Project

The embassy and residence, have taken on the role of art and cultural ambassadors with private tours of their premises to the interested public

Sonia Ashoor

Taking on board this cultural direction, the designers matched it in designing in the style of museum interiors, reviving the 16th century of Islamic art and architecture. Sonia Ashoor and her design team were inspired by the Iznik tiles of the Ottoman Empire and the beautiful manuscripts of the Safavid Dynasty. They dissected colours, patterns, and glazes of these tiles to create artistic lacquer art panels throughout the residence. The manuscripts inspired space planning, creating a story of meandering spaces with a feel of overlap, transparency, and calculated views

Special skills and artisans were used to complete this project, graphic designer, Ruba Mukahal, was responsible for all the stone and lacquer art panels, the contractor, Warbud is a specialised contractor in sovereign and cultural projects, which includes the Warsaw Science Museum. His expertise made this project a true success and Metamar, stone artisans, who were responsible for all the beautiful stone carved panels.

Special skills and artisans were used to complete this project

The interiors are built on a very strong storyline addressing the cultural interest of both Poland in art and Saudi Arabia’s interest in promoting Islamic art and identity

Completing the museum feel carefully selected artefacts are displayed on stands and glass cases marrying the old with the new creating spaces that tell stories celebrating the 16th century of Islamic Art

Luxury at itsbest

C Central Resort The Palm offers beachfront living with striking views

Five-star hotel C Central Resort The Palm marks the beginning of 2020, with a milestone event - its grand opening in Dubai.

A 203-key luxury beachfront hotel with magnificent views of the Arabian Gulf, C Central Resort The Palm is strategically located in Dubai’s iconic man-made island, home to some of Dubai's top luxury resorts – the Palm Jumeirah. One of the world’s most daring developments, the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is a haven for adventure seekers, honeymooners, and family vacationers.

"We are pleased to launch C Central Resort The Palm, a rare gem that sparkles in the sea, where guests can truly experience the privacy and beach-front living, unwind and enjoy

46 | February 2020 spectacular views of the ocean," says Abdulla Al Abdulla, Chief Operating Officer of Central Hotels. "The epitome of luxury beachfront living, imagine waking up to soft lapping waves of the sea, early morning strolls with sand on your toes and an endless vista of the ocean as far as your eyes can see. This is what we want our guests to feel, a place by the sea they can call home, where they can just be themselves, one with nature, then come back recharged and refreshed.”

“Our top clients are travellers and tourists from the CIS market, as well as guests from GCC & Middle East, Southeast Asia, far East Asia, Europe, and Latin America," adds Basel Eshak Butrs, General Manager of C Central Resort The Palm.

The pool at C Central Resort The Palm

Each room is equipped with floor to ceiling glass with balconies that enable you to look out over a sweeping ocean view of the Gulf and the exciting Dubai skyline. An inspiring display of sea, sky, and light.

Featuring 192 spacious and well-equipped rooms, 11 stunning suites, four distinctly themed F&B outlets, a world-class spa & wellness centre, and a state-of-the-art gym, C Central Resort The Palm exemplifies a grand canvas of contemporary sophistication and luxurious tranquillity.

Both leisure and business travellers are in for something new and exciting. Within close proximity to prominent business districts, top attractions and the airports, the new hotel is the

perfect address for modern travellers.

Gourmet dining, fresh seafood, and locally sourced ingredients are at the core of the dining options such as at Waves restaurant, an all-day dining concept that lets you feast on the choicest cuisine. Coffee and tea lovers can have their heart’s content at Barista’s Corner. C Grill Restaurant and Bar, a modern steakhouse excites your palate with perfect succulent steaks accompanied by fine beverages. Mojito Pool Bar at the beachside is where guests can chill, relax and watch the sunset while sipping on enticing beverages. Guests can also choose to have their food delivered straight to their rooms with discreet in-room dining or surprise your partner with a candlelit romantic dinner.

