< PreviousDesign news commercialinteriordesign.com July 2021 10 Dubai's DZ Design debuts new logo and company website Interior design studio DZ Design has unveiled a new visual identity and website. A diagonal line now cuts through the company logo to symbolise the diversity of its projects, with new tagline 'Great value for designs you'll value' in a font the team chose for its timelessness. Originally established in 2014 by husband-wife duo, Dina Murali and Zain Belgami, the fi rm started from their dining table in Dubai, before being among the fi rst tenants in Dubai Design District and now with a team of 10 architects and designers. Along the way, the design duo have built a portfolio of mid-size hotel, luxury residential and commercial projects, including work for the Radisson, Citymax, Pullman and Emirates Park Zoo and Resort. To refl ect this development, the DZ Design branding was overhauled. Managing director Belgami says: "The new brand aligns with the core values of our studio, both collectively and individually. It also allows us to apply it as a new sign of quality, and a sign of a DZ Design services and design work that our team and our clients can be proud of." Reminder that nominations for the CID Awards close July 2021 It's almost time to close nominations for this year's edition of the Commercial Interior Design Awards. The 15th instalement of the annual awards programme has a deadline of July 14, 2021 for the 17 categories covering projects, people and fi rms in the Middle East interior design and fi t-out sector. One of the most important criteria is that the projects will need to be based in the region and 100 percent completed by the closing deadline for nominations (except for the concept category). For all excluding the concept category, you should submit actual photos of the projects and not renders or concepts. Shortlisted nominations will be announced in our September issue, ahead of the ceremony on September 15, which will take place at a location TBC. To sponsor the awards, email rebecca. lockwood@itp.com. For table inquiries, contact Anthony Chandran on +971 4 444 3685 or anthony.chandran@itp.com A fresh look for DZ Design DJ Lobito soundtracked the 2020 ceremonyPOWERFUL TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE WALL GEBERIT CONCEALED CISTERNS More than 55 years experience with concealed cisterns www.geberit.ae 55 years Geberit has more than 55 years of experience in the field of concealed cisterns 25 years 25 years guarantee for spare parts availability More than 70 million concealed cisterns sold and installed worldwide 70 Mio Geberit is the European leader in sanitary technologyTrending commercialinteriordesign.com July 2021 12 IN PICTURES: INDEX 2021 AT DU D id we see you at INDEX 2021? The international interior design trade show took place between May 31 and June 2 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Celebrating its 30th edition, the three- day event brought together top industry talent for the INDEX Design Talks, with 15 discussions from 65 speakers on sustainability, the impact of Covid and much more informed debate. Inside INDEX 2021 Interiors and innovation After being postponed from 2020 due to the global pandemic, the 30th edition of the region's much loved trade fair returned to Dubai as INDEX 2021 The long-running event connects architects, designers, buyers, developers and distributors with local and international furniture, lighting, décor and surface material brands, start-ups and the biggest international names in the interior furnishings and fi t-out sector. Nearly 8,000 visitors successfully navigated social distancing and other measures in place to ensure their safety at an expo that ran alongside The Hotel Show, Workspace and The Leisure Show. As well as hearing industry insights, guests browsed hundreds of exhibits to see products for every type of project, from homeware and accessories, to lighting and furniture, with a focus on locality, some unique to the UAE and wider region. Bringing more local fl avour, Dubai-based Brand Creative and fi t-out fi rm Design Infi nity developed a dramatic installation staged at the entrance of the show.Trending 13 July 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com T DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE An exhibitor shows off their catalogueChatting with readers at the CID stand Interviewing top designer Justin Wells Brand Creative's installation greets visitorsAdvertorial commercialinteriordesign.com July 2021 14 Summertown Interiors completes latest sustainable project – the DIFC Innovation Hub As the world looks to build back better after COVID-19, attention is turning to what the future offi ce will be like. The pandemic has been a catalyst for change and global collective action, as well as thrust climate change into the spotlight. Demand for healthier, more sustainable workplaces is defi nitely on the rise, as employers embrace this opportunity to change their workplace environments. As the UAE's leading fi t out contractor specialising in sustainable projects, Summertown Interiors has long been on a mission to help Dubai achieve its green city status. In fact, its sustainability strategy is underpinned by both the UAE regional sustainability targets, and the global UN Sustainable Development Goals. Under the company's JOURNEY2030 sustainability goal to 'Deliver 100% Sustainable Projects by 2030,' Summertown offers all clients with projects over 2,000 sq m free LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) level certifi cations – the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Summertown's latest sustainable project is Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) 'Innovation Hub' located in Gate Avenue – a LEED Gold certifi