai has to play catch up with what is happening internationally and to captivate newer audiences to give more individuality and substance. Playing it safe and sticking to what we know shouldn’t be an option in a vibrant city like ours. We need to ensure Dubai becomes a hub that is acknowledged as inline with and pushing forward global movements. To truly curate a thriving community, not just a development, the approach has to be to listen and learn from the market and caters to their needs. This is how we at KOA grow but also how I believe this region will continue to grow.
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INTERVIEW
Heart of
design Stephen Atherton, design director, Sobha Group talks about the ambitious Sobha Hartland project
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What was the design vision you had in mind for Sobha Hartland? The design vision was very clear which came from our chairman, PNC Menon. He wanted a city with a city—urban environment, superior lifestyle and leisure-driven, contemporary homes for the modern families. The focus is on the healthy living with lots of outdoor spaces and large landscape areas. We are centrally located and even the proximity to the airport is good.
What were the challenges you came across? When you’re constructing something on a very scale basis, there are daily challenges that one comes across. We are building a city so there was a lot of integration and obtaining permissions with the local authority was required especially
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with Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA). There were engineering challenges related to water and site conditions as well. Then one cannot go ahead without ascertaining the market challenges. Real estate is not what it was five or 10 years ago.
What are the standout design features of this project? In Hartland, in the villa community, instead of the usual standard approach, we challenged the Dubai Municipality with our approach for L-shaped and U-shaped villas that actually push the villas close to each other in order to create an open courtyard. Use of double-height volumes and bringing in lots of natural light into space was an important point of the design.
Stephen Atherton
What is the biggest USP of this project? Open green space dedicated to park areas and landscaping, the development is ideal for families and community living and this is our USP. Very few developers would take the commercial decision to take 18.5ha of their 74.3ha developable land and throw it back into public space.
How technology plays a role in the success of this project? From our studio apartments to our six-bedroom mansions, we have used great home automation technologies. Like in the five-bedroom villa, we have fully-automated systems like the lighting, curtains, and air conditioning is all controlled and even each individual light in this villa is singularly addressable. So, this is this level of control we are giving to our customers. We use one of the best home automation platforms that are currently available in the market. All the apartments come with lighting and air-conditioning control and people can upgrade their package according to their requirements.
What is your business strategy for this price-oriented market? We have to look at the market, but we set ourselves above the market. It is not about making a quick buck, it’s about our brand and whatever we do we have a level of quality and we cannot go beneath that. In terms of our price, we do benchmark studies; we see what is happening in the market. But we don’t tend to make that focus of our business. The mantra is that the cheapest is never the best. Shading structures and devices such as screens, overhangs and louvres have been integrated harmoniously into building
facades and used the best products. We have great consultants, engineers working for us and they won’t compromise with the quality at all. We also have an independent quality and technology team who check each and everything from the foundation, the steelwork, to actual handover, so that’s the level of quality we offer.
What are your expectations from this project? We are relatively a newcomer here. Once this project is complete, it will set a new benchmark for the quality, design, and concept. It’s not just about making money; it’s about building communities.
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FEATURE
Magic of
paints Give new lease of life to your walls with a fresh coat of paint
P
retty walls make pretty homes! Changing the colour of a room can have a huge positive effect on how the space looks and changes the overall appearance of the place. Psychologically, colours of the rooms in your home are a direct reflection of your personality and they influence your moods and thoughts as well. The region is going through a lot of changes in terms of market conditions, new players, more competition, rise of green paints and new technologies in the paints and coating industry. Design Middle East spoke to leading paints companies in the region to understand more about the trends, challenges, competition, and current market scenario.
Topping the trends Walls speak volume about who you are and what are your choices like. Decorative
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wall paints, specifically textured and faux finishes, are very much on trend in the UAE. Decorative paints have long been used to add unique finishes that adds life to empty spaces. Renae Hewitt, director of design and global marketing manager, MAS Paints says, “With the realisation that wallpaper isn’t the only option for decorative wall coverings, designers are creating walls with rich texture and pattern from paint that mimic the texture and feel of a variety of classic finishes. MAS Marmorino, Tilal and Maya achieve beautiful, sand and stone-like finishes. Faux finishes can recreate the look of stone, marble, leather, pearl, and the list goes is endless. Faux finishes can be applied to floors, furniture, and ceilings or consider applying a faux finish to a single accent wall, this won’t limit the decorative ideas for the remaining walls.”