Views from the bathroom

To complete the luxury experience, you can unwind at the Away Wellness Centre, try the Signature 4 Hands spa treatment where you can lose yourself in bliss. Stay fit & strong with the

A suite at C Central Resort The Palm

fully-equipped gym where you can exercise in peace facing the ocean. Get your pulse racing, with speedboat rides, cruising around the Palm Jumeirah and pausing for an Insta-worthy shot.

Sustainab ility first and foremos t

Andrew Whalley, chairman/partner at Grimshaw Architects, talks about the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020, and initiatives used to minimise energy and water consumption

Tell us more about the Terra— The Sustainability Pavilion in terms of concept and design highlights? When we were approached by Expo 2020, we immediately understood the challenges that we would face designing a truly net-zero building in such challenging climates. We saw an opportunity to not only achieve a net-zero building for Expo 2020, but also to create a shining example of intelligent strategies and possibilities for sustainable living for generations to come. Such a bold mission required resolute architectural choices. We drew on the region’s rich bio-diversity and the striking ways in which nature has adapted to harsh climates – such as the large canopy, inspired by the ghaf tree, that shades the building and draws in natural breezes. Much of the occupied spaces are below the ground, protected by the landscape above. The pavilion is surrounded by Energy Trees that offer shade to the landscape gardens. Like sunflowers, each Energy Tree tracks the path of the sun to generate as much power as possible. In the landscape, plants have been sourced from the region, to demonstrate that a lush and beautiful landscape can be created with minimum irrigation and new crops that can contribute to the future food security of the region.

What can the visitors expect and experience from this? Utilising awe-inspiring architecture, meaningful and impactful exhibitions, and a strong message of opportunity and possibility, we sought to create a holistic experience that is both exhilarating and informative. We feel with confidence that the building will deliver

Sustainability Pavilion for Expo 2020

an innovative and exciting message of hope about the natural world when we greet our first visitors.

What are the sustainable elements/ initiatives used for this project? Every aspect of the Sustainability Pavilion has been designed considering methods to minimise energy and water use and to highlight the connections between energy, water and food. This is reflected in the exposed infrastructure of the building, informing visitors of the integrated systems, which enable the pavilion to meet the aspirational net-zero water and energy goals.

Drawing inspiration from complex natural processes such as photosynthesis, the dynamic form of the pavilion is in service to its function, capturing energy from sunlight and freshwater from humid air. The pavilion will achieve netzero water using water-reduction strategies, water recycling and alternative water sources, such as atmospheric water harvesting through the unique dew-harvesting Water Tree.

What do you feel is the greatest challenge when it comes to designing for environmental sustainability? There is always something more that can be done for sustainability, whether that’s utilising

Andrew Whalley

a new process or material or even a new way of thinking. The nature of construction schedules and project timelines means that at some point we have to put our pencils down, knowing that next week there might be another technology or idea that would be a great leap forward for our design. It can be difficult to accept that we can’t always include everything.

How do you see the UAE as a huge supporter of sustainability? We have been fortunate to work with such a generous and ambitious client as Expo 2020. They have fully supported us throughout this journey, showing to the world that the UAE is paving the way for ingenious strategies and cutting-edge technologies for harnessing the earth’s fragile resources at this critical moment in history.

Are you optimistic about the power of architects to shape sustainable cities? The United Nations has delivered increasingly dire warnings about our fragile planet. For architects, a performative design approach that searches for optimised building solutions is the critical and only way forward, and this must be our ‘moonshot’ moment. It’s only by being creative that we will come up with imaginative and ingenious ideas that we’ll need to solve many of the world’s problems we all share.

What happens to the pavilion after Expo 2020? More than 80% of the permanent construction for Expo 2020, will be retained for legacy development in Dubai, including the Sustainability Pavilion, which will live on as a Children and Science Centre to help support education and understanding of sustainable living strategies for years after Expo 2020, comes to an end. The pavilion is designed to perpetuate beyond the life of Expo 2020 is, in and of itself, a sustainable strategy.

