< PreviousRakan Jandali Design principal, KCA International Rakan Jandali is the Design Principal at KCA International, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the creative and design vision for a diverse portfolio of projects. With a rich background spanning 16 years at KCA, Jandali’s expertise extend across luxury and hospitality ventures, upscale branded residences, public realm developments, and prestigious Grand Mosque designs. In his capacity as design principal, he not only oversees the quality of design output but also spearheads innovative approaches to expand the organisation’s offerings across the GCC, Africa, and Asia. Paul Bishop Owner & founder, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop Paul Bishop stands as one of the longest-serving interior designers in the region. He founded his eponymous design studio in 2004 and has since transformed the self-funded Dubai- based agency into an internationally recognised design fi rm. Bishop is the mastermind behind several industry- defi ning F&B destinations within the demographic, including Maiz for Al Khozama Hospitality (chaired by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister). Other noteworthy brands include Sevens Holding, Atlantis Resorts, Advanced Tastes Holding Group and Sunset Hospitality. Earlier this year, Bishop earned the Interior Designer of the Year title at the inaugural CID Awards Saudi, marking his eighth award in the past fi ve years. Over the past 12 months, he has led his team to deliver over ten venues, with several more scheduled for completion by year’s end, and a dozen projects currently in active construction. For 2024, Paul’s primary objective is to continue elevating the profi le of the Middle East on the global design stage. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 40 POWER 50Rachel Kidd, Pooja Shah Mulani and Andrew Harms Partners & design directors, LW Group This power-trio are the partners and design directors at LW Group and share a collective dedication to pushing boundaries, embracing diverse cultural infl uences, and upholding a steadfast commitment to design excellence. The past year has been an incredible success, with the completion of several award-winning projects, including the transformation of Bab Al Shams, the fi rst Rare Finds Desert Resort & Spa, Waldorf Astoria in Kuwait, and Vida Dubai Marina. Fine dining destinations such as Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Chic Nonna and Row On 45 are also on their list of accomplishments, as they work towards completion of One Za’abeel, including the fi rst SIRO hotel. Rasha Al-Takreeti Co-founder & creative director, Warû Rasha Al-Tekreeti is an Iraqi interior architect and the co-founder and creative director of Warû, an interior architecture and strategic design agency specialising in crafting nomadic spaces. As a design enthusiast, Al-Tekreeti not only leads the company, she also actively engages in every project, ensuring each client experiences the pinnacle of design excellence. Her foray into hospitality and workplace design consultancy has garnered a portfolio spanning prestigious names in large-scale hospitality projects, with brands such as Westin, Hyatt, and Fairmont amongst other corporate fi rms, including projects for Siemens Energy, and F5 Networks in offi ce design spaces. In 2024, Al-Tekreeti has plans to expand her team and to champion Warû’s mission of reshaping the design industry towards a more purpose- centric future. Deeply committed to making a positive impact on society, she is an active volunteer at SURGE, a non-profi t organization registered in the UAE that addresses the critical issue of global water scarcity. 41 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Rock Galpin Founder, Rock Galpin Studio Rock Galpin is the founder of Rock Galpin Studio, a London-originated studio that has relocated to Dubai. The studio specialises in design, from developing product and furniture designs for international furniture brands to interior and architectural design projects and private commissions and supply of product collections, produced in UAE. Galpin has 33 years of industry experience under his belt, and has spend 26 years teaching the next generation of designer leaders. He is currently teaching interior and furniture design Shazad Azam Founder, COO & head of design, International Design Associates With over 25 years of interior design and architecture expertise, Shazad Azam has established himself as an international design leader. His portfolio includes the design of hotels, residential, workplace, retail, and master-planning in different countries. Azam launched International Design Associates in Bahrain in 2013, beginning with a humble team of three. He’s since led the fi rm through rapid growth and, after a decade, IDA has grown into a global hospitality company with infl uence across Bahrain, Pakistan, and Thailand. The company’s footprint continues to expand, with plans for more offi ces in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He provides creative direction to all IDA Global studios and oversees the entire process from conceptualisation to execution. Shahad Obaisi Design manager, Four Solutions Company As the design manager at Four Solutions Company, Shahad Obaisi is deeply immersed in all project stages starting from the presales, moving on to conceptual and detailed design, project planning, and ending with execution. In the past year, Shahad Obaisi was nominated for three awards at CID Awards 2023: Saudi. She has designed more than 20 projects and has built a solid reputation for delivering high-end and top- quality offi ce solutions across a range of industries, with projects such as the HP KSA offi ce fi t-out, DMS (Digital mobility solutions) offi ce fi t-out, the Four Solutions offi ce and Female Lounge. