< PreviousFirst look / partner content commercialinteriordesign.com September 2022 10 Photo credit: Chris Goldstraw Photography COMPLIMENTING THE ESSENCE MUSTARD&LINEN DESIGNED THE INTERIORS OF ALDAR'S CONTEMPORARY HQ IN ABU DHABI M&L used warm colours and soft tones throughout the offi ce. First look / partner content 11 September 2022commercialinteriordesign.com R eal estate fi rm Aldar Properties' new HQ in Abu Dhabi is a space where employees can work collectively without compromising on personal space. The newly built space is oriented around three principles: Connection, Collaboration, and Community, and has incorporated multiple leisure areas to complement the experience. Commercial Interior Design (CID) sits down with the design fi rm behind the project - Mustard&Linen Interior design (M&L) to learn more about how the collaboration came to be and how they used colours and a 'concrete blocks' layout to help relax employees. CID: What was the initial design brief and how did you work around it? M&L: One of the main objectives of the design brief was to ensure that employees feel comfortable in their work environment. Aldar believes that employees are at their best when they feel good and are appreciated. Hence, a key consideration in designing the space was creating a workplace where people can connect, innovate, work together, and, when needed isolate for independent projects. As a result, various features were introduced to greet employees and stimulate their senses, one of them being a central café where people can unite over healthy offerings and speciality coffee. We've also integrated a grand central atrium where guests can discover how Aldar works. The atrium has views of the vast skylight and fl oating meeting rooms that are spread at the heart of Aldar's workspaces. CID: What is the central design theme of the project? M&L: As a design agency, it was essential for us to extract the essence of Aldar and translate it into a feature space. We emphasised this aspect and showcased how a concrete block can be transformed into living spaces. We defi ned zones for collaboration (informal meeting rooms and working pods). We also created working spaces that are neighbouring these 'blocks', which allowed us to develop semi-privatised working zones surrounded by collaborative areas. Another interesting feature was to utilise the circulation zones effi ciently, so we decided to maximise the corridors and give them dual functionality. The major corridors are not only used to circulate but also serve as an area to focus and work in calm - privately - in custom- made phone booths and pods. CID: Talk us through the design highlights of the new project. M&L: We observed the workspaces of today, listened to Aldar's different requirements, explored various ways of working, and introduced a soft and warm colour palette for employees to feel comfortable. Moreover, our strategy was to create an open space plan to encourage collaboration and interaction. We wanted employees to feel comfortable working from any setting, from lounges to workrooms, high tables, working pods and touchdown areas. We've also defi ned interactive areas throughout the space to Natural light is spread from the central skylight.First look / partner content commercialinteriordesign.com September 2022 12 Collaborative areas throughout the space. Suppliers at a glance LIGHTING CONSULTANTS: Light Touch PLD JOINERY: Seekers Furnishing LLC FIT-OUT CONTRACTORS: Al Tayer Stocks (ATS) PHOTOGRAPHERS: Chris Goldstraw Photography PROJECT MANAGERS: JLL Mena FURNITURE SUPPLIERS: Haworth; The Total Offi ce; H2O Concepts; Trifecta Design FLOORING SUPPLIERS: Ege Carpets; Interface ACOUSTIC SUPPLIERS: The Total Offi ce LIGHTING SUPPLIERS: Acoulite PLANT SUPPLIERS: Cultivate MANUFACTURERS: Ege Carpets; Haworth; Herman Miller; Quinti; Pedrali; Andreu World; Hansgrohe encourage discussions and brainstorming sessions and enhance collaborations. CID: How does the design ensure employee satisfaction and wellness? M&L: Aldar Square strives to provide a pleasant and functional workplace for all employees. The project also targets WELL Building Standard Certifi cation as it looks at enhancing health and wellness. We've introduced a fully functional nursing room for mothers, an indoor kids play area, a gym, a yoga room, and an exciting leisure area on the rooftop. Employees can utilise the space to spend their free time to relax, rejuvenate, and connect with each other. The terrace also contains a paddle and basketball court. CID: How have you incorporated sustainability in the design and during the selection of materials? M&L: The project targets LEED Platinum, the highest grade of certifi cation used for an environmental design. Moreover, we created recycling stations in each department. We've also used low VOC paint materials and added planters throughout the space to connect with nature for better air quality. Additionally, natural light is spread from the central skylight and throughout the façades to increase employees' wellness. At the same time, the façade itself has a second skin that reduces the heat inside the space. Finally, we've also reused the water to irrigate the landscaping area on the rooftop. M&L maximised