< PreviousC - D - AD 5 0 - P A GE 7 CREATIVE CLINIC___INTERIOR DESIGN DUB AI The Practice: ‘Sophisticated yet playful’ is the mantra for this Dubai studio, led by Ceebo Shah and Khaled Sharan, which works its magic on everything from hotels to restaurants and nightclubs. Making a Mark: Recent high-profi le projects include the 3BK restaurant at the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa, a gleaming space featuring cream, grey and metallic fi nishes, and the Parkhuus restaurant at the Park Hyatt Zürich, a moodier space with dramatic modern lighting. creativeclinic.ae DANA ALAMRI Architecture, JEDDAH The Rising Star: Co-founder of Watad Studio, Saudi architect Dana AlAmri recently made waves by winning a rising star award for women in architecture. She runs her practice with fellow co-founder Yahya Kandil. The Practice: Based in Jeddah, Watad Studio seeks to deliver simple yet sustainable architecture and design across the Middle East and further afi eld, while also raising the architectural standard in the region. The Project: The practice is currently designing a cultural park in Jeddah, built using traditional techniques. Watad Studio is also working on a restaurant, multiple private residences in Riyadh and a ‘top secret’ project in London. @WATADSTUDIO DAVID/NICOLAS___INTERIOR DESIGN, PRODUCT DESIGN BEIRUT THE BREAKOUT: David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussalem set up their Beirut studio in 2011, and a confi dent turn at Milan Design Week put them on the international design radar. That same year, they held their fi rst solo show in Lebanon dubbed ‘Loulou/Hoda’. THE TRADEMARK: david/nicolas approaches each project with its signature ‘retro-futuristic’ design aesthetic, often incorporating elegant colour schemes and polished textures. THE FUTURE: The duo is working on a special project for British wallpaper brand de Gournay, as well as the interiors of a vintage watch boutique in Beirut. davidandnicolas.com D AD50_11043529.indd 1210/12/2019 06:40:10 AMC - D - AD 5 0 - P A GE 8 DESERT INK___ LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DUB AI THE PRACTICE: Since 2015, landscape architecture studio desert INK has worked to create imaginative public spaces in the UAE, with projects like The Block in Dubai Design District and Al Faya Lodge in Sharjah (designed by Anarchitect). THE FOUNDER: Managing director Duncan Denley is a UK-chartered landscape architect with more than 18 years of work experience in the Middle East. THE FUTURE: Among desert INK’s exciting upcoming projects is the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on which it’s working with Grimshaw Architects, and Fly Dubai’s headquarters. desert-ink.com DEWAN ARCHITECTS + ENGINEERS___ ARCHITECTURE REGIONAL OFFICES: ABU DHABI, DUB AI, B A GHD AD & RIYADH The Founder: Iraqi architect Mohamed Al Assam founded Dewan Architects + Engineers more than 30 years ago, and has grown the practice into a leading international architecture fi rm. The Company: Dewan Architects + Engineers has offi ces across the region, as well as in Barcelona and Manila. With projects across scales and sectors, and a growing staff count, the fi rm continues to go from strength to strength. The Foundation: In addition to creativity and “utilising the right people”, a key to Dewan’s success is its connection with the communities that it works in, and understanding the needs of the societies it designs for. dewan-architects.com DORI HITTI Architecture, interior design BEIRUT The Principal: Dori Hitti was born in Lebanon and studied design in Florence, Italy; he now does interiors projects around the world. His calm, contemporary style has graced everything from boutiques to hotels and yachts. The Projects: Hitti’s sophisticated look is showcased to dramatic eff ect in his design for Italian brand B&B Italia’s Beirut store. His residential projects are distinct for their crisp, linear features. DORIHITTI.COM AD50_11043529.indd 1310/12/2019 06:40:35 AMD - L - AD 5 0 - P A GE 9 FADI SARIEDDINE Architecture, Design DUBAI The Designer: Lebanese architect and designer Fadi Sarieddine founded his eponymous studio to discover “the intersections between art, architecture and design”. Today, his work features bold and thoughtful designs. The Studio: The practice, established in 2013, delivers architecture, interiors, furniture and product design. Its multidisciplinary team of designers, carpenters and architects collaborate to create innovative designs. FADISARIEDDINE.COM DRISS KETTANI___ARCHITECTURE CASABLANCA, MOROCCO THE ARCHITECT: Moroccan architect Driss Kettani is well-known in his native country and beyond for his contemporary architecture that honours the visual language of the Arab-Mediterranean. THE PROJECT: Kettani’s fi rst big project was Taroudant