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New year: design resolutions to keep
Italian job: connecting with Marco Piva
Hadid + Foster: bridging the culture gap
Lightwaves: switch-on to Spiers + McClellan Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority
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INSIDE
identity
JANUARY 2011
Cover: Interior by Marco Piva.
JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT DESIGNED APARTMENT. PHOTOGRAPHY: XAVIER BÉJOT

GRAND MOSQUE, ABU DHABI
BEAU MCLELLAN
32 52
28 75
FEATURES
17 The art of design 52 Out of left field

Paper folding and Brazilian carnivals were the inspiration for Jean-Louis Deniot decorates an apartment in Paris, going back
the latest pieces at London’s Super Design exhibition. to basics and looking to different sources of inspiration.
22 Cell division 75 Shining light

Mini floating carbon-neutral cities, offices located on a lake and Dynamic lighting designer Beau McClellan speaks about his
the greenest hotel in the United States are put in the eco spotlight. new household creation and record-breaking installation.
28 Pioneer spirit 86 Contract work

Renowned Italian architect, industrial and interior designer Marco Leaders from the Italian architectural and design community were
Piva talks about his innovative design concepts. among guests at the recent launch of Contractitaliano.
32 Bright ideas
International lighting experts reveal how intriguing and ingenious
lighting schemes are enhancing the UAE’s landmark buildings.
January 2011 11
FURNISHING IS LIVING THE HERE AND NOW.
Foto: Studio Marcato - Italy
Selva Middle East L.L.C.

Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th interchange, Dubai
Tel. +971 4 3411933 Fax +971 4 3411799 info@selva-me.ae
Home Design Store, Mall of Emirates,1st Floor, Shop F8, Dubai
www.selva.com
INSIDE
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DESIGN FORMULA
ISSUE 88
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Obaid Humaid Al Tayer
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35 Domestic blitz
ART DIRECTOR This year’s living room design trends are causing
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a break from current convention, with new and
GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION more extreme additions.
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QATAR’S AL SHAMAL STADIUM;
CONTRIBUTORS:
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Lisa Vincenti | Richard Warren
59 id Property
+ A legacy revealed
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IDENTITY NEXT ISSUE FEBRUARY 2011
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MARCO PIVA
Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai All prices quoted in identity are correct at the time of going to press.
January 2011 13
EDITORIAL
New discoveries
The expression ‘how time flies’ is one that is so often used here. It’s hard
to believe Dubai’s 800-metre plus Burj Khalifa has been open in the UAE for
almost a year.
It has been a financially painful, yet rewarding, year for our sector. Many
will agree they have learnt to multi-task and adapt to the new reality by keeping
ahead of projects and working more effectively to produce on time and
on budget.
While many companies are still involved in litigation as they try to collect
monies for glamorous, or not-so-glamorous, projects, the architecture and
design sector appears to be moving forward in the knowledge that the situation
is still better here than in many other parts of the world.
Indeed, 2010 was an eventful year, with numerous projects being completed.
From Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, to the new One&Only resort on Dubai’s
Palm Jumeirah. Other notable mentions in Dubai include the global launch of
the Armani Hotel chain, the Pullman Hotel and the new Ibis and Ibn Battuta
Gate hotels. Numerous new restaurants and bars, such as the Cipriani in
Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s Fraser Suites, added to the UAE’s first-class roster
of design-led buildings. The 7th century Christian monastery on Sir Bani
Similarly, many design boutiques have chosen to regroup, with Aati among Yas Island.
those opting to consolidate in time for the new year. Having been in the
market for just under 30 years, Aati recently closed its Sheikh Zayed Road
branch, preferring to instead concentrate on its Zabeel flagship store, where it is
launching the new Lauren collection from Ralph Lauren.
Additionally, XVA gallery, established in Bastakiya by Mona Hauser in 2003, has
announced plans to open a new 2,500-square foot gallery in DIFC early in 2011,
which will provide yet another platform for arts promotion in the region.
Lisa Sicre Interior Design also opened a new boutique in Jumeirah 3, where
a sensational collection of Leitner linen can be found.
Recently, Baccarat celebrated the year-end by staging the Mille Nuits D’Or
event at the Armani Hotel from its in-house designer Mathias. Adding his fresh
perspective to the traditional French design house since 1996, Mathias lived in
Syria and Turkey as a child, and his Mille Nuits D’Or design is said to have been
inspired by his memory of childhood tales from these countries.
The recent discovery of a seventh century pre-Islamic Christian monastery
on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island has added significantly to the UAE capital’s
burgeoning tourism and culture cache. To date, some 35 archaeological sites
have been discovered on the island, a destination best known for its outdoor
activities, wildlife reserve and five-star resort. The latest finds include a
PHOTOGRAPHY: VIKRAM GAWDE
4,000-year-old building from the late bronze age and a fortified watchtower
from the early Islamic period.
With the Zaha Hadid landmark bridge now open and with the recent
unveiling of Sir Norman Foster’s vision for the proposed Sheikh Zayed Museum
revealed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, during her whirl wind state visit
to the capital last month, Abu Dhabi seems set to lead the pace in the new year. Group Editor Catherine Belbin.
May the creative spirit of discovery continue in 2011. Happy New Year!
January 2011 15
TRENDS
The art of design

With a wide selection of pieces from top designers, London’s
Super Design exhibition blurred the divide between functional
objects and objets d’art. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN
Sources of inspiration are endless: plate tectonics, paper folding

and Brazilian carnivals were catalysts for some of the design pieces
showcased at London’s recent Super Design exhibition.
The fourth edition of Super Design was held in the imposing
palladian confines of Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, during
the Frieze Art Fair. Fifteen designers contributed one-off and limited
edition pieces especially commissioned for the exhibition by leading
galleries such as The Apartment, Mitterrand-Cramer and Vessel
Gallery to fill the 139 square metre exhibition space.
Devised by gallerist Patrick Brillet, the four-day event seeks
to emphasise the synergy between design and the visual
arts today. Brillet is co-owner of London’s The Apartment
Gallery and has curated museum collections across the
world. Ten of the finest objects showcased at Super
Design are featured on these pages.
Lightbulb moment
Whimsical lighting features designed by Marcus Tremonto were exhibited by The Apartment
gallery. These included the designer’s Plug Light, which was inspired by French pop comics
from the 1960s, a two-dimensional wall light made to look three-dimensional through
a design that also exaggerates its size. Influenced by the bright neon lights and cramped
apartments of New York where he lives and works, the artist and designer creates a wide
range of lighting fixtures, including chandeliers and table lamps, and in the past has created
tables with integrated lighting features. Other sources of inspiration for the designer include
video games and sci-fi films.
January 2011 17
Reverberating idea
Two curvaceously-shaped pieces by Brodie Neil were
exhibited. The recently graduated, 28-year-old Australian
presented Threefold, a large lighting feature consisting of
a single seamless surface rolling and folding in the form of
a triangular mobius strip. Projecting soft, warm light this
sculptural centrepiece is handmade in satin aluminium and
finished with a hint of colour. The designer’s other piece,
Reverb Wire Chair, is a lightweight metal mesh version of
the original solid surfaced Reverb Chair. The wireframe
chair is handmade with mirror polished stainless steel rods.
Threefold and Reverb Wire Chair were designed for The
Apartment Gallery.
Hot seat
British designer Tom Dixon presented his Flamecut series, an
installation of heavyweight furniture cut from one inch thick
steel using traditional flame cutting techniques. The Cast series,
a collection of abstract forms made from aluminium sand casting
and finished with a bright enamel coating, was also shown. Dixon
rose to prominence in the mid-1980s as “the talented, untrained
designer with a line in welded salvage furniture.” Having worked
for Italian manufacturer Cappellini, he set up his own company,
Tom Dixon, in 2002. He experiments with new concepts and
industrial processes in his art pieces to generate funding for
research into more complex ideas and technologies.
Country pursuits
Furniture designer Maarten Baas made this secretaire at
his farmhouse studio, where he finds the peace and quiet
of the Dutch countryside helps him to work intuitively and
spontaneously. The desk forms part of his Grey Derivations
furniture collection, a quirky, one-off set of five hand-crafted
pieces each made with a grey and red pigmented resin fixed
on a steel frame. This new collection was presented by the
Geneva-based Mitterand-Cramer gallery. The Dutchman
won the Designer of the Year award at Design Miami in
2009 and he founded Studio Bass and Den Herder with
fellow designer Bas Den Herder in 2005.
18 identity [interior/design/property]
TRENDS
Groundbreaking
Inspired by the movement of tectonic plates, their collisions, layering
and juxtapositions, the Origami Mirrored Chair by Philip Michael
Wolfson was displayed. Part of his Origami Series, the chair’s designs
reflect the violence of the forces below the earth’s crust that help
form landscapes. The resulting “visual aggression” of the piece
is intended to invite scrutiny both of it and the surrounding space.
A mirror finish is given to the welded and folded stainless steel
chair to amplify the sense of movement in and around it. Born in
Philadelphia in 1958, the American designer has worked on projects
with Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid for 20 years.
Carnival chandelier
This chandelier forms part of The Esperança collection by the Campana
brothers for Italian art glass company Venini. It represents their twist on
folk art from the Brazilian state of Paraiba, and other limited editions in
this collection include vases and objects with little figurines. Inspired by
the street life and carnival culture of their native Brazil, Fernando and
Humberto Campana make pieces from found objects, including furry
toys, rubber hoses and pieces of fabric which they combine in surreal
ways. By turning unwanted scrap into designer objects they want their
work to reflect the “zest for life” of their fellow Brazilians.
Top of the glass

French designer Emmanuel Babled presented Superball (pictured) and
Linear, two clusters of hand blown lighting orbs made from Murano
glass. The choice of glass is all that these dense and apparently
chaotic configurations of simple spheres have in common with the
traditional, ornate Venetian chandeliers they take their inspiration
from. Babled hopes his limited edition chandeliers are a “peaceful”
alternative to traditional versions – Superball has black orbs and
Linear purple. Based in Milan, the 43-year-old designer specialises in
industrial products, crystal pieces and glassware. His animated videos
include Lunar City, a futuristic vision of an urban landscape where the
buildings are as curvaceous as his product designs.
January 2011 19
TRENDS
Table matters
Herve van der Straeten’s explorative approach to design
is reflected in his Console collection, a set of tables that
have intriguing names like Pyschose, Kasimir, Piercing
and Cristalloide. The finely balanced, geometric forms
play with perceptions of reality, ranging from seemingly
gravity-defying structures to freeze-frame explosions
of overlapping cubes. Originally a jewellery maker, the
45-year-old creates furniture and lighting, shunning
industrial production in favour of making pieces by hand,
so he can give himself full creative freedom. His pieces
range from ceiling lights to perfume bottles. The winner
of several awards, he opened his Paris gallery in 1999
and has worked with various French luxury goods makers.
Czech it out
We have the shoe tree, the automatic telephone answering tree and
now the light tree. The Lipka Tree (pictured), one of a limited edition
of nine, was created by Czech studio Olgoj Chorchoj. Made exclusively
for London’s Vessel Gallery, this piece forms part of a series of lamps
made with fluorescent lights by the studio. Founded in 1990 by Michal
Fronek and Jan Nemecek, the studio has established a reputation for its
glassware, but it is also active in other design areas, including a six-year
project to convert a Prague meat factory into a multifunctional space
called the M-Factory.
In the shade
Today’s newspaper is not always tomorrow’s fish and chips
wrapper – sometimes it becomes art. British designer Michael
Young presented an installation made from 10,000 bits of old
Chinese newspaper. Newspaper Shade (pictured), was inspired by
the designer’s walks through Hong Kong, where he discovered
an old paper folding technique that he developed to create stable
structures, including tables. This installation, the largest piece
ever made using this technique, was one of two Asia-inspired
creations presented by the designer. Young’s other offering,
the Carbonlite floor lamp, is influenced by his love of Japanese
hanging lights.
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Cell division
Shimizu Corporation’s concept designs for mini floating
carbon-neutral cities that would drift across the Equatorial
Pacific, offices that could be located on a lake or marina
and the on-going sustainability commitment of a Massachusetts
hotel are put in the eco spotlight. TEXT: STEVE HILL
CITY IN THE SKY
Mini floating carbon-neutral cities that drift across the Equatorial Pacific and showcase sustainable
technologies could change the way most of us live, according to the Shimizu Corporation.
The Japanese technology firm has produced concept designs for giant cells on which people
could live and work. And the linking together of similar cells could create cities or even countries
in the future as they grow in much the same way as a water lily.
At the centre of each cell would be a 1km tall “City in the Sky” capable of accommodating
30,000 people at an elevation of 700m – where there are no strong winds and temperatures
of 26C-28C year-round – while the supporting tower would contain a plant factory aimed at
ensuring 100 per cent food self sufficiency.
“Plains” would be created on land surrounding the tower for livestock and other forms of
farming. Nearby would be a waterside residential zone for a further 10,000 people which would
adjoin a marine forest and beach resort. Sunlight is plentiful in the region while typhoons have a
minimal impact and tsunamis are not considered to be a threat to safety in the open ocean.
Towers would be built from alloys, with the metal deriving from magnesium in seawater, while
designers predict that no waste would be produced with every product recycled and converted
into energy. The use of fossil fuels would be eliminated by a range of natural energy sources
employed instead, including space solar power satellites; ocean thermal energy conversion;
wave, wind and solar power.
“City in the Sky” by the Shimizu Corporation.

Lace Hill.
ECO
January
March 2009
2011 23
ECO
Clockwise from above: Side, front and back views of H2Office.