Renae Hewitt and Abdullah Al Atrash from MAS Paints
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In association with
Mascryl acrylicbased wall paints by MAS are alkali-resistant, has good adhesion properties, and are non-toxic and environment friendly
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FEATURE
Sunil Gudur, Al Gurg Paints
Challenges From rising costs to introduction of VAT and unauthorised players in the market, the industry has its own set of challenges. Sunil Gudur, general manager, Al Gurg Paints lists all the challenges of this industry, “Rising costs (Oil a major source of raw materials in the paint industry have played havoc with a considerable jump in the last six months), tight liquidity conditions, and VAT introduction are the decelerators that are the current challenges. Newer government legislations on issues like product certifications, waste disposal, green practices are adding to the ultimate per litre cost making it uneconomical and eroding the final margins considerably.”
One of the challenges of MAS, as a manufacturer, is to find strong and stable suppliers of the raw materials needed. – Renae Hewitt
Hewitt further adds, “One of the challenges of MAS, as a manufacturer, is to find strong and stable suppliers of the raw materials needed in order to give the same quality every time and on schedule without any delay. On the consumer’s side, due to the competition and numerous paint manufacturers, there can be confusion and customer choices are made on the price of the product and the quality of the coatings is ignored.”
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March 2018
Inclination towards green paints Demand for sustainable and green products are increasing and people are becoming more aware and conscious. Rana Khadra, regional colour and creative manager, Jotun Middle East India and Africa shares, “Green paints are definitely gaining popularity as a colour and as a function. In the Middle East, this demand is starting to grow and expand. Driven by governments who have set certain standards as well as leading architects, developers and designers who prefer to use such paints. At Jotun innovation is at core of our products, this is why the products offered today and have been producing for a long time are LEED free and APPO free, amongst many other green compliant features.” Toni Snyder, color specialist consultant, Benjamin Moore Paints ME says, “Most of our products are low and zero VOC and we even have a wonderful product that is low emissions and earned a seal of approval from the Asthma & Allergy Association. A number of our products comply with LEEDS, MPI, and other strict industry standards.
Benjamin Moore Paints develops products that minimize the impact on our environment and we eliminated lead, formaldehyde, and mercury, from our paints and met VOC standards long before (American) government required us to.”
Current market scenario Gudur elaborates the market conditions of the region. “There are too many unorganised players in a shrinking market, which is having an adverse impact on the profitability of the players Also, with severe pressure on cost reduction/control paint users (contractors, applicators, end users) quality of paints and coatings is getting compromised. Even in the payment receipt side the average collection days are just getting longer and longer as on one hand paint suppliers are forced to give extended payment terms (for fear of bad debts) and losing customer to competitors (who are offering better credit facilities). Needless to add legal course is a time-consuming exercise and with laws getting relaxed on cheque dishonoured is adding to the collection woes.”
www.design-middleeast.com
In association with Beautiful blue paint on the walls by Al Gurg Paints
Rana Khadra, Jotun Paints
New technology Paints and coatings with extended shelf life, better safety features, and “One of the most important factors is durability. Others are paint washability with non-fading colours. This is why we have recently launched the superior product that encompasses all of these properties called Fenomastic Wonderwall, for beautiful wall every day. For exterior paints in our region, the key technologies are for the product to withstand the
Evening green colour by Jotun Paints is perfect for stylish spaces
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FEATURE
In association with
sun and heat while helping reduce temperatures of the structure and in turn aid in energy conservation such as our superior innovative product Jotashield Colour Extreme,” says Khadra. The major and most important technology nowadays came from the demand of sustainable environment protection. Abdullah Al Atrash, managing director, MAS Paints says, “The green products and the environment friendly products with low VOC levels and the water-based coatings which replaced the classic solvent-based paints to reduce the air pollution and retain the ozone layer. Recent building fires in Dubai have also enabled MAS to advance their latest technologies in fireretardant coatings and fire intumescent Paint.”
Toni Snyder, Benjamin Moore Paints
New launches in 2018
Bright and cheery green by Benjamin Moore Paints
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There are some exciting products that are lined for 2018. MAS Paints have launched innovative acrylic-based paints. Mascryl and Mastic Royal wall paints are perfectly formulated for interior and exterior use, with outstanding washability, excellent colour retention and weather resistance. Mascryl acrylic-based wall paints are designed to produce an even matt and smooth finish for walls and ceilings. On the other hand, Mastic Royal is acrylic copolymer-based emulsion paint with outstanding washability and outdoor durability. Benjamin Moore Paints have introduced Scuff-X, a unique scuff-resistant interior paint and 'Notable', dry erase paint which enhances painting projects, converting walls of all sizes into areas that are both creative and practical. Al Gurg Paints are focussing on the decorative segment. Clearly, with so many options already, there would never be a dull day in the world of paints.
