ARCHITECTURE
& INTERIOR DESIGN
Basel Almisshal,
PhD
Chief Architect & Creative Director
Chief Architect and Creative Director Basel Almisshal has been recognized internationally for his distinguished architecture that harmoniously conforms to surrounding environments and addresses the social and cultural needs of the users. Almisshal’s work exhibits a carefully crafted balance of intricately detailed spaces and elements that have a strong sense of identity while maintaining artistic beauty, environmental friendliness and economic stability. Having completed his PhD research at the University of York in the UK, Almisshal trained with John Thompson Architects in London and one of the Middle East’s most renowned architects, Rasem Badran.
Kristine Bonnici Senior Interior Designer
In a career spanning twenty years with a portfolio of residential, corporate, commercial and retail projects, from modern spaces to eighteenth century palazzos, farmhouses to period townhouses, the restoration of national monuments to large commercial interiors, Kristine Bonnici provides an inspirational interior design service. The architecture is always her starting point creating a look of restrained luxury incorporating natural materials in traditional or modern contexts.
StudioBasel is an international award-winning architecture and interior design firm with offices in New York, Muscat and Malta.
Our mission is to contribute to the development of contemporary design in the Arab and Muslim world by reviving and incorporating the beauty and functionality of Arabic and Islamic design influences and elements in our work. Many designers pride themselves in being able to think “outside of the box”. Since our founding in 2005, our philosophy has always been- we have no box to think out of™.
Our Services • • • • • • •
Conceptual Design & Development Architecture & Interior Design Planning & Urban Design Architectural Consulting 3D Visualization Architecture Photography Branding
Special Design Projects • • • • • •
Palestine Embassy in Oman (Architecture & Interior) China Embassy in Malta (Interior) Conference Room Design for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Royal Palace (Interior) Shangri La Water-front Residences Interior & Exterior Renovations (for 12 Villas in Oman) Al Sarooj Restaurant Complex in Muscat (Architecture & Interior) LaMer Resturant & Cafe (Interior)
THE PALESTINIAN EMBASSY IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN London’s International Property Awards recognized Basel Almisshal’s signature design of the Palestinian Embassy in Muscat as “Best Public Service Architecture” in the Middle East and Africa in 2013. The project includes the architecture and interior design of a new embassy complex and an ambassador’s residence both utilizing modern technologies to produce safe, secure and outstanding facilities while adhering to the nobility of Islamic architecture in Palestine and Oman. The chancery professionally serves diplomatic function and is designed as a community centre for Palestinians in the diaspora with facilities to host cultural and social activities. The embassy features a 180+ person auditorium, an art gallery, a library and VIP quarters with state of the art security features. Locally sourced materials have been used throughout the building such as Omani marble, Jerusalem stone, terracotta tiles, wood, steel and glass. The traditional cross stitch design similar to that seen on Palestinian dresses has inspired some of the detail elements in both the exterior and interiors.
5 Star Award Winner Best Public Service Architecture
The new 8000 sq meter Palestinian embassy site is located in the Embassy Quarters in Muscat alongside several other foreign embassies including the American Embassy, the British and the Indian embassies.
THE PALESTINIAN EMBASSY IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN Planning and integrating the interior design of a project from the very beginning of the concept development stage is essential to our work at StudioBasel. We believe in designing functional spaces, both interior and exterior, that work together in unison and harmony and should be viewed and felt as one- without an underlying disconnect in style and aesthetic value. Our design approach to the interior creates a welcoming and friendly space for the embassy staff and its visitors with plenty of natural light and ventilation. Sufficient use of space and functionality are at the center of the design with precise attention to the organization of different functions and security concerns. The landscape concept for this project is very significant as it ties to the land, a major plight as well as a major source of pride for the Palestinian people. The landscape of the embassy site is not simply a secondary exterior decorative element but rather a very important symbolic feature of the Palestinian land and the agricultural/ farming villages that are prominent in the native country.
ISLAMIC ART, ARCHITECTURE & CALLIGRAPHY are an inspiration for many of our designs. Influenced by the Alhambra Palace in Grenada and beautiful remnants of Islamic architecture in Seville, Dr. Basel Almisshal’s first mosque design brings to the Middle East a touch of Andalusian style within the local traditional setting. Basel is also inspired by minimalist contemporary design and is currently working on a conceptual design for a modern mosque.