Wa rmand inviting

Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah is a perfect place to stay, socialise, and dine

By Roma Arora

It’s elegance personified; the new Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah is a great place to spend time with family, friends, and for business travels. Centrally located, both the hotel and apartments are super stylish combined with practical amenities such as free Wi-Fi and free breakfast, all contributing to an uncomplicated stay.

As you enter this the property, the spacious and beautifully decorated lobby will grab your attention, also the lovely boutique shops for its guests to shop on the go. The design of the lobby will define the guest’s first impression of the hotel and will influence the overall experience. With an overall light colour theme, space is decked up with amazing artwork that adorns the walls. It is also one way of connecting with guests because having a unique and intriguing local art with a story adds to a memorable guest experience in the hotel. The lobby has been built around the concept of an evening lounge experience to encourage more socialising and collaboration.

The rooms are very spacious and every bit sophisticated and classy. Large glass windows bring natural light in every room.

From soft furnishings to the overall décor of the room, things are kept functional and beautiful. What was amazing as well were the super big bathrooms and that is a bonus for any traveller. In the room, distinct zones for sleep, work and relaxation have been established to offer our guests a greater sense of control, connection and customization throughout their stay.

Designs also go beyond what guests see, and this hotel has taken into consideration all the human senses to offer them an immersive experience. In the room, distinct zones for sleep, work, and relaxation have been established to offer our guests a greater sense of control, connection and customisation throughout their stay. This clearly got all my votes!

The pool of the hotel is lovely and gets an abundance of sun and guests can unwind themselves in utmost peace and calm. Near the pool area, you would find a hi-tech and fully equipped gym to sweat it out.

The meeting rooms are spacious and perfect for your next social gathering and formal events.

One of the selling points for customers when looking for a hotel is how they feel about its interior design. If guests are comfortable with the overall design of the hotel, there is a huge likelihood that they will book a room. It’s not just the service that is crucial, but also the environment and atmosphere created with the help of the design of the spaces. When designing the dining outlets, the hotel’s focus was to offer a global diner, inspired by the world, the food made locally. This means taking culinary inspirations from across the globe and cultural expressions from the neighbourhood to deliver flavourful and delectable cuisine in a casual, simple, and elegant environment. The dining outlets at Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah namely Focus, Wox, and The Market offer true global dining for everyday life at competitive prices. I can vouch for this, sumptuous food without burning hole in your pocket.

Lobby of the hotel

Suite with the view

What further impressed me were the sustainability initiatives taken by the hotel. Sustainability is a big subject and it has been taken into consideration while designing the entire hotel as part of our Hyatt approach in design for sustainability.

The city’s local cultural elements are infused to make this location-relevant and this can be seen in the art pieces in the rooms, the lobby, and the meeting spaces.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has launched a series of initiatives to reduce waste at Hyatt hotels globally, including introducing large-format bathroom amenities and reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. Like, transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo,

52 | February 2020 conditioner, and lotion to reduce disposables and select environmentally preferable options whenever possible. Another interesting initiative taken by the hotel is increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles. Other recent global initiatives have included removing plastic straws and drink picks and making alternative options available only by request at Hyatt hotels, and increasing the use of compostable, recyclable or recycled content packaging for to-go food containers.

The staff at the hotel is worth all the mention and applause. It just makes your day when a smiling face greets you. Not to forget that the new generation of travellers tends to spend on experiences rather than on things, so they would prefer to visit museums, theme parks, cultural places and engage in adventurous activities. They also search for value-for-money accommodations that will offer a comfortable stay after an exhilarating day. And that’s what exactly Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah offers.

The demand for serviced apartments will continue to rise as we get closer to Expo 2020. The anticipated influx of business travellers, relocating families, and leisure visitors to the UAE before, during and post-Expo will present healthy growth for the sector. Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah also has 84 fully-furnished residences which is a great option for newcomers to get settled in Dubai.

Everyone wants a piece of luxury, comfort, and amazing dining experience on their trip, Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah is all this and much more!

