< PreviousFirst look commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 20 Stroll down Champagne Avenue P APA Dubai is an exciting 1,580 square metre entertainment destination in the vibrant Atrium complex of Al Habtoor City, Dubai. A destination that's also a journey, PAPA will take its visitors on a one-stop shop night out – a culinary and mixology trail through nine themed bars. Dubai-based design studio 4SPACE worked on them all in a collaboration with Papa's founder Natalia Freys, along with her operating team from Moscow to design the complex venue. Various challenges 4SPACE allowed two months for the design and another fi ve months for the fi t-out and transformation. There were various challenges and discussions about the numbers of the bars that the client required to fi t in the space without affecting the fl ow. They started with eight bars and ended up doing nine instead, and because of the sheer variety of materials required for each bar, the complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) requirements and the acoustic challenges that take the bars from soulful eateries to exciting night venues. Eight different terrazzo surfaces were designed and installed throughout Papas. Cleverly, designers sourced authentic materials and graffi ti artists to allow for fully cohesive individuality. 4SPACE presented the clients a 3D design which they executed to perfection. The piece de resistance is the nine thoroughly different concepts within one narrative with the arches unifying the overall design. Design highlights To create a cohesive 'bar village' feel and to achieve one narrative that wraps around the venue, archways in different fi nishings are used throughout the expansive space to have a unifi ed design between each of the bars all to form of little 'boulevards' including the Rum Station, Champagne Avenue, Gin Point and Vodka Lane, Tequila Road, Mezcal Street, Sake Alley, Wine Square, Whiskey Square, and a VIP Lounge called High Gate. Design allows the venue to transform...First look 21 January 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com Ceiling greenery in the Rum Station Tiki totem featureThe spirit of Mexico The design of every bar refl ects its distinct offering and vibe. For example, the Rum Station is a Tiki bar concept with totem poles, bamboo surface accents with greenery on the ceiling. Whiskey Square is in an Art Deco style, including lighting and detailing on the fascia of the bar. The wooden structures over the bar in Saki Alley are designed and built based on the Japanese Kumiki joinery method. Tequila Road and Mezcal Street are designed to capture the spirit of South America with sugar skull centered in the archway and lighting inspired by Mexican sombreros. The transformation The venue is designed with the ability to transform daily from a chic restaurant to party venue as the evening wears on. This is achieved by the design and integration of both architectural lighting and entertainment lighting, providing the ability to have fi ve different scenarios of the lighting ambient based on time and experience required. Suppliers Contractor: PNMC TECHNICAL SERVICES Audio and entertainment lighting: PULSE Architecture and decorative lighting: AL HUDA LIGHTING Bar equipment: AL HALABI Kitchen equipment: CCE DUBAI Furniture: CUBE IT/CCTV: BCONNECTION Photography: ANAS AL RIFAIJanuary 2022 CoCoveveer r rfefeatatururee commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 22 Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 22 Are the 'kids' alright? We asked industry up-and-comers to share their hopes & fears for the year ahead CLASS OF 2022 N ew year, who's this? Or more accurately, who are these familiar faces from the design world? For the fi nal issue of 2021, we looked back at the preceding 12 months to rank the industry in the Commercial Interior Design Power 50 for the year across designers, fi t-out fi rms, suppliers and young talent. For our January cover, the fi rst of the new year, we invited our Power 50 entrants to join the 'Class of 2022,' either themselves, or by putting forward a member of their team aged 30 or under. Despite the end-of-year pressures of project deadline, travel plans either going ahead or rescheduling and essential reshuffl ing for the new working week, a keen cohort responded with their answers to the following questions: What are you optimistic about for 2022, both personally and professionally? What are your greatest fears or challenges for the coming year, as above? What trends are you predicting in commercial interiors for 2022 and where do you see yourself in 12 month's time? Generally, there's hope – personally, for a return to travel and seeing loved ones again, while accepting that things will never be quite the same again. Ambition is also a strong theme, with plans for professional development and a desire to give back to the companies they work in. Fears and challenges include something that's perhaps common across most adult age groups – a return to lockdowns and other issues associated with responses to a global pandemic. However, the changes the Covid situation has brought to the industry are largely seen as a positive, with incoming new trends including more fl exibility in the way we work and, as a result, the design of workspaces. Talking trends: The 'Class of 2022' is embracing 'resimercial' and is bringing biophilia into another trend cycle. We look forward to seeing these infl uences in the products and projects that our talented cohort will create in the next 12 months. Looking ahead, some of them hope to feature in CID again and have their eyes on the prize of being recognised our 2022 design awards. We wish them all the very best of luck and, watch this space!January 2022 CoCoovever r rfefeeatataurure 23 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Cover feature 23 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Christine Elias Design manager, Horton Interiors I'm excited to start the New Year as design manager, a position that I have taken up recently. I feel that this will be a year of reckoning for me, a formative one for me as an architect and as a manager too. This year will be about taking calculated risks, to see things my way and to go about the process differently. By doing so, I believe I will be bringing in dynamic shifts on the work front, pushing Horton Interiors into new frontiers. Being a perfectionist and a stickler for the details, I would like to handle each and every part of the design. But this can prove to be a challenge as I need to fi nd the right balance between being an architect and a manager of Horton Interiors' design team. Looking at trends for 2022; as we navigate through the pandemic, most of us have had the fl exibility to choose where we work, whether that be at home, in the offi ce or a coworking space. Offi ces may now choose to introduce a "resimercial" design, blending residential comforts with the functionality of a commercial space. Collaboration spaces, larger breakout areas, hot-desking, sustainable and adaptable designs and furniture solutions, are some of the trends that I envision coming up for 2022. After making the CID Power 50 Top 10 Young Talent, I would like to use that accolade to push myself further, build a presence in the market and receive many more acknowledgements within the industry. I would like to take on bigger projects, collaborating with bigger brands and would love to grow Horton Interiors' design team during that process.January 2022 CoCoveveer r rfefeatatururee commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 24 Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 24 Hala AlSabouni Interior design manager, Ellington Properties I'm optimistic about the possibility