< PreviousCOVER FEATURE commercialinteriordesign.com August 2022 30 THROWBACK TO THE 2021 COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS They came, they saw, they won awards Images credit: ITP Media GroupCOVER FEATURE 31 August 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com Ultra modern and bespoke gyms are the new social spaces for urbanites SPECIAL REPORT commercialinteriordesign.com August 2022 32 FUTUREOF FITNESS DESIGNPAGE 34 Q&A with the founder of Z kandar Studio on redefi ning fi tness spaces PAGE 36 Bishop Design takes a holistic approach to self love with Blended Wellness PAGE 38 Exploring the French view of spa design with the Maybourne Riviera by André Fu PAGE 40 Dima Alkawadri from Heriot-Watt University Dubai on the next generation of spa and wellness projects PAGE 42 Inside the oasis of calm that is Think Health Naturopatia in Portugal by Box Arquitectos Photo credit: Michael Kruger SPA & WELLNESS Blended Wellness By Bishop Design 33 August 2022commercialinteriordesign.com Special Report commercialinteriordesign.com August 2022 34 F ounded in 2017, Zkandar Studio is a thought leadership-driven architectural and interior design practice that excels in redefining fitness and wellness spaces, as well as food and beverage concepts, and mixed- use projects under the slogan: 'We design spaces that move you or get you moving.' Speaking of their methodology, the studio's founder, Khaled Iskandar, describes it as multi-dimensional: "We design alongside our clients with their customers at top of mind. We tackle multi-sensory touchpoints, examine psychological behaviours and patterns and infuse our contemporary, modern approach, creating an essence of timelessness in our work." Born and raised in the UAE, Khaled is a multi-disciplinary creative – an architect, artist, and passionate athlete. He practices Jiu-Jitsu and dynamic forms of fitness, which he described as self-developed. He says: "As an athlete, I fight to constantly challenge myself. As an artist, creativity keeps me sane. As an architect, visualising is passion," adding: "I believe the more diverse we are, the richer the creative mind is, and hence what we produce is a reflection of who we truly are." Commercial Interior Design (CID): Tell us about your studio and your chosen specialisation of fi tness? Khaled Iskandar (KI): We are inspired by movement and motivated by experiential design and believe that every space is predefi ned to narrate a timeless story. With Zkandar Studio's own philosophy of being at the forefront of passionately redefi ning fi tness and wellness spaces in the region, we often pose the question: "Who are we to statically defi ne the spaces meant to bring about healthy change, when every person's body and every person's capability is drastically different? Why can't our spaces actively refl ect our actual human experience and adapt as such?" We create concepts that exploit these spaces and functional attributes to adapt to our current way of living and truly encompass multi-sensory experiences in a more fulfi lling and human-centric way. A fi tness space should be able to accommodate the needs of athletes but also the everyday person, who may be intimidated by overly dynamic, traditional spaces full of imposing machines. CID: How has the pandemic shaped your thinking in regards to design? KI: It's undeniable that the recent global pandemic has drastically changed our Fitness spaces that accomodate everyone A concept image of a spin studio Q&A with studio founder and athlete Khaled Iskandar Q&A: HOW ZKANDAR STUDIO IS REDEFINING WELLNESS SPACESSpecial Report 35 August 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com everyday. Ultimately, the global disruption and the analysis that ensued has been a major opportunity for the design industry to explore new concepts and ways of living – calling us to leave behind mediocrity and embrace forward-thinking concepts. The pause had many people re-evaluating their health and wellness rituals as well as identifying underlying sources of stress. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose and focus, the general public is now ready to embrace a reset and entertain mixed- use spaces that address multiple issues and combine unique solutions. With the UAE's own vision of encouraging disruptive thinking, 'on the pulse' local thinkers should feel empowered to birth the most creative solutions. CID: Talk us through your studio's Al Quoz x Nike 'Spin Shoot' concept? KI: An enveloping lush oasis captures your attention and appeals to a universal sense of belonging through nature. Two polarising fi tness and leisure activities are featured within– spinning and shooting. We wanted to encourage dialogue between users and staff to ensure that all types of needs are met whilst also opening opportunities for people to experience something unique within a singular space. Upon entry, a light-fi lled reception area feels fresh and vibrant, a prelude to the rest of the space. Fitness advisors offer a quick consultation within the café and juice bar in the adjacent space, helping to identify specifi c needs and challenges and providing tips to ensure a safe and mindful experience of the space and its full range of activities. Surfaces are composed of white painted brick, raw oxidised metal and polished concrete complemented by the universal design element throughout – fresh, live, green