ed building. The DIFC Innovation Hub serves as the defi nitive destination for nurturing the next unicorns from the region, while helping build a strong FinTech sector and create new jobs for talented professionals. In collaboration with several leading design partners for the project, including Roar and Say Studio, Summertown transformed 3,500 sq m of shell and core spaces in Gate Avenue into 22 fl exible offi ce suites plus a public auditorium and MISSION FOR A GREENER CITY The public auditorium is a stand-out featureAdvertorial 15 July 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com connection zones. Effectively a 'plug and play' option for companies wanting to be based in the DIFC Innovation Hub. Summertown specifi cally worked on optimising energy performance of lighting and power of the design and build, and is aiming to achieve LEED certifi cation for the space in the coming months. With workplaces evolving into more functional social hubs, the public auditorium is a standout feature of this future-focused workplace. The area also features various breakout zones to encourage networking and collaboration, incorporating a custom-made table-tennis table inspired by the Euro symbol, and a 'Money Tree' sculpture with 440 dirham coin leaves and 36 dirham coin suspended lights as foliage. The DIFC Innovation Hub was offi cially inaugurated on May 25, 2021 by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of DIFC. As Dubai embarks on its 2040 Urban Master Plan, an initiative to upgrade existing urban developments, improve the effi ciency of resource utilisation and About Summertown Interiors For over 22 years, Summertown Interiors has been among the UAE’s leading and most sustainable contractors, offering superior quality interior fi t out solutions. Reputed for its green expertise and exceptional client service, the company specialises in commercial, healthcare, and education projects for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses. Its mission is to consistently deliver high end sustainable interior projects on time and within budget, which help clients achieve their environmental goals, improve energy, water and resource effi ciency for building, create inspiring workplaces to enhance employee health and happiness and to deliver operational savings, increasing building value and decrease utility costs. www.summertown.ae Inside the workspace meets social hub enhance environmental sustainability, Summertown expects more companies and landlords to introduce sustainable interior solutions. Having offered LEED certifi ed fi t out services for over 13 years, Summertown is well placed to meet this demand. Its holistic approach to workplace sustainability, encompasses both building effi ciency and creating a space where users respond and engage positively. Not only does this offer human benefi ts such as increased levels of productivity, happiness and creativity, but translates into positive bottom line impact too. DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY KIT. PREPARE YOUR NOMINATIONS LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE FOR ATTENDANCE ENQUIRIES, CONTACT : Anthony Chandran Table Sales Executive Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: Rebecca Lockwood Sales Director +971 55 484 8301 Email: rebecca.lockwood@itp.com FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES, CONTACT: Jane O’Neill Editor Tel: +971 4 444 3626 Email: jane.oneill@itp.com #CIDAWARDS WWW.COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COM/AWARDS Scan to download entry kit NOMINATIONS DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY JULY 14, 2021 SPONSORSHIP DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25, 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 GOLD SPONSORSOCIAL MEDIA PARTNERCATEGORY SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORSILVER SPONSORCATEGORY SPONSOR FIT-OUT PARTNERA day in the life of… 17 July 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com Boutique interior design fi rm Dress the Space Reem Moussalli launched the Dubai-based studio in 2017 when she was 26. Here's an insight into the day of a busy designer and parent, in her own words... Motherhood changed me. Becoming a mom taught me multiple lessons and most importantly how to juggle multiple tasks at once. A key lesson is how to allocate time for work versus time for family and in particular maintaining a clear constructive mindset for both. Believe me, switching from the mom/wife role to the entrepreneur/ businesswoman role several times a day is not an easy job. I am happy to say that I have reached that balance that fi ts my life best which exhausted multiple lengthy experiments along the way. Life's a learning curve and I believe dearly in these two words "students always." Reem Moussalli After a long day, I unwind by getting creative...A day in the life of… commercialinteriordesign.com July 2021 18 6:30 am: Who needs an alarm when they have kids? Awaken by a mini human shouting "Mami Mami" at my door, followed by a gibberish story about Mr Teddy Bear and Mr Sheep swimming in the pool with Celine, my two- year-old toddler, also known as the big boss of the house. I would love to say my day starts with a cup of coffee, but it does not. Instead, I head straight out of bed into a one-hour pretend play session with Celine and her play teacups, plastic macaroons, and a yummy set of cupcakes. We play and spend quality time reserved for one hour, followed by breakfast time together. By the time it's 8am I rush to the shower, get ready to offi cially start my day as a professional. My go-to style would be sneakers and a casual suit, I usually get inspired by the projects I'm working on so I either dress by their colour or style. I can't help it; this is my driving force, I need to relate interiors to fashion and fashion to interiors. That's who we are, Dress The Space, a fashion- driven interior design fi rm. Our motto is: "Let your space refl ect your style." We believe each space needs to be a refl ection of the client's style and personality. 