July 2022 Vol.18 Issue 07 An ITP Media Group Publication SUPPLIERS 2022 July 2022 Vol.18 Issue 07 The essential guide for Middle East interior design professionals COMMERCIAL Interior design An ITP Media Group publication PLUS: FIT-OUT BOOM TIME + CHECK OUT DUBAI’S NEW LIBRARY + BIOPHILIA FIRST LOOK Find the missing link in your supply chain with our essential guideThursday 15 th September 2022 |Dubai #CIDAwards CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY 15 TH JULY 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com/awards CATEGORY SPONSORSFIT-OUT PARTNER SCAN TO NOMINATE SCA NOM FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES: Anthony Chandran Marketing and Events Manager T: +971 4 444 3685 E: anthony.chandran@itp.com FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES: Georgia Littlefair Commercial Manager T:+971 4 444 3562 E: georgia.littlefair@itp.com FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES: Jane O'Neill Editor, Commercial Interior Design T: +971 4 444 3626 E: jane.oneill@itp.com ubaiContents 3 July 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com IN THIS ISSUE NEWS & REGULARS 07 DESIGN NEWS Updates from the creative industry with an arts open call and an impactful installation 08 KSA MOVERS & SHAKERS #2 Reprising our profi le piece to focus on fi rms expanding into the kingdom FEATURES 10 FIRST LOOK: NEEM TREE 4SPACE takes inspiration from an evergreen known for its healing properties 16 TRENDING Mohammed Bin Rashid Library marks a new chapter in public building design 20 ULTIMATE SUPPLIERS The A-Z of interiors specialists – both local and international – that are kitting out the industry in our region 10 16Contents commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 4 SPECIAL REPORT: FIT-OUT BOOM? 36 RETURN TO THE OFFICE Physical workspaces are the heroes, says ISG's regional MD Steve Ramsden 38 EVOLUTION OF AMAQ Director of Operations, Fahad Ali Siddiqui, on the fi rm's two decades of growth 40 THE FYI ON ROI Gabrielle F. Mather of Restaurant Secrets on trends versus budgets in fi t-outs WORLD VIEW 42 NEW PRODUCTS The latest collection of furniture from homegrown UAE brand Custom No.9 46 ON POINT Atelier Du Pont revives a classic concrete slab-built neighbourhood in Paris, France LAST WORD 50 DESIRED OBJECT Crazy about cabinet art? This Nintendo original marks its anniversary in July 36 46 42From personalities for personalities axor-design.com AXOR ShowerHeaven by Phoenix Design • AXOR Edge by Jean-Marie MassaudEditor's letter commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 6 Jane O'Neill Editor Heading for success Pont de Sè vres by Atelier du Pont. Photos by Fré dé ric Delangle, Vincent Leroux Did we see you at the Commercial Interior Design Quiz in June? Our regular gathering of the fi nest minds in the industry was a retro-themed fest of general knowledge. It was also an amuse-bouche for the biggest party of them all – the 2022 Commercial Interior Design Awards! Nominations for our 16th annual awards close this month, so hurry and enter your people, projects, and companies. Soon we'll meet the sponsors that are making the whole glittering event possible, before the fabulous gala dinner in September. For this issue, our focus is on the stars of the supply sector, as we list what we hope is a helpful A-Z of fi rms that specialise in everything from bathrooms to surfaces. Our special report on fi t-out brings together some heroes from that quarter of the commercial design trade, who are sharing their views on the effects of an expanding economy in the UAE and the wider region. Still close to home, our July edition profi les the latest products from homegrown furniture brand, Custom No.9, and goes inside Dubai's newest public building, the stunning Mohammed bin Rashid Library overlooking Dubai Creek. Further afi eld, learn more about an exciting urban regeneration project in the French capital, Paris. From Dubai, to the world, we hope you enjoy reading it all! See you next month. Published by and © 2022 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 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 PUBLISHING Group Publisher Nicky Dawson EDITORIAL Group Editor Carla Sertin Editor Jane O'Neill Tel: +971 4 444 3626 email: jane.oneill@itp.com ART Art Director Amjad Ayche Designer Tofiq Memon ADVERTISING Commercial Manager Georgia Littlefair Tel: +971 4 444 3562 email: georgia.littlefair@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 Videographer Ajith Narendra PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevean CIRCULATION Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai 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.Design news 7 July 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com Kart Group unveils 3D installation to honour workers on the frontline of Covid Dubai-based design fi rm Kart Group has created a sculpture in celebration of frontline workers who cared for us during the worldwide Covid pandemic. The 90-square metre sculpture stands at Dubai Science Park, which commissioned the project, called 'The Frontliners.' Hand-hewn from Styrofoam and completed with cementitious paint, the fi nish of the sculpture imitates a rough, natural stone to highlight the silhouettes of the fi gures, which can only be seen in entirety from a single vantage point. From other angles, spectators will only