University in southern Morocco, which he worked on in collaboration with two other architects. The building’s architectural elements, like its volumes and colours, have come to defi ne his work. THE AESTHETIC: While Kettani designs for the context, his buildings are connected via their simplicity, modern forms and connection to their landscape. drisskettani.com F H J TEHRAN THE STUDIO: Iranian practice Hajizadeh & Associates was founded by Kourosh Hajizadeh in 2008, who was later joined by his brother Amir Hossein. THE MISSION: The small but formidable studio addresses urban development issues across Iran, including architectural identity and lost human connections in the country’s growing metropolises. THE PROJECTS: The studio is currently working on houses in Aynevarzan and Tehran, a bookstore, and a fi ve-star hotel in Mashhad. hajizadehandassociates.com JAFAR DAJANI___INTERIOR DESIGN DUB AI The Principal: Jordanian designer Jafar Dajani founded his studio in 2013, after studying architecture and interior design in the UK. His style is simple and timeless, but with playful touches that add personality. The Vision: Dajani’s love of art informs all of his designs – his combination of white walls with pops of colour echo a contemporary gallery aesthetic. He creates bespoke pieces for his interiors, giving each project a one-off feel. jafardajani.ae HAJIZADEH & ASSOCIATES___ ARCHITECTURE AD50_11043529.indd 1410/12/2019 06:40:59 AMD - L - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 0 L.E.FT ARCHITECTS___ARCHITECTURE BEIRUT The Philosophy: L.E.FT Architects dedicates itself to exploring cultural and political dialogue through the built environment. The studio treats each project as a blank canvas, designed to respond to its unique set of challenges. The Future: L.E.FT Architects is currently working on a range of projects from Oman to Saudi Arabia, including an artists’ loft (KSA), a waterfront business park (Lebanon), and a private home (Lebanon). leftish.net L AD50_11043529.indd 1510/12/2019 06:41:17 AML - M - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 1 LIGHT SPACE DESIGN___ ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN DUB AI & LINHAI The Practice: Headed by London-born architect Omar Abdelghafour, this multidisciplinary studio aims to bring light and space to every project – as its name suggests. The Vision: There’s a real sense of energy to Abdelghafour’s work – he believes design is integral to every aspect of life, whether it be products, interiors, transport or urban landscapes. The Project: The huge penthouse at Dubai’s 23 Marina tower allows ample scope for creativity: it’s furnished in homage to Surrealist artist René Magritte. lightspacedesign.ae AD50_11043529.indd 1610/12/2019 06:41:35 AML - M - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 2 LW DESIGN___ ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN MEISA BATAYNEH___ ARCHITECTURE DUBAI, HONG KONG & SÃO PAULO The Practice: Founded in 1999, this studio creates hotels, bars and restaurants that are “unforgettable experiences”. Its diverse team of architects, designers and engineers work together to deliver a comprehensive service. The Signature: Sophisticated neutrals, clean lines and opulent fi nishes are recurrent features of LW Design’s projects. The Landmarks: In 2018, the studio revamped Dubai’s leading South American restaurant Toro Toro, using dark woods, leather and patterned textiles for a sense of exotic glamour. lw.co AMMAN & ABU DHABI The Founder: Founder and principal architect at maisam architects & engineers, Meisa Batayneh has led projects in architecture, planning, urban design and place branding. In 2019, she was named Architect of the Year at the Jordan Business Award. The Concept: At the core of the company is The Design Lab, the fi rm’s creative edge, staffed by dynamic architects who strive to produce original products for clients. Operating across the Middle East, the company also has a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, urban planners, project managers, landscape designers and branding experts. maisam.com.jo M LWK + PARTNERS Architecture DUBAI The Practice: Originating in Hong Kong, LWK + PARTNERS is a leading design and architecture practice with over 1,000 creatives collaborating across a network of 11 global off ices. The Directors: The Dubai off ice is run by Kerem Cengiz, managing director for the MENA region, and Kourosh Salehi, design director. Together, they’ve worked on a range of projects across the GCC. The Landmark: The fi rm revealed its design for six urban realm projects in the UAE in 2019, including Dubai’s Hanging Garden Bridge. LWKP.COM AD50_11043529.indd 1710/12/2019 06:41:52 AMN - P - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 3 PALLAVI DEAN Interior design DUBAI