The Interior Design sub-categories include Health & Wellness, Hotel, Public Space, Residential, Restaurant, and Office. The jury will also be choosing an overall Design of the Year – Interior Design project which will be announced during the event.

You can now reserve your seats for the event. Email sharmine.khan@motivate.ae

Here is the full shortlist for Interior Design:

Health & Wellness

• Wellth Wellness Center by Design Matter
• 1Rebel by Allen Architecture Interiors Design
• King Hamad American Mission Hospital by International Design Associates
• Brau by H2R Design
• 5 Senses Wellness Retreat by Al Ula Lulie Fisher Design Studio
• Fayy Health Polyclinic by Styled Habitat
• FOURSPA KAFD by Nebras Aljoaib Creative Studio

Hotel

• St Regis Riyadh by Kristina Zanic Consultants
• Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa by International Design Associates
• Marina Boutique Hotel by In Detail Design Center
• Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel by Lulie Fisher Design Studio
• Bab Al Shams by LW
• Waldorf Astoria Kuwait by LW

Public Space

• Epix Cinemas by International Design Associates
• Jaipur Rugs Showrrom by Roar
• Kage Showrrom by Cestici
• Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah by LW
• Compartés by Nakkash Design Studio

Residential

• The Villa Chanel by Smart Renovation
• House Of Courtyards by Studio VDGA
• WJ Villa by Design Matter
• White Maximalism by The Niche Corner
• Casa Sahara by The Niche Corner
• Villa K by IAIA – Idea Art Interior Architects
• Sao Paolo by Cestici
• Melwani Villa by KR Design Studio
• Palm Desert by Cestici
• Palm Jumeirah Penthouse Project by LUMI Interiors
• Villa 85 by Nakkash Design
• EA183 by E Plus A Atelier
• Garden Villa by TK design Studio
• Bulgaro Rosso by Etereo Design

Restaurant

• Uchi Restaurant and Bar by Studio M
• B+F by GASTRONOMICA
• Charlie & Friends by XO Atelier
• JUN’s by 4Space Design
• Batch Artisan Bakery by Nexus Design Studio
• Tero by Reif Othman by TwentyOne06
• Robata by Forsite Creative
• Spaces by mustard&linen interior design
• Al Mamlaka Social Dining by TGP International
• AMONGST FEW by SHELL+CORE
• Mogao by Socialicious by DZ Design
• FENZ by GEO_ID
• Zahrat Al Fayrouz by International Design Associates
• Lazy Cat by H2R Design
• Falla by H2R Design
• MARA Lounge Restaurant by Naqsh Architecture
• ATTIKO Restaurant by Swiss Bureau Interior Design & Build
• Balcona99 by Key Concept Interiors LLC
• SANKAI by GEO_ID
• Ristorante Loren by Tristan du Plessis
• Tresind One & Only by 1747studio
• Bushra by LW

Office

• Sprinklr Roar
• DMCC Office by Roar
• PARTNERSHIP by BASH HESNEF INTERIOR DESIGN LLC
• ARTISAN BAKERS HEAD OFFICE by BASH HESNEF INTERIOR DESIGN LLC
• Schlumberger by Spacewell Interiors
• Bain & Company by Allen Architecture Interiors Design
• Government office and coworking space by Agata Kurzela studio
• Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) – Tilal Al Ghaf (TAG) Showroom by Spacewell Interiors
• Cloud Spaces – Circle Mall by mustard&linen interior design
• LinkedIn Business Central Tower Offices by SAY Studio
• Sunni Waqf Directorate Headquarter by International Design Associates
• ODOO by Design Infinity
• Negma Group Offices by Swiss Bureau Interior Design & Build
• The Executive Council of Dubai by dwp | design worldwide partnership
• Jumeirah Emirates Towers by dwp | design worldwide partnership

NightLife

• Bedrock by FINCH
• The Guild by Archer Humphryes
• NONSENSE by VAGA by 4Space Design
• StrEat Culture by DZ Design
• NAZCAA by Pinnacle Interiors
• 7 Tales by LW

Fit-Out

• Smart Renovation
• BASH HESNEF
• Spacewell Interiors
• EMKAY INTERIORS
• Motif Interiors
• Havelock One
• Pinnacle Interiors
• BW Interiors
• Swiss Bureau Interior Design & Build

Emerging interior designer of the year

• Rani Lorenzana from FINCH
• Nikita Chellani from Roar
• Rand Al Drei from RSP
• Lisa Beaudenon from Swiss Bureau Interior Design & Build
• JADE DANIEL from SHELL+CORE
• Shiam Shibl from DLR Group
• Nadine Afify from Forsite Creative

The post identity Design Awards 2023 shortlist: Interior Design appeared first on identity.

