< PreviousNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 10 IN THE STUDIO WITH W oods Bagot is a global architecture studio with more than 17 offi ces across the globe. The fi rm’s Dubai outpost has a track record of delivering high-end projects, including the recently opened SO/ Uptown Dubai in collaboration with Capsule Arts. Here, we sit down with interior designers Aleksandra Nastic and Mina Ghaffarzadeh to learn more about the studio. Tell us about where your studio is located, and what the area is like… Aleksandra Nastic (AN): Woods Bagot Dubai Studio is in One Central, located in the heart of Dubai’s central business district. It’s close to the Dubai Museum of Future and 25hours Hotel, which was proudly designed by our studio. Having 25 Hours Dubai as a neighbour means that we’ve been able to make the hotel a place to meet our clients or friends – I call it my second home. Mina Ghaffarzadeh (MG): One Central is such vibrant district, full of a convenient selection of retail, F&B spaces, event spaces and hotels – Aleksandra’s already mentioned how great it is to showcase our design in person with a short stroll to 25 Hours Hotel. Describe your studio to us… MG: We designed our studio environment to align with our global studio’s vision: prioritising connectivity, fl exibility, and collaboration. It accommodates various working styles, promoting both teamwork and focus. Inspired by our local surroundings, the vibrant colours and earthy tones pair with ample natural light and greenery to foster a sense of well-being. Overall, the design delivers a dynamic and engaging workplace that’s a pleasure to be in. What is your favourite corner, nook, desk or meeting area in the studio? AN: Our studio environment is created the way that people do not have their own desk but rather have fl exibility to choose their spot, encouraging adaptable work style. Our pantry area is always lively and great place to catch up with other creative minds. Usually, people come up with their best ideas over the coffee or a glass of freshly prepared infusion water. MG: My favourite spot is the pantry, which serves as the central hub IN THE STUDIO WITH... Aleksandra Nastic and Mina Ghaffarzadeh from Woods Bagot Dubai11 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 IN THE STUDIO WITH for our offi ce activities. The space seamlessly merges with the reception, enhancing the arrival experience by creating a welcoming atmosphere – you’re likely to catch us having our supplier meetings at the bar table here. The pantry is connected to the main studio space and is designed to facilitate both individual and group work. Many colleagues choose to work here because of its café-like atmosphere, which provides a comfortable yet productive environment that’s still connected to the main studio space. Talk us through a typical day… MG: We have the fl exibility to work in the studio or from home, but in both cases my day starts at 6am with exercise, meditation and planning for the day. On the days that we are working from the studio we book our desks in advance with the project team. The fi rst couple of hours of the day are spent on catching up on the project, internal meetings and setting up the plans and goals for the days to come. I then have few hours of focused working time and further meetings during the afternoon. Tell us about the rest of the Woods Bagot team... AN: There is great energy in our studio and people are happy to come into our freshly designed space. Personally, I like the fact that we are surrounded with other creative minds from different parts of world. This mix creates a stimulating work environment where everyone has something great to share. MG: Our studio buzzes with vibrant energy, as colleagues working on the same project often book adjacent desks there’s a constant fl ow of collaboration. Teams utilise the multi- function room, collaboration areas, pantry, and material library, where they workshop ideas, have design reviews or prepare materials boards. With a variety of food options in One Central, teams often organise lunch together or gather in the pantry area during lunchtime. Where do you fi nd new inspiration? MG: I fi nd new inspiration by exploring different forms of creativity and various art mediums, music, painting, fi lms, poetry, etc. drawing ideas from the vast world of artistic expression. And if I feel strongly connected to any creative work I try to imagine, learn or discover the creative and thought process of how the artists moved from the ‘feeling’ or ‘idea’ to the physical manifestation of that idea. Can you share the must-have bookmarks on your web browser? AN: 1stDibs, Artsy and Cabana Magazine (I am a big fan of tableware). What is the last thing you do before you leave the offi ce each day? AN: Make sure I do not forget my laptop and Ipad. MG: Review my list of the day, check my emails see if there is anything that needs to be prioritised, and I usually make a quick list of reminders for myself to prepare for the next day.DOWNTOWN DESIGN 2023Everything you need to know ahead of the milestone edition of the region's leading contemporary design fair 20 An interview with Lidewij Edelkoort, global trend forecaster and headline speaker at The Forum A carefully curated guide to all