Below: Motoart’s Desk Watch.
COMPANIES STAY AFLOAT
UK company Waterspace Developments has come up with a prototype floating

office that could be powered by a wind turbine and solar panels.
The H2Office is seen as an ideal solution for firms who want the flexibility of
being located in a marina, inland waterway, river or lake instead of hiring office
space in a concrete tower.
The company is also looking at developing a “live-aboard” version in the
future that could be fitted with a folding bed and kitchen complete with The integrated design reduced carbon emissions by 76 per cent through
appliances designed for marine use. energy efficiency strategies and the provision of extensive rooftop and wall-
Designers have produced a ballasted hull to ensure a low centre of gravity mounted photovoltaic panels, as well as 1,400 square metres of solar thermal
and minimise movement of the floating office, while also taking into account the tubes which will provide the remaining clean energy required to reach zero
fact that most marinas provide a degree of protection from extreme weather. carbon emissions.
Payback for the investment required to reach carbon neutrality compared to
TEST OF TIME a LEED certified baseline building would be 12 years if the rise in the cost of fuel
outpaced general inflation by four per cent a year. However, the payback would
California-based Motoart takes vintage aircraft parts and recycles them into be less than 10 years today in many other areas of the United States, where
unique pieces of art, furniture and items for the home. electricity is more expensive. The design was showcased at Greenbuild 2010
The company recently took delivery of around 5,000 Jacobs radial engine in Chicago.
pistons from the 1940s, and were inspired to design an eye-catching Desk
Watch, which has been machined at a 60-degree angle to ensure easy reading FIRE LIGHT
of the time.
The series of devastating fires that ravaged
EASY A California in 2007 inspired the creation of Art
From The Ashes, a non-profit organisation
An integrated design team led by HOK and energy and daylighting consultant of independent artists and volunteers
The Weidt Group has determined it is possible to construct a market-rate net who contribute talent, time and energy to
zero emissions Class A commercial office building following a 10-month virtual create unique pieces crafted from materials
design exercise. collected from blaze sites.
A site in St Louis in the US was selected for the project because of the city’s Debris that would otherwise be
four-season climate and low electricity costs, which challenged the aim of dumped in landfill is transformed by
making the design affordable. artisans who then showcase their
The virtual 16,000 square-metre office features two 90 metre-long office work at exhibitions with a portion of
structures that are positioned east-west and connected by two 18 metre links proceeds donated to national or
that enclose a courtyard. local charities.
ECO
Clockwise from top left: Paul Priestman’s Water Pebble; The Weidt Group’s
St. Louis site; lamp made of a burned olive tree by William Stranger.
building – equivalent to the power needed each year for almost 400 average
sized homes.
Each solar panel weighs about 27kg and is more than 1.8m long and a metre
wide. The 3MW system is expected to generate approximately 3.4 million
kilowatt hours of energy per year, enabling the facility to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 3,000 tonnes annually. When complete, it will be the first time a
GSK facility anywhere in the world will be completely reliant on solar energy.
SHOWER POWER
Paul Priestman was inspired to design a stylish water-saving device by a sign in a

hotel bathroom asking guests to use one of the world’s most valuable resources
carefully. The Water Pebble device monitors water going down the plug when
you shower, memorising the amount of water that flows by when it is first used,
establishing a benchmark.
On subsequent showers, a series of “traffic lights” then flash gently, from
green through to red, to indicate when you should stop bathing. For each
subsequent shower, the Water Pebble automatically fractionally reduces shower
times, helping save water without needing to think about it.
The battery in the device lasts for between four and six months.
CURRENT FAVOURITE
The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is already regarded as one of

the greenest hotels in the United States and recently announced several more
Among the eye-catching items on show at a recent exhibition in Pasadena programmes that underline its commitment to sustainability.
was a new lamp by renowned furniture maker William Stranger. It is made Guests are now offered complimentary use of Electra Amsterdam Classic
from a burned olive tree, cherry veneer remnants and scrap steel, reflecting his Bicycles, which are equipped with shopping baskets. And the hotel’s parking
desire to use only salvaged and found objects alongside renewable resources in garage, managed by ProPark America, is equipped with a “Juice Bar” and a small
his creations. car detection system, both of which aim to reward those who show dedication
to greener lifestyles.
HERE COMES THE SUN The Juice Bar allows customers to charge their hybrid and electric cars for
free, while a small car detection system measures vehicles entering the garage
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has started to install North America’s largest rooftop and provides a unique parking rate based upon its actual size. Vehicles that fall
solar array at its northeast Regional Distribution Centre in York, Pennsylvania. within the preset size parameters programmed into special sensors and encoded
Nearly 11,000 solar panels will cover an area on the roof that is about onto the dispensed parking ticket, will receive a discounted parking rate.
the size of seven American Football fields. The panels will generate enough The hotel also provides a Tyre Inflation Station for guests to check pressures
electricity to meet the annual energy needs of the nearly 46,000 square metre and maximise their fuel consumption. ID
Marco Piva’s innovative use of
mosaic tiles as flexible wall features.
Pioneer spirit
A renowned architect, as well as an A-list industrial
and interior designer, Marco Piva plans to continue
to innovate – and hopes Dubai will continue to support
and encourage him. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN
PROFILE
Marco Piva is the founder and head of Italian design house Studio Marco
Piva, and ranks among Europe’s most important contemporary architectural,
industrial and interior designers.
He and his studio, which has had a presence in Dubai since 2005 and now
employs 15 people, have been involved in numerous high-profile buildings and
other design projects in locations across the globe, including cities in Europe, the
Middle East and South America.
His native city of Milan is home to a number of architectural works from
Piva and his studio. One of these is a skyscraper project set to become one of
the tallest in Europe, surpassing Milan’s Pirelli Tower designed by Gio Ponti, with
further details to be revealed during 2011. With the Italian design capital having
been named host of the 2015 World Expo, the designer is busy on still
more projects.
In the UAE, which he recently visited to speak at an Italian Trade
Commission event marking the launch of the new online Italian trade portal
Contractitaliano.com, he has designed a number of hotels and mixed-use
buildings. These include luxury hotels, such as the Tiara Hotel and Oceana
Hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, which are due to open in 2011, along with
the Porto Dubai, a multi-billion dollar residential and commercial development
that will be located on a reclaimed peninsula just off the Dubai coastline. Studio
Marco Piva has also been involved in the architectural design for the Rawdhat
and Melody residential developments in Abu Dhabi.
As a multi-disciplinary team, Piva’s studio is also involved in architectural
developments outside the standard mix of residential and commercial buildings.
It was commissioned to design Naples’ football stadium, a large steel, glass
and cement structure that is currently under construction, a project also
incorporating restaurants, coffee shops and other lifestyle elements.
“We wanted to create the stadium using a lot of steel and glass… to give a
clean design,” Piva says, emphasising his desire that it symbolise “transparency
and openness.” He also alludes to the design feature of a large garden, which
will be located on the top levels of the structure.
In South America, Studio Marco Piva is pivotal in helping Brazil create new
infrastructure and buildings in preparation for the world’s largest international
sporting events, the FIFA Football World Cup and Olympic Games, coming to
the country in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
January 2011 29
Left to right: Marco Piva, Murano glass Tattoo lamps.
Part of this involves his design of a new airport in the north of the country, are to be pretentious, but to create ideas. I don’t design only for my clients, but
along with residential projects in the capital São Paulo. According to him, his also for people [in general].”
studio was invited to do the work largely on the basis of its success in designing Thus Studio Marco Piva has created a number of extremely innovative
large-scale developments on the Venetian waterfront in Italy. designs for objects otherwise perceived as ordinary, everyday items. One of his
He began his professional career purely as an architect, having studied at most recent is the Vitrum light switch, which has already been commissioned for
Milan Polytechnic in the 70s, at a time when areas such as industrial design and use in a number of hotels and high-end residences.
interior design were not treated as separate disciplines. A control switch specifically designed to work with LED lights, it is operated
“The approach of all universities then was architecture; interior design was much like the Apple iPod click-wheel, requiring only a light touch to activate
a later area of specialty,” Piva remembers. “I think that was helpful, because and to dim room lighting. It features an eco-friendly setting, which automatically
you cannot think of a building’s interior without an awareness of its overall optimises power consumption at a single touch, and can also be configured to
architecture, they are not two separate areas. Each surface and aspect of work with home stereos and digital televisions.
interior design also needs to relate to the history of the building.” Other smart design aspects are built into the product through the materials
Industrial design is a particular area of passion for him. “Industrial design is an used. Not only does its sheer glass surface allow for easy cleaning, other
answer to the needs of us all, to give function and life to the interior space,” Piva materials also support this design objective. “We designed the collection to
enthuses. “In Italy, we are very lucky because we have such a strong network of meet various international standards, including the US, Europe and UK.
companies involved in manufacturing various products and materials.” Made of glass, we also used some silver components, because of its inherent
As head of a multi-national studio that employs some 70 people, much of his anti-bacterial qualities,” he says.
professional focus these days is on solving problems and project management. Another recent product line from Studio Marco Piva is its range of heaters
While interior design accounts for the majority of his studio’s work, Piva says produced for Italian firm iRadium. Breaking from the traditional materials used
that his two greatest professional passions are architecture and industrial design: to create radiators, these are all made from wood, crafted as aesthetically
“I like the integration of systems and of actions – I like to rethink what has appealing objects that are as sculptural as they are functional. Piva created the
previously been assumed.” wall-mounted Wood and Leaf radiator designs, which double as attractive wall
With an intense curiosity about all that is new and efficient in the world of sculptures, along with the more traditional free-standing designs of the Bag and
design, he describes himself as “very open-minded… I don’t design things that Totem models.
PROFILE
He is also interested in the juxtaposition between old and new presented by