plants and trees – thriving in a sun-washed warehouse space in Dubai's Al Quoz area. Opening beyond the social hub is an unexpected fi tness studio nestled amongst the landscape. The overall space ensures it capitalises on a sunlit atmosphere that promotes positivity and well-being. With studies showing the direct impact that the sun has on the body, we could not ignore the opportunity to work with our client to explore skylights and fenestration within the warehouse space that already exists. CID: Any other Zkandar Studio concepts we should look out for? KI: Celsius, in Zayed Sports City, is Abu Dhabi's fi rst ice bath facility geared towards athlete recovery, as well as promoting the benefi ts of cold-water immersion and encouraging this practice within the community. The design methodology was straightforward, treating the space as a wet area. The concept was to merge the ambient lighting with subtle material choices and biophilia, serving as a grounding element, to narrate the gamut of emotions felt throughout the whole ice bath experience. 1Beat, located in One Central in Dubai International Financial Centre, is a fi tness studio designed to set new standards within the group workout community. The interiors mimic Dubai's trendy lifestyle, drawing inspiration from industrial aesthetics as well as the soaring nightlife. Two studios are equipped with 'dark mode' with custom-designed lighting features that draw attention upwards adding to the euphoric nature of the space. Studio founder Iskandar 1Beat in 'night mode'Special Report commercialinteriordesign.com August 2022 36 C ollective of health, fitness, and beauty Blended Wellness has at its heart founder Dominique Laird. As per its interior designers, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop, she wanted to create a place where people could celebrate themselves; a space built on the foundations of authenticity, belief, love, and support. This vision came after her own battles with body image and mental health. It was therefore a very personal project to her, but also an important responsibility to take on for the wider community. At a time when the discussion about mental health is more important than ever, Blended Wellness was to be a holistic approach to well-being, allowing users to care for their mind, body, and soul, through a unique array of experiences. That's not to say the heart-warming brief segued into a straightforward project. Inherited space Upon commencement in June 2021, it quickly became clear to Bishop Design that the inherited space on the grounds of Dukes The Palm & Oceania Residences in Dubai was going to pose several challenges. It certainly wasn't built for this type of venue. Blended Wellness is a unisex establishment available to anyone who wishes to take this journey and avail of the services that are on offer. As users enter Blended Wellness with the intention to take time for themselves, they find a space that gives way to self-love. This is a new and refreshing approach to wellness, changing the perception of how a spa business should operate. Due to the holistic nature of Blended Wellness, all the areas had their own individual, highly-demanding requirements which had to be combined within the complicated spatial distribution and united into a harmonious place. However, the designers have been able to use the space to our advantage, creating excitement and intrigue as users embark on their journey. In addition to the innovative approach to the layout, the materials worked with played a pivotal part in turning Bishop Design's concept into reality. The place is minimal, pure, and elegant, but with the tension of the roughness. It's thanks to the unity of all these seemingly opposite elements in the project that the design has such cohesion. High end finishes A unique element that stands out at Blended Wellness is the provocative details. From the mannequin style lighting features to the body sculptured wall art, every finite detail has been curated to celebrate ourselves and ignite confidence. This daring approach isn't seen very often in Dubai, notes Bishop Design, and is a prime example of how the project takes wellness in the region one step further, providing people with something they haven't experienced before. Other design details involve a lot of craft required for all the high-end finishings and wall renders, including the rock formation split face wrapping around the entrance . Decorative imprints have been tattooed into the leather of the barber chairs, giving them a very natural yet unique touch and feel. Throughout the venue, a neutral palette and soft blush tones allow the black accents to pop and ensure that the sculptured masterpieces stand at the forefront of the area. Pushing limits In keeping with the overarching themes of love and support, Bishop Design notes that one of the best parts of the project was how the client and the entire team were involved and worked together. They approached the designers with a defined vision and as they have had a long-standing relationship, there was a clear understanding of what direction they A Statement lighting in a treatment roomHere's the salon reception Photo credit: Michael Kruger Designing the super spa PROJECT PROFILE Blended Wellness, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai by Bishop Design by Paul BishopSpecial Report 37 August 