Breakfast buffet at Focus

Wox Restaurant

Pool area

Facade of the hotel

Bathroom in hotel suite

Fab ulous furnishings

The leading brands on latest trends of soft furnishings in the region

ZARA HOME

About the bran d Zara Home is the home furnishing brand of the Inditex Group. Always at the forefront of fashion, Zara Home is recognised for the quality of its products. These two characteristics have been key factors in the expansion of Zara Home since it launched in 2003. Currently, Zara Home operates in 4 continents, 71 markets and over 590 stores.

Sof t f urn ishin gs Its collections take inspiration from the latest trends in home furnishings and include bed, table and bathroom linens; small and medium furniture; tableware; cutlery and glassware; and other home stylings.

Tren ds Designed to make its customers feel like home, The new flagship store at Dubai Mall show different spaces that are open

for exploration: the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms for adults and children, bathroom and a special corner for the home fragrances collection. Visitors can take a stroll through the store and discover the different rooms, prints, designs and materials of the Zara Home collection.

Latest la un ches Zara Home has created an exclusive collection for the new The Dubai Mall store. This capsule collection will include bed and bath linens and some home accessories as slippers. Every product on the highest quality and smart and bright design, in white and silver. This limited edition will be presented on special packaging and will be sold exclusively at The Dubai Mall store.

Con tact details Zara Home, The Dubai Mall

SEDAR GLOBAL

About the bran d Breathing life into interiors for over 125 years. Sedar Global is one of the world’s leading companies in manufacture, design and installation of window and wall furnishings and has over 23 showrooms across the MENA region alone. Importing raw materials from the finest factories in the world and working with internationally renowned brands including; Antarctica, The Versace Home Collection, Armani/ Casa, Marco Polo, Somfy, Fujikawa, and Swarovski amongst others.

Sof t f urn ishin gs Sedar offer curtains, wallpaper, awnings, blinds, folding doors, curtain accessories as well as cushions and smart home solutions. Each of these items provides a unique purpose within the home, fusing between aesthetics and convenience. Curtains and blinds are not only essential for privacy but the key to designing and directing the light within a space, almost framing the room. The wallpapers provide a statement alternative to paint and immediately transform a space.

Tren ds For 2020, wallpaper is having a comeback and consumers are being more adventurous with patterns and textures such as botanicals across wallpapers and velvet for cushions to create a real personal interior. After partnering with Somfy, the leaders in automated solutions for soft furnishings, Sedar has ensured that they’re delivering products that provide the latest technologies for ultimate practicability and design finish in the home.

Latest la un ches Most recently for 2020, the brand has launched its e-commerce platform and will be building on this across the year with some new additions to their collaborative brands to announce across coming months.

Con tact details www.sedarglobal.com

POTTERY BAR N

About the bran d Pottery Barn is a multi-channel retailer with a vibrant e-commerce site, inspiring catalogues, and brick-and-mortar stores all over the world. Launched in 1949, in Chelsea, New York, where we got into the homewares business by selling slightly imperfect pottery, and tabletop closeouts.

Sof t f urn ishin gs The brand designs and crafts decor in a range of aesthetics and sizes, allowing our customers to create a home that's unique to their space and lifestyle, and make the most of special occasions and life every day.

Tren ds Popular this season are spring pillows, spring beds, all-white beds, and elegant tabletops.

Latest la un ches The Spring 2020 collection is versatile.

Con tact details www.potterybarn.ae

CRATE & BARRE L

aBOUT THE BR AND Crate & Barrel is an industry-leading home furnishings. The brand offers high-quality products, exclusive designs, and timeless style.

Sof t f urn ishin gs The brand offers a vast variety of contemporary and modern furniture, houseware, and décor. In any interior space, soft furnishings help to create an ambience of utmost comfort and luxury. The correct mixture of items can help to elevate the sophistication of a room, even if it has been styled on a strict budget. Soft furnishings also invite dwellers to the lounge for hours on end in private comfort or enjoy a relaxing gathering with friends in a welcoming space. The brand views such products as an essential finishing touch regardless of a room’s character.

