< Previous20 SPECIAL REPORT OCTOBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com Across the Middle East and North Africa, the design talent is unmatched. The rapidly evolving industry is the pioneer of innovative, luxury design across the hospitality, F&B, retail and offi ce sectors. Here, we reveal the region’s 50 most infl uential designers who have helped to shape the world- renowned reputation of this region’s design industryAli Mohammadioun and Elnaz Taghaddos Co-founders, E plus A Atelier The power pair at the helm of E plus A Atelier, are spearheading a wider movement to redefi ne luxury spaces through cultural heritage. A li Mohammadioun and Elnaz Taghaddos have more than a decade of architecture and interior design experience between them. Together, the pair are a formidable duo, leading a small but strong team of architects and interior designers at E plus A Atelier. This past year has marked major growth for the fi rm, having engaged in a spectrum of projects that epitomize the signature E plus A Atelier art- infused approach to design. Highlights of 2023 This year has been a journey of revelation and reinvention. The pair have revelled in seeing clients experience new spaces that transcend the ordinary, evoking symphonies of emotion. Among these highlights, a transformative landscape project stands out—an exploration that nurtured a client’s passion for nature, resulting in a deeply personal and refreshingly resonant design journey. Growth and Impact Over the past two years, E plus A Atelier has experienced remarkable growth, reinforcing the power of art- infused design. The team has doubled in size, forming a dynamic ensemble of creatives, and the infl uence of Mohammadioun and Taghaddos as industry shapers in the art-forward approach has resulted in increased demand for services. As the fi rm’s expansion continues, so does its impact on the design landscape of the region. tribute to our bold, innovative spirit. The next project from E Plus A is set to redefi ne luxury in interiors, and celebrate Persian heritage by embracing arts and crafts as the foundations of opulence. It will also mark the fi rm’s entry into the Saudi Arabian market, enriching the duo’s design journey with new cultural dimensions, and further expanding their wide and varied client base. 21 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Agata Kurzela Founder, Agata Kurzela Studio Agata Kurzela represents a force of creativity and innovation in the industry. Her distinctive approach has won her commissions from many coveted clients, who look to her to create one- of-a-kind spaces that excel in originality and execution. Her work designing a large offi ce and co-working space for the UAE Government has been a recent highlight, earning the studio coverage across international press and a number of awards platforms. In just the fourth year of business, Kurzela’s studio has swiftly amassed a signifi cant hospitality portfolio, including both hotels and event spaces for home-grown brands and global heavyweights such as Kempinski. Kurzela and her team are now working on three high-end private residences ranging from full-scale architectural projects to renovations. Adriana Graur Design director, dwp Adriana Graur’s role as design director at dwp has not only provided her the seat to steer a forward-thinking team of pioneering designers, but it has also showcased her ability to thrive through the art of innovation. Her peers describe her mentorship as an art form—chiselling budding designers, while simultaneously crafting and delivering awe-inspiring projects, time and time again. Recently, Graur stepped up to take the lead across a number of ambitious ventures including Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the Executive Council Dubai and Ora Headquarters in Dubai, amid others. Her collaborations have breathed life into visionary concepts such as the Buro Happold Offi ces and FTI. Graur was also short-listed for the Designer of the Year award at CID Awards 2023: MENA. Graur’s prowess isn’t limited to the Dubai studio alone; she plays a pivotal role in global design practices at dwp. With a keen emphasis on sustainable design, she actively contributes her expertise to various projects emerging from dwp offi ces worldwide. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 22 POWER 50Ahmed Hussein Founder, Ahmed Hussein Designs Ahmed Hussein is an accomplished Egyptian interior designer and the founder of Ahmed Hussein Designs which he started in 2008. The studio specialises in high-end residential, administrative, and commercial projects, both locally and internationally. With 15 years of professional experience, Hussein’s portfolio boasts an impressive range of notable projects, showcasing his ability to adapt his design approach to different client preferences and project requirements. Since making his mark on the Egyptian scene, he has expanded across the UAE and KSA. Ayman El Nashar Managing director & design director, Belhasa Interiors Managing director and design