< PreviousDesign news commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 10 Golden Jubilee celebrations begin as UAE marks 50th year A bumper public holiday kicked off celebrations for the UAE's 50th anniversary, the Golden Jubilee. As per a calendar of holidays approved by the government, the fi rst three days of the month were marked as paid holidays for both the public and private sectors. The break began with a public holiday on Wednesday, December 1, to mark Commemoration Day, which remembers those who lost their lives serving their country. This was immediatly followed by a further two days off to celebrate the country's 50th birthday, on December 2 and December 3. To mark this Golden Jubilee of the country's historic unifi cation, Expo 2020 Dubai organisers have announced a month- long celebration packed with Emirati events, attractions and performances, with events celebrating calligraphy to pearl diving, the Bedouin lifestyle to the Dubai story, abayas to camel milk cafés, fi reworks to Emirati food celebrations. Bounced cheques set to be decriminalised by UAE in 2022 New amendments will come into force in January 2022, effectively decriminalising the issue of bounced cheques except for the most serious cases. The UAE Central Bank announced in details carried by state news agency WAM that new amendments to the Commercial Transactions Law regarding the decriminalisation of cheques will come into force on the second day of the new year. A previous amendment stipulated the drawer could be sentenced to a minimum cheque bounce fi ne of AED 1,000, and at least one month of imprisonment depending on the cheque amount. Now punishments could include withdrawal of chequebooks from the transgressor, denying them the right to receive new chequebooks for a maximum of fi ve years and suspending their professional or commercial activity. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, stated that decriminalisation of the issuance of cheques without funds is "an essential step" for the UAE, adding that the move aimed to accelerate the country's economic recovery. Glowing entry gates to Expo 2020, designed by Asif Khan Business in the UAE still rely on chequesAdvertorial 11 December 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com T echnogym possesses an extensive history in collaborating with the world's leading architects and designers to establish intuitive wellness spaces with thoughtful Italian design in the most beautiful homes, prestigious hotels, yachts and gyms. The award-winning brand continued its presence as a vanguard in the fi tness space by launching Technogym Talks in Dubai. In Mirage Dubai (Technogym Showroom Partner), Dubai Design District, architect Paolo Colombo held the inaugural event to discuss future wellness trends in the world of design and architecture, particularly as it correlates to at-home fi tness. Founder and creative mind of A++, Paolo Colombo has built his international reputation designing and realising Paolo shares his thoughts with guests Bike Personal TUNE IN TO TECHNOGYM TALKS The Italian wellness brand broadcasts inaugural episode in Dubai architectures strongly rooted on the broader vision of sustainability that becomes the centre and reference in the development of his design. To discover this wonderful talk, register here: https://bit.ly/3oO9Ard Also new from Technogym is Personal Line – design-forward home fi tness equipment that combines designer Antonio Citterio's award-winning style with Technogym's thirty-year experience in the world of fi tness and sport as well as the Offi cial Supplier of the last eight Olympic Games. Bike Personal is the latest product from Technogym’s PERSONAL line. A high- end exercise bike, with compact dimensions and Antonio Citterio's iconic design, can shape the gym of your dreams in any environment. Not just indoor cycling at home, Bike Personal is beauty in movement.Design news commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 12 Arts centre announces evening course for design community Perhaps anticipating January resolutions, Art Jameel has announced a 'night school' for architects and designers, launching at the start of next year. The 'Off Centre / On Stage', curated by architect and historian Todd Reisz and currently on display at Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, features a community-centric, bi- weekly intensive sessions on City Making in the Arabian Peninsula. While fi rm dates are still to be announced, we know that the four- week-long programme is designed for 15 participants interested in urban histories of the region, building on and broadening the exhibition themes via reading lists, fi lm screenings, lectures and workshops featuring guest speakers from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Participation details will be announced on jameelartscentre.org soon. Overlooking the waterfront at Jaddaf, Jameel Arts Centre offers rotating exhibitions of emerging and established artists, plus lectures in its tranquil interiors and a landscape garden that currently features a soundscape installation. Burj Al Arab interior design returns to landmark project To celebrate its 21st anniversary, some glamorous new spaces have been added to landmark Dubai tower the Burj Al