this stone. Having been used in buildings, sculptures and other applications since
ancient times, Piva is fascinated by laser-etching techniques and new ways of
working with the material made possible through cutting-edge technology.
Examples of this are seen in his Vulcano collection, designed for MGM Furnari,
which includes precisely machined marble wash-basins and laser-etching to
create unique textural effects.
Piva has also looked at ways of reinventing the use of steel. One of his
flooring products draws inspiration from ancient mosaic designs, consisting of
stainless steel plates that can be interlinked to create a durable floor material,
ideally suited to commercial or other hard-wearing applications.
Clockwise from top left: Piva’s cutting edge light switch; Wood wall-mounted
heater for iradium; laser-cut marble in Piva’s vulcano collection for MGM Furnari. In glass, he also shows his love of craftsmanship and a desire to constantly
challenge the abilities of the artisans and manufacturers with whom he works.
His Tattoo suspension light, created from Murano glass, combines ancient
techniques of Venetian glassblowing with more contemporary styling.
Ensuring his work is readily accessible is important to Piva and initiatives
Piva plans to take his penchant for integrating different actions and uses such as Contractitaliano.com will further improve the availability of his world-
within a single product one step further by integrating heaters within timber renowned design pieces for customers in the Middle East.
bathroom doors. Particularly suited to cold European winters, this moves Speaking about the UAE, Piva explains his attraction and why he established
beyond having separate heated towel rails, radiators and doors, combining an on-the-ground presence. “I love this place and it has given me the
them all in a single product. opportunity to work on some huge projects – it is like a second home to me.
However, despite this recent use of wood, when asked to identify his I would like to have a chance to help create the new vision,” he says.
favourite materials in design, he names glass, steel and stone. “These are three Indeed, this was the topic he discussed in detail during his speech at the
elements that are basic in defining space and volume,” Piva says. Contractitaliano.com event. In a presentation entitled Reshape the Vision, Piva
Marble in particular is a stone that he likes to work with. “This is one of the spoke about the need for the UAE to revise and rejuvenate its ambitious
first elements used in architecture – it can be cut, treated and reinvented, you plans for growth – an imperative also shared by many other countries in the
can add texture – it is a very versatile material,” Piva says. aftermath of the global financial crisis. ID
January 2011 31
Bright ideas
The use of intriguing and ingenious lighting schemes
is helping to draw even more attention to some of the
UAE’s most striking buildings. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN
The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.
The Middle East’s increasing use of leading-edge design principles in point that creating the lighting scheme for the mosque had to be much more
architectural lighting was a key theme among presenters at the recent Lighting than simply floodlighting; it had to convey a deeper significance.
Middle East conference and exhibition. “We were very clear right from the start – do you simply want the
Internationally acclaimed lighting designers involved in some of the region’s mosque floodlit, or do you want it to tell a story? We don’t want to deal with
landmark architectural projects – including Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Atlantis floodlighting,” Speirs said.
developments and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque – were in Dubai for the Creating the concept involved extensive research into aspects of the Muslim
event. Issues around sustainability in lighting were also broadly discussed, along faith and integrating this understanding into the overall lighting design. The scheme
with the importance of architectural lighting in going beyond simple utility and is based around the lunar cycle, an intrinsic part of Islam, with the building
spectacle in conveying deeper meaning. exterior lit in shades varying in line with the waxing and waning moon. This sees
Jonathan Speirs, co-founder of Speirs + Major, the lighting designer behind the lighting colour gradually shift from white during the full moon, through to
many global, large-scale projects, was among the guest speakers. He spoke different shades including a rich, deep blue when there is no moon visible.
about his firm’s immense undertaking in lighting Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed “The concept was based around this because it is something that shows a
Mosque, including some of the unique opportunities and challenges the real dignity and respect for the religious significance of the building,” said Speirs,
project presented. who confessed that “we put a ridiculous amount of thinking into our projects.”
On the sidelines of the event, Speirs described the importance of An important added detail is the cloud effect that plays on the outside of the
understanding the religious and cultural significance of the building, and of mosque. This was designed to simulate the visual spectacle of clouds drifting
reflecting sensitivity to these aspects through the project. He emphasised the through moonlight. According to Speirs, this further enhances the symbolised
DESIGN@LARGE
Left to right: The Ambassador Lagoon and exterior of Atlantis, The Palm.
connection between the mosque and the heavens, involving significant additional According to Gregory, the role of lighting in architectural design revolves
consideration and work. around creating an emotional response: “We look at lighting design as breaking
It also reflects the powerful religious role of the mosque, with the projected each project down into view ports – like paintings – with background,
clouds always appearing to move from the direction of Mecca. “There is a story foreground, frame and focus.
behind it all and I think the building is much richer for it,” Speirs said. “If you can get project owners and designers to agree on what mood they’re
Interior lighting of the mosque was also an extremely complex process. One targeting beforehand, the chance for success is much greater… the building
aspect of this involved the use of warm lighting, which spills from inside the owner needs to understand its clientele and incorporate a lighting design that
building to offset the cool white and blue exterior colours. reinforces the right things.”
Meeting aesthetic demands of the project also required a lot of detailed work Commenting on trends in architectural lighting within the Middle East,
in lighting specific interiors. All fittings and light sources were concealed, using Gregory believes the importance of careful design of lighting concepts is rising.
interior walls as reflectors, bouncing light off them into larger spaces. “The bar is being raised here in lighting design,” he said, referring not only to
Other highly-involved design effects were used in lighting walls within spaces the Atlantis but also to the Armani Hotel as leading examples. “This stands up in
such as the prayer rooms, with fibre-optics and a floral pattern used to depict global markets and is showing the growth of world-class quality and appreciation
and highlight words from the Qu’ran. Novel ways of lighting the interiors of the for good lighting design regionally.”
mosque’s domes were devised, especially in the highlighting of Qu’ran scripting In lighting the exterior of Atlantis The Palm, Gregory and his team designed
running along the inside of these. it to accentuate the outsiders’ view of the building, an imposing structure sitting
Paul Gregory, head of New York-based architectural lighting design firm some five kilometers off the Dubai coastline. “We had to light up the vertical
Focus Lighting, created the lighting concept for Dubai’s Atlantis Hotel, located columns and their caps in creating an attractive, iconic structure seen from the
on The Palm Jumeirah. While this project did not have the cultural or religious mainland,” he said.
significance of a mosque, he emphasised the fact that a detailed back story Lighting some of the massive marine-life displays inside the building proved
played a big part in establishing the lighting concept. particularly challenging, with the Ambassador Lagoon being the biggest
“There is a whole narrative storyline around the legend of Atalantis, which man-made structure of its kind. The entire nine metre depth of the tank had to
helped inform everything, including colour choice in lighting and selection of be lit, without putting lights in the water, with light projected around 30 metres
décor,” he said. from their anchor points to the tank floor. ID
January 2011 33
LIVING ROOMS | DESIGN FORMULA
Domestic
blitz
Living room design trends for
the coming year are picking up
where 2010 left off, but there are
also some new, more extreme
ideas popping up, causing a
break with current convention.
TEXT: LISA VINCENTI
L A
R MU
FO
G N
D ESI
CONTENTS:
36 Disturbed
39 Call of the wild
42 Set limits
45 Emotional attachments Jean-Marie Massaud’s Arch sofa for
MDF Italia, with its sleek and slender
48 Live in colour base, belies its own simplicity.
January 2011 35
DESIGN FORMULA | LIVING ROOMS
The Dune Sofa by Carlo Colombo for Poliform from Obegi Home. The versatility of the modular Dune system allows for individual interpretation of the living area.
It’s that time of year again. Time to take stock, look back and plan a studios in the United States, Italy and Turkey. “In the past, only the living room
strategy for what’s to come. For most, the passing into the new year comes was important and nobody cared about the kitchen, bathroom or studio. But
with promises to undo some of the shortcomings that have come before. then first the kitchen and next the bathroom experienced a huge increase in
Whatever the resolution, the start of a new calendar is also a time when importance, and that’s a clear indication that, wherever we go, we seek quality.
lifestyle and trend forecasters take stock as well. Where are we going? How I really like the idea of all rooms being equally important, because it means you
will we get there? What do we want? Such questions plague the experts, who can feel at home wherever you happen to be.”
study show after show to discover the meaningful trend for the coming months. Clearly demarcated spaces, unconnected to other regions of the home
So while early last year signalled a time to turn inward and withdraw, by the are disappearing as open living plans continue to dominate private quarters.
autumn a nascent optimism and hard-edged individualism surfaced. However, there are still some aesthetic mistakes from minimalist designs of
Looking ahead to 2011, the landscape continues to embrace those directions the first decade of the 21st century that need to be undone: the sterility and
but pushes them ahead full force. In the home, sobriety is tempered by a neutrality that marked much of modern residential design during this era has left
progressive attitude that toys with concepts of privacy and intimacy, utility and homeowners hungering for something more.
exotic experimentation. The world of design is welcoming a new concept of Increased expressiveness, personality and complexity now mark top designs.
modernity, where the classics and contemporary, the far-off and near, the public During the past year, a slew of new introductions featured more curvaceous
and private merge in an aesthetic that remains clear yet far from cold. and emotive profiles, to soften rigid lines. And, by the autumn, a tendency
Last year, the entire home sphere began to be viewed as a place to escape toward a more rebellious energy began to take hold and will prove a major
from the uncertainty surrounding global economic events, now the living area is direction of the top home fairs kicking off in January. Conformism, extravagance
morphing into a place to transport us to another more fanciful, personal realm. and an overexposed intimacy will be dealt a divisive blow in 2011.
The catwalks during last autumn’s fashion shows on both sides of the Atlantic
were painted in vivid strokes signalling a return to colour and life. Consumers DISTURBED
are ready for a change in a brighter direction both in their wardrobes and at
home; and their rebelliousness is shaking off tired conventions in search of During its autumn 2010 fair, Maison’s Observatory had forecasters focus on the
something more dynamic and fulfilling. theme of privacy. Three gurus were asked to interpret that idea and the results
“The biggest change is in the hierarchy of spaces, the importance that’s present a picture of what’s to come, and Please Disturb, Microcosms and Archaic
attached to them,” says product and interior designer Defne Koz, who has Shelters paint a portrait of major directions in residential designs.
P.O.Box 29860, Dubai U.A.E T +971 4 2691377 - F +971 4 2665461 info@granitiuae.com - www.granitiuae.com
Clockwise from top left: Colour and pattern makes a strong
showing in 2011: Cappellini’s Multicolour Rive Droit; Marcel
Wander’s high-back Tulip armchair for Cappellini; B&B
Italia’s Bend sofa by Partricia Urquiola.
“There is no longer privacy, we are being shot by cameras, filmed as soon as cry, a savage wrench in the face of an aggressive reality that nobody now wants
we go out, watched by satellites, exposed on Facebook,” notes Vincent Grégoire, to conceal. Privacy no longer exists; it needs to be saved through destruction.”
a former architect and designer who now heads the lifestyle department of the Grégoire takes the paradox of privacy to an extreme, where we desperately
NellyRodi agency in Paris. “Our time has something of Big Brother.” crave a private sphere yet can’t help but invite the world in via Skype video calls
Grégoire’s interpretation of future home designs in his Please Disturb, and Facebook postings, or fall victim to anyone’s curiosity via services such as
mishandled privacy, and presents a reaction against the conformism and Google Earth or being publicly tagged in photos posted online. The caption to
extravagance that marked most of the prior decade. Matter and forms are his exhibit might just as easily read: “Enter at your own risk!”
“shamelessly brutalised. The time is for manhandled, bumped, burnt, taped His vision of privacy explodes with creative destruction and jarring textures,
or holed objects. The violation of the home results in openly erotic expressions. sharp acute angles, shocking contrasts in shapes, electric colours and materials:
A provocative but necessary fury for life,” he says. knotted, smashed, crumpled, dismantled and repaired. His is a revolt against
The palette espoused by Grégoire is plush, lush and inviting on one hand, the increasing encroachment of the public world, but also an edgy response to
dingy, shattered and damaged on the other. Neutrals still exist, yet sweeps of vivid the crisis that we have found ourselves in. The winners will be those that can
pinks, reds, purples and black add a heightened layer of intensity to home designs. control the chaos.
“It is impossible nowadays to completely close your door. In modern life, “I love chaos. I splatter the world with what pops into my head.” says Belgian
there is always an eye peeking through the keyhole,” he states. “Our interiors are conceptual artist Arne Quinze, who has designed Cityscape sculptures and the
no longer enclosed and impregnable cocoons, they are laid bare and stripped of décor for the L’Eclaireur store with wood slats and nails. He, like many other
their sanctity. In response, we deliberately attack those objects which are meant designers and artists, thrives on the chaos of the times, seeing the perfection of
to protect us, in a kind of vengeful self-preservation, a reactionary catharsis. the imperfect. “Boundaries are made to be broken,” he says, and the rules are
Creations nowadays are dented, burnt, deformed… The home has become a being broken throughout the home.
Top to bottom: Fratelli Boffi’s Pointers and Coates side tables;

soaring backs for added privacy, as seen in Vibieffe’s Class
sofa, prove a major direction looking ahead.
CALL OF THE WILD
Parisian designer Elizabeth Leriche, another expert asked to express her “Consumers are striving for more self-reliance and want to achieve an
vision of privacy at Maison last fall, looked well into the past to conceptualise ultra-sustainable lifestyle”, states the 2011/12 Trend Book issued by Heimtextil,
tomorrow’s top direction. In a world filled with order, symmetry and perfection, a major fabric fair running in January. “In order to achieve this, some are
she ushers us into a realm that is solid, rough, unshorn. She taps our primal breaking free of their normal way of life in a radical way and adopting the
instincts to show what’s next. wilderness lifestyle, which means being at one with nature.”
Hence, Archaic Shelter, Times of Uncertainty, as her exhibit was called, Like Leriche, the trend experts at Heimtextil anticipate a broad showing of
reactivates the archaic desire to find shelter as a means of achieving inner peace. untreated, coarse, irregular, rumpled, knitted, felted and woven fabrics during
It’s a caveman-like experience, peppered by the raw and primal: a granite the fair. Twisted, knotted and bent hemp and soy fibres will be seen (and felt)
bathtub, animal skins for rugs. Like an ultra-contemporary archaeologist, from along with coarse wool, skins, imitation fur and faux leather, in a broad spectrum
fragile to raw, from feather to stone, via animal hides, and design takes from of earthy tones, from rust red to soot black.
nature, to build a neo-primitive retreat. “Private is becoming a luxurious notion, being on one’s own to be in
Last year, consumers began getting back to nature in earnest, seeking out symbiosis with the nature, to have some time for oneself, to refocus on oneself,”
products and designs that put them back in touch with the outdoors. They also Leriche says. “To stay open to others, it is necessary to set distances at times. All
began the notion of sustainability, whether through smart product purchase of us need to find our inner roots to become deeply-rooted.
decisions or heading to the local farmers’ market en mass. With confidence in “There is an idea of shelter, refuge, of our own world to be protected against
the economic structure, governments and energy supplies shattered, the idea this society that shows everything and tells everything. We need to come back
of not living off the grid has taken off for some. to something more secret, hidden, personal.”
January 2011 39
Texture and tactility erase the flatness of earlier
years. From Fendi Casa comes the elegant Farnese
sofa with printed leather for a touch of the wild.
January 2011 41
Top to bottom: Arik Levy’s modular Tea Time sofa for Molteni & C expresses a rationalism and dynamism for utmost flexibility; Pallucco toys with complexity in
Bucky 7, where a soft cable lends shape and structure to three blown-glass rods.
SET LIMITS
Like Leriche’s vision of the great thoughts to power design in the coming years,
François Bernard of consultancy Agence Croisements also explored the concept
of creating something hidden in his Microcosms, The search for calm, exhibit.
“In an overexposed and noisy world, our age aspires to find inner silence,” he
states. “Creation explores directions that bring the interior of the object to life,
overlap the place in the place. An effect of this aggressive reality and the loss of
privacy is a turning in on ourselves and our eternal silence. If our homes are no
longer impregnable, a world must be created within a world, an oasis of calm
in the middle of the cry. The modern home becomes invisible in order to calm
us. The feeling of security must be discreet, hidden… Using virtual interfaces
and warm material, we plunge back into a meditative trance, helped by our
environment. No more of the mundane – objects must provide inner peace.”
Over recent years, identity has tracked the phenomena of walls coming
down and living spaces opening up. Even in the sanctity of the home, it
has become more difficult to carve out a personal space away from other
household members.
“We are seeing more and more people knocking down their interior walls
to create vast open-plan living spaces that incorporate formal and relaxed living
areas, kitchen and dining, play areas for children and even offices,” says Shelley
Pond, an interior designer and creative director at the Scarlet Opus trend agency.
“However, once the walls have come down these huge spaces can seem
daunting, leaving many wondering how on earth they’re going to divide the
space again effectively. Even without walls there needs to be a sense of order,
purpose and even privacy.”
William sofa by Zanotta.
“Whatever directions the experts predict,

underpinning all their forecasts is a desire
to make it more personal, where everything
holds a nugget of meaning or significance.”
January 2011 43
Paola Lenti’s Allnew by Francesco Rota presents a linear profile softened