director at Belhasa Interiors, Ayman El Nashar is responsible for the business development of the company and the design direction of projects. In 2023, El Nashar led a revenue increase of more 200% year-on-year, and has further established Belhasa Interiors as one of the most reliable and innovative interior design studios in Dubai. Key projects this year have included the Arab Authority for Agriculture Investment and Development Headquarters in Silicon Oasis, Qiddiya and Trojena’s staff accomodation in KSA, and penthouses on Palm Jumeirah. Under his leadership, Belhasa Interiors is on track to achieve its highest level of growth since its inception. Arghavan Sheibani Founder, Elements of Architecture As an award winning architect, interior designer, set designer and lecturer, Arghavan Sheibani launched her own professional interior design boutique fi rm Elements of Architecture in 2010 where she works as the founder, creative director and head of design. In 2021, she expanded the fi rm’s new branch in Dubai and has been primarily focusing on commercial projects in the region ever since. The fi rm boasts an impressive portfolio of over 100 multi-discipline projects. 23 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Carla Conte Founder, Brand Creative Since founding Brand Creative in 2011, Carla Conte has delivered design-focussed solutions for international, regional and governmental entities. As creative director, Conte sets new standards in branded environments, excelling particularly across retail, beauty and wellness and leisure. In 2023, marking two decades in the industry, she was responsible for creating seven brands from inception, and revitalising a number of other established entities. Her strategic design methodology is the major force behind the multi award-winning projects she continues to produce globally. Christian Merieau and Anil Mangalat Founding partners, MMAC Design Associates Christian Merieau and Anil Mangalat are the founding partnersofMMAC Design Associates. This year, the dynamic duo led the fi rm to its 10th anniversary and marked its most successful fi nancial year to date. As managing director, Merieau works side by side with design director, Mangalat to successfully design and deliver luxury hospitality projects in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. In the past year, MMAC Design delivered a series of impressive hotel and resort projects across Africa and the Middle East. Notable projects in the region include the successful renovation of the 5-star Rotana hotel in Al Ain, and the creation of the 5-star Laila resort. The pair also successfully completed the 4-star Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala, Uganda. Chris Barnes Founder & owner Broadway Interiors After beginning his career as an apprentice in the United Kingdom almost four decades ago, Chris Barnes is now a veteran among Dubai’s interior design landscape. He’s been at the helm of his fi rm Broadway Interiors for the past 24 years. The year has shown signifi cant growth for Barnes and his fi rm, recording 37% jump in company turnover, and completing 18 projects across various sectors – from F&B to high-end residential. With 22 ongoing projects, 2024 continues to show no signs of slowing down. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 24 POWER 50Clint Nagata Founder & creative partner, BLINK Design Group As founder and creative partner of BLINK Design Group, Nagata’s passion for travel, and hospitality continue to inspire his work. Nagata sets the overall strategic direction for teams in Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai, guiding each project from conception to completion. His legacy is his philosophy of ‘placemaking’, requiring a deep-dive into the culture, design traditions, and life and soul of a destination to inform the design process at every step. In the Middle East, BLINK won wide praise for its interiors for W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, a modern bohemian design inspired by traditional Dhow boats, the romance of travel and the ancient arabic storytelling tradition of Al-Halqa, located in the heart of Al Mina Al Seyahi. BLINK is currently working with prestigious developers including MAF, Damac and PIF, crafting luxury hotels in the region. Clara Voce Creative director, 1747 Clara Voce takes her motto ‘designing around food’ very seriously. A qualifi ed pastry chef, Voce founded and developed her fi rm 1747 Studio with a focus on F&B, and it has certainly paid off. Voce has become the most trusted go-to for chefs and restaurant owners looking to design new outlets or redesign existing spaces. Home-grown success stories include Carnival, Society Room, Tresind and Tresind Studio, with a new concept ‘The Nonnaverse’ kicking off early next year. 25 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Dina Murali Founder & design director, DZ Design The founder and design director of DZ Design and CID award-winner is shaping the style of the wellness sector across the region. A s the