Arab. The new Tourist Lobby, VIIP Lounge, prayer room, visitors' centre, protocol offi ce, retail store and the Al Mahara restaurant, among others, can now be explored during a 90-minute tour. To mark the occasion, we spoke to Khuan Chew, the original interior designer, who is also behind the additional areas, which will be mainly used by non-resident guests. Speaking about her approach to the 18-month project, Khuan said: "Whether they are non-resident areas or resident areas, the design approach contains the same DNA. In the Burj Al Arab, there is only one 'First Class,' [so we ensured that] new areas always blend in with [the] existing areas, which have all been extremely well- maintained by Jumeirah." You can read the full interview with the design principal of KCA International at our website, commercialinteriordesign.com Jameel Arts Centre by UK-based Serie Architects Khuan ChewDON’T HAVE RESTING GRINCH FACE BOOK YOUR TABLES NOW FOR COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN’S QUIZMAS SPECIAL TUESDAY 14 TH DECEMBER 2021 MCGETTIGAN’S JLT 7PM TILL LATE VISIT WWW.COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COM/CIDQUIZ FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: REBECCA LOCKWOOD SALES DIRECTOR +971 55 484 8301 I +971 4 444 3268 REBECCA.LOCKWOOD@ITP.COM VENUE PARTNERGOLD SPONSORGIFT BAG SPONSOR CID_Quizmas.indd 130/11/2021 12:20:37Opinion commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 14 The future of UAE's interior design industry is safe, sustainable and tech-driven By Sherif Nagy, general manager, The FITOUT A cross the GCC, UAE is leading the interior design market with a total share of about 40 per cent. This is driven by innovative architecture and interior design projects, as well as sustainability in the market. Back in 2019, Dubai announced its largest budget, which includes the construction of megaprojects. There is also a notable increase in commercial and affordable housing projects, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as a part of the initiatives to reduce the gap between upper and lower-income people and to accommodate the booming population. This growth has further bolstered the demand for interior design projects. These market demands, the need to ensure the safety of building occupants, along with sustainability and innovations bring a wave of change that reshapes the UAE interior design industry. Technology-driven In order to cater to the growing market, the industry has been employing digital tools, software, and other smart solutions to reduce operational costs and enhance process fl ow in designing. There is increasing utilisation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to enhance function, proper documentation and coordination with interior designers and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP). The pandemic also played a big factor in this increasing reliance on technology in buildings and workspaces. Architects and designers have become more aware of their responsibility in ensuring the safety of occupants. With this in mind, fi t-out spaces are now being designed and retrofi tted to integrate the concept of smart buildings. A smart building utilises technology for sustainable, safe and effi cient occupancy, and fi t-out designers are adopting the same. Smart building technologies such as touchless sensors and automatic switches for heating, lighting and air conditioning systems are attracting more employers to avoid contact surfaces and ensure the safety of their staff. Integrating smart unifi ed communications technology in the workspace also facilitates effi cient communication, especially in this new work setup, where videoconferencing has become a prerequisite. There is also the rise of remote monitoring 3D visualization and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Fit- out designs will be more automated and data-driven to enhance effi ciency, improve operations while ensuring safe and secure commercial and workspaces. Sustainability is a key player The UAE construction and interior design industries are coming to the frontline to help address the challenges brought about by climate change and global warming. With more businesses and consumers Opinion 15 December 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com TECTUS® THE COMPLETELY CONCEALED HINGE SYSTEM TECTUS® g high load capacities up to 300 kg g maintenance-free slide bearing technology g three-dimensional adjustability g opening angle 180° g wide variety of fi nishes SIMONSWERK GmbH (DMCC Branch) Unit No 2005, JBC-1 Building Cluster G, JLT, Dubai www.simonswerk.com shifting to sustainable practices, we are also seeing increased adoption of sustainable fi t-out from the use of natural and biodegradable materials, energy-saving methods, and solutions to reduce carbon footprint, and creating fi t-out installations from recycled materials. Biophilic or integrating natural elements in a fi t-out continues to be a leading trend. Aside from using eco-friendly materials, more commercial and offi ce spaces are leaning towards designs that have a touch of nature, open ventilation, natural lighting, earthy tones and more. This concept seeks to give occupants a sense of connection with Mother Nature. Employees’ safety