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CONTENTS

www.designmena.com6 MARCH 2015 | Commercial Interior Design

March 2015

10 DESIGN UPDATEA round up of the latest design news in the MENA region and abroad, including a preview of Iris Yas Island and Leatherworld Middle East.

GLOBAL NEWSCID jets to Germanys Black Forest region and reviews new product collections by Hansgrohe.

TELL USIndu Varanasi from i r design discusses sustainability in reality, and questions whether or not were doing it right.

INTERVIEWJoakim de Rham, CEO of Swiss Bureau Interior Design, tells us about tapping into his own creativity.

CASE STUDYFrom Dubais new Cove Beach to Propertyfinder Groups new headquarters, CID checks out the latest interior projects from the region.

FEATURECID goes to Valencia, Spain and visits tile and marble fair Cevisama. Check out our review of the show and the latest trends in the ceramics industry. Following our show review, dont forget to read what regional experts have to say about sustainability in the GCC.

OPINIONJohn Rowley from Fig Jam says a designs concept is equally as important as sustainable fitouts. Is he right?

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 3

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DESIGN DAYS DUBAI16.20. 3. 2015, BOOTH NO. 22

RENE ROUBICEKEXPO2

WWW.EXPO2.CZ

COMMENT

www.designmena.com8 MARCH 2015 | Commercial Interior Design

COMMENT

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In February, I was fortunate enough to travel to Valencia, Spain for the world-renowned ceramic and marble trade fair known as Cevisama. As I walked through the fair, it became very obvious that a

leading trend in the international tile sector is the wood effect, or in other wordsmaking the tile appear as wood, with timber colours and grain patterns painted onto the

materials surface. And why is that? Is it because todays market is demanding more nature for

indoor schemes? I think the answer is clearly yes. The modern consumer wants to connect to nature on a daily basis, minute by

minute. With the persistent construction of taller and taller skyscrapers, it seems we are going further away from our ancestors grounded realities. And to counter our slow detachment, the consumer today is reaching out to materials that remind him or her of our planets elements. Hence, the wood effect.

and manufacturing agencies are gaining from the current market trends, does that mean that tile and carpet suppliers are beginning to suffer?

Earlier in 2014, I met with Interfaces superstar designer David Oakey. The creator behind the popular Net-Effect collection noted that there had been a global shift toward hard surfaces, from wood to cement. The demand for con-temporary, clean spaces was on the rise leaving carpeting and mosaic tiling behind. He said: In Europe for example and now in the states, real wood, fake

we wonder if were going to go out of business.Carpet and tiling companies have begun to produce material that imitates the

look of concrete and wood. And this year, it seems the wood effect is in total control of the market. Companies from the United Arab Emirates to Spain are

it work?

The wood effect

RIMA ALSAMMARAErima.alsammarae@itp.com

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Cover image:

The Double

Position Chair.

An ITP Business Publication March Vol. 11 Issue 03

CHECK OUT DUBAI'S LATEST BEACH LOUNGE HIDDEN AMONGST ICONIC TOWERS

An ITP Business Publication February Vol. 11 Issue 02

SEE HOW RAFFLES ISTANBUL REACHED TO THE PAST FOR INSPIRATION

World Design CapitalTrend report

Where eagles dareEAGLE HILLS REVEALS NEW STEAM PUNK OFFICE

Byzantine revival

The rise of the Emirati designerCHECK OUT WHAT KHALID SHAFAR HAS TO SAY

Savingwater

LEARN HOW KITCHEN AND

BATHROOM DESIGNERS ARE

GOING GREEN

Dubai's secret nook

A look back on

CevisamaSEE WHAT'S

NEW IN THE TILE INDUSTRY

Sustainablereality

ARE WE AS SUSTAINABLE AS WE THINK

WE ARE?

DESIGN UPDATE

www.designmena.com10 MARCH 2015 | Commercial Interior Design

BOUTIQUE LOUNGE SEES THIRD LOCATION REVIVED AS ITS SIZE DOUBLES COMPARED TO DUBAI SITE

Iris branch sees revamp on Yas Island

large space and size, allowed us to combine and incorporate Iris elements throughout the venue, such as adding an extra bar, adding extra metallic light bulbs, creating different seating such as high stool, bar chairs and lounges.

The view of the marina has also provided the venue with a calm-ing effect, thanks to the designs monochromatic soft look that exudes serenity and tranquillity yet is inviting and engaging. Any Iris-goer can marvel and revel in the atmosphere that is created thanks to the spaces design and they can still relax and enjoy themselves.

Iris Yas Island is furnished by a number a pieces that are comfort-able and inviting. Maison Cle, the

branchs exclusive manufacturing company based in Lebanon, supplied every piece of furniture allowing Nasr to customise the design down to every last detail. In addition to Maison Cle, the light bulbs that hang above the bar were provided by PSLAB.

In response to the UAEs humid climate, thermos wood was an essential element to the design. Nasr explains: Heat and humid-ity can affect the durability and sustainability of the furniture, the

results for thermos wood reduce the potential for shrinkage, wrap or twist. Thermo wood works perfectly for both the indoor and the outdoor areas, and its [eco-friendly].

UAE: Located in the heart of the de-veloping Yas Island, the Iris restau-rant and lounge has recently been updated by Lebanese designer Suzy Nasr, the visionary behind all of Iris locations. Having created the original concept located in Downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Nasr worked to continue th