< Previous40 commercialinteriordesign.comJuly 2025Maison Dali41 commercialinteriordesign.comJuly 2025Maison Dali42 commercialinteriordesign.comInterviewJuly 2025 Sejal Patel on the power of people, the unseen and anti-minimalism DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AT THE CID AWARDS 2025: HOSPITALITY is no small title and yet Sejal Patel wears it with the quiet con dence of someone who genuinely loves the work more than the applause. Known for her eye for re nement and her ability to lead with empathy, Sejal’s hospitality spaces are both deeply intuitive and gently theatrical. We caught up with the senior design director at Kristina Zanic Consultants to talk about invisible layers of design, human leadership and the joy of breaking the rules, especially the minimalist ones. If your design philosophy had a scent what would it smell like? It would be something natural and comforting, earthy but fresh. I think that’s a good re ection of my approach to design. Design is obviously visual but great spaces go beyond what you see. It’s about creating a full sensory experience. Some of the most powerful elements are the ones people don’t even realise are there like how naturally a space ows. A well-planned space transitions effortlessly between big-picture gestures and small thoughtful touches. It responds to light to views to context so it doesn’t just sit somewhere it belongs. When materials and experiences are seamless, people don’t notice the design but they feel it. What do you admire most about yourself as a leader and as a creative? I’m de nitely a people person and I think that’s essential in any leadership role. Design is emotional and collaborative so the energy you build within a team really matters. At the end of the day your work is only as strong as the people behind it. I try to tune into different personalities and help bring out the best in everyone. As a creative I really care about the narrative and the details. I have a strong eye for re nement. That’s a strength but I’ve also QUIET FIRE 43 commercialinteriordesign.comInterviewJuly 2025 What’s one emotion you deliberately don’t want a guest to feel in your designs? Discomfort, whether physical or emotional. That can be awkward layouts, harsh lighting or even an atmosphere that makes someone feel out of place. If a guest isn’t sure where to go, or feels like they’re not supposed to be there, then something has gone wrong. Great design should feel intuitive, effortless and inclusive. It should ex with the way people actually live whether they want solitude, connection, or just a quiet moment to take it all in. We try to design spaces that don’t demand attention but gently hold it. Places that adapt to people not the other way around. learned when to ne-tune and when to step back and let go. More than anything I love what I do and that passion keeps me curious especially when the process gets tough. You’ve just won Designer of the Year. But what was your most un-glamorous moment on projects this year? There’s always chaos behind the shine. Every project has its up’s and down’s unique challenges and curveballs. What people often don’t see is the sheer amount of coordination behind the scenes. Sometimes it feels like you’re conducting an orchestra. You’re juggling clients, operators, budgets and contractors all while staying calm and making it look effortless. And then there’s the human side, managing expectations resolving tension and keeping everyone motivated. You end up wearing the hats of designer, therapist and negotiator all at once. It’s a crash course in empathy and patience. If your younger self could shadow you for a week, what would surprise or confuse her? I’d be shocked by how early the most critical design decisions happen long before anything physical takes shape. There’s this idea that design is about picking pretty nishes but that’s such a small part of the job. I used to think it was about personal style. But in hospitality your audience is vast: the guest, the operator, the brand. It has to work emotionally and commercially. One of the best lessons I’ve learned from Kristina is not to be too precious. Collaboration is everything. When you let go of ego the work actually gets better. And I’d probably laugh at how serious I used to be. Now I trust the process, stay playful and try not to take myself too seriously because that energy shows up in the work. What’s one design ‘rule’ you secretly love breaking and why? I have a soft spot for breaking the “less is more” rule. I think there’s something really beautiful about layering textures, patterns and colours to create warmth and richness. Minimalism has its place but sometimes it feels a little too controlled. I like spaces that feel lived in, human, welcoming. In hospitality we try to stay away from trends altogether. They move fast and hotels take time. By the time something is built that trend is already over. So instead we focus on what feels lasting: emotions, energy and atmosphere.44 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 CID AWARDS 2025 Design took centre stage and creativity claimed the spotlight as the CID Awards 2025: Hospitality unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Ritz-Carlton