by rounded edges, the hand-crocheted Picot poufs lend a handicraft air.
This year’s fairs will be full of designs that offer an added layer of solitude.
More furniture makers are introducing seating systems with high-back rests
and/or arms to provide an added layer of protection. Montis’ Scene, designed
by Dutch designer Gijs Papavoine in 1998, is being launched in a super-sized
model with towering back, which can be configured in a number of ways. This
modular seating system of squares and rectangles features a large seat standing
lightly on thin metal legs. Slender backrests fold around the seating element like
a collar raised high in the wind, creating a shielded and private area for the sitter.
From prolific London-based designer Kelly Hoppen comes her interpretation
of the vintage Bubble Chair. Part of her just-released home furnishings collection,
an acrylic orb rests on a circular pedestal providing the best of both worlds,
a bit privacy but where everything is still visible. Likewise, two introductions
from Cappellini, the cocoon-like Secret Clubhouse and extra-large Wanders
Tulip Chair, also offer chic escapes.
“We very clearly feel the need for recreating or defining the spatial areas
of the living space, of marking the boundaries,” Bernard says. “Enveloping
shapes – such as the Gaetano Pesce high-back chairs designed for Cassina or the
lounge chair including a sleeping bag by Les M – which allow us to be isolated
from others, are welcome.”
In fact consumers are re-balancing and reconfiguring their worlds. The lifestyle
shifts that came about following the economic turmoil and the new realities of
consumption, whether that be decreased spending on purchases or the effect
of consumption on the environment, are likely here for good. Uncertainty has
driven the consumer inward, looking for re-assurance and comfort.
What’s more, the realities born of the financial crisis have moved consumers
away from a “me myself” attitude and toward a more communal spirit. Often
we are obliged to live together, with different generations cohabiting and young
adults living together.
“We are adapting, stacking and containing in order to preserve some private
space in the midst of other people and we are having to make concessions,”
Leriche adds.
EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS
Consumers have been hungering for more individual, personality-driven

interiors, a backlash to the rigid forms and lines of earlier years. They no longer
spend just to spend, they want to purchase an experience and meaning.
From furniture fair IMM Cologne, which runs later this month, experts predict
four major themes will dominate the home: Emotional Austerity, where a clear
and unostentatious aesthetic full of passion and detail dominates; Surprising
Empathy, where sensual forms and new materials offer a new way of seeing
things; Re-Balancing, where inviting and meaningful pieces take a practical turn;
and, lastly, Transforming Perspectives, where experimentation takes archaic
forms, simple solutions and ‘it’ products to cliché-like extremes.
January 2011 45
Clockwise from above: The Willy armchair by Poltrona Frau pairs a simple and plump aspect designed to invite and envelope; Atipico’s Tamburo parallel bars offers
lightness; Modoluce’s Budino pendant lights in Rosso picks up on the colour trend.
So many introductions in living room items continue to present generous, backrest, curved modules and contrasting seams, creating a sense of motion and
inviting proportions in a flexible format. The lines remain simple and calculated eccentricity.
uncomplicated, but the aspect is lightened and softened by gently rounded Two sofas designed by Jean-Marie Massaud for MDF Italia also play with the
corners or a playful touch. New forms and new materials are teaching us a new expected. In Yale, oversize inviting pillows sit on a delicate, airy steel frame;
way of seeing things: what looks light turns out to be heavy and resilient; what while his Arch sofa system, with its thin arch-shaped, aluminum frame, seems to
seems heavy impresses us with its lightness. float, belying the comfort of its roomy seat and backrests.
The just-launched Dutch design brand Fousse, spearheaded by Niels de Consumers no longer desire short-lived, seasonal trends, they hanker for
Greef, presents the sleepy Zzzen lounger, with a floor hugging, round profile, consistent value. The new consumer landscape is characterised by quality,
meant to rock you to sleep either back and forth or side to side. From B&B longevity, sustainability and significance. Within this context, a new generation
Italia, comes the curvaceous albeit monolithic Bend sofa designed by Patricia of designers have turned to forgotten skills and traditional craftsmanship, hence
Urquiola. It breaks out of traditional visual schemes via an irregularly shaped the growing popularity of handmade, art-like pieces. In fact, as consumers
Joe sofa by Verzelloni.
January 2011 47
re-evaluate their lifestyles, they are looking for products to build an emotional
attachment with.
“In so many homes the main issue that prevents a living area from being
effective is clutter and disorder; myriad possessions accumulated over many
years in several styles brought together in one space,” Victoria Redshaw notes.
“In many cases there is an emphasis either on practicality or style… rather than
a harmonious balance of style and substance. Products should enhance your life
rather than just adorn it. It is always better to have ‘fewer but more fabulous’
possessions. Decorating choices should make your life and home environment
more beautiful, more practical, more enjoyable, more fun and more relaxing.”
LIVE IN COLOUR
Everybody is searching for a home that is more personal and vital, which
has put colour back on the map. Though the greys and beiges so popular in
past seasons continue to play a role in living room designs, patterns, textures
and colours are de rigueur. Layers, complexity and emotional ties inject the
home with interest and personal whim. Experts predict that cool neutrals and
muted hues from icy greys to chocolate browns to bright reds, fuchsia purples
and sapphire blues, will be reflected in paints and fabrics. As people become
increasingly interested in their roots they are also turning to patterns, textures
and colours that have a global influence.
“Looking ahead to 2011 and beyond, a key colour story of dark, shimmering,
twilight jewel shades of deep sapphire, pure amethyst and midnight purple
illuminated by glistening teal and liquid emerald creates a sophisticated tone and
is a palette that is both transeasonal and unisex,” Redshaw says. “Combine this
with warm metallics such as copper, bronze or brushed gold.”
In fact, at the end of last year Redshaw took part in an expert panel at Grand
Designs Live, one of the UK’s most popular home shows, and noted that the
public is craving colour at home but is uncertain how to introduce it back into
their lives. The key, according to Shelley Pond, is to create flow, so even if all
the materials and textures are different, subtle variations in tones and shades, for
example moving from a pale grey in the kitchen to a dark charcoal in the living
room, create relationships and harmony.
“Create a flow of colour that gradually moves from clean and bright in
functional kitchen areas through the spectrum to wonderfully intense and darker
shades of the same colour in living areas; this helps form clear definitions within
the different areas,” she says. “Also, don’t be afraid to pull furniture away from
the walls and use it to create structure and define areas.”
Clockwise from left: Despite the lacquered white Wall System and Park sofa by
Poliform, character and life are added via colorful and eclectic accents; Kelly
Hoppen reworks the iconic bubble chair for her elegant, just-released furniture
collection; Seven Salotti adds character to its cushiony nap sofa by pairing it
with its sleek Gina armchair and Filu and Blow low tables.
Pond recommends selecting a small palette of three or four colours, from

which the entire living area should not deviate. “Using accent colours in different
intensities as you move through the space is another effective tool in establishing
relationships within your interior design,” she says.
The big trends of the moment in living room design are oversized mirrors,
sideboards with personality, rugs with a strong decorative narrative and
pendant lighting in clusters, Redshaw says. “Spend a little more money on a key
statement piece that you truly believe you will cherish for many years. This acts
as the foundation stone of your decorating scheme and should make a strong
statement,” she adds.
What’s more, accessories, from rugs to cushions to vases, window treatments
and even wallpaper, can prove an inexpensive way to update a room and begin
welcoming colour back. “Our love affair with the ‘statement wall’ continues
but, moving forward, opt for large scale prints and push yourself to be more
daring in your choice,” Redshaw says. “Opt for a darker or richer shade than
you normally would. For a statement wall with real style check out the UK’s
Meystyle’s crystal and LED integrated wallpapers. Remember the addition of
‘texture’ is a really important part of creating a successful living room scheme.”
Grégoire adds: “We are ready to metamorphosise ourselves. Summer
2012, which we are currently revealing in the various Paris trade fairs, holds
the banner high for this idea. After that, each person can write their own
destiny based on their preferences and desires. Some may use new weapons
– especially technological or scientific ones – to anticipate the possibilities; the
more dreamy among us may imagine ourselves hovering above the problems.
“Whatever the case, a new map of the world and mankind is being defined
and mixed without borders. Instead of nations, it is ideas that now bring us
together. Since we’re all in the same boat, we have drawn closer and become
more modest, today no one can claim to be unshakeable. Far from lingering
on an image, we seek a balance where frenzy will give way to meditation
and reflection.” ID
January 2011 49
DESIGN FORMULA | LIVING ROOMS
From GAN comes the innovative, knit Mangas

collection by Particia Urquiola.
Design sources
atipiconline.it
bebitalia.it; tel: (04) 340 5795
boffi.com; tel: (04) 334 9943
cappellini.it; tel: (04) 2952180
cassina.com
kellyhoppenretail.com
fendi.com; tel: (04) 337 7825
fousse.nl
leriche.com
mdfitalia.it
meystyle.com; tel: (04) 397 6615
minotti.com; tel: (04) 347 5090
molteni.it; tel: (04) 297 1777
modoluce.com
pallucco.com
paolalenti.it
poliform.it; tel: (04) 394 8161
poltronafrau.com; tel: 295 2981
sevensalotti.it
verzelloni.it
vibieffe.com
zanotta.it; tel: (04) 425 7888
In the sitting room, The sofa is a custom-made Jean-Louis
Deniot design made by Collection Pierre.The 1960s coffee
table is by Robsjohn-Gibbings, and the rug was designed
by Deniot and custom-made by the Galerie Diurne in Paris.
The standing lamp next to the sofa is attributed to Jacques
Adnet. The paintings are by Jean-Michel Atlan.
Out of
left field
When Jean-Louis Deniot was
asked to decorate an apartment
in the French capital, he decided
to go back to basics, stripping
away the usual Parisian
accoutrements to look at other
sources of inspiration.
TEXT: IAN PHILLIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY: XAVIER BÉJOT
INTERIORS
January 2011 53
Left to right: The entrance hall has a Jean-Louis Deniot rug, two black leather chairs designed by Oscar Tusquets which date from the 1970s, and ceiling lights
designed by Deniot lined with gold leaf; in the master bathroom, a blue armchair was designed by Deniot for Collection Pierre and the brushed walnut
cabinet was designed by Gio Ponti.
When the owners of this flat on Paris’ Left Bank first acquired it, they The 150-square metre flat is located at the top of a building at the crossroads
were initially delighted by its elaborate architectural details. There were plaster of two busy boulevards. It has a main floor, as well as a staircase that leads up to
mouldings with leaves, flowers and cherubs, as well as ornately sculpted a studio above and one of its major draws are the views as it looks out over the
neo-Louis XV fireplaces in Carrara marble. roofs of Paris towards the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel des Invalides. In the sitting
“They were enthusiastic about having the typical 1890s Parisian feel,” recalls room, the vistas are framed by a strategically placed oval window, which has
their decorator Jean-Louis Deniot. “I told them to enjoy it while it lasted as been integrated into a bookcase.
everything was going to disappear… and fast!” The principal drawback was its strange and rather restrictive floor plan. Both
For him, there is nothing more commonplace – at least in the French capital. the entrance hall and sitting room have curved walls due to the fact that they
Plus, in this case, the florid touches were simply out-of-place. “The layout and are situated inside the building’s rotunda. Instead of trying to mask the unusual
form of the apartment were already bizarre enough,” he says. “It was better to forms, Deniot opted on the contrary to highlight them. In the sitting room, both
simplify things as much as possible.” the carpet and the sofa follow the arc of the walls. In the entrance, horizontal
Thus, Deniot decided to strip the place and turn to other sources of lines on the walls draw attention to their shape. As he says: “Why work against
inspiration. One was Man Ray’s iconic muse from the 1920s, Kiki de an unusual form when an imperfection can become a very interesting element?”
Montparnasse. Another was the Constructivist movement and the work of Piet One of his major interventions was to open up the kitchen-cum-family room.
Mondrian and Gerrit Rietveld. “I wanted something a little more bohemian Between the two, he placed a counter above which there is a glass partition.
chic,” he explains. “To portray an ‘artsy’ place from the 20th century.” Harry Bertoia stools are placed on either side to allow four people to dine
That said, Deniot also decided to maintain a few neo-Classical touches casually when the partition is open. When closed, its sanded glass permits views
(the original doors with their mouldings) and add others (the Greek motif into the kitchen to be obscured.
on the carpet in the entrance and the 1970s chrome fireplace with its Louis The studio upstairs, meanwhile, was completely reconfigured. Deniot blocked
XVI-style decoration). “That way,” he notes, “the clients would still have a sense up a skylight, created a central block to house the bathroom, eradicated quirky
of something very French.” angles by building a domed ceiling and installed a stainless-steel kitchenette.
INTERIORS
The staircase connects the main apartment

to the studio. The mirror is a custom version
of the Origami model from Pouenat. Normally
it is all mirror, but Deniot requested that
one part be black and another gold.
January 2011 55
INTERIORS
When it came to the colour palette, the owners originally requested white,
but Deniot persuaded them that “half-tones” like sage greens, powdery blues
and taupe-like greys, would create a greater harmony. He also felt they would
help to soften the oak he chose for the millwork and partitions. “Against a white
wall, the wood could have appeared rather orange,” he remarks.
As for the furnishings, there are naturally a few Constructivist touches. Among
them, the column in the family room that has been painted red à la Rietveld
and the custom Origami mirror from Pouenat on the stairs. Then, there are the
Hervé van der Straeten table lamps, which consist of a number of lacquered
blocks placed one on top of the other in an off-kilter fashion.
Deniot has also mixed in a Jean-Michel Frank sofa, a few 1940s French
neo-Classical pieces, a beautiful Gio Ponti brushed walnut chest, an organically
shaped Robsjohn-Gibbings coffee table and a constellation-like chandelier by
Clockwise from top left: A daybed in the office-cum-guest room is made with oak
Gino Sarfatti. Furthermore, he has placed a number of poufs throughout. “They and the two side tables with the holes in them are by India Mahdavi; the sitting
are a nodding wink to the fact that the clients used to live in Morocco,” he room; the studio apartment’s armchair is by Ignacio Gardella and the standing
explains. “I thought they were also a nice way to give a laid-back feel.” light is from Hervé van der Straeten. The painting is Ohne Titel by René Clohse.
The owners, meanwhile, were keen to integrate works from their collection
of art. On the walls of the dining room are several canvases from the school of
Rubens. Elsewhere are paintings by Jean-Michel Atlan. “I like his work,” Deniot Here, the result is a cosy, intimate atmosphere that allows for the best of both
enthuses, “because there’s an ethnic touch to them. They remind me in a way worlds. Not only do you feel protected from the hustle and bustle of the streets
of Basquiat.” below, you also have a wonderful sense of openness thanks to the views.
When asked what they like most about Deniot’s style, the owners mention Deniot, meanwhile, has found the reply to the question he posed at the
“a certain classicism that is not wrapped up with trends or fashions” as well as “a beginning of the project: how to transform a stiff, Haussmannian flat into a chic,
certain approach to luxury”. “It’s always a discreet luxury,” they note. arty pad? “This apartment is the answer!” ID
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Books
idProperty
CONTENTS:
60 A legacy revealed
62 Bridging the gap
ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM
64 More clouds on the horizon

