3 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsAugust 2025 46 SPECIAL REPORT: ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCE The war on ugly and the modern meaning of beauty IN THIS ISSUE 22 THE ROLE OF AI & AUTOMATION Tamara Tamneh on making AI feel human in interior design 24 SIR DAVID ADJAYE “Not just a Black architect.“ Adjaye on power, access and a cultural reckoning 32 HUSSAIN AL MOOSAWI The Emirati photographer documenting the UAE’s architecture 38 COVER FEATURE Thinking out loud with MEAN* architect and founder Riyad Joucka 2025 August4 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsAugust 2025 62 68 RESIDENTIAL St George Wharf Tower, London, by Saccal House WORLD VIEW Tsunami Submergible Emergency Hotel REGULARS 06 NEWS The latest updates from the design world 14 NEW RECRUIT Christian Vasquez’s role at United Architects of the Philippines 16 IN THE STUDIO ETEREO founders show us around their workspace in Dubai 74 WHAT’S ON MY DESK Hamdi Adam, partner and co-founder of XYZ Designers 5 commercialinteriordesign.comEditor’s Letter I WANTED TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE but I was drawn to art instead. I lacked the discipline early in life and the thought of being in school until the grand age of 25 seemed absurd at the time. Anyway, here I am some years later having interviewed some of the world’s most profound architects of our generation for this issue. Unlike the icons of the past, these architects come with a vengeance. Charged with building the new world, David Adjaye is quietly etching a cultural reckoning across the West, while Dubai’s Riyad Joucka is convening the globe’s sharpest minds to lead workshops in computational design and more. And like Peter Zumthor, Junya Ishigami or Tatiana Bilbao, they are ahead of their time. Unapologetic, tenacious and philanthropic, they are creating a new age of romance. This generation is not painting sunrise landscapes or writing about autumn leaves. Its literature is slivers of light in a dystopian world. Its art is a postmodern pastiche, stitched together from a fragmented society. War, famine, pandemics, recessions... This is the world we’ve inherited. Architecture, in response, has become political and deeply hopeful. The freedom to succeed failed Gen Z. It failed the Millennials. University applications are wilting. But our architects are whispering a different future into existence: one shaped by ancient futurism, community, mental well-being and radical humanity. A world built for the people, by the people. We’re still romantic. Just not tinted pink. It’s more concrete grey, with shards of light cutting through. Zen Bahar Editor NEW Published by and © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi MANAGING DIRECTOR Martin Chambers CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Holly Sands EDITORIAL GROUP EDITOR Paul Clifford EDITOR Zen Bahar EDITOR AT LARGE Holly Byrne ASSOCIATE EDITOR Misbaah Mansuri EDITOR, HOSPITALITY & DESIGN SAUDI Safa Hassan SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Christina Basmaji ADVERTISING CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 Email: sally.whittam@itp.com COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 52 393 2862 Email: richard.mobbs@itp.com SENIOR COMMERCIAL MANAGER Tripura Patel Tel: +971 52 393 2862 Email: tripura.patel@itp.com COMMERCIAL ADMIN EXECUTIVE Janet Comia Email: janet.comia@itp.com ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Siti Sumarsono Email: siti.sumarsono@itp.com ART HEAD OF DESIGN Rita Ghantous GROUP VIDEO EDITOR Bharat Tahiliani VIDEO EDITOR Farah Roshdy VIDEOGRAPHER Karan Sumadari VIDEOGRAPHER & EDITOR Sumeet Katira VIDEOGRAPHER & EDITOR Shifas Kochukoya MARKETING HEAD OF EVENTS Eleanor Ashton EVENTS MANAGER Beverly Stanforth EVENTS MANAGER Gavin Moeketsi ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Vrinali Nazareth ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Maria Trishina EVENTS SALES EXECUTIVE Jan Mokoala EVENTS SALES ASSISTANT Joyce Salonga EVENTS ADMINISTR ATIVE ASSISTANT Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Balasubramanian P PRODUCTION MANAGER Anand Sundaram DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Avinash Pereira CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Subscribe at www.commercialinteriordesign.com The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader's particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Romantics6 commercialinteriordesign.comNewsAugust 2025 DESIGN NEWS / AUGUST US$1.53 BILLION DIRIYAH ARENA CONTRACT MARKS NEXT PHASE OF GIGA-PROJECT Diriyah Company has signed a US$1.53 billion construction contract with CHEC for the Arena Block, a major milestone in the giga- project’s next phase. Anchored by the 20,000- seat Diriyah Arena designed by HKS Inc., the development will also include of ce buildings and a large-scale parking facility, all echoing the region’s Najdi architecture. The development also includes 114,000 sq m of mixed-use of ce space designed by John McAslan + Partners, offering advanced infrastructure for commercial use. The integrated parking structure is designed to support both arena guests and of ce tenants. Designed by HKS Inc., the Diriyah Arena will span 74,000 sq m and host concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, esports and live performances. The venue’s architecture draws from Diriyah’s natural