the exhibitors you need to see at Downtown Design Work from FEMM Amsterdam will be on show as part of an exhibition from Dutch Design Collective Get to know D3 as Downtown Design director Mette Degn-Christensen shares her favouirte places 1614NOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 14 DESIGNER’S GUIDE As the director of Downtown Design, few people know Dubai’s premier design district as well as Mette Degn-Christensen. Here, she shares her favourite spots to eat, shop and explore A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO D3 Colab materials library15 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 DESIGNER’S GUIDE D ubai Design District is the heart of the city’s design scene and home to the region’s top creatives – it’s also the workplace of Mette Degn-Christensen who is the director of Downtown Design and the former director of Dubai Design Week at Art Dubai Group (ADG). “D3 is a community hub and a lot of those who work there or visit the district are either in the creative scene or enthusiastic, even just curious, about design and creativity, so there are a lot of like-minded and friendly people,” she says. Before joining ADG, Degn-Christensen spent 10 years based between Paris and London, honing her skills in the design, architecture, and interiors – so it’s safe to assume she’s got great taste. Here, she shares her guide to Dubai Design District. EXPLORE “Working in the creative industries, it is great to have showrooms, designer studios, and offi ces at your doorstep, all open to collaboration and interaction – and it is quite neat to be so close to your peers (and walking distance to most of your meetings), in a pedestrian area with great food options and free parking,” Degn- Christensen says about D3. “Colab is great space to discover material innovation, and the team there is very passionate about sustainability, and responsible design.” Living Divani is next on the list. “They have beautiful pieces there and a great selection of aesthetic design objects.” EAT One Life is a popular lunch spot. “Awesome people, lovely recipes, and fresh products,” Degn-Christensen remarks. “My go-to are the salads off the counter when they have my favourite salads - Sara’s Salad (kale and mango), the artichoke and green apple salad, and the royal potato salad,” she says. “That said, their cheeseburgers and hand cut fries are amazing. “ “I just love the ramen at YUi” she says. “I always have the Shio Paitan Raman with an egg, and even when I’m at home and fancy comfort food, that is what I order on Deliveroo. The grilled gyoza’s are amazing too.” For Scandinavian pastries to make the Dane feel a little at home, it’s Bageri Form. “It was Aljoud Lootah and her great team who fi rst introduced me to it. Being Scandinavian, I am very loyal to a good, simple cardamom bun, but they do have lots of fun options.” SHOP For shopping, FRAME is a favourite. “It’s great for sneakers, t-shirts and Comme des Garçons, alongside the best [Danish] coffee called La Cabra,” says Degn-Christensen. The Lighthouse is worth a visit for dining in, or a spot of shopping. “It’s a great destination for lunch, but I also love going there to shop for objects or design items; their selection is great for gifts, homewares, accessories and fun quirky objects.” Recently opened concept store SVD has impressed. “It has a great selection of trainers, Birkenstocks (fi nally), and ready-to-wear pieces.” “Another a gorgeous space with beautiful products is Hessa Falasi,” Degn-Christensen says. FRAMENOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 16 DESIGNER’S GUIDE A curated selection of exhibitors to see at the 10th annual edition of Downtown Design at the D3 Waterfront Terrace AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN DESIGN UAE DESIGNER EXHIBITION 4.0 Curated by Fatmah Al Mahmoud this year under the theme of ‘For Future Living Spaces’, more than 30 UAE- based designers will showcase their products using environmentally responsible resources. LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS 1971 - DESIGN SPACE Sharjah based 1971 Design Space will be working with architectural designer Neda Salmanpour to create a modular lighting installation using sand materiality. MODU METHOD Omar al Gurg is back at Downtown Design for his second year as a solo exhibitor with his brand MODU, following his debut at the UAE Designer Exhibition in 2021. BINCHY & BINCHY Collaborating with Innofab45 for this year’s fair to stage a pop-up, architecture and design studio Binchy & Binch will be showcasing 3D printed innovations. TANWEEN BY TASHKEEL The annual Tanween programme by Tashkeel will be presenting four limited edition pieces by their UAE-based designer cohort, and are also celebrating their 10-year anniversary this year. Deisgners include Wafa Al Falahi, Marwa Abdul Rahim, Maryam ElAttar and Mohammed ElNaggar.17 DESIGNER’S GUIDE commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 FROM AROUND THE WORLD EDWARD LINACRE STUDIO (AUSTRALIA) Australian industrial designer, Edward Linacre, will display his luminous creations which were created using sustainably sourced materials that maximises energy, inspired by geometric patterns - notably the ‘Sun’ and the ‘Moon’. ALEEYA. DESIGN STUDIO X A* ALITTLEMORE