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CERAFLEX® The smart choice for reliable fittings
Hot Water Limiter
Easy Fix
With its simple, clear-cut, yet modern lines, Ceraflex® is designed to complement any bathroom or kitchen, although the big difference is what‘s inside. At the heart of Ceraflex® is our brand new ceramic cartridge, Firmaflow®. Our best cartridge ever, it delivers substantial cost savings because it saves water and lasts almost twice as long as the industry standard, giving you 10 to 15 years of regular daily use. QATAR: MOHAMMED YOUSUF KAFOOD & SONS Doha +974 4 463 7777 www.kafood.com IRAQ: AL TAIBOON GROUP Baghdad +964 7 901 364026 www.altaiboon.com
KUWAIT: ALSHAYA ENTERPRISES™ Kuwait +965 2 224 2299 www.alshayaenterprises.com LEBANON: ETS. ABDULRAHIM DIAB S.A.L. Beirut-Unesco +961 0 186 8146/7 Beirut-Jdeideh +961 0 125 4294/5/6 www.abdulrahimdiab.com SALAMEH CERAMICA Beirut +961 1 852 285 / +961 1 851 385 www.salamehceramica.com
SAUDI: AL-GHAMDI CO. FOR SANITARY WARES Riyadh +966 11 4646279 Jeddah +966 12 6696263 Dammam +966 13 8340248 www.amghamdi.com BAHRAIN: MARMARA TRADING Co. Bahrain +973 1773 7735 www.marmaratrading.com
OMAN: MAIN DISTRIBUTOR BAHWAN BUILDING MATERIALS LLC Muscat +968 2 465 0000 www.suhailbahwangroup.com DISTRIBUTOR ALSHAYA ENTERPRISES™ Muscat +968 2 461 9681/3 www.alshayaenterprises.com
IDEAL STANDARD GULF FZCO Jebel Ali, Dubai, P.O. Box 261559, United Arab Emirates, Tel. +971 4 804 2400, www.idealstandardgulf.com IDEAL STANDARD DESIGN BATHROOM CENTRE Flash Star Sanitary Ware Trading LLC, Jabal Ali Bldg., Al Quoz 3, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai, P.O. Box 38430, United Arab Emirates, Tel. +971 4 309 6000
Join us:
UAE: SULTACO Dubai +971 4 338 5929 Abu Dhabi +971 2 633 4425 Al Ain +971 3 763 1609 Sharjah +971 6 575 9878 www.sultaco.com JORDAN: AL MUNA Co. Amman +962 6 554 8851 www.al-munaco.com
TALKING POINT
Spectacular
surfaces Exploring the world of surfaces by
Cosentino and their exciting projects
A
lustrous surface automatically changes the look and feel of the house. Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high-value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. The brand launched its first showroom in the region just a few months ago in Dubai Design District, which is spread across 300sqm and features exhibition and work areas and uses the latest digital applications and technology to allow professionals to develop all kinds of projects using Cosentino products. The entrance of the showroom features an Arabesque wall designed with opulent semi-precious stone panels, continuing on to the entrance lobby which opens up into a custom designed kitchen in Silestone and Dekton. Here are few exciting projects by Cosentino that are worth knowing.
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Rafal Nadal Academy, Spain The Rafa Nadal Academy located in Rafa’s hometown of Manacor, on the island of Mallorca (Spain), is a large complex housing a high-performance tennis centre along with a school and other amenities. Situated on a large five hectare site, the academy has two buildings where the ultra-compact Dekton by Cosentino is the principle cladding material. Over 40,000sqm of Dekton provide the final finish for outdoor and indoor areas from facades to walls, floors, swimming pools and the spa, illustrating the material’s strength and versatility.
Archway Tower, London Vantage Point Archway Tower is a 17-storey, 59m building completed in 1963. The building was refurbished in 2016 and the existing façade over-clad with 3,000sqm of Dekton Danae. Re-cladding of the main element of the tower resulted in the removal of the existing concrete panels and its replacement with solid Dekton rainscreen cladding and spandrel panels. The recladding has facilitated the reuse of the building for the residential purpose. It has also significantly enhanced the appearance of the old tower, giving it a distinctive appearance and positively impacting the urban landscape.
