< PreviousCover feature commercialinteriordesign.com September 2020 30 MALIHA NISHAT Maliha Nishat joined Marriott International in 2017 as director of interior design for global design, Middle East & Africa. Within her role at Marriott International, Nishat infl uences independent design decisions throughout Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, and is responsible for creating memorable guest experiences in line with each of Marriott's brands through her persistent and uncompromising drive for forward thinking design. Through her process of initiation and coordination of directed design, she understands the complexity of high profi le, mixed use developments from inception to completion. Within her role, Nishat is highly experienced in hospitality design with 20 years' experience in the hospitality design sector. An infl uencer in the Middle East hospitality design market, her experience prior to Marriott International is from large design houses such as dwp (design worldwide partnership) and HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associates), with experience spanning multiple markets such as Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Innovation, creativity, and energy are the cornerstones of Nishat's design thought process, injecting enthusiasm, passion and personality into every project. Working on new builds, renovations and conversions, she has a keen eye to transform environments. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from the American University in Dubai. She is also an award-winning interior designer, awarded Best Interior Designer of the Year Middle East and Africa in at the Commercial Interior Design Awards in 2015. " It's been a tough year for all, and I commend all entries year who have managed to deliver exceptional design, despite everything going on..."Cover feature 31 September 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com NURU KARIM Nuru Karim, founder and principal of NUDES, received his master's in architecture and urbanism from the Architectural Association London in 2006. Karim's experience dates back to 1998, including work, travel, and education in Mumbai, Montreal and London. NUDES operates within the realm of cross-disciplinary cultures of art, architecture, and computational design powered by digital 'making' tools to address broader social, cultural, and environmental social networks. NUDES has achieved critical recognition for its built work in addition to several international design awards. He says: "The secret to winning awards comes from your unbridled love for design, not from one's ambition to achieve instant fame, recognition, and glory. "I look forward to embracing the CID Awards submissions this year that communicate this passion for design and innovation in their projects."Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com September 2020 32 RABIH GEHA Rabih Geha Architects, stylised as RG/A, is a team of architects and designers working together to create spaces that inspire. Led by Rabih Geha, the award winning practice works on a portfolio of projects that include architecture, interiors, product design and experimental installations. Representing a young generation of architects bucking tradition in favour of a new approach, RG/A works alongside its clients to weave together the story of both their identity and the building they inhabit. Based in the creative heart of Lebanon, the practice was founded in 2006 and Geha's authenticity remains at the forefrontm of the practice. Each project retains an individual identity based on the stories it has to tell and is built with meaning, relevance and most importantly passion. The practice is shaped by internal critique, creative dialogue and an exemplar level of architectural and design aesthetics. In 2019 Geha completed a hat-trick at the Commercial Interior Design Awards, winning the Interior Designer of the Year award along with both Bars & Clubs and Retail categories. That same year Geha made top infl uential designers' lists in the Middle East, including the Commercial Interior Design Power List and the Architectural Digest top 50 talents in the Middle East. Over the past few years, Geha expanded his practice to Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Gulf region, took part in several talks and jury committees for design awards and a selection of his projects was published in books such as Frame Night Fever, Andrew Martin Interior Design Review, La Boite de Nuit, Brand Life Restaurants and Bars. Geha's work has been featured in Wallpaper, Frame, Dezeen, Designboom, Architectural Digest, Domus, WeHeart, Elle Decor, CLAD, Tatler homes, Mixmag, Interior Design, Spectroom, the cool hunter, and Offi cial Bespoke, to name a few. RG/A clients include Aishti, Add-Mind Group, A&S Chronora Rolex, Four Seasons Hotel, Images d'Orient, Uberhaus, Patchi, U Energy Health Club. Geha holds a BA in architecture from The American University of Beirut (AUB), as well as a master's degree from l'École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle (ENSCI). He launched an experiment-driven and