July 2020 Vol.16 Issue 07 An ITP Media Group Publication PLUS: LATEST SURFACE TRENDS INSIDE STUDIO REPUBLIK OFFICE SUPPLIERS UPDATE SOCIAL DISTANCING RESHAPES RESTAURANTS DIVIDING DESIGN MARBLE GRANITE QUARTZITE ONYX TRAVERTINE QUARTZ PRECIOUS STONE Surface Solutions, Designed By Nature granite & marble tr. est Surface Solutions, Designed By NatureContents 3 July 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com IN THIS ISSUE NEWS & REGULARS 08 DESIGN NEWS The latest updates from the industry, including important awards news 12 TALKING SHOP How the post-pandemic landscape looks for design with consultant Esra Lemmens 14 IN THE STUDIO WITH... Wood Culture DXB founder Jacob George breaks down his working day for us FEATURES 16 DESIGN DIVIDED Social distancing is reshaping restaurant design around the world 22 FIRST LOOK Inside boutique gym Studio Republik, by Lulie Fisher Design Studio 14 22Contents commercialinteriordesign.com July 2020 4 SPECIAL REPORT 28 SURFACE DESIGN Artelier's creatives give us exclusive insight into their projects 32 WHAT'S TRENDING Design academics from Heriot-Watt University Dubai share the lowdown WORLD VIEW 34 SUPPLIERS Swiss double act - offi ce furniture essentials from Vitra and USM 36 PRODUCTS Sink into the new options for armchairs, seats and other places to rest 40 KINK BAR/RESTAURANT An exciting eatery opens in Berlin's cultural centre, uniting gastronomy and art LAST WORD 42 OBJECTS OF DESIRE TwentyOne06's Douglas Drummond on the design pieces he adores 28 34 40THE MARKET LEADING PLATFORM FOR THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND FIT-OUT INDUSTRY COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COMEditor's Letter commercialinteriordesign.com July 2020 6 Slowly but surely, life feels like it's returning to normal. Some things are back to the way they were before, while others are markedly different. The layouts of our favourite restaurants have shifted to embrace social distancing and in this issue's cover feature, we see what designers have to play with when creating stylish but safe environments for diners. Our special report this month explores the landscape of surface design, with a fascinating update from academics from Heriot-Watt University Dubai. The prestigious learning establishment is raising the designers of tomorrow and it's A TASTE OF THE FUTURE PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Deputy Managing Director Martin Chambers EDITORIAL Editor Jane O'Neill Tel: +971 4 444 3626 email: jane.oneill@itp.com ART Junior designer Junemar Tulipas ADVERTISING Sales Manager Laura Collinder Tel: +971 4 444 3576 email: andrew.cover@itp.com ITP LIVE General Manager Ahmad Bashour Tel: +971 4 444 3549 email: ahmad.bashour@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers Aasiya Jagadeesh, Fritz Asuro, Ajith Narendra PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevean CIRCULATION Distribution & Warehouse Manager Praveen Nair MARKETING Director of Awards & Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Published by and © 2020 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. clear the future is in very knowledgable hands – albeit not in the classroom or studio right now. Delving into surface design also gives us the chance to meet artists creating eyecatching pieces for a variety of commercial spaces as part of the expertly curated Artelier Artists Walls. Working with a different kind of surface we pay a virtual visit to the studio of Wood Culture DXB, where unusual pieces are upcycled from exotic lumber by founder Jacob George and his team. What isn't recycled is our regular opinion piece, which this month sees consultant Esra Lemmens ruminating on the future of contemporary design. As always, enjoy! Jane O'Neill Editor Screens protect diners at Dolci & Capricci in Abu Dhabi WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 MEDIA PARTNERSMENU PARTNER Celebrating their 16th year, the Hotelier Middle East Awards recognise the best in hospitality www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/awards Sally Whittam Commercial Director Mob: +971 56 104 0567 Email: sally.whittam@itp.com Emma Barnett Sales Manager Mob: +971 52 421 3586 Email: emma.barnett@itp.com Paul Clifford Group Editor Tel: +971 4 444 