< PreviousOpinion commercialinteriordesign.com May 2020 12 LEAN INTO IT Small business owner Govind shares an insight into how his bespoke design agency is elimi- nating negativity in the face of ad- versity, focusing within and challenging his existing methods, throughout COVID-19. "Grasping the neck of creativity dur- ing dif cult times is crucial for survival when being an owner of a small business. The previous year saw my team diving head rst into creating new F&B concepts, injecting life into existing ones diving into new markets and curating a collection of winning client testimonials, so we antici- pated much the same for 2020. We raced into this year signing one to two projects a month and with several in the pipeline, something I consider to be a fantastic achievement for a small agency. From the offset, we had hunger for more in 2020 and COVID 19 hasn’t changed that. "Being a boutique agency, we can and will creatively adapt to the needs of our clients and the evolving market, but we aren’t being hon- est if we say we won’t come out of this pan- demic unscathed. We’ve already lost projects, increasing our expansion to Saudi Arabia is on hold, and our team are working from home, but we don’t consider it to be all bad. "Creative minds don’t have an off button, they continue to absorb in- spiration from their sur- roundings so I support and equip my team to work remotely at home, which was the case before the lockdown and in restaurants or cowork- ing spaces when not. Not connecting with each other and our clients face to face has been challenging, but creativity is infectious and we’ve adapted to spreading it virtually, so will continue to do more so after lockdown eliminating unnecessary travel to become more sustainable. "During the lockdown, we’ve chosen to explore within to strengthen and evolve to improve our pitches. This year we planned to expand our commercial design team to focusing on of ce designs; hiring our new project direc- tor with a wealth knowledge and expertise in this eld, coming from one the larg- est design agencies in the region. COVID-19 has shown this decision to diversify is more relevant than ever and signi cantly encouraged this evolution with speed. "We’re reviewing our internal methods and previ- ous projects and asking questions to stimulate change and growth. How can we expand our services to achieve even better results, will design now need to be more relevant than ever and will we need to start challenging our client’s ideations in order to excel existing Grasping the neck of creativity during dif- cult times is crucial for survival... boundaries or intently listen and guide them? Tactfully nding a balance between what our clients want and what they need will be crucial in surviving this. "Dining habits may change and we expect to explore more open plan less con- densed designs, or even private areas be- coming a premium in outlets with people becoming more and more conscious of space. "Will materials use now need to be anti- bacterial and be able to withstand rigorous sanitation procedures? We don’t predict this will limit our design options, only alter them, so we are now researching borrow- ing healthcare design methods. "As the founder of Twentyone06, I’m constantly questioning my vision of the agency and nding ways for that vision to grow and evolve amongst the team. My role throughout this current period will be to navigate my team and our brand into an exciting new place of growth and stability, to keep our positivity and creativity alive. For now, we’re powering through as a team working on our website, acquiring client feedback and testimonials, updating our company pro le, mission and vision whilst strategising industry trends for the next 12-18 months to guarantee we come back bigger and better." Govind Shepley, owner of Twentyone06, explores how leaner is meaner when coping with the COVID-19 downturn13 May 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Advertorial W ith its head of ce in Dubai, branches in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and a Joinery Facility in Dubai Investment Park, Design In nity has become a well-known brand in the interior t-out industry. Spread over 30,000 square feet, Design In nity’s Joinery division has been helping clients realise their vision by providing bespoke interior services and producing intricate t-out works. Having a joinery factory, along with a separate division for metal and glass works, is one of the major strengths of the leading interior t-out and design company. For several of the company's Dubai +971 4 3795902, Abu Dhabi +971 2 4482286 info@design-in nity.com www.design-in nity.com prestigious projects, joinery works are carried out in their facility in DIP, by its experienced carpenters and craftsmen. The company provides a full range of customised joinery