the corridors and gave them dual functionalityPERFECTION. IN A MATTE FINISH. bradleycorp.com/evero Finally, sleek design without the shine. Introducing the Evero Matte Mason Series quartz material — a new matte finish in a variety of refined colors and basin shapes — to complement any restroom space. Perfectly. Commercial washrooms brought to life. Available in 8 colors | shown in LimestoneCoCCoCovevevever r rr fefefefeataataturururureeee comcomcommmermermereciaciacialinlinlinterterteriorioriordesdesdesignignignn.co.co.commmmSepSepSepStemtemtemeberberberbe20202020222222 141414 WHO'S Meet the projects, people and companies competing in the final round of Commercial Interior Design Awards 2022 Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com September 2022 14CoCooCoveveveveer rrfefefefeeataatatururururureeee 15151515 SepSepSeptemtemtemberberber202020222222comcomcommermermerciaciacialinlinlinterterteriorioriordesdesdesignignigng.co.co.cocommmm A re you ready to celebrate? The venue is booked and we've spent hours going through more than 500 entries in 18 categories of people, projects and companies. This edition showcases the shortlisted projects, people and companies of the Commercial Interior Design Awards. Our judges worked tirelessly to uphold the highest standards that you've come to expect from the awards' nominations process. The standard of entries was excellent and some tough decisions were made. Like the saying goes, the best view comes after the hardest climb and we look forward to seeing you at the 16th annual awards ceremony. Until then, listed in alphabetical order, are the shortlists for #cidawards2022. Cover feature 15 September 2022commercialinteriordesign.com NEXT?Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com September 2022 16 • Palace Beach Resort Fujairah by Kristina Zanic Consultants • Pullman Hotel Downtown Dubai by DZ Design • Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel by Lulie Fisher Design Studio • Rove City Walk by MMAC Design Associates • W Dubai Mina Seyahi (defi ned areas) by BLINK Design Group • Westin Mina Seyahi (defi ned areas) by Stickman Tribe • 25hours Hotel One Central by Woods Bagot • Centara Mirage Beach Resort by JPA Design • DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences by Godwin Austen Johnson • Dubai EDITION by LW Design • Ecos Al Furjan by Bishop Design INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR HOTELS Centara Mirage Beach Resort 25hours Hotel One Central Rove City Walk Westin Mina SeyahiCover feature 17 September 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com • PAPA Dubai by 4SPACE Design • Roaring Rabbit at The Taj Exotica by Hirsch Bedner Associates • Smoke and Mirrors by Bishop Design • SUSHISAMBA by ICrave Design • Beverley Hills Polo Club by Designsmith • Electric Pawn Shop by Accent DG • Koyo Dubai by Broadway Interiors • Leon at The Dubai Edition by LW Design INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR Bars and Clubs SUSHISAMBA Electric Pawn Shop Smoke and Mirrors Beverley Hills Polo ClubCover feature commercialinteriordesign.com September 2022 18 • Milk Bun in Kuwait by Gastronomica • NEEM Tree Lounge by 4SPACE Design • NETTE, Matcha Club by H2R Design • Nisrine in Lebanon by Rabih Geha Architects (RGA) • Nonya, Taj JLT by Keane • SAN Beach by Tristan du Plessis Studio • Talabat Cloud Kitchen at Expo 2020 Dubai by Bluehaus Group • Tr88House – Hive + 88 Terrace by Zomorrodi & Associates • Belcanto by Bishop Design • Bread Head by LXA • Bushra - Buddha-Bar by LW Design • Cafe Beirut by Creative Clinic • Drop Café in Abu Dhabi by Roar • EL&N Cafe London by Nikki Bisiker Interior Design • Fil Boutique and Café by Designsmith • Ice Kream with a K by NAQSH ARCHITECTURE • Kefi Books and Coffee Shop by TK DESIGN STUDIO • Kobe-ya by Nakkash Design Studio INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR Food and Beverage Belcanto Bread Head Fil Boutique and CafeCover feature 19 September 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com • Givaudan by Pinnacle Interiors • Interface Middle East Headquarters by Xworks Interiors LLC • Jade Stone HQ by Nakkash Design Studio • Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Allen Architecture Interiors Design (AAID) • quartz offi ce by quartz architects • Siemens Experience Centre by dwp • Sitecore Middle East Head Offi ce by JPA Design • Supreme Authority of Childhood & Motherhood by Roar • TERRAPAY, Innovation Hub Building 2, DIC by Westbrook Interiors LLC • WOW Project at Aldar HQ by mustard&linen • Wunderman Thompson by Bash Hesnef Interiors Design • 4SPACE Design Offi ce by 4SPACE Design • Accor Headquarters Offi ce in Dubai by Kristina Zanic Consultants • Al Adheed, Dubai Courts by HTS Interiors • Allsopp & Allsopp Group by Horton Interiors • CO55, Square One by Two Emms Design Studio • CrowdOne Offi ce by Motif Interiors • Doris Shipping and Forwarding Offi ce by Olsen and Partners Interiors LLC • du Headquarters by Bluehaus Group • Dubai Municipality Talents Development Center by OP3 Design LLC (OP3 Global) • GHD UAE Workplace Transformation by GHD Global Pty Ltd INTERIOR DESIGN OF THE YEAR Offi ces CO55 Square One WOW Project at Aldar HQ Sitecore Middle East Head Offi ceNext >