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 42 POWER 50Soren Kraen Executive director & owner, Xworks Interiors UAE-based Xworks Interiors has gone from strength to strength in the past twelve months, led by founder and executive director Soren Kraen. T he fi rm was recognized for its growth and industry impact as a recipient of the Highly Commended award for Interior Fit-Out Firm of the Year – Small Scale in the CID Awards 2023: MENA, and Kraen’s team credits his ability to push the boundaries of design to deliver innovative and creative solutions to commercial spaces. Kraen’s professional journey began in the logistics sector, where he honed his skills before venturing into entrepreneurship and design. Leveraging his expertise acquired from a renowned interior design fi rm, he established his own highly successful enterprise. His success and dedication to championing more sustainable design, has earned his place on the CID Power 50 List for 2023. Championing sustainability This year, the fi rm obtained LEED Gold Certifi cation for its newly constructed Abu Dhabi offi ce. The company is now working towards achieving ISO certifi cation and Zero Carbon policy implementation, an initiative led by Kraen. Leading the way Kraen is the key leadership fi gure responsible for the overall management, direction, and success of Xworks Interiors. He combines creative vision with strategic acumen, driving the company’s growth and enhancing its reputation in the competitive interior design industry. As the owner, he also bears the responsibility for the company’s profi tability and long-term sustainability, and for making crucial decisions regarding the company’s goals, strategies, and fi nances. He serves as a mentor and coach for all team members at Xworks, guiding with personalized advice, fostering professional development, and empowering staff to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. His coaching style emphasizes empathy, constructive feedback, and creating inclusive team dynamics. Xworks Interiors, under Kraen’s leadership, has built a reputation for delivering projects that exceed client expectations and creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Looking Ahead In 2024, Kraen has high hopes to continue incorporating eco-friendly furniture, recycled materials, and energy- effi cient lighting solutions into his design projects, and to continue educating clients on the benefi ts of sustainable designs. He’s also aiming to further leverage the power of 3D walkthroughs allowing clients to visualize designs in a virtual environment before implementation, and to explore emerging technologies such as AI for the client’s benefi t. 43 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Sneha Divias Architect & founder, Sneha Divias Atelier With over a decade of experience, Sneha Divias drives the success of Sneha Divias Atelier, conceptualising transformational designs in the realms of commercial, hospitality, and residential spaces. Her portfolio boasts luxury residences, commercial projects, and child- focused spaces that have garnering regional and international accolades, as she collaborates with renowned developers across multiple countries, including the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Africa, India, USA, and Portugal. In 2023, Divias worked across the highly anticipated project, SDAx Ithra - One Za’abeel. Tres Stone Design director, Keane As design director for Keane, Tres Stone is responsible for the successful execution of creating concepts and seeing through the entire design process, while guiding the team to achieve exceptional results. The fi rm praises her unique knowledge of operational intricacies, encompassing target markets, industry trends, and foresight, which ensures the seamless integration of a concept throughout the design. Stone has been a driving force behind the recent growth of Keane. In just six months, Keane has expanded to team of 25, completed 19 bespoke F&B concepts, four others for Giga-projects, and reformed a partnership with Marriot. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 44 POWER 50Stuart Allen Managing director & founder, Allen Architecture Interiors Design Stuart Allen is the managing director and founder at Allen Architecture Interiors Design (AAID), where he leads and oversees the design projects of the fi rm. In the past year, Allen has led the fi rm’s expansion into Saudi Arabia in response to the increasing demand from clientele in the Kingdom, and is currently in the process of establishing an offi ce in KSA set to open early 2024. Allen and his fi rm introduced the iconic Mr. Chow brand to the KSA region with the opening of its venue in Riyadh, and collaborated with other entities on the delivery of ROKA and soon to be ZUMA in Riyadh. He was recently approached by the team at Dr Sulaiman Al Habib, the leading healthcare provider in the Middle East, to design headquarters in Riyadh. Vaida Buchrotaite Principal & director of interior design, DLR Group Principal and director of interior design at DLR Group, Vaida Buchrotaite consistently delivers impressive design. This year, she received a series of accolades for her work on Canopy by Hilton The Point, located in the mountainous region of Abha, where her and the wider DLR team not only met client expectations but exceeded them, solidifying the group’s position as one of the most powerful fi rms in the region. Buchrotaite’s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident through the multiple awards won by three of her mentees and team members. 