Tren ds Among their top picks for a soft furnishing is the Cavett Wood Frame Loveseat, which is built in a walnut wood frame with the seating upholstered in a warm, textural weave. Meanwhile, the Eclipse Sleeper Daybed, which transitions between day and night through a disguised trundle mattress, is perfect for impromptu sleepovers or weekend guests.

Latest la un ches For UAE’s current cool weather, Crate & Barrel’s latest launches include the Outdoors collection. It features an array of furniture perfect for creating the ideal atmosphere as buyers enjoy an afternoon barbeque, an evening of stargazing, or simply relaxing in the breeze. The brand has also recently launched Crate and Kids, a furniture and accessory collection dedicated to helping our customers shape spaces for the little ones. The collection is aimed at encouraging a child’s unique personality by creating customised bedrooms and playrooms, while simultaneously optimising space through intelligent, modern design.

Con tact details www.crateandbarrel.me

Events The Mon h Ahe d Trade fair dates for your diary…

EVENT IN FOCU S

IFI CO NGRE SS & GA 26-28 February 26-28, 2020 Dubai, UAE

As the biannual gathering of IFI members and international Interior Architecture/Design community, the IFI CONGRESS & General Assembly (GA) is a significant program in the industry calendar. The 29th IFI CONGRESS – DESIGN 2050 – Technology. Design. Education. – is organised in collaboration with the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) at Park Hyatt, Deira. is anticipated that over 300 international delegates from 65 countries, will travel to Dubai to network and listen to the prestigious line up of speakers at this dynamic design gathering, to share their ideas and visions for the future interior design.

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair 2020 February 4–8, 2020 Stockholm, Sweden

This annual furniture and lighting exhibition is the largest in Scandinavia, showcasing over 700 exhibitors including brands from Sweden and beyond. Taking place during Stockholm Design Week, the fair celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It once again features the Greenhouse section, which showcases the work of upcoming designers. This year's Guest of Honour is Indian-British design duo Doshi Levien, who will present an exhibition revealing their creative process in the fair's entrance hall.

Design Indaba February 26–28, 2020 Cape Town, South Africa

Design Indaba has seen over 600 illustrious speakers take to the stage to deliver soul-stirring and mindawakening talks earning the acclaim as the best conference in the world whilst also actively pursuing change and action - seeding over 200 impact-driven projects into the public square. Design Indaba 2020 will be a 3 day multi-sensory, thoughtprovoking and expansive experience that includes a series of captivating talks by day and festival by night, featuring live music, theatre, exhibitions, and masterclasses.

Modernism Week February 13-23, 2020 Palm Springs, USA

The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster the appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area. Modernism Week’s signature February event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and culture. This event features more than 350 events including the Modernism show & sale, signature home tours, films, lectures, premier double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.

Pillow Talk

From commentary on the dire state of the environment to celebrating freedom of expression, Bokja leaves nothing unsaid. The studio’s new pillow collection, “Solastalgia,” captures our yearning to exist in harmony with nature, making its first international debut at Maison et Objet just last month. Handcrafted in Lebanon by skilled craftsmen and women, the brand uses artisanal embroidery to stitch together poetic narratives across a variety of surfaces and objects that range from furniture to home goods. Threads overlap, build and fray to create innovative, textured surfaces- a new direction for embroidery in today’s digital world. Each pillow arrives with a small, embroidered ‘hangtext’ sharing their story.

Availability: Bokja Design Mukhallassiya Str. Bldg. 332, Unit A Saifi Village, Beirut, Lebanon Tel: +961 (1) 975 576

Price: $180-$450

du.ae/business-pos Your window to expand. Introducing Business POS for cashless payments with better transaction rates.

Canopy of Light

MAN DAR I N O R I E NTAL J U M E R IA , D U BAI D Y N A M I C I N S TA L L AT I O N D E S I G N E D I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N WITH DESIGNWILKES