VEENA KANCHAN
VEENA KANCHAN INTERIOR ARCHITECT
2014-2016
2013
SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID CITY VILLAS, DUBAI, UAE
2012
HYATT REGENCY DESIGN AND REFURBISHMENT, DUBAI, UAE
2012
2011
CITYSTARS LAGOON MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCES, EGYPT
2011
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT
2010
SARAYA BANDAR JISSAH VILLAS & RECREATION CLUB, OMAN
2010
2009
LADIES' HEALTH CLUB, SHARJAH, UAE
2009
BOOK PUBLISHING OFFICE, SHARJAH, UAE
2008
MOROCCANTHEMED ROYAL SPA, AL SAFA, DUBAI, UAE
2008
2007
2007
2006
2002-2007
ROVE HOTELS, DUBAI, UAE
METHOD OLOGY Design is an intuitive process. By nature it is also a solution-finding field of work. Therefore, the first step in my process is an amalgamation of conceptualisation and practical analysis. Thirteen years of work experience have ingrained in me the importance of accurate resource and time management. During execution, it is our instinct to safeguard our design from forces that override aesthetics and quality. However much I stand by this instinct and push for maximum performance, I also provide optimised onsite support and timely alternative construction solutions considering costs and deadlines.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE, UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI, 2002
CAREER PA T H Having acquired my architecture degree in 2002, I set out on a multi-faceted career path, first under my own company, Yantra Designs, which specialised in film and TV set designs. In 2007, I moved base to Dubai, and applied my skills to designing stands for exhibitions. This in-depth experience in construction detailing resulted in a design sensibility that balanced aesthetics with practicality.
In 2008, I returned to my roots in interior architecture, working for reputed interior design consultants on multiple large-scale projects over the course of five years. Armed with this background, in 2013 I left the secured life of a full-time job to work independently for architectural consultants as lead interior architect on a project basis. The highlight of my career came in February 2014, when I was offered the Rove hotel project on behalf of Stride Treglown consultants for Emaar Hospitality Group – a chain of six hotels to be designed and executed simultaneously.
FORWARD THINKER In all aspects of my life, I am conscious of being progressive. The basic requirement is to be one’s own critic, especially in a fast-moving industry in which skills and concepts quickly become out-dated. In addition to keeping myself up-to-date through regional events, I endeavour to work with internationally based companies, which allows me deeper insight into the latest trends and inventions. Above all, I believe the truly progressive designer must be ready to take advantage of every opportunity to learn in order to accomplish the goal of creating a design with meaning.
DHL OFFICE BREAKOUT AREA, FREE ZONE, DUBAI, UAE
AIRPORT CONCIERGE LOUNGE, ABU DHABI, UAE
MANISH MALHOTRA BOUTIQUE, INDIA & APARTMENT, MAURITIUS
CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT
7-STAR 100ROOM HOTEL, TRIPOLI, LIBYA
OQYANA REAL ESTATE SALES OFFICE, DUBAI, UAE
SET DESIGN, MUMBAI, INDIA
INDUSTRIAL CHIC e
ABOVE THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN CHALLENGE OF HANGING BAR SHELVING FROM A DECORATIVE I-BEAM BECAME AN AESTHETIC ADVANTAGE AS THE ADDITIONAL BOLTS AND WIRES FURTHER COMPLEMENTED THE INDUSTRIAL STYLE.
URBAN. FUNCTIONAL. DISTINCTIVE.
ROVE HOTELS, DUBAI Budget hotel chain interior design project spanning six locations. Independent assignment through Stride Treglown architectural consultants. CLIENT Emaar Hospitality Group
OBJECTIVE To create character and a unique identity that complemented the chain’s philosophy using varying themes of Arabic heritage and urban chic.
INDUSTRIAL CHIC 1
ZA'ABEEL
CAREER HIGHLIGHT In 2014, I began work as an independent designer on the Rove budget hotel chain – six hotels in one mega-project located in Dubai. The work would become a career highlight. The main challenge was twofold: first, to propose options suitable for budget hotels while maintaining standards set by the client in other luxury properties; and second, to execute all six locations in tandem. Expectations were high, but so were my professional standards of thorough creative conceptualisation and faultless execution. One of the hotels has now opened and has received extremely encouraging feedback from industry critics.