45 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 POWER 50Vera Dieckmann Founder & creative director, XO Atelier Vera Dieckmann is the founder and creative director of boutique studio XO Atelier, and a seasoned architectural engineer with 26 years of professional experience. She established the studio three years ago from Dubai and currently serves as the lead creative designer, architect, and driving force behind the studio’s creative and business endeavours. Over the past year, the team has expanded from three to fi ve members, and XO Atelier is increasingly focusing on creating bespoke design solutions for residential and hospitality projects. In 2023, the studio is expanding its horizons, creating a decor and accessory line to complement designs and cater to every client’s interior project. Dieckmann is also collaborating with Nemo Lighting on a light creation. Yasmin Farahmandy Founder, YDesign Interior Yasmine Farahmandy is an Iranian Canadian designer with a diverse upbringing, having lived in Dubai, Canada, and Milan. This international exposure has evidently infl uenced her design sensibilities, making her work culturally rich and adaptable to various design styles. She founded Y Design Interior in 2020, and quickly established a presence within the industry. She was awarded the CID Highly Commended trophy for Interior Design of the Year: Hotel for Caesars Palace Hotel in Blue Waters Island, has participated in various events as a panel speaker and designer. DECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 46 POWER 50SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES Richard Mobbs richard.mobbs@itp.com Tripura Patel tripura.patel@itp.com Nomminationnsnnow ooppeennDECEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 48 WORLD VIEW Bottega Veneta has opened the doors it’s brand new Paris fl agship, designed by the fashion house creative director Matthieu Blazy SIGNATURE STYLE Luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta has unveiled its new Paris fl agship store, designed by the brand’s own creative director Matthieu Blazy. While the store’s curb appeal takes on the classic chic boutique style that the Parisian streets are known for, the interior design is perfectly captures and immortalised the unique and beloved aesthetic of Bottega Veneta. Combining Italian craftsmanship with modernist sensibility, the two-storey space at 12 Avenue Montaigne in the city’s eighth arrondissement is the fi rst designed by Blazy, inspired by the past, present and future and bringing them all together under one chic roof. Bottega Veneta was founded in Italy in 1966 where it fi rst began as an artisanal leather goods business. It was here that the brand developed the signature weaving design that it’s famous for today – the Intrecciato. The now iconic leather weaving technique now adorns the label’s most loved handbags, wallets, and shoes - and the pattern has been recreated within49 commercialinteriordesign.com DECEMBER 2023 WORLD VIEW the interior design of the new Paris fl agship in the form of furniture, glass bricks and even the clever woodwork. Celebrating Bottega Veneta’s Italian heritage, the new space is defi ned by two essential materials: glass, native to Venice, and Italian walnut wood. Here, original design and handmade beauty transcends the luxury fashion and can be appreciated upon entry where the front door features a one-of- a-kind glass handle by the Venice- based Japanese glass artist, Ritsue Mishima. Brass hooks and handles throughout the store pick up on Blazy’s Drop motif, while single Drop elements on store mirrors create rippling refl ections suggestive of Venice’s aquatic cityscape. Industrial square glass blocks are integrated into fl oor, ceiling, and walls to create a grid-like geometric pattern and to diffuse light evenly throughout the 800sqm space. Walnut wood panels frame the blocks and help to distinguish the transitional spaces between the statement curved stairway and the jewellery gallery corridor. Exploring the visual impact of volume and scale, the fl oorplan is anchored by an open-plan retail space and peppered by soft seating areas, with intimate VIP and dressing rooms which bordering the open area. A winding corridor is clad with warm, rich timber and curvilinear forms to create a sense of timeless elegance and inviting ambience. The signature craftsmanship of Bottega Veneta has built it’s luxury reputation upon can be found throughout the store, while the future vision of Blazy is also evident. Bespoke wood and glass hanging rails, hand-cast by Venetian artisans, create a new futuristic aesthetic within the space, while staying true to the original heritage of the material selections and quality. Soft textures are found in leather seating and wool carpets, and the deep green hue - a colour synonymous with the Bottega Veneta brand - brings another layer of opulence and warmth. Launching with the complete Winter 23 collection, 12 Avenue Montaigne now proudly houses all Bottega Veneta product categories, as well as a new in-store personalisation service for select leather goods.Next >