research-oriented workshop at l'Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) in 2006, where he is currently mentoring Lebanon's next generation of architects. He lives in Beirut along with his wife and partner Ghida Geha, and their two young children. " I am thrilled to be joining a panel of exceptional judges and can't wait to see the work that's coming our way. It's wonderful to be at the other side of this for a change and I am honoured to celebrate the creative minds leaving their mark on the industry in the region."Cover feature 33 September 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com " It is more important than ever to acknowledge, support and celebrate our industry, colleagues and peers, and to bring attention to exceptional projects being delivered here in the Middle East." PRATYUSH SARUP As the head of programming at Downtown Design, the Middle East's leading design fair, Pratyush curates the annual event's creative and intellectual content, ranging from their acclaimed talks programme, to the eagerly anticipated and specially commissioned installations and exclusive industry events. His background as an architect and interior designer affords him technical industry knowledge, fi rst-hand experience and insight on the global design market. Over the years he has mentored regional brands and studios, providing creative and strategic advice to help them access the next stage of their growth. A senior editorial consultant and journalist specialising in architecture and design, Pratyush is one of the most regarded authorities on design in the Middle East. He has been published in leading regional titles including CID and syndicated abroad.First look commercialinteriordesign.com September 2020 34 SPIRITED DESIGN Alof t Tokyo Ginza strikes a pose as it brings Ginza vogue to the stylish neighbourhoodFirst look 35 September 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Tokyo's central shopping district is a hub of sophistication that also nurtures a vibrant art scene. Built on the site of a mint dating back to the Edo era (1603-1867), it houses some of the Japanese capital's original department stores and is a burgeoning art scene of cutting edge galleries. Now Ginza, which means 'mint' in Japanese, also welcomes new boutique design hotel Aloft Ginza. Opening its doors to the public in October 2020, the 16-storey building showcases innovative creations of Japanese and international artists under the concept DIFFERENT. BY DESIGN. Aloft Ginza is the brand's fi rst entry to Japan and manages to integrate international and local culture with 'iki' or chic spirit to create a modern and energetic hotel experience. W Design International (W/D/I) initiated the overall design and realization of Aloft Ginza by combining old- school aesthetics inspired by Ginza's social stories and industrial design, to bring a sassy addition to the city's most polished neighbourhood. The design agency was assigned by Sankei Building to coordinate the Aloft Ginza brand design for Marriott, including the entire interior design, lighting, signage, artwork and audio-visual installations of the hotel. Guests will fi nd it fi lled with eye-catching works by select artists. W/D/I curated a total of 11 creatives whose installation art was allocated to embody the ambience at Aloft Ginza. True to its 'Ginza Vogue' fl air, the eclectic style of the 205 loft-like guest- rooms, including four suites and were designed with a relaxing, yet rock chic, vibe to take travel experiences to a whole new level. The eclectic and exciting space also celebrates the 100th birthday of Toshiro Mifune, a legendary Japanese actor who was loved by fi lm fans internationally. Inspiration for the design takes on further historical reference as it looks back to the Miyuki-Zoku movement of 1964, where Japanese teenagers expressed themselves through a cutting-edge and sophisticated style. (The suffi x 'zoku' is used in Japanese to mean 'subculture' or 'social club'). In the same period, Pop Art was changing the world, and artists uch as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein became superstars. W/D/I visualised this Ivy-fashion and rock spirit to bring ‘Neo Miyuki-Zoku' to 2020. Let's see how this plays out as design concept across key areas of the hotel. RE:MIX @ G1F LOBBY The Ginza-themed media art combines both visual and sound art of elements of the neighbourhood, exposed at the inside and outside of the hotel. With main focus on high- technology, the polyhedral object in the lobby's LED panel fl oats origami-like from the exposed ceiling. The lobby area is divided by vertical leather curtains, hand-tufted rugs and a sculptural shaped sofa, combining Aloft style and Japanese patterns and shapes, while capturing the idiosyncratic blue light of Tokyo train stations and spectacular neon signs found in Ginza with transparent, lustre and smooth velvet textures. The functional infi nity lighting table can be used for meetings or as an individual working station. RE:FUEL @ G1F LOBBY At RE:FUEL, guests can purchase snacks and drinks at the built-in refrigerator. The area has been