NIU__ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN The Principal: Pallavi Dean is a real Renaissance woman: interior design professor at the American University of Sharjah, architect and founder of her own practice, Roar. The Vision: Roar is all about feel-good design, from its projects to its off ice culture, which pioneers a modern, fl exitime working concept. The Landmarks: Roar’s fl agship projects include the Delano Dubai Hotel, while Dean herself creates products for Artemide and Stellar Works. DESIGNBYROAR.COM DUBAI The Principal: NIU (formerly Studioati) is headed by Italian architect Giorgio Palermo, who opened his studio in 2001. The Philosophy: Rather than having a signature style, the studio takes an organic, multi-pronged approach. It focuses on lighting, Italian craftsmanship and industrial design. The Projects: While private villas around the Middle East are central to the business, it also produces its own lighting range. theniustudio.com NADA DEBS___ MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN OAOA___ ARCHITECTURE BEIRUT THE VISIONARY: Nada Debs’ style is a refl ection of her Lebanese heritage and multicultural background, which includes Japan and the US. Her work spans interior and product design, off ering everything from luxe limited-edition pieces to fashion collaborations. THE CRAFT: Debs is hands on, and brings passion to process by combining ideas and artisinal techniques from around the world. THE PRACTICE: The designer opened her fi rst showroom in Beirut in 2003. Today, her Gemmayzeh gallery displays her latest work alongside her collections. nadadebs.com LONDON The Practice: Founded by Jordanian architect Omar Al Omari, OAOA is an award- winning multidisciplinary practice that’s designed a range of projects across the Middle East. The Portfolio: OAOA’s architectural output appears bottomless, as the fi rm turns out design after design. In the past year, it’s delivered large and small-scale projects in Bahrain, the UAE and Jordan. oaoa.co N P O AD50_11043529.indd 1810/12/2019 06:42:11 AMN - P - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 4 PAUL KALOUSTIAN___ARCHITECTURE BEIRUT The Principal: Harvard-trained Paul Kaloustian honed his craft at Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, Switzerland before establishing his architecture practice in Beirut in 2002. The Design: Kaloustian’s recent projects include a mountain resort in Lori, Armenia, which consists of 20 pavilion-style suites that snake through the forest. The Legacy: Currently under construction in Beirut’s Badaro district is the stepped Midori residential tower, whose vertical gardens refl ect the architect’s intention to fuse indoor and outdoor spaces. paulkaloustian.com AD50_11043529.indd 1910/12/2019 06:42:30 AMA R CH I T E C T U R E - AD 5 0 - P A GE 2 2 R RABIH GEHA___ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN BEIRUT THE FOUNDER: Lebanese-Croatian architect Rabih Geha launched his design fi rm in 2006, after returning to Lebanon. He also mentors emerging architects through a workshop he holds at l’Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts. THE VISION: The work process between Geha and his team emphasises internal critique and dialogue in order to achieve inspiring and award-winning projects from health clubs and retail outlets to residences. rabihgeha.com AD50_11043529.indd 2010/12/2019 05:51:17 PMRASEM BADRAN Architecture, AMMAN, RIYADH, ABU DHABI The Legend: Rasem Badran is a world-renowned architect whose work has come to defi ne contemporary Islamic architecture. Founder of Dar Al Omran, which has built over 400 projects, Badran is a role model for younger generations of architects emerging from Muslim societies. The Vision: Badran’s work focuses on creating a positive urban environment that encourages connection among communities. Through his designs, lectures and generous commitment to social endeavours, his value of the human experience radiates. The Project: Although he has won many awards across his decades-long career, perhaps his most iconic project is the Great Mosque of Riyadh, built in 1995, for which he was awarded an Aga Khan Award. DARALOMRAN.COM R - AD 5 0 - P A GE 1 6 BEIRUT THE PRINCIPAL: Elegant, art-loving and wildly creative, Ramy Boutros is an architect of dreams. His designs refl ect ‘every client’s soul’ and always embrace a luxurious aesthetic, no matter what the style is. MAKING A MARK: Visit the Em Sherif restaurants in Beirut or Dubai to get a sense of the beautiful opulence that characterises Boutros’ aesthetic. The designer recently worked on a landmark hotel in Lebanon in association with Jean Nouvel, as well as a yacht interior in collaboration with Benetti. ramyboutros.com RAMY BOUTROS___ INTERIOR DESIGN AD50_11043529.indd 2110/12/2019 05:51:30 PMNext >