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JAFILIYA
LEFT TO CREATE FALSE I-BEAMS THAT RESEMBLED REAL STEEL BEAMS, WITHOUT ADDING ANY LOAD TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURE, A DETAILED STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT. AFTER CONSIDERING VARIOUS OPTIONS, REAL STEEL BEAMS WERE USED IN ORDER TO DO JUSTICE TO THE INDUSTRIAL CONCEPT. THE SERVERY CANOPY MADE OF STEEL FRAMES AND GLASS PANELS ALSO REQUIRED SPECIAL DETAILING.
ROVE ZA'ABEEL, LOBBY LOUNGE ON-SITE WORK IN PROGRESS, 2016
SIX HOTELS IN ONE MEGA-PROJECT. EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH, BUT SO WERE MY PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
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ROVE’S F&B areas were designed with an industrial twist to the Arabic and urban concept, combining welcoming comfort with productivity.
Setting the mood in Rove's bar lounges were textured surfaces and a relaxing colour palette with a punch of brightness in the feature wall.
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INDUSTRIAL CHIC DESIGN INFLUENCES The works of Takashi Sugimoto of the Super Potato design firm were an eye opener for me on the use of natural materials, patterns, textures and the resulting play of light and shadow. Since my introduction to his work, I gained a new fascination and interest in hotel design, and specifically F&B design.
OTHER INFLUENCES INCLUDE: Famous Indian architect Charles Correa, whose compositions of distinct forms resulted in spaces with a magical play of light. Le Corbusier’s tremendous work on Chandigarh city planning, the Palace of Assembly and the Legislature Building. A designer at all levels. Yabu Pushelberg. Simplicity in complexity and sleek detailing – these are the eye catching elements of his design that I try to achieve in my work. Argentinian designer Arnesto Bedmer inspires with his space formations, the use of natural wood and the focus on quality of light. ROVE HOTEL CHAIN, DUBAI SHIPPING CONTAINERS, FABRIC CANOPIES ACROSS SERVICE DUCTS, EXPOSED GIRDERS AND BEAMS, AND STAMPED CONCRETE FINISHES ADD CHARACTER TO THE ROVE PROJECT.
One of my key inspirations for innovation is the work of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, famous for his layered architecture for the Inhabitat.
UTILITARIAN UTOPIA Y
EFFICIENCY. SIMPLICITY. INSPIRATION.
SHARJAH LADIES' CLUB Spa and gym facility, for Godwin Austen Johnson architectural consultants OBJECTIVE To create a luxurious, functional, airy and cheerful space for relaxation and interaction, with attention to privacy.
RIGHT GUESTROOM HEADBOARD DESIGN IN A DETAILED STRUCTURE SKETCH
ROVE HOTELS - GUESTROOMS Interior design of over 1000 hotel guestrooms across 6 locations with a focus on functionality and minimalist, urban ergonomics.
ARABIAN HAVEN
THE FINAL DESIGN WAS A PRODUCT OF INTENSIVE RESEARCH ON TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN ELEMENTS, MATERIALS, WALL TEXTURES SUCH AS THE ‘TADELAKT’, ZELLIJE TILE PATTERNS, FABRICS, LIGHTING AND FURNITURE.
ABUNDANCE. INDULGENCE. MYSTIQUE.
ROYAL SPA, AL SAFA, DUBAI Traditional Moroccan-themed luxury spa project for Godwin Austen Johnson architectural consultants CLIENT Confidential
HIGHLIGHTS The linear architectural layout and 500mm-thick external cavity walls of the Royal Spa allowed ample scope for wall and window niche details with onyx cladding as accents, lending an interesting dimension to every space.
ARABIAN HAVEN THE DESIGN SCHEMES ACROSS THE MULTI-FAMILY APARTMENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING STYLE CATEGORIES: TRADITIONAL ARABIC, MOORISH ANDALUSIAN, CONTEMPORARY MOROCCAN, CONTEMPORARY ARABIC AND URBAN NEUTRAL.
SPACE BREATHES AND CHANGES WITH THE LIGHT. MY FIRST JOB IS TO RESPECT IT.