is a top priority As the working community adapts to the post- pandemic world, we are witnessing the creation of exclusive unifi ed communication zones. More businesses are prioritising the wellbeing and safety of their employees through enhanced technology infrastructure and an improved work environment. Safety measures such as built-in social distancing, fl ow management, handwashing stations, and hand sanitiser points, are being considered in retrofi tting and designing spaces. As we go back to normal or adapt to a 'new normal,' businesses will further invest in commercial and workspaces that are safe, sustainable, and innovative. The future of interior design will see a blend of eco- friendly, high on functionality, and aesthetically pleasing designs because sustainability and technology are here to stay. Sherif Nagy With more than 20 years of international experience in building and optimising organizational processes and infrastructure, Sherif Nagy leads the management of The FITOUT LLC as general manager of the Dubai-based interior solutions company. Nagy earned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in marketing from the University of Nottingham, UK. About the authorPartner content commercialinteriordesign.com December 2021 16 HOME FROM HOME Eileen Jaffary, head of interiors at U+A DubaiPartner content 17 December 2021commercialinteriordesign.com Address Residences Marassi Vista branded apartments in Bahrain byU+A P owered by global knowledge and driven by local expertise, U+A's Interior Design team of highly profi cient and design- centric specialists applies a collaborative approach to provide the best progressive facilities including saunas and a modern equipped gym overlooking the Pool Deck. A signature of The Address Café offers guests an indoor and outdoor dining experience at the ground fl oor while enjoying the view of the Central Park. Soft gradients Characterised by its curved and sinuous form, Marassi Vista is a celebration of U+A's design philosophy. The design emphasises sustainable and human centric design approach, creating pleasant and comfortable spaces to suit users from all generations and cultural backgrounds. The project is a collaboration between architecture and interior design departments, inspired by the sprawling waters of the sea, as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking it as U+A's fi rst project in the country. The interior design takes its inspiration from the traditional fi shing huts dotting the sea shores of the region. Refl ection of the stilts of the huts on water has patterned the accents of apartments and public spaces, combining with warm tones of the sand and textures of fi shing boats and creating a well-developed and defi ned colour palette infused with soft gradients of the sea waves. The entrance lobby A unique vision for a project... A three-bedroom apartment design solutions across various interior design projects including hospitality, residential, mixed-use, multi-storey buildings and commercial developments. U+A's creative team, which is headed by Eileen Jaffary, demonstrated their passion on interior design artistry while keeping with Emaar Address Hotels standards. Followed by the thorough design research and ensuring alignment with current design trends and market values, U+A-ID created a unique project vision which will be carried on through construction until handover to the client and end users. The designers and their detail-oriented technical team with eyes for precision always ensure that projects are executed with creativity, function and environmentally viability from the get-go. First of its kind One of U+A's recent projects, Address Residences Marassi Vista, a brand of The Address Hotels & Resorts, is situated on the Eastern beachfront of Diyar Al-Muharraq; the fi rst of its kind in the Kingdom. With 210 units optimising the prime location of the country's most exclusive beachfront community, this luxury apartment brings wellbeing The lobbyNo, one is you and that is your power. Each entry in this year's Commercial Interior Design Power 50 possess unique qualities, but everyone ranked in the coming pages is united in having an impact on the commercial interior design industry. For our latest rundown of the most influential people in the MENA region's interior design industry, we've repeated last year's formula to give a true overview. We've ranked industry powerhouses across four categories – Designers, Fit-out Firms, Suppliers and Young Talent (shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming people in the industry) – to give definitive lists of the top players. The Power 50 is based on quality and not quantity, so the number of nominations for each person did not affect the final results. Factors like advertising spend also did not have any influence on who made the cut. Instead, lists are based on the testimonials you submitted, highlighting the incredible work you have all done over the past 12 months. Some faces are new and some we've seen before. What they all have in common is that they impressed us with their resilience and flexibility in a constantly changing world, as well as retaining the compassion and humancentric approach that is the test of a powerful person's character.Next >