< PreviousIn the studio commercialinteriordesign.com November 2020 20 IN THE STUDIO WITH... Mihir Sanganee, creative director at Designsmith Tell us about yourself… I am an architect and designer and I've been nurturing and leading my studio at Designsmith. Having grown up in Dubai and seeing its landscape change, I'm a fi rm believer in creating and driving my own destiny. Apart from what I do professionally, I love to spend a few hours every week running in the mountains or cuddling with my dogs. … And the company you work with. Designsmith for me is my second home, I spend a major part of day at the studio. We are young and vibrant team – trying to establish ourselves in the local scenario with exceptional design solutions. Are you in the studio, working from home, or both? We are back to the studio now and super glad. Meeting clients and having them visit the studio is an integral part to the Designsmith experience. We did have a few days where we had to shift out and only core team members were working from the studio – but it's been variable. Our manufacturing teams have been working through lockdown. What does your work place look like? Loft-esque. Our studio is based in Al Quoz, the industrial and manufacturing heart of Dubai. It's a very hands-on space where we get to experience continuously what we design. Brimming with samples and fi nishes, we are split across two levels. With multiple meeting spaces spread across the fl oor, there is no one singular experience with any of our clients. It's an ever evolving space. My team is young and hungry, so we are always looking to learn. Mihir's studio space Plants and picturesIn the studio 21 November 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com The Bowl One is a Designsmith project How does your day start? My day starts early, quite early some might say. I try and start with 25 push ups and some guided meditation. It's a new thing I've been trying to build in to my daily routine. The weather is good – I think running will make its way back into the morning schedule, too. What are you working on right now? As we work on projects varying from commercial F&B design to luxury residential projects we've been busy. Currently we are developing two new food concepts for chains moving to Dubai, as well as luxury mansions in Dubai Hills and Al Barari. What are the high points and challenges of the day? Taking quick decisions – resolving queries and moving onto the next challenge. This is something I've learnt along the way – to be able to guide and quickly assess the pain point. Absolute highs are receiving testimonials from happy clients and end users. This is a constant process for us as we design custom furniture as well and that is quick gratifi cation. Delivering something of high value which people cherish and appreciate. It's also absolutely satisfying to see your work splashed across social media where people take photos. Small joys – but they defi nitely bring a smile to our face. How and where do you seek inspiration? Discussions, sketches, internet research and when all else fails – Pinterest. We follow a lot of architecture and interior blogs, it's amazing to see the details and fi nishes of jobs executed across the globe. They might not be case specifi c – but there is a lot of learning there. We obviously scour the social networks and other designers to stay with the times. I learn a lot from my peer group, a networking platform, BNI, where I actively participate. These business leaders with their insights have helped us change the way we function and operate in our business model. What's on your desk? What are you listening to? Lots of stationary, coffee mug, protein shaker and sketching books. Currently listening to The Goal on Audible. There's always some music playing in the studio – the daily DJ takes charge – language is no bar. Tell us three bookmarks on your browser Pinterest, ArchDaily and BNI University. ... And three must-follows on design industry social media @archello @Archdaily, @Dezeen What do you love about your offi ce space? What would you change? Dynamic working environment, no cabins and hierarchy – everyone with an idea is welcome to the table to brainstorm and share. We are now extending our studio space further since the team is growing. When does your day end? Between 6pm to 7pm usually, trying to reduce the number of hours, but the last few months have been very busy. So trying to bring a little more routine to this. What's the last thing you do before you leave the offi ce? I check with every single person on the team if there is anything they need from me or if there is something I can help them with before I go. This is a habit I've picked up from my father, he would always check if there was anything he could help with before he would leave. Opinion commercialinteriordesign.com November 2020 22 The workplace reloaded post-COVID-19 Stephan Degenhart, associate partner at Drees & Sommer asks: How can we implement sustainability initiatives under these new circumstances? The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for several trends in the design and operation of commercial real estate, including digitisation and sustainability – issues that had to be addressed sooner or later. Real estate needs to become more intelligent, eco-friendly and sustainable to meet the ever-changing needs of users, especially as the future belongs to the 'digital natives', that climate-conscious generation that is now entering the workplace for the fi rst time. The benefi t of the enforced parameter shift over the past few months is that the pandemic is urging us to assess new and ongoing real estate projects to ensure they still have the right value proposition. This is a good time to take stock and rethink decisions that were made pre-COVID-19 and re-evaluate projects to ensure they're ready for the new normal and the future. Whilst it's tempting to focus on new builds, existing projects should also be assessed to see if they can be digitalised and however, that sustainability is more than being as energy effi cient as possible – it also involves material selection and the health and well-being of users. Employees of the future will assign more importance to having a sustainable and healthy work environment. With more of our daily work tasks moving into the digital space, this impacts