70 Antennae
72 Portfolio
January 2011 59
A legacy revealed
Foster + Partners reveals striking designs for the Zayed
National Museum which combine the UAE’s love of
falconry with a sustainable twist. TEXT: ELSA M LAREN
C
LOCAL | idProperty
Renowned UK architects Foster + Partners unveiled its designs for Abu

Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum during a visit by Queen Elizabeth II to the UAE.
The museum is the cornerstone of the city’s ambitious Saadiyat Island cultural
district, which will also be home to branches of the distinguished Louvre and
Guggenheim museums, designed by Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry respectively.
Dedicated to the founding president of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004), the Zayed National Museum will showcase
the history, culture and, more recently, the economic transformation of the
emirate. Commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development Investment
Company, the Pritzker Prize-winning Foster + Partners was chosen from 12
world-class firms which competed to create the most awe-inspiring design for a
Top to bottom: Saadiyat Cultural District; the Guggenheim; Sir Norman Foster.
modern Arabian icon.
The drawings were released during the British monarch’s second state visit
to the Emirates at an official ceremony with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of
Dubai. The building is designed to resemble the wings of a falcon, a symbol of
UAE heritage and culture, and will rise up from the top of a man-made hill as
the centrepiece of Saadiyat Island.
It is being developed with the help of the British Museum and includes five
galleries, a library, an auditorium and a fine dining restaurant, all centred around
a striking ground floor lobby. The lobby is dug into the earth to take advantage
of thermal properties and is dramatically lit from above to create a striking
entrance point for visitors.
Each gallery is housed in a lightweight steel structure, which has been
sculpted aerodynamically to look like a bird’s feather. The tallest of the five will
measure 125 metres.
Each of the five exhibition spaces is contained within its own pod-shaped
structure that is suspended from white concrete building supports. Concrete is
used extensively throughout the building, while local sand from Saadiyat Island
is used to mimic the colour tones of the surrounding landscape to give the
building a sense of belonging.
Meanwhile, Foster + Partners says the museum is focused on function as
much as form in a bid to incorporate sustainable design. Solar panels and heat
exchangers are part of the building’s green design, while the five towers work
in formation to channel air through the museum.
Each wing provides a buffer zone to reduce the impact of the sun’s glare,
while heat builds up in each tip to create a cycle that drags used air up and out
through the top of the building.
Another important element in the design of the museum is the contrast
between light and shade. This is achieved with discreet and carefully positioned
openings throughout the building’s walls. These capture the region’s intense
sunlight to illuminate and highlight interior spaces.
Lord Foster said the Zayed National Museum was a “great privilege” to work
on and that the project sought to “communicate the dynamic character of a
contemporary United Arab Emirates,” adding that he had “sought to establish a
building that will be an exemplar of sustainable design, resonating with Sheikh
Zayed’s love of nature and his wider heritage.”
Foster + Partners, which has a studio in Abu Dhabi, is responsible for the
design of some of the city’s leading projects, including Masdar, the world’s first
carbon neutral city, and the Abu Dhabi Central Market.
Construction on the museum is currently underway and it is set to open to
the public in late 2014. ID
January 2011 61
Bridging the gap
Sheikh Zayed Bridge, the first of Pritzker Prize-winning
architect Zaha Hadid’s UAE projects, has launched
in Abu Dhabi and is set to rival landmarks in San
Francisco, London and Sydney. TEXT: ELSA M LAREN C
Hadid’s design is set to create a new landmark for Abu Dhabi.
After almost eight years under construction, the Sheikh Zayed Bridge The project has not been without delays – it started construction in 2003
– designed by the British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid – has opened to traffic in and was initially due for completion more than three years ago. However, an
Abu Dhabi. Measuring 842 metres in length, the structure cost Dhs1 billion engineering feat in itself, the structure is reported to be the most complicated
to build and provides the third access point from the island city to the UAE bridge ever built.
mainland. The site has always been a strategic crossing point where traders Launched around UAE National Day, Sheikh Zayed Bridge is set to become
would wade across the shallow waters. a new landmark for the UAE capital and one which its architect says has the
Named after the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bridge is set to be a potential to become a major destination itself – equal to the Golden Gate
catalyst for the emirate’s future urban growth. It is far removed from the first Bridge in San Francisco, Tower Bridge in London and Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.
steel arch bridge that connected the fledgling city in 1967 and a second bridge Renowned for her dynamic architectural forms, Hadid’s interest in the
built in the 1970s, which connected the south side of the island. relationship between architecture, landscape and geology is evident throughout
“The bridge, which bears the name of our father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin this project. The bridge is shaped like undulating sand dunes, typical of vast
Sultan Al Nahyan, is more than a link between two points,” UAE President tracks of the UAE’s terrain.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told reporters during the opening Hadid is also involved in a number of other projects in the Gulf, including the
ceremony. “It is a symbol for the continuous development process started by Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre, one of only five cultural institutions on the
the late Sheikh Zayed and evidence of our determination to pursue the goals city’s Saadiyat Island, as well as Dubai’s Opus building and Bahrain’s Museum
of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.” of Contemporary Art.
LOCAL | idProperty
PHOTOGRAPHY: WILFRED THESIGER
Top to bottom: A trader leads his camels across the shallow waters
of the Maqta Channel; Zaha Hadid.
Sheikh Zayed Bridge launches itself from the mainland to span the Maqta
Channel. Three steel arches rise and spring from concrete blocks, evoking
desert dunes, or waves rolling to the shore. The main arch rises 60 metres
above water level, while the road surface is suspended 20 metres above water.
The bridge supports two four-lane carriageways, an emergency lane and
a pedestrian walkway, which all run through the centre of the roller coaster
frame. In fact, the number of traffic lanes was increased from two in the
original plans after designers realised they would have to double capacity due
to Abu Dhabi’s rapid urban growth rate. Now, about 1,600 vehicles can cross
the bridge every hour.
A total of 666 concrete pillars made out of 480 tonnes of concrete, 5,000
tonnes of pre-stressed steel structure and 2,000 tonnes of foundation steel,
make up the bridge. The central pier alone is said to contain enough concrete
to cover a football pitch to a height of five metres. ID
January 2011 63
More clouds on the horizon
The global property market recovery is expected to broaden in 2011. Unfortunately
this doesn’t mean it’s going to be a trouble-free year. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN
INTERNATIONAL | idProperty
Did you heed Warren Buffet’s advice? Two years ago, he told us “the
time to get greedy is when others are fearful”. The financial whiz said this after
he bought a chunk of troubled bank Goldman Sachs when most other investors
were rushing for the exits with the banking crisis at its peak.
Buffet’s approach sounded like something that could apply to investing in
property as well as stocks and shares, so identity highlighted it in an article
on the global property market. We’re glad we did, because Buffet’s advice,
as always, was good. The chances are that most of those who got greedy for
property over the past 24 months have been rewarded.
Two years ago, reverberations from the global property crash were still
ringing in our ears as worldwide average property prices nosedived 17 per cent
in 2007 and 2008. Pictures of the resulting devastation, including abandoned,
half-finished building sites and repo men knocking on peoples’ doors, flashed up
on our TV screens. The housing market slump reached its lowest level at that
time, but since then global house prices have risen by 10 per cent on average,
according to estate agency Knight Frank.
“Each quarter we are presented with further evidence that the impact
of the global recession on the world’s housing markets is diminishing,” says
Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank. “Economic stimulus
measures put in place by many Western governments, such as ultra-low
interest rates, first time buyer concessions and targeted support for banks,
have encouraged house buyers.”
So where has greed been good for home buyers? Investors who ploughed
money into East Asian markets in 2010 may feel they have the Midas touch
as last year property prices rose by more than a quarter in Hong Kong and by
a third in Singapore and China’s biggest cities. Those who braved the Latvian
housing market must also be feeling smug. The Baltic state’s housing market was
devastated by the crash, with home prices sinking 43 per cent from their 2007
Villa Flowers, Eze, Cote d’Azur, South of France, peak, but in 2010 they recovered strongly, rising about 20 per cent, making it
five bedrooms with swimming pool and sea view. Europe’s best performing housing market.
January 2011 65
idProperty | INTERNATIONAL
Clockwise from above: Bond Street apartments, New York; 10-bedroom house
in eight hectares of grounds, The Hamptons, USA; Central district, Hong Kong.
Other buoyant markets included Brazil, Russia, Australia and South Africa. Let’s look at key trouble spots, starting with the PIGS. Price falls are expected
Meanwhile Dubai’s housing market stabilised following a catastrophic halving of by almost everyone in these countries next year, but by how much divides
property values in the emirate in 2009 and modest French property price rises opinion. Knight Frank forecasts a three per cent fall in Irish property values in
kept pace with inflation. 2011, but a new set of tax rises and public spending cuts in the wake of the
However, as we all know, it does not always pay to be greedy. Anyone International Monetary Fund and European Union (EU) bailout could exacerbate
who bought a home in most European countries including Spain, Ireland and price drops.
Switzerland may wish they had not, because values slid downward. The same Equally harsh austerity measures in Spain, Greece and Portugal will drag
was true for most of the United States. down property values in these countries. If any or all four states default on their
Knight Frank’s forecast for 2011 is for modest price rises in most Western public debts, require additional funding from European neighbours or leave the
countries, including France, Italy and Switzerland, and a reining in of runaway Eurozone, that would upset European economies and spark banking crises,
markets in East Asia. That doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but a period of causing property prices to tumble across the continent.
boredom is probably what everyone needs, a time for consolidation. Britain’s position is also precarious. The EU is Britain’s largest trading partner
Except, that might not happen. A debt-crisis affecting the PIGS (as Portugal, and its banks have lent heavily to Ireland, so its economy and property market
Ireland, Greece and Spain are collectively referred to by less sensitive types) would suffer if the Eurozone’s financial crises spread. Such potential disasters
may wreck property markets across Europe, where a lack of mortgage funding aside, economists are split on Britain’s prospects. Bailey forecasts a modest two
is squeezing demand. Further west, a second dip in the United States housing per cent rise in Britain in 2011, partly because demand outstrips limited supply.
market is appearing partly because banks are unwilling to lend on property, Consultancy Capital Economics, however, forecasts a 10 per cent fall, because a
while for parts of East Asia, where too much money is being borrowed, we shrinking mortgage market and government austerity programme will drain the
may be discussing “burst bubbles” later this year. housing market of cash.
“The potential risks to future growth are many and varied,” Bailey says. London was Britain’s strongest housing market in 2010, mainly because of
“For Western economies, the availability of new funding, the scale of austerity strong demand from foreign buyers attracted by the weakness of sterling. Bullish
measures, earnings and employment growth will prove critical to the health of economists say the capital’s private sector revival will give London home prices
their housing markets. In Asia, a lot hinges on how far governments intervene in a boost in 2011, but sceptics say they will fall further than elsewhere in Britain
fiscal policy.” because affordability levels are overstretched.
Office 502 Dusseldorf Business Point, Al Barsha, Dubai - UAE
Tel: +971 4 447 4634 | Fax: +971 4 447 4635 | Email: info@sensi.ae
Website: www.sensi.ae
idProperty | INTERNATIONAL
In the United States, a revival in Wall Street’s fortunes meant property