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCES, EGYPT 3000 apartments in Sharm El Sheikh, across 45 blocks built in traditional Arabic style architecture. Project for GAJ. CLIENT Citystars, Egypt
THE INTERIOR DESIGN SCOPE INCLUDED MAIN AND PREFUNCTION LOBBIES, ALL-DAY DINING AREA, BANQUET HALL, CLUB AND VIP LOUNGE, PRESIDENTIAL AND CORNER SUITES, AND POOL GYM.
CROWNE PLAZA RESORT, EGYPT A luxury 5-star resort project for GAJ architectural consultants. CLIENT Citystars, Egypt HIGHLIGHT In addition to design and research, I single-handedly coordinated this project with limited resources – work experience that has shaped my project management skills.
RUSTIC IN THE CITY E
PRIZE-WINNING DETAIL The palm tree has seldom found its way into contemporary furniture. Designed with my husband in homage to local culture, the Palm Table earned first prize in the competition conducted by 'Total Office'. We were appointed to coordinate with a manufacturing factory to bring this design to reality.
WARMTH. COMFORT. CHARM.
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, EGYPT Sharm El Sheikh-based resort interior design project for GAJ architectural consultants. CLIENT Citystars, Egypt
OBJECTIVE To create rustic interiors for the traditional Al Hambra style architecture located close to the Egyptian Red Sea coast. As part of the design team, I participated in designing a wide variety of spaces including standard and luxury guestrooms, grand lobbies, a cigar lounge, bar, library and tea lounge.
RUSTIC IN THE CITY SETTING THE SCENE As part of my earliest working experience designing film sets under Yantra Designs, I conducted historical research into classic Indian architecture. My in-depth study was used by filmmakers to create the sets for the acclaimed movie, Bajirao Mastani.
My research into classic Indian style also helped my conceptualisation process when in 2006 I took on the design of Manish Malhotra's luxury fashion boutique and studio in Mumbai and apartment in Mauritius.
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, SHARM EL SHEIKH A HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROJECT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE ALL-DAY DINING AREA BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF THE BASEMENT WINE CELLAR. THE PROPORTIONS OF THE OPEN BRICK ARCHES FORMED THE BASIS FOR ONE OF THE NOVEL SPACES OF THE RESORT, AND RECEIVED GLOWING FEEDBACK FROM THE CLIENT.
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CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE L
HARMONY. ATMOSPHERE. INNOVATION.
HYATT REGENCY, DUBAI Refurbishment and interior design of public spaces including lobby, banquet hall, restaurant and MICE areas. Project for GAJ architectural consultants.
MINIMALIST, FUNCTIONAL, STREAMLINED AND SLEEK DETAIL ELEMENTS FORMED THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES DURING SPACE DESIGN.
SARAYA BANDAR JISSAH CLUB & VILLAS, OMAN 360 seaside villas and recreation club. Project for GAJ. OBJECTIVE Create contemporary interiors with a priority for locally sourced materials, hence the use of Omani marfil, Omani emperador and the use of Omani jewellery in the form of artwork.
CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE LIFE TRAVELS IN DESIGN
I BELIEVE THE TRULY PROGRESSIVE DESIGNER MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN
VILLA COMPLEX, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID CITY 1500 villa development around the world's largest man-made lagoon, in variations of contemporary and traditional style. Contract based project for AE7 architectural consultants. CLIENT Meydan Sobha developers.
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My travels have taken me around the world – from Europe to the United States, and from East Asia to the Middle East – allowing me to gain first-hand knowledge of the pinnacles of world architecture and design. Even so, it is the people I have met and worked with along the way – from many different cultures – that form my most memorable experiences. Among the valuable lessons I have learned is the importance of not getting bogged down by the scale and magnitude of projects, and instead to remain focused on the design process. Most importantly, I have learned that good friends and a happy family are the foundation around which any career is built.
HIGHLIGHTS I was involved in both the architectural and interior design concept, and establishing a look/feel for the entire project. The challenge lay in the magnitude of the site and prestigious standards set for the development.
ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT AN ART INSTALLATION AT LONDON'S MODERN ART MUSEUM; A HERITAGE WALK TO ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, LONDON; AT THE BLENHEIM PALACE, UK, WITH FAMILY. TOP AN EDUCATIONAL TRIP WITH MY PARENTS TO THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON D.C.