decorated in timbered pink, light blue and natural wood panels. W XYZ BAR The brand's signature W XYZ bar serves mixed drinks and hosts a music program that showcases upcoming stars of the local music scene. The bar is playfully decorated with space, rocking galaxy- themed accessories such as astronauts and pop culture fi gures such as Manga hero Astro-Boy. A large window and diagram-shaped columns are covered in brass panels with a two-story height atrium along the Miyuki-Dori side, which synergises the WAREHOUSE vibe at the 2nd fl oor. Hollywood bubble lamps illuminate the facade around the W XYZ Bar and a large U-Boat shaped lounge sofa, two bouquet booths and a semi-island bar counter in marble and steel complete the setting. LIFT LOBBY Every fl oor is highlighted with graphic and pop art walls and it becomes the happening hub of the hotel at nightfall. The installation art, Ginza-Gate, is the main element of the Lift Lobby design. THE WAREHOUSE @2F THE WAREHOUSE showcases the Ginza golden times with Geisha motifs and a vintage Harley Davidson. A smart, dynamic and semi-open kitchen with a wide range of buffet-style breakfast, transforms itself into a social spot at night, featuring a mini cinema showing black and white fi lms. GUEST ROOM & ALOFTSUITE The Aloft furniture creates a cosy setting, while LED linear-lighting forms an integral part of architectural elements of the rooms. Stay in the suite and you'll see modern wall art, a Light-Cube bathroom with glass block and a Diesel Living furniture collection. ROOF DOGS @ROOFTOP When reaching the top fl oor's lift lobby, the conceptual wall art gives you a sense of arrival and well-being. The sassy ROOF DOGS rooftop bar has an outdoor terrace, where guests can sit along the glass walls, to enjoys views of the skyline and beverages served at 'Eddie' the vintage bar truck. Yoroshiku Aloft Tokyo Ginza! A relaxing, yet rock chic, vibe to take travel to a new level Caption HereSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com Month 2020 36 SPECIAL REPORTSpecial Report 37 Month 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com FORWARD THINKING What the future of hotel design will look like and who will help shape it PAGE 38 Four leading designers discuss what's in store for hotels post COVID-19 PAGE 44 A look at Andaz Dubai The Palm's design-centric interiors PAGE 46 Rachael Brown of Capsule Arts on the need for originality PAGE 48 The founders of Wood Couture on why their model is perfect for the hospitality industry HOSPITALITY DESIGNSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com September 2020 38 Firas Alsahin Co-founder of 4Space Design MEET THE EXPERTS Isabel Pintado Senior vice president of Wilson Associates Dubai Lee Worthington Managing director MENA, JPA Vera Dieckmann Founder of XO AtelierSpecial Report 39 September 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com HANDS OFF Will hospitality design thrive in the low-touch economy? The desire to stay hands-free is changing the world as we know it. As guests now rate hotels on their sanitisation skills, will the need for contactless interactions hamper or enhance hotel design? The 16th edition of online discussion forum Cosentino City Live! brought together four forward thinkers from the design industry to take on this provocative topic. Taking part were Firas Alsahin, co-founder and design director of 4Space Design, Isabel Pintado, senior vice president of Wilson Associates (and number one on the Commercial Interior Design Power List 2020), Lee Worthington, managing director MENA, JPA Design, and Vera Dieckmann, founder of XO Atelier. The event was moderated by CID editor Jane O'Neill. The debate centred around the low-touch economy, the way businesses across the globe have been forced to operate in order to succeed as a result of COVID-19. What has been the initial impact of the low-touch economy on hospitality design? Can you identify what will be short-term fads and long-term trends? Isabel Pintado I think what we have all seen from the beginning are the things that have become compulsory for hotel guests, such as, when you are interacting with another individual there is a screen. I think that is going to become intrinsic. It's short-term but, really, there is going to be a long term need, too. You need to protect your staff, so you need to process the design to be factored in to do that. We see the short term solution right now with these sheets set at the base or suspended from the ceiling. It's done differently in Europe, differently in the States, but at the end of the day, it's the same solution – a barrier to protect the people on either side of the sheet. We need to start designing in a way that this becomes integral and incorporated into the designs. We don't want it to constantly look as if it's a temporary addition - it needs to be a part of the design. Then are elements of distance. You know, in the past we never really had to think of the distance of the person sitting behind you or the next to you. I think that the parameters of how we gauge spaces, how we allocate space to each person will now Next >