markets in the high-end locations of Manhattan and Brooklyn boomed in 2010.
Clockwise from top left: Arrighi, Castello di Reschio estate, Umbria, Italy; NEO
The Hamptons, the playground of bankers and stockbrokers, also fared well. Bankside,199 new flats being built next to Tate Modern art gallery by Grosvenor
As for most of the rest of the United States, the end of homebuyer tax credits Estates and Native Land, Bankside, London; The Henson, Camden Town,
last April signalled the start of another slide in US property values. Capital London, warehouse converted into apartments; Fontana, Tuscany, Italy.
Economics expects US property prices to be five per cent lower than they are
now this time next year, but Knight Frank is more positive, forecasting a one per
cent rise in 2011.
Property markets where currencies are pegged to the US dollar, like Hong
Kong and the UAE, are benefiting from low interest rates because homebuyers In these uncertain times many of us may prefer not to buy a home, fearing
can borrow large amounts of money cheaply. When US interest rates rise, that we may lose money if markets fall. Perhaps the way to approach this
they will rise in US-Dollar peg locations, too, and the resulting increased cost conundrum is to ask: “What would Buffett do?”
of borrowing could strain the finances of indebted homeowners and deter new The Sage of Omaha is sanguine about uncertainty. Plan for the long-term,
buyers which will undermine property values. If banks absorb interest rate rises, he advises. “Only buy something that you’d be perfectly happy to hold if the
the detrimental impacts will diminish. market shut down for 10 years,” is a famous Buffett quote. He was referring
Steven Morgan, head of estate agency Cluttons UAE, is confident about to stocks and shares, but, as we have found, his approach works for property
Dubai’s prospects. “A number of encouraging indices, such as the re-entering ownership as well.
of Tamweel and Amlak into the mortgage market, increased tourism numbers And as for Buffett’s Dhs18.4 million investment in Goldman Sachs. His
in Dubai and growing container shipments through Jebel Ali, all point to Berkshire Hathaway empire is making Dhs1.8 billion a year on the deal. His
stabilisation and even modest recovery within the real estate market in 2011,” verdict on that is reported to be “not bad”, which must make him a master of
he says. understatement as well as money. ID
idProperty | ANTENNAE
Estate agents are bullish about Morocco, Cyprus and the Alps. But it will take more than optimism to lift
property markets in Thailand and the United States. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN
GO WEST ASIA MINUS
REPO LAND East Asian investors are ploughing more money We hear plenty about Asian ascendancy on the
into Western property markets. Property global stage, the growing power of China and
“High unemployment, widespread negative buying tours of the United States for East Asian the vibrancy of Tiger economies. However, it
equity, tight credit conditions and a decline in investors, organised rather like group holidays is not all good news, as Thailand continues to
the desire to own a home will keep the housing with coach-loads of buyers taken to homes struggle. The latest research from The Global
market weak for years,” these words of doom for sale, are commonplace. Their confidence Property Guide shows that residential property
and gloom come from consultancy Capital growing, some individual Asian investors have set prices fell in Thailand faster than anywhere else
Economics. They were referring to the United up multi-million dollar funds like Creations Group in the world in the third quarter of 2010, down
States, where a brief upturn in prices last spring USA. Combined, Chinese and Hong Kong 10.25 per cent quarter on quarter, wiping out
has since been wiped out by subsequent falls. investors made up 16 per cent of international price rises earlier in the year and exacerbating
Declining sales volumes and prices were made buyers in the US in 2010 developers estimate, a collapse in values during 2009. Strength in
worse by a temporary halt on foreclosures and Asian buyers are active in Europe, too. In the Thai economy has been sapped by political
following revelations that banks had cut corners central London’s most des res areas, Hong Kong, strife and falling numbers of tourists visiting the
to repossess properties and dump them on Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian investors country, a phenomenon that means those
the market, a scandal that had Shaun Donovan, bought half of all new build homes sold in 2010, tourists who do come can enjoy empty, sandy
secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and targeted developments in fringe locations beaches like this pictured here. Property prices
write: “The notion that many of the very same like Vauxhall, where The Tower, London’s tallest in Taiwan and Shanghai dipped slightly in the
institutions that helped cause this housing residential building is marketed to Asian buyers third quarter because of government measures
crisis may well be making it worse is not only by its developer St George. The Asian presence to cool the housing market, and fell in Indonesia
frustrating – it’s shameful.” Depressingly, 25 per is growing in Paris, the south of France and and New Zealand, where markets were weak
cent of homes on the market are repossessions. Tuscany as well. throughout 2010.
CITY LIVING
Despite our complaints about noise, pollution

and congestion it turns out the experts love
our cities. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
surveyed hundreds of planners, architects, city
officials and other “urban professionals” and
found almost 60 per cent said life in their cities
is getting better, although older respondents feel
otherwise. According to the EIU’s Global Liveable
Cities report, many over-60s would prefer to
INTO AFRICA move out of the city. Getting around cities is
a problem, respondents concluded, and most
The Moroccan property market is labelled “one to watch” in 2011 by property marketers Experience experts agree making transport improvements
International. The company expects the country’s tourism boom to boost revenues for holiday home is a top priority for maintaining liveable cities.
owners renting out their properties and the values of homes in tourist hotspots may rise. Ten-million Some developers are building new towns that
tourists visited the North African kingdom in 2010, a 14 per cent rise on 2009. New air routes to may become role models for future urban
Europe mean visitor numbers will rise further in 2011, the company says. Large hotel chains like the development because they reduce transport
Mandarin Oriental are arriving in the country and new entrants include The Baglioni hotel group, which problems by making shops and businesses a
is launching a spa and resort community in Marrakech in response to Morocco’s growing popularity as a short walk or cycle ride from homes. These
holiday destination. The Baglioni Marrakech, includes 15 four and five-bedroom holiday homes interior include plans for British eco-town Eco-Bos in
designed by Jade Jagger. Sales prices for these residences start at Dhs9.5 million. Cornwall, which encompasses the Eden Project.
HEAD TO THE MED CLASS DIVIDE

EVERYTHING’S ALL WHITE
While Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Greece and even In Britain, the haves are counting their cash
Italy and Belgium struggle to cope with huge It’s the ski season, so as snow and temperatures while the have nots are paying more of it. The
debt and sluggish economic growth, Cyprus, the fall, estate agents warm to their task of marketing Estates Gazette Rich List 2010 of property
independent southern half of the island at least, chalets to holiday home buyers. A recovery in owners shows that despite the recession,
is quietly establishing itself as a financial centre, Europe’s financial services sector has bolstered worsening austerity and several years of war in
drawing in overseas bankers and fund managers confidence among Alpine estate agents this Afghanistan, the owners of the great London
who don’t much like rising taxes in traditional winter. “There is good reason for optimism estates increased their fortunes in 2010. The
money centres like London. There is quite a bit in the French and Swiss Alps this year,” says Duke of Westminster, whose estate includes 120
of money available for property development, Andrew Hawkins, head of the international hectares of Mayfair and Belgravia, Earl Cadogan
too. At Limassol, a new Dhs2 billion yacht department at Chesterton Humberts estate (Chelsea and Knightsbridge), Viscount Portman
marina and holiday homes development is being agency. “We have seen a significant uplift on and Baroness Howard de Walden (Marylebone)
created that “offers the perfect blend of luxury enquiry levels compared to this time last winter, all enjoyed increases in the value of their assets.
and elegance”, the publicity material gushes. with most buyers looking for good sized three to The Duke of Westminster topped the list of
Prices for apartments at the marina’s Nereids five-bedroom chalets. Historically, Alpine markets 250 property tycoons, with assets worth Dhs39
Residences project start at Dhs2.3 million, with have been welcome recipients of bonus money. billion, a Dhs1.7 billion increase on 2009. Huge
a swimming pool and underground car parking The banks are starting to be profitable once overseas investment in central London property
among its facilities. Cyprus uses the euro, has more and all eyes will be firmly fixed on bonus helped raise the value of these aristocrats’
340 days of sunshine each year, a legal system levels in early 2011.” Plenty of home loans are holdings. Meanwhile, residential rents are rising
based on English common law and English is available, too, he says, which will help to buoy as demand for rental property surges from those
widely spoken on the island. demand and prices. who cannot afford to buy their own home.
January 2011 71
Raising interest
From Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup to a new Banyan Tree hotel
in Ras Al Khaimah, there’s plenty for the region to be thankful for. TEXT: ELSA M LAREN C
Qatar’s new World Cup 2022 stadiums will be built using the latest eco technology
FOOTBALL FEVER Twenty-eight storeys high, the building is designed with a flowing curve to
mimic an ocean wave and features a health and fitness centre and main lobby
FIFA’s decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup is a huge boost for the furnished with Versace Home products.
region’s construction and tourism sectors. Niall Mc Loughlin, senior vice-president of DAMAC Properties, called the
The tiny gas-rich Gulf state is set to increase its number of hotels from 100 to tower a “masterpiece”. “It’s a stunning blend of exquisite Versace interiors
240 by the start of the tournament, adding an additional 90,000 rooms at a cost and unique architectural design in an enviable location on the shores of the
of around $17bn. Plans also include accommodating 6,000 visitors on board a Mediterranean,” he said.
cruise ship moored off the country’s coastline. Hotel chain U Hotels & Resorts
has already announced a new venture in Qatar, which will open in Doha in TURKISH TALENT
August 2011. U Le Mirage Doha, the Thai group’s first hotel in the Middle East,
will feature 78 superior rooms, 36 deluxe rooms and six suites designed in a The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans to open a new 138-room hotel
contemporary style. The hotel will also have a 24-hour restaurant, café, roof designed by the Italian fashion house Missoni in Antalya, Turkey. Hotel Missoni
top lounge and fitness centre. Plans by Qatar to open 42 new hotels during Belek, located on the Turkish Riviera, will open its doors to the first guests
2010 have fallen short, but officials remain positive and have said they anticipate in 2013.
they will open over the next 12 months. “Antalya is a perfect location for this exciting, design-conscious and authentic
brand,” said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor. The property is part
HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS of a golf and wellness resort located on a hilltop overlooking the ocean 5
kilometres east of the city of Belek. It includes residential villas, a country
Middle Eastern developer DAMAC’s Versace designed tower in Lebanon has club and shops as well as an 18-hole golf course designed by the Swedish
been named the Best High Rise Architecture Project at this year’s Bloomberg golf champion Annika Sörenstam. Hotel Missoni, the group’s lifestyle brand,
International Property Awards in London. debuted in 2009 and each hotel is personally designed by Rosita Missoni,
The tower, in Beirut’s elite marina area, was launched in June and is the first creative director and founder of the fashion label. Further properties are under
Versace Home branded residential tower in the region. development in Kuwait, Oman and Brazil.
PORTFOLIO | idProperty
Clockwise from above: Striped Missoni accessories; DAMAC’s Versace

designed tower in Beirut; Missoni founder Rosita Missoni.
“According to a series of recent surveys, the building and construction sector in

the UAE and the Middle East has begun to swing back to vibrancy, with 1,600
projects returning to activity in the UAE alone,” he said.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Upscale hotel brand Pullman officially opened its property at Dubai’s Mall of
the Emirates in the presence of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum.
Pullman Dubai MoE, the company’s flagship property in the Middle East, was
soft launched in September. Catering for both business and leisure travellers, the
Meanwhile, Murat Tabanlıolu, founder of the renowned Turkish architecture four-star hotel features 481 rooms, four food outlets, as well as a roof top spa.
firm, said he wants to work on a project in the UAE. “Being from Turkey, we Pullman is part of the Accor Group, which also operates the Sofitel, All Seasons,
have a historic bond with the people and culture of the GCC and UAE,” he said. Novotel and Thalassa Sea and Spa brands.
The firm has won numerous awards this year for its schemes, including the
Tripoli Congress Center in Libya and the Levent Loft project in Istanbul. SIGHTS AND SANDS
ONE-STOP SHOP Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah has unveiled 32 beachfront villas at the
luxury hotel’s new beach club venue.
Union Mall, the go-to location for all your construction and interior After a 20-minute drive from the main desert resort and nature reserve,
requirements, has opened its doors in Sharjah, UAE. guests of the beach club will board a traditional dhow boat to reach the new
The specialised retail centre, offering 60 different showrooms, is located on location. Each villa has direct access to a private beach as well as a secluded
King Faisal Street on 12,077-square metres in industrial area no 4. terrace, plunge pool and covered gazebo.
Mohammad Abdallah Al Omran, founder of the M.A Al Omran Group, said The beach club also features a spa with six treatment pavilions, a water sports
the mall was “in a strong position to benefit from the real estate recovery.” centre and a grill restaurant called Sands, serving light snacks and daily specials. ID
January 2011 73
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PROFILE
Reflective Flow.
Shining light
Dynamic lighting designer Beau McClellan speaks about
his company’s plans to continue building on success,
his passion for his work and trends driving the industry.
TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN
January 2011 75
Crystal Spears Chandelier.
Beau McClellan burst onto the international design scene with surface for reflective sculptures by day. As McClellan explains, the way Cocoon
Reflective Flow, his large-scale, high-tech chandelier in Qatar. reacts to natural light during the day will make them feature pieces in their own
Demonstrating his firm belief that creating big, exciting lighting creations right. With the introduction of LED-light behind these surfaces at night, they are
doesn’t mean abandoning eco-friendly principles, his works use LED and other also transformed into functional lights.
cutting-edge technology to create awe-inspiring, interactive displays. During our conversation, a couple of points emerge as being intrinsic to
“You’re only as good as your next gig,” McClellan explains, as we meet over McClellan and the work he and his team produce: passion and sustainability.
coffee in the lobby of Dubai’s Al Manzil hotel, where he is staying while in town Though he is obviously tired after a long day and late night, his eyes light up
for the Light Middle East trade show. and a smile emerges as we discuss his work. His concern for the environment
In meeting this need to keep developing his company, Beau McClellan is also plainly evident, something he suggests has become even more
Designs is preparing to unveil its first self-branded lighting creations targeted at important since becoming a father a few years ago, making him more mindful
the household market. The Cocoon collection will include wall, floor, pendant of the environmental legacy generations leave for those that follow.
and table lights imbued with many of the same principles as some of McClellan’s Cocoon uses recycled materials, but McClellan also thought laterally by
large-scale installations. building in further eco-friendly attributes. “In creating the packaging, we didn’t
“We’re really trying to integrate everything we’ve learned from bigger want to just make it from recycled materials, we wanted it to be something that
projects by using the research and design from these and bringing them down the customer wouldn’t want to throw away after opening it,” he says. The end
to our own brand. Cocoon will incorporate some very special technology, with result means the boxes themselves can be used as part of a lighting feature,
all products bridging the divide between art and functional lighting,” McClellan functioning as stylish candle holders.
says. “We are playing with colour in a way that hasn’t been done before, it will “We shouldn’t have to sacrifice beauty for environmentally-friendly lighting,”
also be very ecological, using low-power LEDs with lamps constructed from McClellan says, referring specifically to the widespread trend of using compact
eco-friendly polycarbonate and recycled aluminium.” fluorescent globes that is sweeping the world. While acknowledging these do
While McClellan says he is keen to keep prices “reasonable”, the designer bring some environmental benefits in consuming less energy, he says they are
emphasises the lighting range is targeted at the high-end customer, using by no means a solution as they contain toxic materials such as mercury.
premium materials. He is also critical of the harsh, white light they create. “Sustainability and being
Borrowing concepts from projects such as Reflective Flow, the world’s largest eco-friendly doesn’t mean we have to give up on beautiful things… and colour
interactive LED light sculpture, the mirror-finish of the pieces will form the is so important,” he says, explaining how important lighting is in influencing
PROFILE
Top to bottom: Beau McClellan; Cocoon light; Southgate chandelier.
mood. “For instance, lighting will make or break a restaurant or a hotel… it is