founder and design director at DZ Design, Dina Murali is the creative force behind all projects, setting the tone and vision across the fi rm. She designs and oversees all the projects, from the initial planning stages to the fi nal design phase. Murali’s commitment to creativity is not limited to her own work, but also extends to the recruitment and mentorship of new interior designers, nurturing emerging talents – efforts that have earned her position on the CID Power 50 List for 2023. Celebrating the ninth anniversary of DZ Design, Murali has led the fi rm, alongside Zain Belgami, to a signifi cant 15% year-on- year growth, expanding into the hospitality, residential, and wellness sectors. Wellness in focus Over the past year, Murali has established herself as a prominent fi gure in the wellness space, taking our the CID Awards 2023: MENA Design Concept of the Year – Education & Retail award for her work designing Sharjah’s fi rst luxury Ayurvedic Spa. She is also currently developing luxury gyms in Dubai’s premium areas, featuring 10,000sq ft state-of-the-art facilities, opening in early January 2024. Highlights of 2023 In 2023, Murali and the fi rm secured the interior design contract of a 215-key, 4-star business hotel in Riyadh, building on the success of their previous F&B projects for the same client. Additionally, the team is currently fi nalising a luxurious 5-star mountain resort in Azerbaijan, set to open in May 2024, featuring specialty restaurants and a wellness centre. The design of Amaseena restaurant at Ritz Carlton JBR Dubai is yet another key project. The fi rm’s growth to 25 employees, with a transition plan from a boutique to a mid-size fi rm by 2024, marks Murali’s strategic leadership. This includes refurbishing their offfi ce in Dubai Design District, and opening another in Dubai to support expanding projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Africa. The year ahead It has been a year of remarkable achievements for DZ Design, and 2024 promises to be even bigger. As well as the business hotel in Riyadh, Murali will also oversee a number of ongoing hospitality projects in the MENA region and wider Africa. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 26 POWER 50Ellen Søhoel Founder, XBD Collective As the founder of XBD Collective, Søhoel’s creative vision and leadership solidifi ed her place among the region’s most infl uential designers. E llen Søhoel founded XBD Collective, a multi-award-winning interior design and architecture consultancy established in 2015. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Søhoel has amassed extensive expertise in interior design and architecture which has enabled her to expand the business beyond its original residential focus and into a dynamic multi- disciplinary consultancy. It’s also earned her a well- deserved place on the CID Power 50 list for 2023. Since founding the fi rm, Søhoel has not only established herself as a dominant fi gure in the fi eld of interior design but also inspired others as a single parent and female entrepreneur. Her dedication, determination, and inherent ability to attract top-tier collaborators, partners, and talent allowed her to gain the trust of UHNW, hospitality, and commercial clients who eagerly entrusted her with their real estate dreams and aspirations. International expansion With high demand for her exceptional design approach, she continues to pave the way for international growth and expansion. Since founding XBD Collective, Søhoel has also been a valued member of some of the most prominent entrepreneurial organisations such as YPO and EO. Today, she oversees the growth of a talented team of around 95 people spanning three offi ces across Dubai, London, and Kochi, India, who work collaboratively to deliver residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. Highlights of 2023 In 2023, XBD Collective is experiencing an impressive surge in business. The company is on track to achieve year- on-year revenue growth exceeding 30%. This success is underpinned by the delivery of high-profi le residential projects, including the renowned Solar House in Emirates Hills and Riviera on The Palm Jumeirah, further highlighted by record-breaking sales in the secondary market. The fi rm’s distinction as a household name in the residential sector has served as a launchpad for prominent commercial projects. The St. Regis Residences Financial Centre Road launch stands out, achieving an extraordinary AED 1.4 billion in sales within just one hour. XBD is set to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of residential towers, hotel projects, restaurant ventures, and multi- residential developments. Future growth In 2024, Søhoel and her wider management team are preparing to elevate the XBD brand and expand its services to clients in the residential, hospitality, and commercial sectors internationally. The next phase involves consolidating the business by establishing a unifi ed headquarters in Dubai by expanding to new offi ces in the Dubai Design District, designed to accommodate the company’s projected growth. 