< PreviousFirst look Photo credit: Anas Rifai commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 10First look NEEM TREE BY 4SPACE DESIGN 11 July 2022commercialinteriordesign.com First look R eferred to as the 'village pharmacy' in rural areas, and with its own dedicated day marked in India, the neem tree has a legacy of 4,500 that's earned the tropical evergreen the nickname of 'the wonder tree.' The neem tree was introduced to the UAE from the Indian subcontinent for its environmental and ornamental values. With a lifespan of hundreds of years and little water needs, neem was planted in the UAE as a windbreaker and to combat the issue of desertifi cation. The tree is also a natural air purifi er that can withstand high temperatures and improves soil fertility. Experts say that on a blisteringly hot day, the temperature under a neem tree can be up to 10 degrees lower than the surrounding area. When 4SPACE Design found a neem tree on the proposed site of a new restaurant in Dubai's busy fi nancial district, designers naturally turned to this rich legacy for inspiration, and, yes, the tree was retained. Neem Tree Lounge & Restaurant is the latest dining option in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), offering the fi nest in Emirati cuisine and interiors to refl ect the region's fascinating culture. Project and brief The client wanted the restaurant to be all about Emirati food, where chefs will present dishes that are important and native to the country, and to refl ect the Emirati culture, climate, and resources of the region. To refl ect this cultural importance, 4SPACE was tasked to refl ect the traditional customs and lifestyles of the native people within the design. In order to do this, 4SPACE used simple building materials to celebrate conventional construction yet refl ect extraordinary design so important in the modern city of Dubai. The concept When 4SPACE fi rst surveyed the location, the team found that a big neem tree existed on the proposed site. The designers pitched the idea to the client to name the restaurant after the tree, retain it, and place the design around the neem concept. The building was formerly a project site offi ce Art is inspired by Picasso commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 12First look The neem tree is a multipurpose agroforestry tree that is well adapted to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions and has gained worldwide recognition for its pharmaceutical properties. In the Arabian Peninsula, the neem tree has become a useful source of shade to people and parked cars. Interestingly, birds generally do not nest in neem trees, which means can be helpful in maintaining natural control of areas where they should be discouraged. Neem Tree Lounge & Restaurant is in the heart of DIFC, the leading fi nancial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region, and is situated on what used to be the DIFC project site offi ce. The location, as well as the surrounding greenery, were important elements in shaping the project. Design elements Architecture from this part of the world is naturally curved and symbolises sacred and secular spaces. 4SPACE has used modern archways throughout the design, which have become the hero element. The use of curves introduces an organic feeling and connects the space with nature for a sense of biophilic living and to deliver a sense of peace to diners. In nature, you'll never fi nd perfectly straight lines. The use of arches helps defi ne large spaces without completely cutting the connection between them. You can easily feel the limits of each space without feeling overwhelmed with the overall large space. Execution & ambience The execution included reinforcing the existing former offi ce building. Some walls had to be demolished to form open spaces suitable for dining. 4SPACE used GRC panels to clad the façade. Outside, the gardens were landscaped with many neem trees, water features and fabric shades. The venue is minimal in design and culturally infl uenced, bringing together many elements from across the region. The expansive fl oor-to-ceiling windows allows daylight to fl ood into the open spaces giving them a bright and airy feel. The aforementioned arches give a slightly oriental touch. Flooring is geometric terrazzo tiles Arches defi ne the large spaces 13 July 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com First look Project profi le Indoor area: 715 square metres, outdoor 850 sq m Number of fl oors and rooms: One fl oor Contractor: LAADS Contracting LLC Designers: 4SPACE Design Location: DIFC, UAE Challenges overcome Repurposing the restaurant from a workplace required many structural changes and brought with it some MEP complications, as well as workfl ow and space planning challenges. The location of the kitchen and bar had to be reconsidered. Additionally, Neem Tree Lounge & Restaurant is surrounded by imposing skyscrapers in the middle of the busy fi nancial hub of the city, so the façade design had to be unique in its simplicity and create a visual contrast to its surroundings. Unique and key features As mentioned, the façade design is minimal and inspired by the local culture of the UAE. The colourful logo and unique design added a pop of colour to the otherwise neutral palette allowing the restaurant to stand out from the surrounding modern skyscrapers. The Picasso-esque artwork murals on the restaurant walls were created by art consultancy Art Painting Lab. Material & furniture A mix of geometric terrazzo tiles was used to form the various parts of the Neem Tree logo. Hollow bricks were used in the wall cladding, partitions and bar facia. Walnut wood, concrete and plasterwork surfaces are found throughout the interiors. The furniture selected varies between bold wooden chairs and fully upholstered chairs, and bespoke banquets in the centre of the restaurant and the arched bays. Providing a fascinating history and plethora of cultural references to draw on, 4SPACE Design rightly identifi ed the beloved neem tree as continuing to be a central element of the UAE, from ancient to modern. Imposing skyscrapers surround Neem Tree Chairs are bold and wooden commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 14Trending commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 16 Images: WAM Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Library reveals its interiors NEW CHAPTERTrending 17 July 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com HH Sheikh Mohammed inaugurated the libraryTrending commercialinteriordesign.com July 2022 18 D ubai's Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has inaugurated the library and cultural centre named after him. First mooted in 2016, the giant book- shaped building in Al Jaddaf is now offi cially open. The Mohammed bin Rashid Library was designed by a consortium of architects, who took inspiration from traditional lectern called the rehl. The rehl is used to carry books but is more specifi cally used for the Holy Qur'an. The main contractor behind the 54,000 square metre library is Dubai-based ASGC, which was responsible for the structure's civil, MEP, and associated infrastructure works. The library was designed by a consortium of 'asp': Architekten Stuttgart, An auditorium Obermeyer Planen+Beraten Munich, and the ACG Architecture Consulting Group. A $272 million (AED 1 billion) construction contract was awarded and work commenced in September 2016. Announcing its offi cial opening, Dubai Media Offi ce said the building has "adopted the highest standards of sustainability," generating 10% of its energy from solar panels installed on the roof. The external structure is designed to insulate the building's interior, reduce heat gain, and help regulate the building's internal environment. Ceiling windows provide natural lighting, and water is recycled from air conditioners to irrigate green spaces and to reduce water consumption by 50%. Inside, there are nine specialised libraries, including those for young readers and media, plus access to millions of books, information sources and pieces of content from around the world, available both on the shelves and electronically. For those wishing to check it out, entry is free. Visitors must download the MBRL app and register for a slot to visit. The library is open from 9am to 7pm, but will remain closed on Sunday. Millions of books The library's exteriorTrending 19 July 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com Lulie Fisher Design Studio was commissioned by Regent International School in the Greens, Dubai, to convert areas of the school into Primary, Secondary and Early Years Libraries. The libraries are divided into zones and based around the theme of an enchanted, whimsical forest that aims to encourage exploration and to captivate the imagination of students. Sharjah's House of Wisdom is a 'future library' designed by British architectural design and engineering fi rm, Foster & Partners. It features Arabic architecture, interactive facilities, comprises indoor and outdoor reading spaces, and can boast a 105,000-book collection. Alper Aytac’s design for the Golden Horn Library was selected as a 2021 Architizer A+ Awards Jury Winner in the Institutional – Unbuilt category. The Golden Horn Library looks across the waters of the Golden Horn to the Historical Peninsula, overlooking the seven hills of Istanbul, each hill crowned with its own monument. Lulie Fisher's project A concept image of the Golden Horn libraryHouse of Wisdom THREE WELL-READ LIBRARY PROJECTSNext >