9am: Zoom call The day usually starts with a contractor's Zoom call from my home offi ce. The fi rst Zoom call of the week is dedicated to quickly recap all the work that's been done on-site the previous week and set deadlines for the work to be done the upcoming week along with other minor but necessary updates. I'm currently working on a dental clinic in Dubai; the concept has been approved and we're in the last few phases of implementation. It hasn't been an easy one, since it's an operating clinic, we work on the renovation space by space. Moreover, since it's located in a mall, the work only starts after 10pm, so that's when I usually do my site visits for this project. But so far it's looking great and exactly the way I envisioned it. 10am: Follow-up calls and emails I do all my follow-up calls with suppliers and furniture vendors to make sure everything is delivered on time and as planned. I reply back to all pending emails in addition to sending out proposals for upcoming projects. 11am: Client meetings and material board approvals I usually like to start my day with early client meetings in our shared offi ce space in Dubai, Marina Plaza. I prefer having those meetings earlier throughout the day, in order to have more fl exibility throughout my hectic schedule, as some things don't always go as planned and that's totally normal in any designer's life. 1pm: It's shooting time! I'm now off to meet the photographer to fi nalise photographing one of my favourite projects, the French contemporary nine- bedroom Villa in The Villa Dubai, which I have recently handed over. This project's design concept took us six months and two years to implement. During the implementation, Covid took place and that slowed down the, but we were able to get back on-site with all the precautionary measures taken. Given the project is signifi cantly large, shooting was conducted over several days in order to capture the best lighting, which is an important element to be considered in producing high-quality pictures. I've been indulged in various commercial, retail, and F&B projects but my specialty, or as they say bread and butter, is designing high-end residential projects, including villas, penthouses, duplexes, upper-upscale apartments, etc. I usually work on projects from the interior architecture phase till the furnishing phase. However, currently due to Covid I have also taken the initiative in providing Interiors inspire Reem's fashion choices Another colourful comboA day in the life of… 19 July 2021 commercialinteriordesign.com An outfi t change, then on-siteThe tools of the trade Reem at work in a stylish black and white shot e-design furnishing projects both in Dubai and abroad, to cater to a wider market and what it requires now. 2:30pm: Site visits with lunch on the go It's time to head to the site. Looking for my big site shirt – who else agrees a car is also their second wardrobe? I can comfortably state that my car is my second home, it's super easy to tweak my outfi t and make it a more site/workshop appropriate look. I'm off to check on my retail project, a cool trendy laundry store concept, with the fourth branch opening this year alone followed by a quick stop by the two-bed apartment in Dubai Marina, as the custom- made joinery is arriving soon. 4:30pm: Meet the team in a café On Sundays, I believe it is best to meet the design team. We prefer to pick random funky designed cafés, which helps in brainstorming ideas. Trust me on that, we have been inspired on multiple occasions by our surroundings. We attempt to better the creativity in our design concepts. Being outside the work zone helps us think outside the box. I usually allocate different timings and days for different projects throughout the week in order to give each project the time it deserves. On Thursdays, I usually meet up with the social media team to discuss the monthly Instagram content and planner for both Dress the space and my mom and daughter page, Mommy&Celine. Since this meeting falls on a Thursday and in order to spend more time with Celine, I take her along to join and hopefully pick up from her mama once she grows older. As she colours and enjoys the food, we plan and get creative. Last week we visited Forever Rose cafe in City Walk and Celine wanted to colour the whole restaurant, as it looked like a huge colouring book to her. 7pm: Time to hit the gym My favorite part of the day, the only me time I get. I go to what I think is a beautifully designed gym in Dubai, called SEVEN. I either do a chilled weight training session with a friend, a cardio session, or get into a Crossfi t class to release any negative energy, and let me tell you, I defi nitely feel way better after! 8:30pm: Back home for dinner and storytelling time After a long day, I prepare a quick dinner meal for the family or more like "ordering in" depending on the remaining energy levels. Both my husband and I put Celine to sleep after we read a set of her favourite stories – she just keeps grabbing one after the other. 9:30pm-12:30am: A hot shower followed by some creative brainstorming Not sure why I get the most creative at this hour of the day, I guess it's the silence at that hour since it's the least busy time. I get on the sofa, while my husband watches Netfl ix. After long day at work, I unwind by getting creative and brainstorming new project concepts, jotting down new ideas, sketching, and last but not least setting my schedule for the next day.Next >