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com should go in. Everyone was tuned to the same wavelength and together pushed the limits of what the space gave them, to extract the best possible outcomes. The project called out for a combination of several different areas with distinct services such as hair, beauty, fitness, health, yoga, and F&B, all culminating in the creation of a 'super spa' that opened in June 2022 to offer so much more than just treatments, but opportunities for growth and inspiration. Ultimately, what has been achieved is an effortlessly beautiful environment that offers opportunities for the pampering we all deserve, and the enlightenment we all need right now. A neutral palette is used throughout Check out the wall art Project at a glance Fit-out Contractor: Al Tayer Stocks Project Managers: Broadway Interiors Furniture: The Total Offi ce Flooring: K&K, Arabuild (tile supply) Lighting: Acoulite Bathroom: Sanitary – CIPI & SanipexSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com August 2022 38 S et high on the clifftops of the rocky peninsula of Roquebrune- Cap-Martin, The Maybourne Riviera overlooks the stunning coastline of the French Riviera, while the luxurious rooms reflect the constantly shifting colours and movement of the sea and the sky. Noted interiors architect André Fu was invited to design a fl oor of the hotel to be dedicated to wellness and wellbeing. Fu's commission was to design the signature spa for the hotel to include seven treatment rooms; a beauty and hair salon; specialist consultation rooms; a steam room, and sauna. The spa adjoins a fl oor of guest rooms and suites, also designed by Fu, resulting in a world that is solely dedicated to wellness. Inspired by the meandering coastline and fl uidity of the ocean, Fu has sought to bring a calm tranquillity into his distinctive design. Juxtaposing the shapes and textures of the rocks outside the hotel, Fu has created a contrasting language of curving and sculptured walls. The colour palette of the Spa is predominantly pristine white conveying a sense of purity and cleanliness. Accents of mineral blue and dusty olive green are introduced to refl ect the glistening colour of the sea, counterpointed with solid oak and sleek polished rose gold and lush peach terrazzo to capture the colours of the sunset. Fu has designed the Spa on two levels. Guests arrive through a full height hand- carved textured timber door that opens onto the reception area; an organically- shaped marble wall that features built-in lighting frames the vista, while a tear- shaped stone block forms the reception CASE STUDY: THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA SPA BY ANDRÉ FU Photo credit: Andre Fu Studio – The Maybourne Riviera counter. To the right is a retail boutique, whilst to its left is the entrance that preludes the journey into a calm world of repose and wellness. Via the hair salon, guests will discover walls that are organically shaped, swooping past bespoke oak shelving and cylindrical display towers, guiding them into a large relaxation area that extends into an outdoor terrace that is set against a soaring face of the cliff. Throughout, there is a sense of fl uidity as the journey continues into the steam chamber, hammam and sauna, for guests to enjoy both prior and after their relaxing or reinvigorating treatments. The sense of place is also accentuated with the use of fresh olive trees that adorn the spa. Within the oak-lined treatment rooms, Fu has ensured that all equipment is concealed behind panels, adding to the sense of clean, minimalist lines. Each of Du calme, tout ira bien – the French view of spa design A palette of pristine white Inspired by the oceanSpecial Report 39 August 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com the treatment rooms enjoys a stunning panoramic view of the Riviera coastline and the ocean. The extensive use of solid French limestone within the bathrooms adds a layer of visual luxury to the wellness journey. A curving, winding staircase leads upstairs to the private consultation room. Fu refl ected carefully on his source of inspiration throughout the project. "In bringing elements of The Maybourne Riviera's surrounding environment into the design process, I was able to draw on the location's natural connection to a sense of wellness. As the sea has been correlated with elevated feelings of wellbeing, I frequently emphasised the open water's proximity to the hotel, aspiring to provide visitors with a holistic and immersive wellness experience — thoughtfully integrating luxury, tranquillity, and repose into every design detail." The stone block spa reception André Fu About the designer André Fu Studio is an internationally acclaimed design studio in Hong Kong, founded by André Fu. Fu’s projects range from an original furniture creation for Louis Vuitton’s exclusive Objets Nomades collection, contemporary art galleries in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai for Emmanuel Perrotin, and major hotels and restaurants around the world including Villa La Coste in Provence, The Berkeley London and Hong Kong’s St Regis Hotel; Hotel The Mitsui in Kyoto, and The Upper House Hotel. In 2019, he successfully launched André Fu Living (AFL) with a collection of lifestyle products. In November 2021 Fu opened his fi rst boutique store in Hong Kong, offering his AFL collection.Next >