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TALKING POINT
Chef Thomas Keller’s Kitchen “The French Laundry”, California Chef Thomas Keller considers the renovation of The French Laundry more of a rebuild; a way to expand and modernise the existing space for employees and guests to be able to continue to have the best possible experience at the restaurant. Inspired by The Louvre, the renovation juxtaposes the original French Laundry space with a contemporary building designed by Craig Dykers of Snøhetta.more The world-class kitchen now matches the French Laundry’s reputation and includes elevated workstations, solar panels, and Dekton walls, countertops, and workbenches. The Dekton surfacing provides The French Laundry team with a kitchen both easy to clean and extremely resistant to the spills, heat, and other wear and tear that comes with cooking in a busy restaurant.
The Overbudget Offices, Canada Overbudget Inc. is the parent company of popular Toronto-based restaurants Bar Isabel, Bar Raval, El Rey, PrettyUgly, Harry’s Char Broil, and Quetzal owned by one of Canada’s best-known chefs and restaurateurs, Grant Van Gameren. The Overbudget Offices was a complete rebuild renovation combining modern Japanese and Scandinavian design influences. Grant van Gameren worked closely with Studio Junction Architect and Design Studio to design the space to be a creative platform and a central hub for partners and employees under the Overbudget Inc. umbrella. Ultra-compact Dekton and Silestone quartz surfaces play a significant role in the design and were utilized throughout as countertops, backsplashes and, wall cladding, allowing van Gameren and his team to work in a worry-free environment resistant to stains, heat and scratches.
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HAWA-Folding Concepta 25
Opens new possibilities
HAWA-Folding Concepta 25, the hardware system for bi-folding cabinet pocket doors up to 25 kg, allows doors with widths of up to 2800 mm to be opened and and design, such as a continuous gap pattern, are possible. For additional information visit: www.cabrio.systems Hawa Middle East FZE, Phone +971 4 887 3694, infome@hawa.com, www.hawa.com
PROJECT
World’s tallest hotel comes to Dubai
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www.design-middleeast.com
With lovely gold tones combined with neutral shades, the combination gives a royal feel to the room
At Le Veyron, the coffee and bake shop at Gevora, the pendant lights and glossy flooring are the major design elements
G
evora Hotel has taken hospitality to a new level of height in Dubai. Gevora Hotel in Dubai is talk of the town and why not, it has been crowned as the tallest hotel in the world. Developed by the Al Attar Group, Gevora Hotel is 356m and 53cm high. That makes it a metre taller than the previous holder of the title, the JW Marriott Marquis, on Sheikh Zayed Road. The hotel features 528 rooms across its 75 floors from deluxe rooms to two-bedroom suites to suit the needs of the modern traveller. The main highlights of this latest skyscraper are the deck with pool, five restaurants serving local and international cuisines, luxury Spa on the 71st floor, and the Highest View Restaurant located on the rooftop of the hotel, that offers exceptional panoramic views. Here’s the design tour of this stunning luxury:
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PROJECT
The ground-floor entrance to Gevora Hotel, with gold-coated revolving doors
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Unwind at pool overlooking at the stunning skyline of Dubai
Lobby looks splendourful with artistic ceiling and decorative walls in gold
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DÉCOR REVIEW
fun, yum
Unmistakably incredibly Masti at La Mer, Dubai is a celebration of colours with Indian flavours
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A
s the name suggests, ‘Masti’ which translates to fun and mischief, is truly what this place is all about. As you enter the place, it welcomes you with stunning glass chandeliers, brilliant portraits on the wall, monkey artwork which is witty, and vibrant colours which can be seen in every item of design and dĂŠcor. The beachfront terrace and lounge allows guests to enjoy the fresh sea breezes, and a laidback, yet playful experience. The upstairs bar area offers the panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf with comfortable low lounge seating and high tables, perfect for a relaxed outing. The ground floor is a textured blue shell against which all other elements sit. With a busier backdrop of the Elephant Bar, the first floor shell is kept grey with negative spaces highlighted with a matt gold line drawing borrowed from the stained glass patterns. Hand glazed tiles and handcrafted brass basins accentuate the restrooms. Simple brass spacers laid as a grid into poured concrete floors offset the visual drama of the interiors. A more intricate Kolam-inspired pattern defines the flooring pattern at the entry pavillions.
