< PreviousSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 50 INTERVIEW: ARNALDO PUGLIA, OF DNA ASSOCIATES Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole situation has changed people's lives – from social practices to living spaces. Adapting to these changes does not necessarily mean compromising aesthetics over functionality. This project's architecture and interior design shows what can be created for the 'new normal.' The man behind this three-bedroom apartment at Shoreline on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, is Arnaldo Puglia, of DnA Associates. Italy-born Puglia honed his crafts in interior and living design by working in Milan and San Marino. Now in Dubai for almost four years, Puglia and DnA Associates have brought Italian- inspired architecture and interior design to both residential and commercial spaces in the UAE. Puglia's design process includes studying the architecture of a building before placing carefully-thought designs. He highlights the importance of a space and material, and offer different solutions. He says: "We are proud of our Italian heritage. While other fi rms in the UAE a mix of everything, we take pride in incorporating Italian styling, technology, and even materials in every design offered to our clients." Here's the jigsaw wall Arnaldo Puglia Sharing more about this residential apartment's renovation journey, Puglia says: "We totally restudied the apartment. Having windows only in the living room and the bedroom served as a challenge on the execution of the Italian design, which is identifi ed for thoughtful placement of lighting." Aside from the lack of natural lighting, the overall layout of the apartment served as another challenge for Puglia and his team, with an irregular shape and an atypical kitchen set-up. For the apartment design, Puglia went back to his roots and added a dash of Italian styling. Best known for adapting contemporary interior styling with artistic accents, the Italian-inspired interior by Puglia resulted in the creation of an illuminated living space. Brighten up with colours and lighting Solving the challenge of lighting up the vibe of the apartment, Puglia studied the colours and materials to use. He transformed the living room and repainted its yellow walls in white, accented with parquet and dark gray. A quick, old school fi x, Puglia suggested using wallpaper to brighten up the mood of a room. Components of lighting such as moveable light heads on the ceiling do not only give accent to the white ceiling but also give an art gallery feel to the apartment. These light heads accentuate the art pieces installed around the living Special Report 51 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com This is what exactly DnA did in the featured apartment. To allow a unifi ed and bigger living space offering multifunction, Puglia designed the living room to connect to the dining area. Workspaces can either be on the (bigger) dining table, while observing over the kids study/play in the living room, or in the living area itself. In addition, the design also allows people in the dining area to watch the TV. Another highlight of the living room is the jigsaw wall that gave a pleasing contrast to the lines of the space. More than just an accessory to the interior design, this wall doubles as a storage space with its cabinets and serves as the entertainment space housing the television and media. Materials that are easy to clean Resin on the fl oor and real marble for the countertops make for easy cleaning. Because of the unusual kitchen, with service aisle layout, Puglia and DnA needed to make the most of the space. Sticking to the Italian theme, DnA utilised ceramic tile kitchen countertops. Making the most out of the renovation, the team also installed dishwasher near the sink, making it more convenient and avoiding spills on the fl oor from transporting dishes from one place to another. The dark gray and parquet accents are also present in the bathroom, but the resin bathtub is the highlight of this space. Deviating from the typical acrylic or ceramic bathtubs, Puglia went for resin primarily because of its customisability. "No rules on sizing and height when it comes to resin bathtubs," he says. As most still in recovery from the effects of the pandemic, renovating one's living space to accommodate living in today's 'new normal' is not an easy decision. DnA Associates would say that having an interior styling redesign done by professionals is far more practical than DIY. The team is renowned for their experimental designs that are executed with accuracy through research and incorporation of innovative solutions. As Puglia says: "We don't just install material and furniture. There is no cookie cutter for all. It is more like Tetris. We need to fi nd the correct fi t to satisfy clients." Founded in 2005, DnA Associates' team are renowned for their experimental designs that are executed through research and incorporation of innovative solutions. Offering a full customer service journey from beginning to the end, the team studies the space and design accordingly. space, especially along the hallway leading to the bedrooms. Catwalk lighting is also installed along the hallway, illuminating the path towards the bedrooms. Art is the fi rst things visitors to the apartment will notice to notice. Instead of a fancy chandelier, there's a light component placed in the dining area. 