Butler’s Table overlooks the historic waterfront of Batroun and is imbued with warm tints and yellow accents that simulate and stimulate the natural sunlight. The focal point of the space is the bold yellow bar that symbolises the radiant energy of the solar rays, reinterpreted through a fractal design. Handmade using a mixture of sand and epoxy by Lebanese artist Nelsy Massoudi, its soft brightness alludes to the golden hour. Suspended above the bar is an oversized chandelier, meticulously crafted using 200 pieces of blown artisanal glass, arranged in four descending levels – all executed by local artisans.

“Artisanship holds a special place in my heart,” Gerges explains. “It is very inspiring to have collaborated with many local creatives [on the restaurant]; those who are still guardians of their craft, incredibly generous with their time, and highly skilled. Although they are constantly faced with adversity, there is always that commitment to finding solutions and problem-solving that resonates with my own process as an architect. There is a lot of possibility when you are in this disposition.” 

Echoing the chandelier, the walls are decorated with sconces made from the same captivating material. “Every aspect of these glass fixtures has been carefully designed to maximise the reflection and amplification of the natural sunlight during the day. As night falls, they create a warm ochre light, enveloping the surroundings with a touch of enchantment and adding a sense of magic to the space,” Gerges describes. Throughout the interiors, elegant iroko wood envelops the space from floor to ceiling, blending seamlessly with the terrace panelling, where the restaurant continues outdoors. Butler’s Table embraces the hotel’s hedonistic slow-living approach: it is a place where culture and luxury meet, under the complete cycle of the sun. 

Read more about Carl Gerges design here.

More of Batroun? Read here.

The post Carl Gerges-designed restaurant in Batroun pays tribute to the sun on one of the region’s most beloved coasts appeared first on identity.

This time around, Mahdavi collaborated with renowned British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, transforming the restaurant with a new sunshine-yellow setting and a series of 15 new site-specific works that reimagine the space into a powerful celebration of African culture and legacy. For the colour scheme, Mahdavi has chosen a copper skin for the walls, paired with solar yellow fabrics.

“The Gallery at sketch has been linked to the colour pink for such a long time that it was very challenging for me to overcome this success,” Mahdavi shares. “Yinka’s artwork was a real inspiration and enticed me to work differently in this new version of The Gallery. Now textures will transcend colours with metallic copper wallpaper, Aissa Dione’s textured fabric and Inès Bressand’s woven wall-lights. These are elements that have allowed me to extend Yinka’s artistic exploration of culture and identity and bring a warm feel of Africa to the space and furnishings.”

Under the title of Modern Magic, Shonibare’s installation features five hand-painted masks carved from wood and 10 framed quilts that are a replica of the African masks found in Pablo Picasso’s collection, referencing the objects used by African peoples to conjure new powers and realms and the inspiration they bore for Western modernist artists, expressed using appliqué and embroidery techniques on richly dyed fabrics.

“After Matisse showed Picasso’s African art for the first time, it changed the history of modern art,” Shonibare comments. “Picasso was interested in appropriating from another culture, and I also appropriate from European ethnic art. Cultural appropriation can be a two-way street. This collaboration with sketch has given me an opportunity to expand my creative process – creating a different environment [in which] to encounter and experience my art in a fun and relaxing setting.”

Shonibare’s new artworks in Dutch wax batik patterns will stand alongside works designed by African artisans following Mahdavi’s invitation, including Senegalese fabrics by textile designer Aissa Dione and wall lights designed by Inès Bressand, who works with weavers in Ghana. The ceiling will take on a Mandarine au Lait shade, a colour created by Mahdavi in reference to her famous ‘Flowers’ colour range for Mériguet-Carrere, and will tower above walls lined with copper de Gournay wallpaper.

A new ceramic tableware designed by Shonibare has also been debuted and masterfully manufactured by British heritage brand Caverswall. Each piece will be dressed in a diamond-shaped pattern, nodding to the Yoruba trickster in Shonibare’s artworks on the walls.

Bespoke uniforms for The Gallery’s staff, designed by French designer Sonia Taouhid, will also respond to the sunny redesign. These will include a romantic dress bearing Taouhid’s signature frills, akin to Calla lilies, in violet streaked with golden yarn – a nod to the new golden surroundings.

“I was very afraid to change the pink room as David Shrigley is a part of sketch. Then I was introduced to Yinka Shonibare, and I thought, my God, the master himself wants to work with sketch. It was like I was dreaming,” says sketch’s proprietor, Mourad Mazouz. “Yinka’s work is so powerful, intelligent and mythical, and I am so pleased to share it with sketch’s visitors from all over the world.”

The post sketch London’s iconic pink restaurant gets a golden makeover appeared first on identity.

Over the coming weeks, we will be releasing this year’s shortlisted projects.

The Interior Design – Restaurant category recognises any interior space which people visit to eat and drink including restaurants and cafés. 