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DÉCOR REVIEW
Masti-ful menu
Indian design firm, Delhi-based Studio Lotus, worked towards the interiors of this place. Asha Sairam, team leader and project designer, Studio Lotus, says “The vision for the project was to make it a modern and contemporary destination that is bold and vibrant and buzzing with energy, much like the nation that inspired the concept. The site is a two-storied beachfront property with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the city skyline. Studio Lotus was approached to design the interiors for the 743sqm program comprising an all-day dining, bar, evening lounge, private dining room and Gin Room across an equal mix
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of indoor-outdoor spaces seating about 200. With the program clearly defining distinct day and night spaces, the core design approach was to create a series of zones that would segregate each experience as one moves through them.” Space is dotted with modern expressions of Indian art, craft and architecture set against a vibrant palette of colours. “The experience is made playful with whimsical elements like the handcrafted stained-glass elephant bar, the inlayed marble game tables and quirky graphic prints on the cushions and upholstery, inspired by the Indian narrative,” adds Sairam.
From the mind of award-winning chef Hari Nayak, the menu offers a reinterpretation of Indian cuisine. From small to large plates, to culinary journeys for two and irresistible side dishes, guests will be spoilt for choice. Highlights include black bass ceviche, a Peruvian classic with lime, jalapeno and crispy plantain, bhatti merguez delivers a heady mix of African and Indian flavours with succulent lamb, caramelised onion and a chilli garlic masala. One must also try the tuna bhel tartare, beetroot croquette, saag paneer lasagna, sun-dried tomato prawns, and Indie veggie mix.
www.design-middleeast.com
26 - 29 MARCH 2018 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE
WHAT’S ON AT THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITION
DESIGN FOR EXPRESSION
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Joakim de Rham, Swiss Bureau Interior Design ; Laurent Haddad, RW Armstrong; Maja Kozel, Maja Kozel Design; Ali Maarrawi, OFIS
DESIGN TALKS In a series of CPD certified seminars, brought to you by OFIS, the GCC’s top design talent share their first-hand experiences and offer live and unfiltered insights on current trends, challenges and exciting projects in the industry.
Image Courtesy of Herman Miller
WORK DESIGN STUDIO This presentation hub, brought to you by H20 Concepts and Herman Miller, is a set of seminars focused on promoting happiness and wellness in the work place and will be led by prominent psychologist Oliver Baxter from the Herman Miller Insight Group. Topics include how office design can affect brain activity and productivity and how interior spaces can help regulate social interactions in the work place.
THE VIOLET LOUNGE The OFIS design team is collaborating with Interface, Boss Design and Oasis Paints to put Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year to the test. Some of the biggest names in the commercial interiors industry are coming together to create an interactive wall where visitors can mix and match this complex violet hue with different colors, textures and test out different applications.
Oliver Baxter MSc, Bsc, Insight Programme Manager MEA, Herman Miller Insight Group
Image courtesy of OFIS CO-LOCATED WITH
REGISTER FOR FREE ENTRY www.workspace-index.com
SPONSORS
PREVIEW
Major attractions to watch out at
INDEX
2018 Here's our guide to the upcoming edition of INDEX
T
he Middle East’s biggest annual interior design exhibition, INDEX takes place at Dubai World Trade centre from March 2629, 2018. The four-day festival of design promises a hugely diverse and creative catalogue of furniture, furnishing and décor suppliers. INDEX is gearing-up for its strongest floor of live features and participating designers yet and a second show of the year just six months down the line. INDEX will follow-up this month’s annual flagship event with a second design showcase in September, allowing exhibitors and visitors alike to enjoy INDEX alongside The Hotel Show Dubai. The two separate INDEX shows will be dedicated to offering creative inspiration and the best of international interiors solutions, with both
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running alongside WORKSPACE and SURFACE Design Middle East. Event director Samantha KaneMacdonald says: “The UAE is home to perhaps the most exhilarating hospitality market on the planet right now, with new figures showing that the wider Middle East will eclipse Europe for the first time this year in regards to the number of new hotel rooms opening in 2018. For interior designers and architects, this is a hugely significant portion of business. On that balance, it feels only right for us to host INDEX – the region’s biggest interior design event – besides The Hotel Show.” One of the international design world’s most influential and ground-breaking exhibitions has chosen Dubai’s burgeoning design scene for their first foray into the Middle East. ‘Ventura Dubai’ will
Margriet Vollenberg
www.design-middleeast.com
be the next Ventura Project curated by Organisation in Design. Comprising no less than 45 of Europe’s most exciting up-and-coming and renowned designers, Dubai will follow global design capitals Milan, New York, Berlin and London in being selected to host the much-acclaimed Ventura brand, a staple at many of the world’s biggest interiors events, with INDEX chosen specifically for it's far-reaching Middle Eastern audience. Founder and curator of Organisation in Design, Margriet Vollenberg, shares: “We are thrilled to have our first Ventura Dubai exhibition in 2018. I’ve known INDEX for a long time and love how the show connects the world with the Middle East design community. The fact that INDEX thinks about making the event appeal to an audience well beyond their own borders really speaks to me.” The show will also introduce a new section of the floor, Made in UAE, which will connect a wide collection of as-yet undiscovered craftspeople – glassblowers, upholsterers, furniture makers et al – with the region’s leading architecture and design minds.
