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Architecture That Brings People Together
SPECIAL FEATURE
ARCHITECTURE THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
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DAVIDE PADOA
CEO Design International
DESIGN INTERNATIONAL is an Architecture firm with over 55 years of history and more than 10 million square metres of built architecture, constantly evolving to adapt to everchanging people’s habits. Building from its strong experience in Retail, the practice has now projects encompassing a wide range of sectors, including Mixed-Use Developments, Residential, Hotels and Hospitality.
“As a place is defined by the experience and emotion it evokes, we seek to create spaces that intrigue and engage people, encouraging them to explore the opportunities they offer” explains Davide Padoa, CEO of Design International. He continues “To create communities, we choose to partner with international Retailers, Developers and Asset Managers that share the same values and ethics, to develop projects in which the artistic, commercial, environmental and social aspects are in complete harmony.”
Salaheldin Ahmed, Associate Architect & MENA Regional Manager, explains: “The projects we design can be described as ‘Cities within a City’ for our ability to shape local stories to create unique experiences for every visitor. History and culture of countries are the foundations of every project as we strive to create meeting places in which visitors relate to and give them the desire to return again and again.”
The Urban, Environmental, and Social approach of Design International is led by architects with great skills in creating public places to live day by day. The team, recognized internationally for the strength and depth of its expertise, designs projects following urban planning principles specifically adapted to the
SALAHELDIN AHMED
Ferrari Centro Stile, Italy
site conditions and the opportunities given. In synergy with the clients’ team, every member brings their unique culture and individuality to the project, allowing Design International to develop exceptional places that are imaginative, iconic, and within budget.
2021 is an important year for Design International as a large number of their recent projects have opened or will be completed soon. In April 2021, Silicon Central Mall opened its doors in Dubai, inaugurating the 209th Hypermarket by Lulu Group; the project has recently won the International Property Awards for the Leisure Architecture category in Dubai, proving itself to be already a new landmark for the city. By the end of the year, Lulu Mall Sharjah Central will be inaugurated, following the recent opening of Forsan Central in Abu Dhabi.
Two of the biggest shopping malls in India will open their doors to the public before the end of the year: Lulu Mall Trivandrum – that won the International Property Award for Retail Architecture in India – and Lulu Mall Lucknow, that introduces for the first time in Uttar Pradesh the concept of a three-levels ‘High Street’ with entertainment ‘Piazzas’.
In China, the fifth development by Swedish Group, Ingka Centres, opened last August: Livat Changsha, a mixed-use project that alongside the traditional LIVAT Centre and IKEA store has a unique, IKEA inspired, Soho Tower.
In Italy, the refurbishment and enlargement of I Gigli have given visitors more space to meet in a welcoming place for families, workers and shoppers, while the inauguration of Mercato di Corso Sardegna project will revitalise the historical market restored in Genoa and will give the citizen large areas of public green space.
All these projects follow the principle that architects have the social responsibility to design buildings that Davide Padoa, one of the driving forces of Design International, concludes, “For more than 55 years now, we have believed in design that shapes how people feel about a place, and today more than ever we believe in creating places that engage emotions and shape memories”.
Livat Changsha, China
Silicon Central, UAE
Hubtown, Italy
ARCHITECTURE THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
www.designinternational.com