'Taraxacum 88 by Floss' is a piece of design that serves as a functional accessory in the dining area, while add to the bright and airy atmosphere of the overall living space. Ample, multi-functional space Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arnaldo Puglia has been busier than ever. "I've been working a lot; people are spending more time at home thus more customers are coming in wanting to renovate their living space to accommodate an offi ce or a study area," he explains. Discussing how residential design trends have developed due to the pandemic, Puglia adds: "People spend more time at home, living rooms should have an ample space to have dedicated corner for work, study, and such." Puglio also iterated the need for a bigger dining table: "This is offers multi-functionality. A bigger dining table can serve as a workspace. Ideally for working parents, you can work from where you can watch your kid have their meal." The challenging kitchenSuppliers: Awards Sponsor Special commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 52 Roca started out in 1917 as a company that made cast iron radiators at its factory in Gavà, near Barcelona, Spain. It then expanded its portfolio with the production of boilers and, in 1929, entered the bathroom space, producing baths and, later, vitreous china. In 1954 the firm developed its output further, to produce brassware. Today, the Roca Group fully owns 78 production plants in 19 different countries, directly employs more than 24,000 employees worldwide and has a Offi ce 111, Building 5, Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai +971 4 347 64 00 www.export.roca.com commercial network that spreads over 170 countries on five continents. Dubai is home to the Middle East regional office of Roca Sanitario, SA, which opened in 2006 and manages the commercial network in the region. The group also incorporates many well-known bathroom brands, including Laufen, Gala, Jika, Cosmic and Pom d'or. Success of these brands helped the firm to achieve the number one position in prestigious industry ranking, 'Ceramic World Review 2019,' which is given to the manufacturer who produces the highest amount of pieces of vitreous china. In 2019, Roca made an impressive 35.4 million pieces. With this breath and depth of resources and experience, Roca Group can easily supply every item needed to complete a stunning bathroom, from contemporary to traditional, exclusive colour finishes, bespoke products and unique materials. Roca is also a brand that strongly cares about our planet and is committed every day to ensure sustainable products and production processes. Roca Platinum sponsor at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2020 Roca's new In-Wash Inspira Smart ToiletSuppliers: Awards Sponsor Special 53 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com B702-705 Building 1, Dubai Design District +971 4 447 0914 sales.gulf@geberit.com www.geberit.ae Geberit Our awards gold sponsor Geberit Group is proud to be a European leader in the sanitary products fi eld. Operating in the region with a strong local presence, Geberit brings providing unique added value when it comes to sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics. The Group is headquartered in Switzerland and has 12,000 employees in around 50 countries, while its production network encompasses 29 facilities. Geberit has been at the forefront of bathroom innovation for over 140 year and always improves its current products with new innovations. It's then no surprise that 2020 has seen many exciting new Geberit products. These include the Sigma20 and Sigma30 Tone-in-Tone fl ush actuators. The new range is available in gloss white, matte white and matte black that either make a statement as a standalone feature or complement the design aesthetics of the bathroom. All buttons feature a design trim in an offset fi nish, offering a subtle and classy fi nish to any bathroom. The matte fi nish also offers a fi ngerprint resistant coating. Geberit also recently introduced a design upgrade for the Sigma21 and Sigma50 fl ush actuators with three new metallic fi nishes in red gold, brass and black chrome. Each metallic surface is complete with a protective ceramic glass coating. With the existing range of slate, concrete and walnut, Geberit can certainly offer a wide range of fi nishes to suit all bathrooms projects. What's more, the new furniture range for Geberit Variform lay-on washbasins offers the option to create customised washbasin areas. The modular system permits fl exible planning adjusted to the space. Sigma50 and Sigma21 actuator plates in the new metal colour moodcommercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 54 WHERE HISTORY MEETS FUTURE Five is a commercial building developed by QARTA ARCHITEKTURA Connie Cocktail Lounge at New York's JFK AirportWORLD VIEW FFFFFiiiivvveee iiisss aaaa ccccooommmmmmeerrcciiiaaaallll bbbbuuuiiilllddiingg ddddeeevveellllooooppppeedddd bbyy QQAARRTTAA AARRRCCHHIITTEEKKTTURA 55 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Seating fabric is unique History meets future declares the fi tting motto chosen for the project Five, located in Smíchov, a district in the west of Prague. A "relic" tram depot building occupied the project site, surrounded by an area that was transforming into a fully-fl edged city district, delimited by the two transport arteries of the day: the Vltava river with its Smíchov Port and the railway with the Smíchov train station. This timeline of the transformation of the whole area had to be followed in order to fi nd a new use for the tram depot building. The fi rst step by QARTA ARCHITEKTURA was to consider the unequal spatial and vertical