Things to Look forward at INDEX 2018
Luctra
Luctra is a German lighting brand and they will be participating for the third time at INDEX this year. The Luctra range provides light by innovative LEDtechnologyandispresentedinatimeless,awardwinning design, which can be flexibly adjusted to individual needs and operated intuitively as well. The brand gives each user the ability to adjust their lighting exposure according to their own personal
needs. Via an app, each individual’s personal light settings can be transmitted to the Luctra lamp; an ideal arrangement for desk sharing and flexible working. Oliver Dietrich, vice-president export sales, Luctra says, “At INDEX, we will showcase our premium lighting range, existing of table, floor, and mobile lamps which are the perfect companions for modern work environments. With our presence at INDEX we want to raise the awareness on the importance of the lighting and connect with partners who have the same mission like us: to create more healthy and productive human-centric workplaces.” The multi-generational workforce and mainly the millennial generation is the big influence of reshaping the workplace designs in the UAE. By 2020, millennials will form 50% of the global workforce and the UAE is the top emerging market destination for young professionals looking to further their careers. “This millennial generation who are formed of an ambitious group of employees with a high interest in technology require the different working styles and preferences. They place much higher value on the office environment and workplace culture. Designers, architects and workspace experts have started to introduce these principles into their projects to increase user satisfaction and productivity," feels Dietrich. Dietrich plans to expand in the GCC area as well. He further adds, “Ours is a Germany based company, we have started our business in the European market. The GCC area is a growing market when it comes to creating office designs that engage sustainability, wellbeing and employee engagement. Next to our expansion in the European market, our aim is to further establish our business in the GCC area.”
Innovative lighting by Luctra
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PREVIEW
Haute Deco
Haute Deco is one of the leading door knob, handles, and hardware specialists. The London-based brand is exhibiting for the first time at the INDEX. MarieVéronique Swannell, founder and creative director, Haute Deco says, “At INDEX, the public would want to see as large as possible a selection of our couture handles, so we have designed our stand to be a light version of our London showroom and to showcase a substantial selection of our coordinated handles. Amongst the many products on display will be the new Fleur doorknobs as well as the Aether cabinet knob series." The brand now wants to pro-actively develop exports, starting with Dubai and the Middle East, and then the US where they will exhibit at ICFF later this year. “From INDEX, our expectation is twofold: we know that many interior designers in Dubai are aware of Haute Déco through our website but have never seen our handles in the flesh. We see this as an opportunity for them to check out the quality and craftsmanship of our handles and to have the confidence to specify us. Further we are hoping to introduce our brand to the many who have no notion that such handles exist, and to the potential they have for adding a touch of style to residential interiors,” shares Swannell.
Mineheart
Mineheart is a UK-based brand for home décor, furnishing, furniture, lighting, and accessories. Mineheart was launched in 2010 by designers Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia. The idea behind Mineheart is to create a playground for creativity and discovery, where art meets design, and poetry meets industry. Most Mineheart products are designed, made, and assembled in the UK, this enables more control over production and quality, giving greater flexibility and the ability to offer custom made and bespoke pieces for clients.
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French Pavillion
Under the French Pavillion, various international brands like Alain Saint Joanis, Claire Fréchet, Concept Verre, Extranorm, Extranorm, Emilie Mazeau-Langlais, Platex, and many others will participate and showcase their latest offerings.
Italian Pavillion
There are interesting exhibitors at the Italian Pavillion, which are worth the attention. Brands like Fiam, Gasparri Design, Minardi Piume, Platinum Custom Rugs, Razzetti, Simone Cenedese will be present at the show too.
Skateroom
A social enterprise that is transforming skateboards into wall art by finishing decks with the works of world famous artists is heading to INDEX. Based out of Belgium, the Skateroom was founded in 2012 by Charles-Antoine Bodson, a skate fan who sold his massive personal collection of artist-adorned boards to get the firm rolling. He was joined in the venture by Oliver Percovich, an Afghanistan-based skater who launched Skateistan –a development initiative that combined skateboarding with education on the streets of Kabul five years back, and has since spread internationally. March’s trip to INDEX – where they will exhibit a number of boards across the show’s four days – will be the Skateroom’s first venture into the Middle East.