JBR, Dubai. From striking hotel concepts to visionary restaurant interiors, the evening honoured the standout achievements reshaping hospitality design across the region. With the room packed with top designers, developers, and industry leaders, this year’s edition delivered inspiration, celebration, and a few unforgettable surprises. Meet the creatives who raised the bar and how they did it. Brand Creative won on the night Hospitality45 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 Best Hotel Lobby Design Conrad Bahrain, LW Design Group LW Design’s vision for Conrad Bahrain’s lobby sidesteps formulaic luxury in favour of a quieter, more architectural expression. De ned by sculptural rhythm, a restrained material palette, and carefully choreographed light, the space is anchored by a dramatic stair and punctuated by local artistic interventions. From warm timber and veined stone to curated textures and custom lighting, every surface is considered, every proportion deliberate. The lobby doesn’t just impress – it invites. Judges commended its ability to elevate the everyday, calling it a “con dent, contemporary take on hospitality that is both atmospheric and enduring in its appeal.” Best Hotel Room Design Hawar Resort by Mantis, International Design Associates Designed by International Design Associates, the guest rooms at Hawar Resort by Mantis set a new benchmark in contextual hospitality. The judges applauded how the studio distilled Bahrain’s cultural and ecological identity into a narrative-driven spatial language. Materials such as reclaimed timber, coral-toned textiles, and handcrafted elements pay tribute to the island’s artisanal roots, while biophilic design strategies connect guests to the protected ecosystem beyond. Every surface tells a story – of heritage, migration, and belonging – brought to life through thoughtful detailing and sustainable choices. Best Hotel Spa Design Shebara Resort, Red Sea Global, Killer Design, Rockwell Group & Studio Paolo Ferarri The spa at Shebara Resort pairs strong architectural intent with site- responsive design. Led by Killa Design, with interiors by Rockwell Group and Studio Paolo Ferrari, the project balances clean geometry with local cues. Soft curves mimic the natural topography of the surrounding islands, while materials and palettes are chosen to re ect the Red Sea setting – without overwhelming it. Interiors focus on tonal restraint and functional ow, creating a calm, coherent experience for guests. Judges recognised the project for its clarity of vision and ability to anchor luxury in a strong sense of place. Best Bar/Lounge Design JATO Bar & Kitchen, Bishop Design At JATO Bar & Kitchen, Bishop Design delivers drama with precision. The venue unfolds like a cinematic set – layered, immersive, and unapologetically bold. Jewel tones of emerald, burgundy, and amber saturate the space, offset by plush velvets, golden brass, and oak. Each surface has intent chevron timber oors ow into sleek marble, guiding guests through zones that shift from intimate to electric. A curated soundtrack and custom lighting installations amplify the mood, while eclectic detailing channels a contemporary Art Deco air. JATO isn’t just designed for nightlife – it’s designed to be remembered. Best Outdoor Bar/Lounge Design African Queen, Humbert & Poyet Humbert & Poyet’s design for African Queen transforms J1 Beach’s shoreline into a tactile, transportive escape. Eschewing trend-driven ash, the duo crafted an alfresco setting rooted in material authenticity and cultural nuance. Earth-toned upholstery, natural timber, and handwoven textures layer the space with warmth and soul, while foliage and elevation shifts guide the rhythm of movement and sight. The jury commended its “grounded, yet emotionally resonant” aesthetic, where every detail – from acoustics to light ltration – works in concert to create a mood of serene intimacy. More than a venue, African Queen was recognised as a masterclass in immersive outdoor storytelling. LW Design celebrates Gerbou took home two trophies46 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 Best F&B Franchise Design Hallab 1881, Brand Creative Brand Creative’s reimagining of Hallab 1881 in Dubai Mall transforms a storied Lebanese institution into a contemporary agship without diluting its soul. Judges were impressed by the studio’s ability to balance legacy and reinvention – preserving the brand’s 142-year- old heritage while elevating it through spatial storytelling, custom craftsmanship, and a re ned, modern aesthetic. From the mosaic-clad bar to the museum-like retail displays, every element was designed with purpose. The project was applauded for its operational intelligence and emotional depth, offering a franchise model that doesn’t just scale a brand – it honours it. Best Restaurant Design – Casual HuQQabaz Abu Dhabi , Erkan Erol & Pinnacle Interiors Erkan Erol designed and Pinnacle Interiors delivered Turkish restaurant, HuQQabaz in Abu Dhabi, following the success of the HuQQa restaurant in The Dubai Mall. Situated on the rooftop of the Nirvana Complex at Abu Dhabi Marina Breakwaters, the 1,271 sq m space offers stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The