characteristics, in comparison to the whole waterfront tract, and to specify new limits, such as development boundary or building height. The next step determined new uses and typologies best suited for the re-activation of the area, and their spatial distribution. Finally, the authenticity of existing structural and architectural elements was put under scrutiny. The ultimate goal for the building was to become a living part of the organism of the city, so keeping and restoring historical architectural elements had to bring added benefi ts. The design process followed the same logic. The new building mass relates directly to the site boundary. The boundary line is confi rmed and underlined when the building reaches the line of the old block, or it's softened when the building steps back, easing off street fronts or corners. World view commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 56 Stripped back A top-fl oor setback reduces the perceived height, fi nding a balance and a new dynamic in the wider context. The program has two parts that both fi t the locality and the demanding environment. Ground-fl oor shopping was fi nally introduced to the area, together with offi ces, which were unavoidable due to the heavy traffi c on Svornosti Street. The original structure was not entirely replaced. Its architecturally valuable parts were incorporated and implemented in the new building. Both street fronts of the depot were kept in their entirety and opened up to pedestrians. This way the relics don't obstruct the new use, instead they play a key role in the organism of the new building. The unique industrial design, featuring a double-skin façade of perforated metal, architectural concrete, or exposed conduits visible on the ceilings, embodies both the local genius loci and all the preserved historical elements. Similar approach was taken when incorporating restored historical frontages with the new use of contemporary buildings in Karlín and on the Republic Square, with good results, and fully embraced by the public. That amply shows that a new quality can return to a place when all connecting links and the whole context is taken into account. New, architecturally sound design can continue the local tradition. The strong unifying concept helps to redeem a place that lost its self-esteem, and confi rms its rightful place in the city's urbanism. The new building design and program ensure a revitalisation of the area and bring residents of Smíchov major new opportunities. Besides design quality, the occupants also appreciate the top fl oor terrace offering panoramic views to the most signifi cant Prague monuments including the Prague Castle, the National Theater and Vyšehrad. There are plenty of seating options and relax zones for those who want to bring their laptop and work in the fresh air.57 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Project partners Façade Brick Tiles: Beleta Custom Washbasins: Corralit Turnstiles: Cominfo Veneer Cladding Panels: Kronospan Insulated Double Glazing: Agc / Chromatech Ultra F Bathroom Fixtures: Vitra, Jika, Hansgrohe, Tork Heating Radiators: Isan Façade Render: Baumit Creative Top Screens: Soltis 92 Blinds: Cetta 80 Paint: Primalex, Sokrat Acoustic Ceilings: Heradesign Unique pieces It's big on lighting Im ages : B o ys P lay Ni ceObjects of desire commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 58 1Metamorphosi light by Tadeas Podracky This piece is truly fascinating. It looks as if it was designed by a computer and produced with a CNC cutting machine yet this piece was done completely by hand in an intuitive manner over a period of several months of intensive artisanal work using scrap materials found around the city during lockdown. 2Dragon Bench by Joris Laarman This is a pioneering work of metal 3D printing. The bench is a timeless chameleon that fi ts any environment, be it indoors or outdoors. It is extremely tough and yet super lightweight. This is the future of sustainable material use. 3Stacked Console by Viktor Udzenija Adopting an architectural language of columns and planes in mirror polished stainless steel, this modular shelving unit is designed to carry books in the optimal position for page preservation and easy to read titles. VIKTOR UDZENIJA Croatian architect and interior designer Viktor Udzenija founded his eponymous studio in Dubai in 2011, expanding to Europe in summer 2020. Udzenija was recently invited to curate the inaugural design section of the Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art Auction for international auction house Christie's in London 1 2 4Slurp, Snap, Arm Akimbo by Misha Kahn Quoting the artist: "I think furniture tends to be so static in its stance, and I wanted to try to capture this sense of levity and motion, like it was just a sort of freeze frame in an animation where shapes are having fun and happen to kind of have assembled themselves into chairs." 5Ouroboros by Ranya Sarakbi This sculpture is inspired by the Ouroboros, the ancient symbol depicting a serpent eating its tail and representing the cycle of life. Made of over 16,000 single pieces of cast bronze this piece is a masterful witness of human ingenuity, craftsmanship and beauty. 3 4 5 P h o to c re d it : F ri ed m an B en d a a n d Jo ri s L aa rm an , C h ri st ie 's a n d H o u se o f T o d ay, D an ie l K u kl a fo r F ri ed m an , B en d a a n d M is h a K ah nTHE MARKET-LEADING PLATFORM FOR THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND FIT-OUT INDUSTRY COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COMNext >