works, exquisite furni- ture, custom-made wood, metal and glass design pieces for their t-out projects. Fully equipped with state-of-the-art wood working and carpentry machines, high-end power tools and equipment, Design In nity's joinery division can undertake projects of any size and scale and are known to provide customised interior works for all types of t-out projects. The Metal and Glass division demonstrates quality craftsmanship and undertakes end-to-end manufacturing of aluminium, steel and glass works. Health and Safety is of paramount importance to the company and with its stringent health and safety policies, Design In nity aims to provide the best working environment for its employees and clients alike. Design In nity focuses on sustainable, innovative and breakthrough design solu- tions that create ideal work environments. Design In nity is a well-known brand in providing commercial t-outs for the corporate, retail, banking, F&B and the hospitality sectors, amongst various other key industries. Design In nity's fully-equipped Joinery Division is set to provide intricate t-out services to clientsTECTUS® THE ADJUSTABLE CONCEALED DOOR HINGE TECTUS® high load capacities up to 300 kg maintenance-free slide bearing technology three-dimensional adjustability opening angle 180° wide variety of finishes UL listed and Warringtonfire approved model versions SIMONSWERK GmbH (DMCC Branch) Unit No 2005, JBC-1 Building Cluster G, JLT Dubai www.simonswerk.com SIM_Anz-2020_Tectus-Motiv1_UAE_halb_94x242+3_RZ.indd 106.04.20 14:44commercialinteriordesign.com May 2020 16 BW INTERIORS: AMAZING AMAZONICO Situated in the heart of DIFC, Dubai, the rain forest-inspired Amazonico's opening in October 2019 was eagerly anticipated. Following on from the original venue opened in Madrid in 2010, Amazonico Dubai has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants in the lively Dubai food and beverage scene. Designed by Catalan interior designer and artist, Lazaro Rosa-Violan, the concept delves deeply into the foundations of South American culture whilst still catering for the multiculturalism of Dubai. This is re ected in the diverse menu and interior nishes, which standout amongst authen- tic features and makes this venue truly unique. The menu, as expected, is South American in essence but with in uences from Europe and Asia. The venue is spread out over three oors and consists of outdoor terracing, an indoor bar and lounge area, and an indoor restaurant with an exceptional roof top lounge. The full t-out works were done by BW Interiors to the highest standards of quality and detail execution, which the market has come to expect from the designers' contractor of choice for special- ised food and beverage t-out projects. The total area is spread over 12,800 square feet and was delivered within a ve-month period.Advertorial 17 May 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Items such as handmade ceramics and other specialised furnishings were im- ported from Spain, whilst all other nishes were custom-made by BW Interiors using all authentic materials and designs true to the original concept. The design is truly unique, however there were challenges on the way to achieving such a high level of authentic nish, some- thing that sets this venue apart. From specialised wall carvings, hand- red tiled column and wall claddings and sculpted staircase, to unique timber and fabric ceiling nishes, a pebble- nished bush-hammered metal bar and walnut wooden tree sculptures, every item is highly detailed and bespoke manufactured here in Dubai by BW Interiors' in-house joinery and metalwork divisions. All electromechanical works were ex- ecuted by BW Interiors' in-house MEP Division, with the lighting design, ex- ecution and commissioning expertly done by Skyelume. As you might expect, the co-ordination of each discipline is key to the successful outcome for any complex food and bever- age outlet, not least the co-ordination and integration of kitchens, sound and audiovisual systems, as well as security. and making sure that it takes place at an early stage of the design development is of utmost importance. The ability to provide true artisanship, as well as BW Interiors' experienced in- house skilled craftsmanship, was key to enabling the designers to express their vi- sion. Having in-house divisions to provide prototyping and mock ups was a major bene t in the development process. This, coupled with the emphasis on collabora- tion and BW’s experience in working with offshore designers, was key to enabling the execution of this unique venue. The design, perfectly coupled with an exceptional customer experience, places Amazonico amongst the top tier of Dubai’s discerning culinary scene and is a welcome addition to the region's appetite for so- phisticated, unique and authentic venues.Next >