restaurant aims to provide an immersive experience that blends Turkish culture with modern dining. From the moment guests enter, they are transported on a culinary journey across the Anatolian peninsula, with a menu that celebrates heritage. Designed by Erkan Erol, the space combines traditional elements with modern aesthetics, featuring copper curves, lush greenery, and vibrant colors. Best Restaurant Design – High-End Gerbou, Tashkeel & Kristina Zanic Consultants Gerbou, designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants for Tashkeel, impressed judges with its deeply contextual design language and evocative storytelling. Rooted in the Emirati ethos of generous hospitality, the space harmonises artisanal detailing with a re ned, contemporary sensibility. Earth-toned materials, hand-crafted nishes and subtle nods to heritage create a setting that feels both intimate and elevated. The design is as thoughtful as the cuisine it frames – quietly luxurious, locally rooted, and emotionally resonant. Judges praised its ability to reinterpret cultural identity through design with maturity and restraint, calling it “a con dent and poetic expression of place, purpose, and hospitality.” Best Outdoor Restaurant Design Gerbou, Tashkeel & Kristina Zanic Consultants The Emirati restaurant’s outdoor space was lauded by judges for its sensitive reinterpretation of tradition and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. Set within a reimagined regional structure, the design honours regional heritage through native planting, artisanal materials, and layered spatial storytelling. A sunken repit nods to Bedouin customs, while mesh enclosures and breeze blocks reinterpret vernacular forms with modern restraint. Judges commended the project’s ability to deliver atmosphere without excess – calling it “a thoughtful, site-responsive design that balances heritage, sustainability, and contemporary elegance in a way few outdoor venues achieve.” Best Use of Materials in a Project Flaky Pastry, TwentyOne06 Judges were captivated by TwentyOne06’s concept-driven use of materials at Flaky Pastry, where every surface becomes part of an edible narrative. Inspired by the croissant-making process, the design avoids theming and instead uses subtle symbolism to tell a material story – from uted walls mimicking laminated dough to terrazzo ecks evoking pastry akes. A fabric ceiling installation captures the warmth Kristina Zanic’s team47 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 and lightness of a perfectly baked croissant, while copper accents nod to traditional baking tools. The result is a tactile, multi-sensory space that elevates material storytelling in F&B, delivering both depth and delight with editorial nesse. Best Use of Lighting in a Hotel Project Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Triangle Power Solutions Lighting at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is not an afterthought – it’s the architecture of experience. Triangle Power Solutions delivered over 700 bespoke decorative xtures across the hotel’s F&B and public zones, with each piece ne-tuned to re ect its environment. From 3D-printed chandelier bases to motorised ceiling-integrated systems, the solutions were bold in ambition and exacting in execution. Judges were particularly impressed by the technical complexity behind the theatrical “day-to-night” transformations in the AvroKo-designed dining spaces – where lighting doesn’t just illuminate, but de nes mood, identity, and memory. The result is immersive and intentional – an ultra-luxury agship that glows from within. Best Use of Lighting in a F&B Project Revolver, Y Design Interior Designed by Y Design Interior, Revolver’s lighting scheme reimagines the role of illumination in hospitality. Judges commended its daring, story-driven approach – where darkness becomes a canvas and light, a weapon. The space is anchored by the dramatic Bullet Belt xture oxidised copper “bullets” strung across the ceiling on a bespoke leather belt, re ecting the restaurant’s bold identity. Each table is lit like a stage, while a hammered copper ceiling creates dynamic tension with It was a good night for Yasmin Farahmandy The Triangle Power Solutions team48 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 every icker. From open- re theatrics to intimate glows, the lighting design turns Revolver into an immersive, unforgettable experience. Best Use of Art in a Hotel Project Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar, Capsule Arts At Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar, art is not decoration, it’s storytelling. Capsule Arts Studio developed over 1,500 bespoke works across the property, each rooted in deep research and local craft traditions. From the striking life-sized donkey sculpture at the entrance to rooftop murals and woven wall installations, the collection narrates the spirit of Jabal Akhdar through bold materiality and cultural depth. Judges praised its site-speci c, handcrafted vision – calling it “a masterclass in narrative cohesion and regional authenticity.” Every piece, whether embroidered, sculpted, or woven, immerses guests in the mountain’s story, making