geology and traditional Najdi design. ARCHITECTURES OF THE IN-BETWEEN AT AISHA ALABBAR GALLERY Aisha Alabbar Gallery in Dubai presents Architectures of the In-Between, a thought-provoking group exhibition running until August 23, 2025. Featuring artists Nevine Hamza, Atefeh Majidi Nezhad and Layla Juma, the exhibition explores the relationship between architecture, memory, and identity through a diverse range of media including photography, painting, sculpture and installation. Curated to re ect the emotional resonance of architectural experience, Architectures of the In-Between investigates how space informs personal and collective identity. The show is grounded in the idea that architecture is not only a matter of form and function, but also a vessel for memory, sensation and belonging. Each artist interprets this theme through their unique lens, offering a cross-cultural perspective on how space is perceived, remembered and reshaped. The exhibition explores the relationship between architecture, memory, and identity through a diverse range of media and installation.7 commercialinteriordesign.comAugust 2025News completion in 2032 and is expected to play a role in Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Arup will oversee design, planning, operational advisory and work ow optimisation, with a focus on sustainability and advanced technologies. ARUP TO DESIGN 45,000-SEAT STADIUM FOR NEW MURABBA New Murabba Development Company (NMDC) has appointed Arup as lead designer for the 45,000-seat New Murabba Stadium in Riyadh. The announcement follows the unveiling of initial designs in July 2024. Set within the 19 sq km, New Murabba devel- opment, the stadium will span 180,000 sq m and support the creation of 18 new neigh- bourhoods. Inspired by the Acacia tree of Wadi Hanifa, the venue is scheduled for SHORTLIST REVEALED AND TICKETS ON SALE FOR CID AWARDS: 2025 MENA Every shortlist for the agship CID Awards 2025: MENA has been revealed. This year, there will be 29 categories will be judged by our panel of esteemed industry experts, following more than 700 nominations. Categories this year covers projects, concepts, teams and people, with recognition for CAD specialists, Technical Designer of the Year, young designers and unsung heroes, as well as awards for Design and Build Firm of the Year, and Interior Design of the Year Events, Pop-ups & Installations. The Interior Design Concept category has been divided into categories focusing on different sectors, and the Interior Design of the Year F&B category is split into Casual and High-end awards. The Commercial Interior Design Awards 2025: MENA will take place on Thursday September 25 at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah where the winners will be announced during a private, ticketed Gala ceremony hosting more than 800 of the region’s leading and up-and-coming designers. Tickets are on sale now with an early bird rate available this month. 8 commercialinteriordesign.comNewsAugust 2025 TOD PILGREEN NAMED CO-MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR GENSLER MIDDLE EAST Todd Pilgreen has been named Co-Managing Director for Gensler’s Middle East of ces, stepping in alongside the rm’s seasoned regional leader Tariq Shaikh. Together, they’ll co-pilot Gensler’s next chapter of growth, innovation, and client partnerships across the GCC and beyond. Pilgreen replaces Tim Martin, who leaves behind an impressive six-year legacy of driving Gensler’s Middle East presence to new heights. Pilgreen isn’t new to global design leadership. He brings with him more than 30 years of experience, including time leading Gensler’s Shanghai of ce and, more recently, heading the Asia Paci c Middle East (APME) region’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers and Retail & Consumer Experience Practice Areas — all while soaking in Dubai’s skyline and ambitions since his move last year. Gensler’s Asia Paci c Middle East regional leaders Theresa Sheils and David Calkins put it best: “We’re grateful to Tim Martin for steering the ship with vision and dedication over the past six years. With Todd and Tariq leading the way, we’re excited to see Gensler push the boundaries of design and urban innovation even further in the Middle East.” LUDOVICA MASCHERONI INTRODUCES NEW DINING COLLECTION Ludovica Mascheroni has launched a new collection featuring a sculptural table, chan- delier and seating designed for private inte- riors and high-end hospitality projects. The centrepiece is a dining table made of Canaletto walnut, nished in leather and bronzed brass. It sits on a travertine marble base and is topped with transparent glass to highlight the detailing beneath. Vertical walnut strips run along both sides of the table to create a repeating geometric rhythm, which the brand describes as a key stylistic element across the range. The chairs in the collection are built with a curved maple frame and leather uphol- stery. Their cylindrical bases maintain the vertical language established in the table and lighting, with an ergonomic form intended to support comfort as well as visual cohesion. The collection features a restrained material palette, cream leather, Canaletto walnut and natural stone, selected to support consistency across different interior applications. According to the brand, the products are intended to suit formal dining settings as well as residential environments.Next >