< PreviousNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 20 A Q&A with trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort LOOK TO THE FUTURE A s one of the worlds most renowned trend forecasters, Lidewij Edelkoorthas worked in industries from design and fashion tofood,architecture, beauty, communication, and retail for almost fi ve decades. In fact, Edelkort helped pave the trend forecasting career pathway. Founded in 1986, her companyTrend Unionproduces trend tools for strategists, designersand marketers across the globe. Here, she speaks exclusively with CID about the emerging design trends across the Middle East, and what’s shaping commercial spaces. What excites you most about the design industry in the Middle East and how does it differ from European design hubs? Since the Middle Eastern design discipline is being developed under our eyes, we assist at a movement of birth and beauty, where roots are recovered, and traditions rekindled mixed with modern life’s recipes for wellbeing. More elaborate and inlaid materials as well as curvaceous forms will bring a more opulent tendency for interiors with the great return of textiles in upholstery, tapestry and rugs. In fact, this region will profi t more of future trends than any other one, since fantasy is in the DNA of the people. At the same time, we see enormous hospitality projects mushrooming the area, often with too much likeness and sameness, victim of the rapid growth processes. Luxury hospitality TREND FORECASTING21 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 TREND FORECASTING “AI is a threat to humanity, as every designer and inventor keeps warning us. They are literally beginng governments to stop its growth” fi re and quake proof, which is a big agenda. As we also already observe many design trends handle issues of sustainability and recycling. But this is largely not enough. A new movement for design that lasts and lives with us for the long run will come to the fore, using noble matter and proven shapes. As a second way to be modern again. And we will surely use what I call Another Intelligence to mimicry materials and function from other living beings, be it animals, insects, or plants. What might 2024 and beyond have instore for interior design? It is hard to make the new trends concrete and the materials talk, since there is an enormous variety of fi nishes and variations. Not one surface will be left alone, no fl atness, just tactility and movement which gives even modest materials a lot of appeal. Materials will be carved, hammered, crumpled, lacquered, oxidised and inlaid, just like ancient oriental products used to be. Therefore, shapes will be unruly and sculptural, one of a kind and amazing. Colours will be tinted neutrals, rusted metals, terra cotta stone wear, abstract colours and bizarre brighter tints. Mosaics will dominate the ceramic sector and corresponds to a Middle Eastern allure. As outsider trend we see young designers manipulate cardboard and papier mâché for lightweight playful items, as if the child in us is steering our intuition. We will assist to a period of more fantasy and materiality which will give more value to design. Lidewij Edelkort is one of the key speakers of The Forum’s 2023 programme at Downtown Design. will be demanding more integrity and style, less bling in the future. Originality as in origin will be a key. How do you see design developments of the Middle East infl uencing other parts of the globe? For the moment these productions are designed for the region using often bland citations of other major developments in the US or Asia. In my view they are not singular enough to travel elsewhere or let us travel to you. It is important to know that in order to be an international brand one needs to be very local. A deep brainstorm with designers and architects born or located in these ancient desert countries needs to be organised to give shape to a more indigenous culture of Bedouin origin. The recent Biennale of Architecture in Venice has shown how African architecture is born from and faithful to African origins, the same will become true for many regions. Global goods will lose out in the end. How is the Covid pandemic continuing to shape the world of design and lifestyle? The shift is enormous and therefore I call this the Great Disruption. Virtually everything has changed with a focus on less and more fl exible work, more creative activities and taking care of mental health. People are leaving the big cities in favour of smaller cities and countryside. Holidays are retreats, hotels become almost clinics, providing care and health food and meditation classes. Small and short city holidays of a day or two help people escape and fall in love again, while young families make active trips with hiking, biking, safari and surf. Offi ces are becoming empty in major big cities and will become green areas, including city bio farming. Where malls used to thrive parks will take over to bring nature on people’s doorstep. How do you see tech informing design in the coming years? AI is a threat to humanity, as all the designers and inventors of the system keep warning us, literally begging governments to block its growth. Since it is a self-learning being, we can consider that humans didn’t invite aliens to earth but invented them. Many people are using and will use of course its rapid intelligence for design and architecture, calculating and solving problems in seconds. In many cases the expressions will be slick and futuristic, sometimes robotic so this will infl uence the world of design for a while. Creating an alien aesthetic. But when we start massively losing billions of jobs within the next two decades, we will have to face a society without work