art the heart of the hotel’s identity. Best Use of Art in a F&B Project Maison Dali, Art Painting Lab & Y Design Interior Maison Dalí is a surrealist dining experience where art takes centre stage and reality bends at the edges. Created by Art Painting Lab and Y Design, the space channels Salvador Dalí’s dream logic through warped portraits, melting forms, and theatrical installations. From a re sculpture to a uid ceiling resembling a spilled glass of wine, every detail challenges perception and provokes emotion. Judges praised its uncompromising vision, calling it “a bold collision of design and imagination.” More than décor, the art becomes narrative – immersing guests in a space that’s disorienting, daring, and utterly unforgettable. Best Hotel Design Concept InterContinental Red Sea, Kristina Zanic Consultants Set within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort merges architectural ambition with serene natural beauty. Judges were drawn to its maze-inspired concept, which reimagines navigation as emotional journey – full of discovery and introspection. Designed by Foster + Partners with interiors by Kristina Zanic Consultants, the resort features 210 sea-facing villas and an eco-conscious palette of coconut shell, straw, and raf a. Its layered, organic forms and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions echo the surrounding landscape. With LEED Platinum ambitions and deeply contextual design, the resort stands as a benchmark for sustainable luxury and immersive hospitality storytelling. Best F&B Design Concept Fiore, DLR Group Fiore strikes a delicate balance between regional authenticity and European charm. Designed for Canopy by Hilton Abha, the concept blends Italy’s trattoria warmth with Abha’s architectural language – stone, wood, metal, and local craft – creating a seamless cultural fusion. Judges commended its restraint no kitsch, no gimmicks – just thoughtful storytelling through materiality, zoning, and layout. From fresco-style ceilings to arched doorways and pottery that feels purposeful, the space functions as beautifully as it looks. With intuitive ow, biophilic elements, and indoor-outdoor versatility, Fiore sets a new standard for design rooted in place while inviting a global appetite. Hospitality Design & Build Firm of the Year Pinnacle Interiors Pinnacle Interiors has proven itself as a powerhouse, blending craft with culture across landmark projects like Ain Dubai’s VIP cabins and SALT’s Maison Dali was celebrated Another win for KZC49 commercialinteriordesign.comCID Awards 2025: HospitalityJuly 2025 Airstream-to-restaurant evolution. Judges were impressed by the rm’s ability to deliver technically complex, design-led spaces – from retractable-roof dining at HuQQabaz to heritage-rich revivals. Each project combines ingenuity with storytelling, whether partnering with visionary creatives or reimagining public icons. Sustainability, sensory impact, and smooth execution remain at the heart of Pinnacle’s work. Hospitality Fit Out Firm of the Year Havelock One With over 280 projects delivered and a growing footprint across the GCC, Havelock One continues to reshape what it means to execute at scale, without compromise. From the expansive Four Seasons Jeddah to precision-led t-outs at AMAALA and The St. Regis, the rm has proven its ability to deliver complex hospitality projects with speed, skill, and craftsmanship. Judges praised its end-to-end delivery model, merging in-house manufacturing with site execution, brand alignment, and thoughtful quality control. In a region where hospitality is evolving fast, Havelock One has carved its reputation as the t-out partner trusted to bring the boldest visions to life. Hospitality Design Firm of the Year Kristina Zanic Consultants In a year de ned by regional ambition and global recognition, Kristina Havelock One came out on top Zanic Consultants stood out not just for what it designed, but how. With projects spanning 20-plus countries and ve of ces working as one, the studio delivered interiors that were poetic, purposeful, and powerfully contextual. From the multi-award-winning St. Regis Red Sea Resort to the quietly radical Gerbou in the UAE, KZC fused cultural depth with contemporary nesse. Judges praised the rm’s rare ability to pair hospitality grandeur with human-scale sensitivity – while embedding sustainability, mentorship, and pro-bono work into its practice. In every sense, Kristina Zanic Consultants shaped the year’s design conversation. Hospitality Designer of the Year Sejal Patel, Kristina Zanic Consultants Few designers shape a region’s design narrative quite like Sejal Patel. At the helm of Kristina Zanic Consultants’ most ambitious projects, she’s led landmark properties like the LEED Platinum-certi ed St. Regis Red Sea and the culturally rich Gerbou in Dubai – each a study in precision, poetry, and purpose. Judges applauded her rare blend of creative clarity and technical excellence, as well as her visionary role in embedding sustainability and BIM across a global practice. A natural mentor and industry force, Patel’s work isn’t just beautiful – it builds legacies, raises standards, and reshapes the possibilities of hospitality design.Next >