a very serious thing, the wrong lighting can make people feel quite sick, light is
pure emotion.”
McClellan also talks about the pivotal role of lighting in design, referring to
the iconic Arco Lamp – designed by the Castiglioni brothers in the 1960s – as
a prominent example. His own work, particularly Reflective Flow, also bears
testament to this belief, blurring the lines between functional lighting and
sculptural display.
Commenting about lighting design, McClellan speaks about the minimalism
movement, which he believes is inspired by the increasingly busy nature
of modern life. “The reason for the growth of minimalism in design is that
everyone is so busy, you don’t want clutter around when you get home,” he
says, but feels in some ways it has gone too far, with spaces becoming too
barren and “feeling like a showroom.”
As a result, he sees that minimalist designs are shifting, maintaining the clean
lines but introducing more warmth to spaces – and lighting is a key way of
achieving this effect. This interaction between emotion and lighting is something
that runs throughout McClellan’s work, most notably visible in Reflective Flow.
During the day, Reflective Flow uses no external lighting source, instead
mirrored surfaces reflect the high levels of ambient light that enter the building.
At night, when the lights are switched on, sensors adapt the colours and
patterns according to variables such as the number of people in the building and
movement. When light is introduced behind the glass frames, the lens coatings
become either fully or semi-transparent, transforming it into an interactive,
ever-changing light piece. The custom-built computerised control system that
runs the entire sculpture and its lighting effects also allows the introduction of
external content into the display.
“I like the use of content, but after a while it can get repetitive and boring. So
we introduced a number of tricks with interactivity which keeps Reflective Flow
changing and maintains interest,” McClellan says.
January 2011 77
PROFILE
Lighting for Nadaman Japanese restaurant in Beijing.
Discussing the design concept behind Reflective Flow, he says it was actually Nadaman, a Japanese restaurant in Beijing, China. The Nadaman Tree consisted
inspired by the building that houses the sculpture, the Al Hitmi Office Building of 3,500 polished, illuminated aluminium chopstick-inspired branches, a project
on the Doha Corniche in Qatar. McClellan is also quick to point out that while created in collaboration with Stickman design studio.
he is humbled by the many accolades it has received: “Designing something that Environmental issues aside, the most significant challenge in these projects
was the world’s biggest was never the intention with this project – we were not – and indeed in any project – is staying true to the initial concept while also
aiming to break world records. The scale simply came about in response to the meeting client expectations. “One of your best assets as a designer is your ears,
building itself.” in picking up clues from your client. You need to listen as much as you can…
From architect Norr Group Dubai, the design brief of the office building it’s important to do your own thing with the design, but also to stay in tune with
was guided by Ali bin Khalifa Al Hitmi, who was fascinated by the Rocky your client’s vision,” McClellan says.
Mountains in Canada. In a process that took more than six weeks, McClellan McClellan offers further insight and advice to upcoming designers to not be
and his staff created a mock-up of the building, which they studied before afraid of diverging from the path along the course of a project: “Don’t be scared
coming up with the concept of a creek-inspired lighting display that became of change. While you have to get from point A to point B, sometimes you have
Reflective Flow. to go to point C or D on the way.”
While the end result was a resounding success that won global acclaim, there Fostering new talent is important to McClellan and his company, which
were numerous challenges that had to be negotiated along the way. Anticipating employs many new, young designers. “I like to develop and guide new
the logistical pressures and intense interest the project had generated, talent – it doesn’t matter how new someone is to the industry, it is always a
McClellan and his team first assembled Reflective Flow in China, where the two-way process where both parties learn from each other,” he says, adding
installation was created. that he is also keen to share his experiences in other ways and is scheduled to
Though this “dry run” went smoothly, the much higher temperatures of deliver a lecture soon after our meeting to design students at the University of
Doha in June created problems. “The heat inside the transport containers had Qatar, which will include a demonstration of Reflective Flow.
melted the protective packaging on some 5,500 small glass mirrors – we were On that note, as our coffees are finished, the lighting artist makes his
feverishly cleaning these mirrors so we could assemble it all in time for the apologies and explains he has to leave – his flight to Doha leaves soon and
unveiling,” McClellan says. there’s still much to be done. This global designer’s job description comes with
Further challenges to this project included juggling the multi-national projects a hectic travel schedule, but his passion and enthusiasm suggests he wouldn’t
his studio was working on simultaneously, including a striking lighting scheme for have it any other way. ID
Starting
from
AED 725!
ANTENNAE
Zaha Hadid’s first completed project in England, a unique addition to the skyline of Copenhagen and
the Dhs1.2 billion Kauffman Centre for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, are making headlines in the
architectural world this month. TEXT: STEVE HILL
4 1
8
3 2
PHOTOGRAPHY: SAFDIE ASSOCIATES

PHOTOGRAPHY: 3XN
2. GEORGIA 3. KANSAS CITY

1. COPENHAGEN
PARK LIFE CENTRE STAGE
SKY’S THE LIMIT
Henning Larsen Architects has won an The Dhs1.2 billion Kauffman Centre for the
Construction is fast nearing completion on the international competition to design the new Performing Arts, a new focal point for music,
four-star Bella Sky Hotel, which will become Aghobili Hotel in the Georgian town of opera, theatre and dance designed by Moshe
a unique addition to the skyline of the Danish Abastumani, located in one of Europe’s largest Safdie, is due to open in September in Kansas
capital. Designed by 3XN, it will feature 814 national parks. The 22,000-square metre City. Located on a new, five-acre park, the
rooms, 32 conference rooms, three restaurants, hotel will comprise 200 rooms, and guests will 26,000-square metre facility will serve as a public
a lounge, sky bar and 850-square metre wellness have access to modern conference facilities gathering place and a cultural cornerstone in the
centre. Visually, the hotel will be characterised by and a spa that stretches out into the landscape city’s already vibrant arts community. Two halls,
two leaning towers, which will incline 15 degrees, and becomes a separate part of the hotel. At the 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall and the 1,800-seat
creating a 20 metre slope difference between the the far end, a pool runs over the edge of the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, will be housed within
ground and top floor. The design creates diversity terrace, giving guests the impression that they a dramatic overarching shell featuring a glass roof
at almost every floor level, challenging the scope are swimming out towards the tree crowns. and glass walls that provide sweeping views of
for conventional construction. The interiors have In June, Henning Larsen Architects also won a Kansas City. The venues will share backstage
been inspired by Scandinavian design tradition and competition for the new aquarium in Batumi, facilities, including accommodation for more than
guests will discover more than 200 room variants. south-west Georgia. 250 performers.
5. MUMBAI
PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAHA HADID
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Hinduja Hospital S2 is a 22-storey hospital

ancillary services building in the heart of
Mumbai City designed by architectural company
LIVE (Laboratory for Interactive Visionary
4. LONDON Environments). The design explores the
topological transformation of a “mesh skin”
BACK TO SCHOOL wrapped across the vertical tubular core, and
the relationship of this mesh with the properties
The Evelyn Grace Academy in south London is Zaha Hadid’s first completed project in England of light, form, technology and patterns.
and presents itself as an open, transparent and welcoming addition to the community’s local urban The development of the spatial system
regeneration process. Designed for 1,200 pupils, the Academy maintains the educational principle of maintained a strong emphasis on the regulation
smaller “schools-within-schools”; with Evelyn and Grace Middle Schools each housing 270 pupils and of light transmission and was designed to
Evelyn and Grace Upper Schools accommodating 330 pupils per school. Each of the four smaller schools manipulate direct radiation. Shadow patterns
is contained within functional spaces that give a distinct identity both internally and externally. These channelled through the mesh and directed
spaces present generous environments with maximum levels of natural light, ventilation and understated towards the internal open plan organisation
but durable textures. are constantly transformed.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GOETTSCH PARTNERS
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM ARBAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERICK VAN EGERAAT
8. TORONTO
7. TIANJIN
6. ROSKILDE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
TOWERING AMBITION
FIRED UP Humber College’s new Centre for Justice
Goettsch Partners has been commissioned by Leadership will enable students of forensic
Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat is to build a developer Guangzhou R&F Properties to design science to learn the art of fingerprint dusting and
new incinerator in the Danish town of Roskilde. a new 294,570 square metre mixed-use tower other investigation techniques, including laser and
The structure is described as a “contemporary in Tianjin. Occupying a central position in the video recording in a state-of-the-art forensics
cathedral,” complete with 100m spire, and is due city’s newly planned business district, Tianjin R&F lab. The 1,700 square metre facility is based in a
to be completed in 2013. It will also feature the Guangdong Tower will be one of China’s tallest former car dealership, with the service area set
latest waste to energy transition technologies, buildings at 439 metres. The complex features to be transformed by Gow Hastings Architects
processing between 260,000 and 350,000 134,900 square metres of office space, a into a crime scene investigations lab, and what
tonnes each year to produce both electricity and 400-room five-star hotel, 55 condominiums and used to be the showroom being converted into
heating for around 60,000 homes in the Roskilde 8,550 square metres of retail space. The tower classrooms. The building’s original façade will
district. At night, backlighting of the perforated is designed to establish a signature visual profile be shrouded behind an aluminium screen with
aluminium façade will transform the incinerator in the city’s skyline and become a popular a oblique proportions and a lush green living wall,
into a glowing beacon, symbolising the energy destination for the people of Tianjin and beyond. swathes of which will be visible through large
production inside the facility. The project is scheduled for completion in 2015. fissures in the screen.
January 2011 81
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FORUM
Good for business

From a strengthening of Italian trade ties in the Middle East to chairs inspired by
the latest Disney blockbuster and a superb new Arabic cookbook, there’s plenty
to tantalise both the fashion conscious and foodies this month. TEXT: GLENN FREEMAN
DOWN TO A T
T-Ray, created for Walter Knoll by international architect Hadi Teherani –

renowned for his impressive, sustainable architecture – is a unique range of
upholstered furniture. “With new products and concepts, we aim to create
high-class living spaces for the residential sector and for the furnishing of
offices,” says Markus Benz, managing director of Walter Knoll. Inspired by
Teherani’s architectural style, the T-Ray armchair and sofa follow a rational,
square design combining clearly-defined horizontal, vertical and diagonal
lines in a geometric theme. The armchairs turn on base-plates, with
upholstered seats providing comfort and support in both the armchair and
couch. The T-Ray collection was featured at the 2010 Orgatec exhibition,
along with other new products from PearsonLloyd and EOOS, designer
Wolfgang CR Mezger and architect Norman Foster.
SCI-FI SEATING
Italian furniture manufacturer Cappellini has unveiled its TRON armchair, inspired
by Walt Disney’s relaunch of sci-fi epic, Tron: Legacy. From New York-based
designer Dror Benshetrit, the armchair draws inspiration from the digital
landscape of the Outlands terrain depicted in the film. Each armchair is
individually hand-finished and uniquely designed by Benshetrit. Following design
cues taken from the raw binary data of the fantasy universe shown in Tron, which
forms a jagged and angular landscape, the chair’s design comprises a series
of intersecting layers and textures of “digital” rock. Constructed of composite
material consisting of impregnated fibreglass with polyester resin, processed with
manual layering, the special production chairs are part of Cappellini’s Walt Disney
Signature collection. The TRON armchair continues the collaboration between
Walt Disney Signature and Cappellini, who jointly introduced a line of Disney-inspired
limited-edition chairs at the Milano Design Village in April this year.
January 2011 83
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Fredrikson Stallard, an
internationally renowned British
designer, has unveiled four
stunning Swarovski Crystal
chandeliers at the iconic Savoy ALL HANDS ON DECKS
Hotel. The chandeliers are the
crowning feature of the new- Bloomingdale’s Home store, located in Dubai Mall, has
look Savoy Grill, which has unveiled an art exhibition with a difference, with skateboard
recently reopened after a major decks used in place of the artists’ canvas. A concept
refurbishment and redesign by visualised and created by Emirati businesswoman, artist
Russell Sage Studio. Delivering a and photographer Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, the
fresh, contemporary interpretation exhibition was inspired by the relatively recent evolution
of the Art Deco chandelier, they of skateboarding and street culture taking hold in the UAE.
expose functional elements and The region’s first FAKie Dexhibition showcases the unique
contrast with the traditionally déco creations of 20 artists, each displaying their own unique
material combination of Swarovski styles in the colourful and surprisingly detailed designs
Crystal prisms, chrome and brass. According to the designers behind painstakingly painted on the boards – which are also
the creation, Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard, their dazzling, innovative available for purchase.
lighting creations are hugely influenced by visual art, communicated
through sculptural and functional design. In this latest project, they drew
inspiration from the strong iconic nature and rich history of the Savoy
building, creating a link between contemporary and Art Deco style.
COOKING UP A STORM
When Suzanne Cooks, a new cookbook of Arabian recipes from Suzanne Husseini, compiles a number of
elegant, authentic dishes delivered in a modern, inspiring and easy to follow collection. Comprising stunning
photography combined with the author’s personal recollections, the book makes an excellent addition to
any cook’s library. With chapters devoted to mezze and appetisers along with lunch, dinner and dessert,
mouthwatering recipes include meatballs with sour cherry sauce, cheese and spinach-filled pastries and
decadent regional treats such as baklawa. Compiled by Motivate Publishing with the support of Gaggenau,
When Suzanne Cooks is available from booksarabia.com and selected bookstores.
GREAT GELATO
Gaggia, a leading name in Italian coffee, is now importing its new range of household gelato
machines to the UAE. Renowned for producing coffee machines and related products since
the 1940s, Gaggia’s line of gelato machines are crafted from high-quality stainless steel and other
components and built to exacting Italian standards.The Gelateria Gaggia allows you to quickly
whip up your own icy creations using fresh ingredients. Easy to use, with push-button operation
and easily cleanable attachments, it makes up to 600 grammes of ice cream at a time. Distributed
in the UAE by Royal House Electronics, it is available in a number of outlets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
FORUM
THAT’S THE SPIRIT
Christofle, Parisian manufacturer of fine silver flatware and home