see the abstract composition. Kart Group, led by founder Mustafa Khamash, has a history of celebrating milestone occasions with innovative visual art installations. Works include 'The Leader,' a 3D representation of Dubai's Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. As per Mustafa, the next art work lined up is a special installation for asset portfolio TECOM at Dubai Internet City. Warehouse421, the home-grown arts and design centre in Abu Dhabi, announces a scheme to support local designers. The 'Regionally Logical Dukkan421 Open Call,' invites talent from across the UAE and MENASA region to submit their design products for a chance to be part of the Warehouse421 shop, Dukkan421. Successful applicants will see their work sold in-store and retain full creative rights to their products. Designers from diverse backgrounds, from ceramicists to independent publishers to product designers and jewellery-makers are encouraged to apply. The call-out is an open opportunity where applications are accepted on a rolling basis across 2022. Those who make it through to the next stage can expect to be contacted four weeks after their application was submitted. Inaugurated in 2015, Warehouse421 in Mina Zayed is the work of Danish architecture fi rm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which was commissioned by Salma bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation. To take part in the Dukkan421 project: warehouse421.submittable.com/submit Arts centre calls on designers Photo credit: Kart Group See your work on sale at Dukkan421 Feature commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 8 NEED TO KNOW: Led by general manager Laurent Farge, ALEC FITOUT is part of construction company the ALEC Group. The fi rm specialises in the fi t-out and refurbishment of fi ve-star hotels and resorts, cultural, immersive, and luxury mixed-use developments in the MENA region and especially in Saudi Arabia, where it opened a new offi ce in early 2021. KSA USP: Having successfully completed 92 projects across the region, with a total value of $1.17 billion, and with the expertise gained from delivering the fi t-out for the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which won 'Best Pavilion' award, ALEC FITOUT is uniquely positioned to cater to the ambitious luxury hospitality, corporate head offi ces, museums, and immersive cultural exhibition fi t-out projects in the kingdom. WWW.ALECFITOUT.AE ALEC FITOUT NEED TO KNOW: Founded in 2004 by Paul Bishop, this multi-disciplinary design fi rm recently expanded to Saudi and Miami. KSA USP: More than 10 years working across the kingdom has given Bishop Design competitive knowledge on the market and what consumers want. It has established a strong portfolio of works over there ranging from hotels, high-end restaurants, casual outlets for fi rst-time owners, right through to cinemas, entertainment spaces, and residences. This demonstrates the ability to work with a range of clients to ensure their vision is successfully brought to life. The opportunities presented in Saudi Arabia continue to excite the team, who look forward to taking their presence there to the next level, with a new offi ce opening soon. INFO@WEAREBISHOPDESIGN.COM BISHOP DESIGN BY PAUL BISHOP NEED TO KNOW: INC Group is a design and fi t-out fi rm that specialises in design, interior construction, furniture supply, and also provides IT solutions. KSA USP: Under general manager Ciaran Cowley, INC Saudi Arabia prides itself on its ability to turn any area into a creative, effi cient and functional space through a panel of premium services. The fi rm offers comprehensive offi ce interior design and fi t out solutions where every aspect, from inception to completion, is managed by the passionate team. INC Saudi Arabia also provides innovative furniture solutions. As part of its IT solutions services, INC Group remains up to date with industry trends to consistently deliver exceptional innovative, hi-tech services that add value to their portfolio of clients. INFO@INC-SOLUTIONS.COM INC GROUP Massive opportunities for commercial interior design and fit-out are to be found in Saudi Arabia. Commercial Interior Design speaks to key players from the region who have recently tapped into the competitive market of KSA to hear what opportunities and challenges are present… NEED TO KNOW: Kidzink specialises in the interior design and manufacture of school FF&E. Its primary work is complete projects for new schools, as well as the design, manufacture and installation of science labs, DT labs, libraries and other specialised spaces. KSA USP: In addition to offi ces in the UK, Italy and Dubai, Kidzink's team of architects and designers work between its newly opened base in Riyadh. These include Namitha Girijan, Design Director, Kidzink Design KSA, who's pictured. Its partnerships with a diverse range of schools has equipped Kidzink with an unmatched understanding of how great design enables market positioning, branding and is integral to each school's unique approach to teaching and learning. NAMITHA@KIDZINKDESIGN.COM KIDZINK Saudi Arabia MOVERS AND SHAKERSTOLL FREE 800 GLAZE (45293) | TEL: +971 6 5353 123 (SHARJAH) | TEL: +971 2 5502 390 (ABU DHABI) | MAIL: info@glaze.ae www.glaze.ae/ MARBLE | GRANITE | QUARTZITE | ONYX | TRAVERTINE | LIMESTONE | PRECIOUS STONE Surface Solutions, Designed By NatureNext >