and therefore without purpose. Babies will be born without the possibility of expressing themselves through career choices and will have to be educated in a totally new system. Realising self-development will be the biggest challenge for all people. Nobody is yet aware or even afraid, but if we don’t act soon, we will be faced with a traumatic environment. It would be better to start new ways of learning and simply being as of now. Craft will then become the focus of a new society I call the Age of the Amateur. As climate change and environmental concerns become a more pressing matter, how will these issues inform design trends? Well buildings will have to be fl ood, COLOUR TRENDS Here are the key colours set to shake up the coming new year according to the experts 2024 IN COLOUR APRICOT CRUSH The World Global Style Network made its call early, collaborating with Coloro to declare the high-energy hue of Apricot the colour of 2024. “It’s a very energetic colour,” notes Adib. “It gives energy and wakes a person up, so it’s ideal for kitchen and breakfast areas.” Colour psychology typically associates orange shades with cheerfulness, creativity and warmth – just what the world needs in 2024. Expect to see this shade indoors and outdoors, across textiles, glassware and coating the walls of creative hubs. Interior Design by YSG Studio, Editorial Styling by Felicity Ng Photography by Prue Ruscoe M ove over monochrome, colour is making a comeback in a big, bold way. According to the leading paint experts we can expect to see regal blues, earthy tones and vibrant bursts of fruity hues colouring the interior world. “Colours are the most effective decoration element for a space, they affect the way we feel and the way we work. By the use of the right tone and colour, the mood of the space and those who are using it can be accentuated,” says Mohammed Adib, chief design offi cer at Dewan Architects and founder of Intercon. Here, we explore the palette of 2024 according to the makers. 23 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 JOTUN’S CANVAS PALETTE As one of the world’s leading paint and coatings manufacturers, Jotun has released an entire palette for the year ahead, aptly named ‘Canvas’. “A blank canvas that you paint with colours you love, relate to, and connect to. The colours are handpicked and curated to help designers get inspired and have an easy guide to the best colours this year. From fresh greens with a hint of yellow, to the classics and beiges and a strong blue,” says Rana Khadra, Colour and Creative Manager Middle East, India, and Africa. “We prefer not to dictate only on trend or a colour of the year because we understand that colour is quite personal, and people have different needs.” A whole lot of research with insights from all over the world are used to determine the selections. “We are a colour and creative team with a representative from each of the regions globally. We research trends globally and regionally, fashion, interior, and innovations,” explains Khadra. “We visit exhibitions, fairs, and galleries. Most importantly, we create our own trends by studying human behaviour, understanding what humans are going through every year.” True Blue, Earthy Yellow and Indi Pink are just a few of the new shades. There are 24 colours named in total, with 10 newly released picks. “In popularity, I believe Mexico and Pistachio will defi nitely be a hit as commercial colours this year,” says Khadra. Ceiling and wall in Subtle Green, back wall in Pistachio, trim in Mindful Green Wall in Rock Sugar, shelf in Soothing Beige Back wall in Earthy Yellow, front wall in Antwerp BeigeNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 24 COLOUR TRENDS “With the use of the right tone and colour, the mood of the space and those who are using it can be accentuated” ~ Mohammed Adib BLUE NOVA An intriguing blend of blue and violet that sparks adventure, and expands horizons – that’s how paint brand Benjamin Moore describes its chosen hue for 2024, Blue Nova. “It’s an alluring mid-tone that balances depth and intrigue with classic appeal and reassurance,” said Andrea Magno, Colour Marketing and Development Director at Benjamin Moore. With a nod to the night sky, the space- inspired shade evokes feelings of calm, while also commanding an element of seriousness and depth. “It’s a very pleasant colour to help concentrate, and would be ideal for the offi ce or for an online meeting booth,” Adib says of Blue Nova. Topaz, Honeybee and Teacup Rose were also named in the Benjamin Moore palette, alluding to the art of contrast. “Juxtaposing light against dark, warm and cool, showcasing complementary and contrasting colour pairings - these contrasts invite us to break away from the ordinary to explore new places and collect color memories that shape the hues we use,” says Magno.WWW.SANIPEXGROUP.COM YLICCOOCOCOCCCCLLLLECECCTITIONNONOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 26 TREND FOCUS Reform Athletica by TR Studio27 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 TREND FOCUS DEFINING ‘RESIMMERCIAL’ DESIGN What’s driving the growing infl uence of residential interior design on commercial spaces? L uxury hotels and resorts have always been a source of inspiration for homemakers and renovators seeking to bring a sense of opulence into their home, but the lines between residential design and commercial interior design have become more blurred than ever. “The traditional boundaries that delineate personal and public spaces have become increasingly blurred. As architects and designers, we’ve witnessed a remarkable shift in the way people engage with their surroundings,” says Marc Roca Bravo, Managing Partner at XBD Collective. The result? The rise of ‘resimmercial’ design, according to a new trend report from Cosentino informed by an IPSOS survey, one of the largest market research companies in the world. “In today’s world, people expect a different experience when they visit commercial spaces. They seek comfort and a feeling of being in their own comfort zone. It’s is driven by the desire to create spaces that refl ect individual personality while providing a cozy and welcoming atmosphere,” says Leali Ezzat, founder and design director at ELE Interior. While hotel-inspired home design isn’t uncommon, it now goes both ways as residential design commands a growing infl uence on the commercial design scene. Mihir Sanganee, design director at Designsmith, says it’s a movement he’s observed through his own client briefs. “The desire for softer, cosier spaces is universal. It’s not limited to erasing the hard, corporate atmosphere but is also about adding a touch of luxury. This blurring of lines allows people to express themselves even when working in a separate professional environment,” he says. Driving the trend “Post-COVID, it’s become crucial to provide a conducive and welcoming workspace, and places like Dubai have been quick to adapt to this approach. A good working environment is no longer solely about conventional The Bureau by Designsmith29 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 TREND FOCUS aesthetics but also about promoting collaboration and comfort,” Sanganee explains. “Take our design for the coworking space, the Bureau. It has a pastel colour palette, lush indoor greenery, subtly tinted glass partitions, and various other elements that break free from the conventional, cookie-cutter offi ce aesthetics,” he adds. The Designsmith studio itself in Dubai’s Al Quoz is another exemplar. “We have embraced this trend of combining the comforts of home with the functionality of commercial spaces,” says Sanganee. Offi ce design is just one of many commercial sectors being infl uenced by the ‘resimmercial’ trend. “This shift in focus is a response to changing lifestyles, where the design of commercial spaces, like restaurants, plays a vital role in enhancing the overall experience and encouraging repeat visits,” says Ezzat,. Feels like home “Commercial spaces can achieving a more home-like atmosphere through design features, such as appropriate lighting, exquisite decorations, and luxurious furniture, creating a sense of luxury and comfort,” Ezzat says. “It is crucial to avoid stark, white lighting and cold materials. Instead, use earthy colors, textures, and materials such as fabric, linen, and velvet. These elements evoke a sense of comfort and coziness,” she adds. “Colour choices are also essential, with bright colors creating a lively atmosphere and earthy tones, creams, sandy colors, brownish shades, and beige contributing to a warm, cozy environment.” In the offi ce, furniture choices and colour palettes also play a large role as well as the incorporation of art and biophilic elements like plants and sustainable textures – but it’s the communal areas that are proving to have the biggest impact. “Features like elaborate bookshelves, tailored reading material, walk-in pantries, and mini coffee shop and bar lounges are designed to bring people together, much like you would gather around the house,” explains Sanganee, emphasising the importance of the smaller details. “It’s similar to how food unites people. Even something as simple as choosing curtains over blinds, such as sheer curtains for senior management offi ces, can contribute to this warm ambiance.” The suite life According to the report from Cosentino, 48% of designers were drawn to the idea of incorporating high-end kitchen spaces within the design of a hotel suite. “At the end of the day, the goal is to create a more inviting and warm atmosphere that reminds one of home,” says Sanganee. “Hotel suites are moving away from minimalistic, monotonous designs. There’s a play of colours, vibrancy, and innovative lighting. Bulky furniture is being replaced by softer textures, materials, and the reintroduction of plush rugs.” XBD Collective’s Marc Roca Bravo says offi ce spaces are also becoming an important part of the hotel room. “The introduction of home offi ce setups within these suites, melds work and leisure, aligning with the ever-evolving dynamics of contemporary hospitality design.” Dining out to dine in “This trend translates distinctly in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, where each restaurant or cafe typically has its own theme and identity,” says Ezzat. “The theme signifi cantly infl uences the design of the space, and this theme is crucial in making F&B spaces feel homely. In cafes and restaurants today, the focus remains on providing a pleasant and comfortable experience,” she adds. While lighting, colours and textures all contribute to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere akin to the home, the biggest change is in furniture and fl oorplans. According to the report, 67% of designers were drawn to the idea of incorporating luxurious lounge areas and nooks into their commercial design projects. “There’s a shift away from crowded furniture arrangements, favouring larger chairs or more luxurious furniture to give customers the space to savour their time and enjoy their meals without feeling cramped,” says Ezzat. The newly-opened restaurant Atrangi by Chef Ritu Dalmia, designed by Designsmith, captures the sentiment well. “The layout, views, and even the fl ooring contribute to an experience that’s closer to dining on a patio at home. The aim is not to replicate a formal table seating but to evoke the cosy, familial warmth which complements of the chef’s style,” explains Sanganee. Atrangi by Ritu DalmiaNext >