of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities I am yet to explore. I think the year 2022 will be a game changer for me both personally and professionally as I continuously grow and progress towards my goals and aspirations. More than anything else, my biggest challenge for the upcoming year will be to manage working in parallel on projects with similar deadlines, while also focusing on growing my personal development ambitions. After the world has endured and is still going through the effects of a very tough past two years, I believe that the new trends will be focused on adapting to the rise of the digital movement and designing interiors that will shape a futuristic lifestyle that compliments the new normal. In the next 12 months, I see myself moving towards the next professional stage of my career where I satisfy my current goals and take lead on exciting upcoming projects that will magnify my expertise in the industry. I also see myself mentoring entry level professionals by supporting them grow their skills and knowledge in our fi eld.January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com CoCoovever r rfefeeatataurure 25 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Cover feature 25 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Miriam Llano Marketing manager, Cosentino 2022 is the year to reach for more and stretch boundaries both personally and professionally. I am excited about focusing our regional efforts into creating more value for the design industry and engaging in initiatives that serve purposes other than commerce. My team and I are committed to fostering more creative collaborations and exposing the strength and talent of Middle East designers globally. I fear dishonest competition and unethical trade and business practices that hurt innovation. I fear companies and countries that solely play with price to arm-twist those that focus on value. Trends for 2022? Simplicity will be at the forefront. I also see biophilia and femininity becoming important in design considerations. The growing emphasis on work-life balance and hybrid modes of working will infl uence the design of smart, multi-functional spaces both at home and in the public, focused on wellbeing. In 12 month's time, we'll be spreading our wings in Saudi Arabia and India, initiating global collaborations. January 2022 CoCoveveer r rfefeatatururee commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 26 Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 26 Nadine Kassab Interior designer, Woods Bagot 2022 is going to be a great year and I already know it! Living in Dubai, the city that never fails to impress, I am confi dent that next year will be full of opportunities and pleasant surprises. Professionally, I am looking forward to all the ground- breaking projects that will get the city moving and especially the design industry that is always eager for new challenges and creativity. Personally, travel plans are back into consideration and I cannot wait to resume exploring the world and fi nding inspiration. My greatest fear, which I believe is a common one, is another lockdown. This is due to all the news we keep hearing about new variants. Commercial interiors are always keeping us on our toes. Each year unfolds new trends that add to the progression of the industry. As a continuation from this year, I predict that smart spaces will be the go-to for most clients depending on the project. Smart spaces are serving clients a great benefi t because they can repurpose these spaces to host a variety of functions. Additionally, the focus on luxurious comfort and guest experience will remain a trend as health and wellbeing are a priority for most designers and clients. January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com CoCoovever r rfefeeatataurure 27 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Cover feature 27 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Thiruppathy Ram Design manager, Designsmith With 2022 just around the corner, we've established new targets and market categories we want to work with. Especially entering the hospitality segment has been discussed in depth. So looking forward and gearing ourselves up for that. On a personal level, the chance to lead the Designsmith team as design manager is a major accomplishment for me. I look forward to leading the team and achieving new success. Since Covid, we’ve been on an upward trend and achieved great results year on year. With things around the pandemic settling down globally, I'm not sure if this upward trend will remain. Also the ability to fl y in and out quicker for our international projects remains quite uncertain. However, a lot of international brands are looking to set up base in Dubai. We're in touch with a few from the UK and India. Some top-end concepts mean we won't see the typical industrial interiors; a lot more focus is on individuality and the way customer experiences are designed. Where will we be in 12 month's time? Winning Interior Design Boutique Firm of the Year and Interior Design of the Year – Food & Beverage at the CID Awards and with the happiest, youngest team of 25 strong. January 2022 CoCoveveer r rfefeatatururee commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 28 Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com January 2022 28 Rana Aoun Interior designer, LXA Professionally, LXA have just won a number of exciting projects starting in the new year, including within the residential and education sector. I'm also optimistic about being more involved with the project management part and expanding skill set, as well as working with a lot new clients internationally, which is exciting and challenging at the same time. My challenges for the coming year include working within new sectors and clients and learning to adapt to different requirements, as well as within a growing team of new talent at LXA. Looking to trends for commercial interiors in 2022, offi ce trends have changed signifi cantly since the beginning of the pandemic. In 2022, effi ciency, functionality, and comfort will take center stage in offi ce design. People have grown accustomed to working from the comfort of home, so comfort needs to be a top priority for the 2022 offi ce. In 2022, I see myself developing skills in the F&B, commercial, residential and education sectors and gaining new project management skills within my position as LXA expands.January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com CoCoovever r rfefeeatataurure 29 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Cover feature 29 January 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Talar Bardakjian Creative director, ODG I am always optimistic as to what the future could potentially hold. I am grateful to live in a country that is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and this year is a testament to that fact. The Dubai World Expo 2020 has the eyes of the world fi xated onto this city and in turn us as designers. The pavilions have pushed design beyond what was thought possible years ago and has taken us a step forward in experiential and interactive design, which is exciting but at the same time, sets us a challenge for future designs. It has raised the bar in terms of what we as designers need to do to stay relevant. Sustainability being a major theme this year, and something that I personally apply everyday into my design work and something I will continue to strive for in my career moving into 2022 and beyond. Every year comes with its own challenges, be those personal or professional. In 12 month's time, I see myself leading from the front – the way in rethinking how we go about our daily lives; rethinking how we can create beautiful design whilst never forgetting who it is for.Next >