STUDIO (PAKISTAN) Architect Aleeya Khan founded this Karachi-based studio to create minimal, modern, and sustainable. AKAR DE NISSIM (SINGAPORE) A Singapore-based manufacturer that will be showcasing their high-end, handmade furniture for the fi rst time in the region. BEIT COLLECTIVE (LEBANON) A collaboration between Lebanese artisans and international designers, with an aim to preserve age-old craftsmanship and merge with modern aesthetics. DON TANANI (EGYPT) A high-end furniture brand founded by Alia and Tamara El Tanani to combine traditional Egyptian craftsmanship with modern design techniques. by two sisters, fi rst came to Downtown Design in 2019 and will be returning this year. DUTCH COLLECTIVE (THE NETHERLANDS) Curated by Margriet Vollenberg, this collective will showcase a group of Dutch design talents, such as Milla Novo, Atelier Ruben van Megen, Studio Kalff, Timothy van Oorschot, and FEMM Amsterdam.NOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 18 DESIGNER’S GUIDE CASA MILANO Bringing a large-scale showcase of their premium brands and products, Casa Milano will unveil six bathroom concepts by leading UAE-based design studios, as part of the ‘Talking Walls’ challenge. MUST-SEE EXHIBITS DEDAR This family-run Italian fabric brand is teaming up with with furniture house Popus Editions, and Parisian rug experts Edition 1.6.9, for a collaborative showcase. FAME COLLECTIVE Showing works from Carla Baz, sisters Nour and Maysa Saccal from Saccal Design Studio, Naqsh Collective and Talin Hazbar, FAME continues to support female artists. ISTITUTO MARANGONI DUBAI This exhibition by Prisma Project, an alumni collective from Istituto Marangoni, will be directed by Architect Giulio Capellini in collaboration with Mirage. HUDA LIGHTING One of the region’s biggest lighting suppliers, Hude Lighting will showcase an immersive lighting section in the fair, with leading lighting brands such as Bomma, Italamp, Lodes, Masiero, Panzeri, Penta Light, and Slamp. Lodes will also present a collaboration with Diesel Living.19 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 PARTNER CONTENT The headline installation at Downtown Design 2023 is an illuminating collaboration between Light and Lives and Ultra Arte. SHINING BRIGHT S howcasing at Downtown Design, the Middle East’s leading fair for contemporary and quality design, the headline installation, “Light Gazing” is a creative collaboration between Light and Lives and Ultra Arte that is set to make a grand entry. With the intent to refl ect on the fl exible relationship between design and nature, the sculpture prompts the visitor to observe the play of sunlight against artifi cial illumination on the same element. Colour and light Colourful boldness is the absolute protagonist; the transparency of the material allows for hues to mix, overlap and create coloured shadows on the contiguous surfaces. The installation is modular and interacts with the entrance path to Downtown Design, allowing for different approaches and vantage points. While sunshine lights the materials during the day, the installation features in built illumination to be used in the evening hours - setting stage to a completely different experience for the visitor. Sustainable edge Beyond its artistic signifi cance, “Light Gazing” embodies a profound commitment to sustainability. The choice of sustainable recycled acrylic underscores Light & Lives’ dedication to eco-conscious practices. After the event, the entire structure will be auctioned off, further promoting the concept of reuse and reducing waste, with proceeds going towards a charitable cause. Additionally, the carbon footprint of the installation has been meticulously calculated, therewith actively contributing to environmental initiatives to mitigate this impact. This dedication creates a positive ripple effect, not only within the local community but on a global scale, demonstrating the power of conscious design in making a difference. About Light and Lives Light and Lives was established to create a positive impact on everyday life by enhancing wellbeing and helping people to love the space they’re in. As a leading supplier of design-forward lighting, furniture, textiles and décor, the brand has an expert team of designers who can simulate any space and accurately specify the most effi cient solution by following a technical and systematic approach, ensuring each space is addressed as a whole. No stone is left unturned to get the best possible results. The company has grown to become an award-winning design house with 23 staff members and more than 300 projects completed in Dubai and abroad. With a reputation built on a commitment to creating exceptional lighting designs, the work of Light and Lives has been acknowledged by the industry and by esteemed organizations like the coveted Light Middle East, Design Middle East etc. to name a few. With their extensive expertise and award-winning track record, Light and Lives believes in being a part of the design story; being a part of the experience met by the end user. With stellar F&B and other commercial projects in the pipeline with some of the best design power houses in the market, the team is always looking out for unconventional challenges. Visit lightandlives.comNext >