27 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Govind Shepley Founder & creative director, TwentyOne06 As the founder and creative director at TwentyOne06, Govind Shepley embraces creativity, data-driven precision, and a commitment to innovation in all of his work. With a diverse portfolio spanning multiple creative disciplines and 11 projects under his stewardship in the past year, Shepley boasts an impressive track record and an unwavering commitment to further elevating the design industry across the region. Recently, Shepley and the team have completed the maximalist design of Yvonne’s, a French patisserie nestled in Dubai Hills. The resulting space features a meticulously curated colour palette that conveys warmth, comfort, and elegance, perfectly in tune with the patisserie’s brand ethos - a shining example of Shepley’s talent. Emma Stinson Design principal, FINCH Emma Stinson is the design principal of FINCH, where she oversees the creative process and delivery of projects across the commercial, hospitality, retail and F&B sectors. At the helm of a 21-person team and currently working on projects throughout the region as well as in Europe and East Africa, Stinson is currently responsible for 38 live projects in the capacity of the creative director or lead designer. The award winning designer is fi rmly rooted within the design process, and remains responsible for delivering original concepts for some of the world’s leading brands. The past year has been a transformative year for Stinson and the studio, as she led a rebrand from Studio Em to FINCH, channelling a new era of reinvention and growth Coming back to the studio after completing her maternity leave, Stinson has played a key role in the fi rm’s development, rapid growth and success throughout 2023. Stinson continues to develop successful home grown concepts, such as the award winning Urbn Farm in Riyadh, Bedrock in Pier 7 and ladies athleisure brand L/C. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 28 POWER 50Firas Alsahin Co-founder & design director, 4SPACE Design Firas Alsahin is the co-founder and design director of 4SPACE – a dynamic, multi-award-winning design studio in Dubai. A s the driving force at 4SPACE, Alsahin is engaged with all design processes from conceptualisation to completion. He maintains a hands-on approach that allows him to meticulously manage every phase of the design process, including 3D modelling, design development and site supervision. Driven by a determination to develop original concepts, Alshain’s remarkable output over the past twelve months makes him an unmissable inclusion on the CID Power 50 List for 2023. AI Advocacy Fuelled by his passion and knowledge, Alsahin actively shared insights and experiences related to AI in interior design with his industry peers. He became a vocal advocate for integrating AI-driven solutions into the creative process, emphasizing how this technology could enhance effi ciency, streamline workfl ows, and offer new possibilities for design expression. His willingness to share his expertise and encourage others to embrace AI’s benefi ts garnered Alsahin widespread respect and admiration within the design community. Through workshops, seminars, and collaborative initiatives, he has fostered an environment of learning and open dialogue, empowering his peers to embrace the power of AI in their own design practices. Leadership and infl uence Playing an active role in the wider design industry is a key priority for Alsahin as he actively participates in various events such as INDEX Design Talks, panels, round tables, and discussions. He also serves as a jury member at Ajman University’s Graduation Project Course, where he provides valuable insights and feedback to aspiring designers. Alsahin’s dedication extends further to De Montfort University, where he serves as a jury member for the Sheikh Ahmed Square design show. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in evaluating and celebrating the work of talented students, offering constructive critique and encouragement to inspire their growth. He fi rmly believes that by fostering talent and providing mentorship opportunities, they contribute to the growth and excellence of the design industry as a whole. CID Interior Designer of the Year Alsahin was awarded the coveted title of “Designer of the Year.” Alsahin, known for his unconventional design philosophy, is dedicated to embracing challenges. His philosophy has yielded astonishing results, as exemplifi ed by iconic projects such as Papa Dubai and AYA Universe. His projects Whites and Juns were also recognised on the night. These triumphs at the CID Awards: MENA 2023 underscore 4SPACE Design’s unrelenting commitment to pushing the boundaries of commercial interior design. Looking ahead, 4SPACE Design is poised to explore fresh opportunities and continue setting new standards in the dynamic realm of design. 29 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Next >