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PREVIEW
Artist Avenue
The Artist Avenue is an art gallery on the show floor. This year, 40+ international and local artists, both famous and unsung, will be showcasing their latest work. Using a combination of traditional oil techniques, modern acrylic applications, or watercolours, watch these artists create canvases portraying everything from beautiful landscapes to the avant-garde pieces that tell a powerful story.
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AN EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN
+
CARPETS CC BY CECILIA SETTERDAHL
FIND US AT INDEX DUBAI - STAND SS3D71 26 - 29 MARCH 2018 For more information please visit indexexhibition.com
‘Radial’ Office Desk
‘Radial’ Dressing Table
‘Art Money Blue’ Hand-Knotted Bespoke Carpet
t: +971 4 552 0308 e: info@carpetscc.com w: carpetscc.com s: @carpetscc Cecilia Setterdahl FZ LLC | House 6, Entrance A, Suite 106, Dubai Design District (d3), PO Box 333257, Dubai, UAE
WISH LIST Wired with perfection Sun Disk is made of metal wires rotated around a centre. It can be used as a wall or ceiling lamp. Availability: Lightwork, HacÄą Mimi Mah. Hoca Ali Sok. No: 20/C BeyoÄ&#x;lu Istanbul, Turkey
Floored by design New Pyrite floor lamp by Muranti is made up of oxidised brass and alabaster marble shapes. Availability: www.muranti.com
Modern dreams of design For those who believe in the art of living and decorating
Glamorous in gold Stunning Louis Jobst lamp made of London plane hardwood, solid glass, and brass. Availability: www.haitchforhandmade.com
Porcelain passion A limited edition tableware collection by Jean Paul Gaultier , that includes a dellah (Arabic coffee pot), coffee cups, mugs, and saucer. Availability: aura, Umm Sequim Road, Dubai
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Inspiring and inviting Available in stone and wood material variants, this extensible dining table from Draenert makes for a must-have addition to your living area. Availability: Western Furniture, Umm Hurair Road, Karama, Dubai
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WISH LIST
Feels like paradise There's plenty of inspiration for a contemporary space. Availability: Indigo Living, Mathlub Building near Medcare Clinic, Al Safa 1, Sheikh Zayed Road, Opp Pepsi building, Safa Park interchange (Jumeirah side)
The cushion craze Splash of colours
Add some comfort and style to your home with this colourful cushion. Availability: www.timorousbeasties.com
Edgy and colourful, the tub chair is available in three prints—oriental tales, majestic feathers, and royal fantasy. Availability: Place order on instagram - @walltowalleg
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Innovative bathrooms Ideal Standard’s new Ipalyss vessel range combines ultra-thin, high-end design aesthetics with extreme durability Availability: Ideal Standard, Sheikh Zayed Road
Be seated The staple chair with its simple sleek design and customisable finishes and materials is all that you need. Availability: www.nayeffrancis.com
Wood appeal Celine side table is a perfect combination of design and art. Availability: www.barninthecity.com
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WISH LIST
Fun and fantastic A pocket watch that covers your wall from new collection called OMEDELBAR Availability: Across all IKEA showrooms in the UAE
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Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
Visit the show and NETWORK TE WITH REAL ESTA S! PROFESSIONAL
THE HOME OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT The UAE capital’s largest and most influential real estate investment and development event is back. With hundreds of developments from Abu Dhabi and beyond being showcased, Cityscape Abu Dhabi is the home of real estate investment.
17 – 19 APRIL 2018 Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE
REGISTER ONLINE FOR FREE ENTRY www.cityscapeabudhabi.com Platinum Sponsor
Regional Media Partner MIDDLE EAST
TV Partner
Organised by
EVENTS
THE MONTH AHEAD
Trade fair dates for your diary…
EVENT IN FOCUS INDEX – International Design Exhibition 26-29 March, 2018 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
International Design Exhibition (INDEX) is the largest and most extensive interiors and design trends event in this part of the world. Co-located with Workspace and Surface Design events, this is where high-end businesses and affluent shoppers come to procure everything from limited edition pieces through to accessories and décor. Extended over a massive 49,970sqm, last year the exhibition featured 18 country pavilions with 846 exhibitors from 54 destinations. The high volume of visitors that graced the event represented 108 nationalities and totalled more than 25,000 over four days. INDEX is the perfect event for architects, interior designers, retail and wholesale buyers, procurement specialists, general managers, developers, and project managers.