the design of offi ces as well as the facilities, technologies and services that need to be provided. In other words, digitisation and sustainability are key to future-proof designs. We will see a shift from offi ces being the sole place of work in which employees are required to be present throughout the workday, to dynamic, creative hubs for hybrid teamwork where people can meet in person and collaborate. With the offi ce facing renewed competition from the home offi ce, we shouldn't underestimate the signifi cance of sustainability. If employers want to increase employee retention, engagement and satisfaction, they need to channel energy into the design of their offi ce environments. It's important that workers feel at ease in the offi ce and enjoy coming into work, which is where technology modernised and become more sustainable going forward. Sustainability is increasingly a strategic priority for businesses, and the best way to approach this is holistically, both inwardly and outwardly, and offi ce buildings are a highly visible manifestation of this. It's important to bear in mind; Stephan Degenhart The new D&S hubOpinion 23 November 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com TECTUS® 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 14:44 'Cradle to cradle' design principles Drees & Sommer's new fl agship offi ce in its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, is being built-in line with the ' cradle-to-cradle' design principle, with green, plant-covered facades and natural materials such as clay walls and carpets made out of recycled materials, designed to have a positive impact on the air quality in the offi ce and workers' productivity. The products and materials used are all recyclable and will retain value at the end of their life cycle. Sustainability can also be factored in once buildings are commissioned. Smart technology that will be used in the Drees & Sommer offi ce will control systems to save energy and reduce costs. A mobile app will enable access credentials to be assigned, the booking of conference rooms and parking places, and heating, ventilation and light to be confi gured automatically for users. can serve in optimising ventilation, enabling individual climate controls and delivering bright spaces with tailored light settings, all elements that set to become increasingly more important in the future. As such, there is no end in sight for the smart building trend in which a fusion of technology, architecture and environment is created to enable a smarter future for both workers and their surroundings. Our advice is to future-proof offi ce designs in line with the ever-changing needs of users and the demand for premium, creative and collaborative workplaces in the new normal. A crisis is often a catalyst for change, but it can also be a turning point. COVID-19 has made abundantly clear what was emerging before the crisis: there's no such thing as a single workplace anymore.Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com November 2020 24 #CIDAWARDS It's almost time. As we write these words, our independent judging panel of industry experts is poring over the nominees in 17 extremely strong shortlists, and by the end of the month the winners will be revealed. Over the next 18 pages we cover all of those nominees so you can fi nd out who's in with a chance. Stylish hotels, funky bars and sleek restaurants are among the shor tlisted entries we're delighted to announce for the 2020 edition of the Commercial Interior Design Awards It was a tough process even getting the longlists to this point, so we don't envy the judges' task. After the challenges 2020 has thrown at us, everyone who entered should consider themselves a winner. But for now, with numbers a guide to the images only, here are the shortlisted people, projects and fi rms...Cover feature 25 November 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com 1 INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR HOTELS 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 1 THE GEORGE GUESTROOM: THE WESTIN DUBAI MINA SEYAHI BY STICKMAN TRIBE 2 FUJAIRAH ROTANA RESORT & SPA BY KST INTERIORS 3 EMIRATES PARK ZOO, ABU DHABI BY DZ DESIGN 4 PENELOPE GUESTROOM: THE WESTIN DUBAI MINA SEYAHI BY STICKMAN TRIBE 5 ANDAZ, DUBAI THE PALM BY GDS | GLINTMEIJER DESIGN STUDIO 6 W ABU DHABI – YAS ISLAND BY DWP 7 LE ROYAL MÉRIDIEN CLUB TOWER BY LW DESIGN 8 JA LAKE VIEW HOTEL BY BREWER SMITH BREWER GROUPCover feature commercialinteriordesign.com November 2020 26 1 ST. TROP BY LW DESIGN 2 BIBE BY BREWER SMITH BREWER GROUP 3 KIMPO BY KEANE 4 TRAIN LA MER BY LS DESIGN. 1 INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR BARS & CLUBS 2 34Cover feature 27 November 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com 1 FOUNDRY RESTAURANT BY GDS | GLINTMEIJER DESIGN STUDIO 2 FLOW BY TWENTYONE3 MARCO'S NEW YORK ITALIAN BY STUDIO EM 4 BULL & BEAR BY LW DESIGN5 AWANI BY BISHOP DESIGN6 TOPLUM MBY XO ATELIER7 NOODLE HOUSE BY LXA ASSOCIATES 8 MEZZA HOUSE BY ROAR9 COFFEETEA BY 4SPACE DESIGN10 CÉ LA VI BY PROSPECT DESIGN 11 THIRD AVENUE BY H2R DESIGN 12 WHITE AND THE BEAR BY SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER 1 INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR FOOD & BEVERAGE 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com November 2020 28 1 INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR OFFICE 2 3 6 5 4 7 8 10 9 1 TAKEDA BY ROAR 2 SHAIKHA SALAMA AL NAHYAN FOUNDATION BY BLUEHAUS GROUP 3 SWISS BUREAU INTERIOR DESIGN & BUILD BY HIRA INDUSTRIES DIP 4 THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICE BY KART GROUP 5 KHIDMAH & PROVIS HEADQUARTERS BY M+N ARCHITECTURE 6 SHAIKHA SALAMA AL NAHYAN FOUNDATION BY BLUEHAUS GROUP 7 THE FOUNDER'S OFFICE BY BLUEHAUS GROUP 8 ARABCLICKS HQ BY SWISS BUREAU INTERIOR DESIGN & BUILD 9 HPE DIGITAL LIFE BY GARAGE SAY STUDIO 10 GOVERNMENT OF DUBAI MEDIA BY BLUEHAUS GROUPCover feature 29 November 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com 1 INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR RETAIL 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 DNA HEALTH AND FITNESS BY ANDNOW 2 SOIL STORE AT AL SEEF BY SOSA 3 BRAU BY STUDIO EM 4 ATELIER PERFUMERY BY SOSA 5 THE FIX BEAUTY LOUNGE BY HALA ABUHMAID/ROYAL METIS CO. 6 IXORA BY BRAND CREATIVE 7 TUTUS BY 4SPACE DESIGNNext >