Architecture that is a true expression of time and culture.
We are committed to the effective use of materials, conservation of energy and responsible sustainability in our innovative corporate and commercial building designs. We operate across the Middle East where our knowledge and expertise in housing, sustainable design and interiors adds value to the development of communities. One of our built environment design philosophies is that architecture should reflect the time, culture and distinct local surroundings while incorporating advances in design and building technology.
UPSCALE RESTAURANT COMPLEX Architecture & Interior Design concept of a new upscale restaurant complex commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism to house fine dining and casual F&B establishments along with a 5D Entertainment Theatre. The design includes water features, an atrium and installation art sculptures in both interior and exterior capacities.
StudioBasel worked in collaboration with Larsen Architects and Australian F&B design expert Francis Loughran, consultant for the Armani Hotel Cafe at the Dubai Mall, in the design of the project interior as well as brand name selection for the outlets.
The new LaMer concept marks the launch of a distinct and well-presented F&B offer on the grounds of one of Oman’s most prestigious business centers- Bait Al Reem, in the Ministries area of Muscat.
The feel of the interior is clean, bright and coastal airy with a pretty palette of rich blues and sunny yellows that offer striking individual features and compliment the neutral stone and ivory finishes.
Aimed at the business lunch clientele as well as local and ex-pat diners, LaMer offers varied and creative breakfast, lunch and dinner options that are Mediterranean inspired as well as Arabian fusion. StudioBasel has designed the full experience, from the interior design of the 180-seater upscale casual dining restaurant clad in timber, stone and patterned print wall coverings and featuring a unique custom designed oak rod chandelier, to the landscaped exterior terrace seating, menu development and design, food styling and photography, all graphics, branding and web-based marketing and communication.
A minimalist modern aesthetic designed by StudioBasel to offer a bold yet warm ambiance with dramatic contrasts of blue smoke and charcoal colored linens, stainless steel and timber features, sea salt colored Corian table tops and a hand sketched custom mural. Inspired by the name of the restaurant, two obtrusive columns were transformed into signature highlights in the shape of Williams-Sonoma salt keepers filled with real Omani sea salt which is also displayed in a special design element above the kitchen window featuring Hawaiian black volcanic salt, Himalayan pink salt, fleur de sel, and kala namak.
A luxury VIP office space at the Shangri La Hotel & Resort designed by StudioBasel to serve the real estate department imparts a feeling of stylish elegance and smart design with elements of real mahogony wood and Italian marble. A custom designed center table features Arabesque patterns and an eyecatching full-length aerial photograph of the property adorns the feature wall.
We design corporate office spaces that work.
Classic Interior Design for Corporate Office
Modern Interior Design for Corporate Office
A REPERTOIRE OF INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN for
THE DISCERNING
From massive luxury villas to cozy beachside retreats, we create warm and welcoming residential spaces that are responsive to the unique desires and expectations of our discerning clients. Specializing in contemporary and traditional residences and vacation homes, our creative and collaborative design approach results in sheer excellence.
We design carefully to create integrated, energy efficient, bespoke structures within a philosophy that uniquely balances luxury, functionality and custom features with elegant style. Basel’s personal touch and attention to detail from concept to construction unfolds into fine architectural statements and timeless spaces.
UNCOMPLICATED, UNPRETENTIOUS COASTLINE RETREATS DESIGNED WITH MODERN CONVENIENCES AND CHARACTERISTIC CHARM
Contemporary Interiors with a Touch of Class
DESIGNING SOPHISTICATED AND TIMELESS INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING
Japanese Influenced Residential Interior Design
DESIGNING SOPHISTICATED AND TIMELESS INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING
A Palatial Abu Dhabi Majlis Custom carved wood grand entrance doors and Arabesque mashrabiya features offers a sense of simple and sophisticated elegance within the realm of understated opulence.
Europe, America, Middle East enquire@studiobasel.com www.studiobasel.com USA +1 347 4801550 UAE +971 569344373 Oman +968 97093139 +968 97742537 Malta. +356 7700 0077