Singapore Design Week 5-18 March, 2018 Singapore
Organised by the DesignSingapore Council, Singapore Design Week (SDW) is one of Asia’s premier design festivals, where the best design talents and businesses from Singapore and Asia converge to be showcased to the world. It acts as a platform where both local and international visitors can experience the value of design through delightful activities. Now in its 5th edition, SDW is open to the design community, businesses, design students, public sector officers and the general public. Key highlights of this year’s event include SingaPlural, the annual International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), Design Trails, Wallpaper* Handmade 2018, and Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD).
Collective Design
9-11 March, 2018 New York, USA Based in New York City and active in the creative community throughout the year, Collective Design culminates in the annual fair each spring. Building upon a growing audience for collectible design and art, the Collective Design fair showcases masterworks of the 20th and 21st centuries, alongside experimental works from the next generation of global talent. The fair illuminates both the design process and the diversity of material culture, promoting a spirit of discovery that resonates with new and seasoned collectors alike. Guided by its founder, architect Steven Learner, and a passionate group of industry leaders, including designers, architects, gallerists, and collectors.
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Light + Building
18-23 March, 2018 Frankfurt, Germany Light + Building is a trade fair covering all electrically based building services systems; it seeks to promote the integrated planning of building services systems with a product spectrum that is unique, both in its breadth and its depth. The event showcases solutions for reducing the energy consumption of buildings, at the same time as raising the levels of comfort within them. The show covers everything from LED and photovoltaic technology to electric vehicles, ‘intelligent’ ways of using electricity with ‘smart metering’ and ‘smart grids’. By combining lighting and networked building services, the industry can offer an integrated range of products and services that make a crucial contribution to fully exploiting the potential for energy savings in buildings.
www.design-middleeast.com
SUPPLIER FOCUS
Modular and modern
Eric Berchtold, director Middle East & Africa, USM, talks about note-worthy furniture trends and latest innovative launches What are the emerging furniture trends in the industry? The UAE is unlike any other market, as it caters to such a broad audience and takes so much influence from other regions. The ability to regionalise international trends is one of my favourite things, as is the increasing push to develop spaces that reflect the needs of the community. No two spaces in the UAE are the same, and the opportunity to be immersed in so many varying design styles is something very unique. Blending international and local designs with the focus on communal community spaces and the role of European trends and products in the Middle Eastern market is remarkable. Additionally, sustainable design with a strong focus on quality and durability is another trend worth talking about. In the UAE, execution, and quality often doesn’t always match the level of
design and innovation and there is a lot of scope to improve.
Who are your end users? The modular nature of USM furniture caters to the needs of a wide range. We live in a fast-paced environment where adaptation has become an essential skill. That's why it is crucial to be able to build on flexible systems and solid references, which is the vision of USM's modular modern furniture. We tailor our furniture for interior designers, architects, business owners, and the everyday homeowner.
What are your new launches in 2018? USM introduced electricity to its most iconic design with the launch of the USM Haller E. The Haller E System, which was launched in the Middle East in September 2017, delivers dimmable lamps
Eric Berchtold
in either warm, cool white or alternatively can accommodate USB chargers for mobile devices. The system is available in 14 colours and can be configured with an endless range of sizes.
What are your expansion plans? We are working on multiple projects throughout the year, as well as continuing to promote our range of products. As always, we will be working closely with our distributors to ensure that USM modular furniture should be the top preference with the key players in the design, architecture and interiors sectors across the region. Contact: E: usm_modular_me@usm.com P: +971 55 396 4762 W: www.usm.com/en/
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PICK OF THE MONTH
SILQ An innovation in seating design
Steelcase has recently launched its new breakthrough product—SILQ, an innovative chair that transforms the seating design. Through an innovation in materials science and a patent-pending process, Steelcase designers and engineers created a new high-performance polymer material that emulates the qualities of carbon fibre at a mass market price. This material, combined with the sensuous curves of the design, allows SILQ to respond to natural movements of the human body without the mechanisms typically required in high-performance seating designed for the workplace. The result is a chair that behaves more like an organism than a machine— a new archetype in office seating. SILQ will be available in Dubai from Q3 2018. Price: AED 3563 onwards Availability: Steelcase Middle East, Design House, Unit B01, Al Noor Street, Dubai Media City
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March 2018
www.design-middleeast.com
Innovation to enhance
lifestyle & environment
*Mascryl (Stone)
MAS Paints & Chemical Industries, Sharjah, UAE T: +971 6531 1777 | info@mas-paints.com | mas-paints.com