Design agenda
accessories, has introduced its Silver Spirit collection. Including porcelain,
IMOB 2011, Istanbul, Turkey, February 1-5
jewellery and other luxury accessories, the range also includes the latest
incarnation of the Radius cocktail collection. Martin Szekely, the talented AIFF 2011 Australian International Furniture 2011, Sydney,
French designer of Radius, has created the aesthetically beautiful three- Australia, February 1-4
piece collection that includes a champagne cooler, ice bucket and ice Salon du Mobilier 2011, Nantes, France, February 6-8
tongs. Blending elegance with sobriety, the collection is crafted from
stainless steel, a perfect complement to other items from the broad SPAZIO CASA 2011, Vicenza, Italy, February 6-13
selection of Christofle accessories for the home. Spring Fair Birmingham 2011, Birmingham, UK, February 6-10
CEVISAMA 2011, Valencia, Spain, February 8-11
Northern Light Fair 2011, Stockholm, Sweden, February 8-12
Bauen + Wohnen 2011, Salzburg, Austria, February 10-13
Ambiente Frankfurt 2011, Frankfurt, Germany, February 11-15
ZOW Bad Salzuflen 2011, Bad Salzuflen, Germany, February 14-17
Casa Pasarela 2011, Madrid Spain, February 16-20
ExpoCasa 2011, Torino, Italy, February 26-March 6
MAKING A SPLASH
Top European interior design brands Grohe and Villeroy & Boch are
now available from the new SARA General Trading showroom on
Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. Grohe’s high-design bathroom, kitchen
fittings and showers, which blend aesthetic form and function, are
prominently featured. Among the innovative products sold in the new
showroom are the premium German designer’s new Rainshower Icon,
winner of a 2009 reddot design award. The hand shower combines
eye-catching aesthetics and bold iconic colors – chrome with night-time
grey and moon white with eco-green. The shower-head’s spray face
is accentuated on each product in the Rainshower collection – also
including the Eco and Solo variants – through the addition of an intrinsic
chrome ring. At the same time, a smooth, flat design encourages
interaction and provides a functional hand-held shower head. Features
include an Eco button on the handle, for easy reduction of water
consumption, Speedclean nozzles for simple cleaning of the spray plate
and Grohe’s DreamSpray technology for precise and water distribution.
The Villeroy & Boch premium range of ceramic sanitary-ware, along with
WINNING DESIGNS FROM GM furniture, tap-fittings and accessories for bathrooms, are also on display,
along with its “wellness” range of bathtubs, whirlpools and indoor/
The 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe and Chevrolet Volt have received awards outdoor spas. The Sheikh Zayed Road showroom is SARA’s second in
for design and technical innovation respectively from Popular Mechanics Dubai, joining its Deira showroom.
magazine, a US-based motoring publication. Following the CTS
Coupe’s launch in Beirut, the design has created a buzz for its dramatic
expression pairing art and science. Set to become the flagship Cadillac
design, the CTS’s innovative features such as touch-pad door entry and
reinterpreted, signature Cadillac exterior and interior design define
the iconic model. Winning the award for technical innovation, the
2011 Chevrolet Volt is the world’s first mass-produced, plug-in electric
vehicle with a range-extending onboard engine. Pairing high-technology
lithium-ion batteries with the latest in propulsion systems, the Volt won
recognition for its smart design resulting in long-life battery power and
extensive range capabilities.
January 2011 85
i D DESIGN EVENT
Contract work
Top to bottom, left to right:
Architects Marco Piva; Carlo
Colombo and Karim Azzabi;
Simone Michelli; Professor
New online portal, Contractitaliano, fosters closer Massimo Papiri (left) and
his brother Maurizio Papiri;
ties between businesses in Italy, the Middle East Contractitaliano Project
and the entire globe. Manager Alessandra Rainaldi;
Italian Ambassador to the UAE,
HE Giorgio Starace; identity
Group Editor Catherine Belbin
The Italian Trade Commission in Dubai has launched Contractitaliano, a and Italian Trade Commissioner
new online trading hub to further enhance partnership opportunities between Francesco Alfonsi.
businesses in Italy and the Middle East.

identity magazine recently hosted an event at the Armani Hotel to mark the
global launch of the portal, which was formally unveiled by Alessandra Rainaldi,
project manager of Contractitaliano. In particular, the website (contractitaliano.
it) appeals to those involved in the design and manufacture of furniture, interior
design, architecture, engineering and construction.
A number of leading Italian architects including Marco Piva, Simone Micheli,
Carlo Colombo, Karim Azzabi and Professor Massimo Papiri were guest
speakers at the event. Respectively, they spoke on the reshaping of design
vision, architectural sustainability, design contracts and the melding of Western
and Arabic culture in architecture.
Designed for commercial users, Contractitaliano enables potential business
partners in the UAE and other parts of the region to connect with Italian
companies looking to expand trade opportunities. Regularly updated with new
businesses and projects, the website includes sections showcasing various
projects of partner businesses and samples of company capabilities.
Serving as an electronic catalogue for hundreds of businesses, it includes
company profiles, biographies on key staff and pictures of the products and
services they provide.
With an emphasis on the lucrative Italian industrial sector, which accounts for
a large proportion of its economic activity, the portal provides an important link
between businesses in Italy and the world.
“As this online portal demonstrates, we have dedicated a great deal of
attention to Dubai and the greater Middle East region over the years,” says
Francesco Alfonsi, Italian trade commissioner of the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
“Regardless of the difficult global economic situation in the past two years, we
trust in the UAE and in the continuing potential for growth of various business
sectors here and regionally.
“With countries such as the US and UK already quite close to Italy, from
a commercial perspective, we’re committed to exploring new markets.
Contractitaliano allows us to reach out to countries and regions without large
Italian communities and build greater understanding and trading opportunities.”
At present, there are around 80 Italian partner companies listed on the
website, with this figure set to grow exponentially in the next 12 months
and beyond. These include some of Europe’s most recognisable names in
contemporary architecture, furniture and lighting design, including Simone
Micheli, Guzzini and Zonca.
While Contractitaliano provides access to such leading brands, a key role of
the portal is to also broaden the accessibility of small to medium-sized Italian
businesses. As Alfonsi explains, “these are the backbone of Italian trade – this
website provides an advantage for companies who want greater flexibility in
creating trade opportunities with such specialised, boutique artisans, designers,
architects and others”.
More than 100 businesses from the UAE and other countries in the Middle East
have already partnered with Contractitaliano, including designers, manufacturers
and distributors who are potential trading partners for Italian companies.
Plans to further expand the reach of the site will see similar networking
events held in Moscow and Los Angeles. ID
Inspirations
January 2011 87
BOOKS
Glamorous properties across the globe, the startling modernity of the skyscraper, a look at the Bauhaus
movement and some eco-friendly offices make up this month’s reading list.
THE GOOD OFFICE BAUHAUS IN HOUSE SKYSCRAPER

JOHN RIORDAN HANS ENGELS M. OWENS AND D. MOORE ERIC HOWELER
HARPERCOLLINS PRESTEL RIZZOLI UNIVERSE
DHS193 DHS98 DHS225 DHS111
Looking in detail at the design of Bauhaus provides a comprehensive Illustrating some of the most The skyscraper, a symbol of modern
environmentally sustainable offices, overview of Bauhaus architecture, elaborate and striking rooms architecture over the past century,
this book features 27 buildings from regarded as one of the most influential in houses around the globe, In has undergone innumerable
Belgium, Britain, Canada, Germany, Modernism movements of the 20th House combines rich photography adjustments, redesigns and
Panama and the Netherlands, century. Tracing the roots of Bauhaus, and eloquent essays detailing 27 cutting-edge developments. This
although the majority are from the which ran from 1919 until 1933, properties from across Britain, book is a collection of essays and
United States. Divided into four editor and photographer Hans Engels, Europe, India and the Middle East. images – including many stunning and
colour-coded categories – new and writer Ulf Meyer examine a wide From stately homes in the English slightly surreal visuals – documenting
construction, adaptive reuse, land array of the movement’s buildings. countryside and 12th century French the past, present and future of the
conservation and certification – these Looking at structures designed by châteaus, to Edwardian baronial skyscraper. It covers more than 45
clearly denote the extent of each Bauhaus masters, teachers and mansions in the Scottish Hebrides buildings from cities around the world,
building’s green credentials, dependent students of the movement, the book and a Gaudi-esque gentleman’s including New York, London and
on it being a Greenfield or upgrade/ covers both famous and everyday club in Madrid, the book features a European cities, through to emerging
renovation project. Looking holistically buildings, including those that have selection of original and surprising metropolises across Asia. Among the
at the design and construction of been restored, converted and also rooms. It also provides a glimpse most interesting chapters is kinetic,
each project, The Good Office traces those that have become dilapidated. of the exotic, including an Art Deco which looks at twisted, torqued and
the materials used through to water From housing estates to hotels, Indian palace in Rajasthan, complete mind-bending skyscraper designs
usage, power sources and office taverns, stadiums and parking garages, with tiger skins and elephant tusks; from around the world, including
layouts. It also acknowledges the it emphasises just how pervasive the an awe-inspiring Tunisian palace; Santiago Calatrava’s Torqued Tower
importance of building positioning movement was. Bauhaus delivers and a high-society expatriate house in Malmo, Sweden and others in
in maximising natural ventilation and a somewhat clinical analysis of each in Marrakech. The photographs Tokyo, the Netherlands and Munich.
lighting and provides an interesting building’s design, paired with quite by Derry Moore, a photographer Another highlight is the chapter on
contrast between high-tech and smart, staid, stark photography, often for Architectural Digest and other buildings that take on an almost
yet basic design. Examples range from emphasised by leaden skies and magazines, capture the old-world cinematographic quality, akin to movie
remote light sensors that measure low light – though this may be opulence and often outrageous characters within the urban landscape.
external light and adjust artificial light intentional in capturing the tone interiors of the mansions and palaces A thought-provoking final chapter
levels accordingly, to radiant slab of the movement. While this may depicted in the book. The essays looks at some of the proposals for the
heating and cooling systems. This not appeal to the more casual reader, on each, from architectural writer rebuild of New York's World Trade
book is recommended both as an its detail and breadth of coverage Mitchell Owens, are written in Centre. Skyscraper is a well-rounded,
accessible guide to implementing would suit those with a professional a style reflecting this grandeur, intelligent and compelling read.
eco-friendly design, and a thought interest in architectural design and including entertaining observations BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM BLOOMINGDALE’S
provoking, visually appealing read. its history. and detailed descriptions. AND KINOKUNIYA
“C OM IN G H OM E”
HANDWO VEN O UTDOOR FURNITURE CREAT ED WITH WEATHER-RESISTANT D EDON FIB ER
www.dedon.de/treehouse
Nakkash Gallery · Al Garhoud Street · P.O. Box 26767 · Dubai-UAE

Tel: 00971 4 2826767 · Fax: 00971 4 2827567
nakkashg@emirates.net.ae · www.nakkashgallery.com
'('21B2UELW.LGVB,GHQWLW\B[LQGG
ICON
Sony Walkman
TEXT: STEVE HILL
It’s hard to imagine now, but before the appearance of the Sony Walkman would limit the appeal of the device, but imaginative marketing – specifically
in July 1979, the idea of being able to enjoy the music of your choice while the idea that portable music was associated with youth and fitness – quickly
on the move was simply unheard of. led to remarkable sales of a product that instantly became ‘cool’.
People sometimes clutched a radio to their ear to enjoy their favourite Today, Sony can reflect on sales of more than 220 million after announcing
programmes, occasionally using an earplug or headphones, but the invention that it would no longer produce Walkman cassette players in Japan, and
of the TPS-L2 revolutionised listening habits and expectations, and paved the instead make only a limited number in China.
way for the even smaller MP3 players with huge memory capacities that are Sadly, the Walkman had a relatively short lifespan and will soon be
so popular today. consigned to the bin of history that also contains other once innovative, but
The pioneering vision behind the creation of the Walkman belonged to now superseded, inventions such as the eight-track tape machine and video
Sony chairman Akio Morita who wanted to create an easily portable music cassette players. However, the spirit of this cultural icon, and the way in
player on which he could listen to opera while flying between Japan and the which it redefined what, when and how we listen to music, lives on in the
United States. Sony dealers fretted that the lack of a recording mechanism MP3 players and iPods we so cherish today. ID
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY/GALLO IMAGES
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HARVEY NICHOLS DUBAI M A L L O F T H E E M I R AT E S 04 4098888

Cover: Interior by Marco Piva.

JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT DESIGNED APARTMENT. PHOTOGRAPHY: XAVIER BÉJOT

17 The art of design 52 Out of left field

22 Cell division 75 Shining light

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COMPANIES STAY AFLOAT

UK company Waterspace Developments has come up with a prototype floating

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Top to bottom: Fratelli Boffi’s Pointers and Coates side tables;

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William sofa by Zanotta.

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64 More clouds on the horizon

Renowned UK architects Foster + Partners unveiled its designs for Abu

Hadid’s design is set to create a new landmark for Abu Dhabi.

PHOTOGRAPHY: WILFRED THESIGER

In the United States, a revival in Wall Street’s fortunes meant property

GO WEST ASIA MINUS

Despite our complaints about noise, pollution

HEAD TO THE MED CLASS DIVIDE

Clockwise from above: Striped Missoni accessories; DAMAC’s Versace

“According to a series of recent surveys, the building and construction sector in

Who wins...? You decide!

Top to bottom: Beau McClellan; Cocoon light; Southgate chandelier.

mood. “For instance, lighting will make or break a restaurant or a hotel… it is

Lighting for Nadaman Japanese restaurant in Beijing.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SAFDIE ASSOCIATES

2. GEORGIA 3. KANSAS CITY

Hinduja Hospital S2 is a 22-storey hospital

PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM ARBAN

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