3337 Email: paul.clifford@itp.com Daniel Fewtrell Director of Awards & Marketing Tel: +971 4 444 3684 Email: daniel.fewtrell@itp.com Anthony Chandran Tables Sales Executuve Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com Amanda Stewart International Sales Manager Mob: +44 7908 117 333 Email: amanda.stewart@itp.com #HotelierAwards SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES NOMINATION ENQUIRIESEVENT ENQUIRIESBOOKING ENQUIRIES GCC NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN HOT AWARDS 2020 ADVERT_June 24.indd 125/06/2020 09:59:31 AMDesign news commercialinteriordesign.com July 2020 8 This year's Commercial Interior Design Awards are to take place in November. The much-anticipated event was due to be held on September 9, 2020 but has been rescheduled to November 25 due to the global situation. ITP Media Group’s decision, which prioritises the safety of our delegates during this challenging time, ensures that the CID Awards' programme delivers the best possible celebration of our industry. Always a must-attend event for the region's interior design community, our 2019 event saw the largest audience yet, with a staggering 998 industry professionals in attendance. Winners were announced in 18 categories covering the best projects, individuals and fi rms in the Middle East interior design and fi t out sector. At the 14th annual event, we'll pay tribute to the projects, interior design fi rms and designers making their mark on New date announced for Commercial Interior Design Awards Our annual awards ceremony will now take place in November the region's interior design industry and herald work that displays original thinking, creative breadth and a willingness to stray from tried and tested formulas. The CID team, our judges and sponsors are looking forward to seeing you there. For sponsorship enquiries, contact Laura Collinder on +971 4 444 3576 or laura.collinder@itp.com. To book tables, speak to Anthony Chandran on +971 4 444 3685 or anthony.chandran@itp.com. One of the coveted CID Awards trophiesDesign news 9 July 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com ROAR releases design white paper on schools A report by Dubai-based interior design fi rm ROAR looks at how the design of schools could be overhauled in the wake of the pandemic. A total of 135 respected education professionals were surveyed for the new report, titled 'Seven Perspectives: How COVID-19 Will Transform the Design of Education Spaces.' Long-term changes included a shift away from the traditional classroom to co- working spaces, with priority to those not available during home-schooling, like such as gyms and science laboratories. Design priorities in the short term are to reduce the 'density' of children in each space and the report notes that some schools have already begun re-purposing sports halls, canteens and corridors into makeshift learning spaces. Reinforcing of social distancing could come through graphic on fl oors and walls. New elements includes touchless toilets; anti-microbial materials for desks and door handles and HEPA air fi lters. Cinema Akil's vintage interior is now open again Dubai fi lm house Cinema Akil is back in business once more. Maja Kozel Design picked up prize for Interior Design of the Year: Public Sector for Cinema Akil & Project Chaiwalla at the 2019 Commercial Interior Design Awards. Cinema Akil is Dubai's fi rst independent cinema venue, complemented by food and beverage partner, Project Chaiwala. In their design, Kozel repurposed old cinema seats and a vintage box offi ce at the entrance contrasted against bare concrete walls and an eccentric turquoise backdrop and a terrazzo-tiled countertop for Project Chaiwala's kitchen space. Now those vintage seats will welcome visitors once again. They've been sectioned to reduce the capacity to 30 per cent and ensure a two-metre space between guests. Everyone needs to wear a mask and there will be temperature checks at the door. There'll be daily fogging and sanitisation of the vivid red interior, with its plush seats rescued from Dubai’s last standalone cinema. Opening times have changed to 6pm to 9pm and the cinema is closed on Sunday and Monday. UAE schools are yet to re-open (fi le pic) Cinema Akil co-founder Butheina KazimNext >