Here is the full shortlist for Interior Design – Restaurant: 

Deco Temple (Elixir Bunn Coffee Roasters) by Azaz Architects – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

Photo: Abdulrahman Bayashout

Azaz Architects created Deco Temple to take coffee lovers into a modern day spiritual-like experience. The structural column in the center of the space created a challenge for the designers. However, the team at Azaz Architects embraced it, transforming it into the center point of its design. New walls blossomed from the column, shaped into massive overreaching arches. The shape of the historic Islamic arches combined with the mud finishing contributed to the feel of local sanctity. Other standout features include the use of sustainable Italian Terrazzo for the floor and the deep blue spiral staircase.

Grapes and Dates by NIU by studioati – Dubai, UAE 

The brief was to develop a unique concept for the interior design and brand identity for the launch of ‘Grapes and Dates’ a new Emirati chain of Acai snack bar. Located in the Last Exit- Khawaneej food mall, the design had to be immediately distinguishable from other neighbourhood eateries. The interior space was a small gallery linked by a vaulted ceiling joined by two entrance doors, one to the inner food court and the other street-facing. A minimalist approach focused on only two primary materials: Terrazzo and a Barrisol stretch PVC ceiling. The selection of a stretch ceiling will allow for different ceiling shapes to be lit and decorated in the same manner. The three brand colours can also be interchanged depending on the location. Different artists will be commissioned for each of the additional branches.

Photography by Oculis Project

La Petite by BONE – Al Ain, UAE 

Bone‘s design intent for La Petite was to redefine the coffee bar’s volume as a monolithic sculpture in a cubist approach, that serves multiple functions as well as emphasises the essential role that one plays within a space. The selection and tonality of the materiality and treatment of surfaces epitomize the surrounding abundant desert sand, allowing the space to remain grounded in its location’s origins and create a sense of space. Mineral plasters in course and smooth finishes, soft linens, clay table lamps are complemented with the use of untreated aluminum Rivet tables and black steel Trianglo Chairs from Frama.

The Espresso Lab by Studio M – Dubai, UAE 

The Espresso Lab is a specialty coffee house founded by Emirati award winning barista and coffee connoisseur, Ibrahim Al Mallouhi. Situated in the heart of Dubai Design District, The Espresso Lab was intended to appeal to both coffee enthusiasts and the young upcoming design community. The aim was to step away from the typical modern industrial trend of coffee shops and curate an experience that felt more like a coffee museum than a café.  Striking a delicate balance between elegant sophistication and progressive minimalism, the soft grey walls and ceilings result in a monochromatic muted atmosphere that enhances the overall architecture of the space. The rattan chairs are reminiscent of traditional oriental coffee houses, adding a nostalgic cue to the experience. The natural beech finish of the furniture compliments the muted palette of the space, framed by the black patina steel details. Whereas the copper accents found in the lighting fixtures and signage pick up the warm hues of the stone.

Toplum Cafe & Restaurant by XO Atelier – Dubai, UAE 

TOPLUM, a brand new Mediterranean restaurant in the epicentre of Dubai’s bustling city, takes a new approach to high end dining. Redefining luxury by measure of quality and originality, the project has sought to promote an overriding experience of wellness, repose and positivity through its proportions, geometry, and light. Integrating bespoke furniture pieces and lighting solutions designed in collaboration with leading brands has given the space a distinctive aesthetic; understated, elegant and perfectly poisoned to allow guests to focus on the food.

Torno Subito by Bishop Design – Dubai, UAE 

Torno Subito is a visual celebration for famed chef Massimo Botturo who is known for his passion, creativity and quirkiness. The restaurant recreates his childhood memories through design and an innovative food offering. The brief was to simply realise the sentiment of Massimo having fun. A metaphysical manifestation of beachside days reminiscent of Rimini’s coastal playground in the 1950s and 60s were brought to life through the interiors.

The post identity Design Awards 2020 shortlist: Interior Design – Restaurant appeared first on identity.

According to the report, restaurant designers will abandon social distancing and return to pre-pandemic spacing – but not until 2021.

A survey of 170 industrial professionals revealed that only a quarter (26%) think a return to normal spacing will happen before the end of this year. Most (64%) expect that to happen next year, while a small minority (5%) say the restaurant trade will never return to normal.

“Safe spacing will be the most dramatic impact on restaurants – but according to our experts, one that is likely to be short-lived,” says Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director of Roar, the company that compiled the White Paper.

The White Paper noted that the guidelines in the IBC (International Building Codes) for F&B specify an average 15 sq ft per seated diner, and 5 sq ft for customers standing in so-called ‘vertical drinking’. Current World Health Organisation guidelines call for 27 sq ft per diner in F&B outlets.

‘Layout & spacing’ was the first of the Big 3 issues highlighted in the White Paper. The next two were ‘contactless’ and ‘buffet/sharing food concepts’.

“Very few people expect dining to be fully contactless. far more likely is what we’re calling ‘contact-light’,” Dean explained.

According to the White Paper, the contactless trend will have multiple impacts –some relating to objects while others to people. Physical menus may become rare, if not extinct. The same may be true of communal salt & pepper shakers, and the grubby three-week-old bottle of ketchup in the middle of the table. Sharing mezze with close family members will likely endure – but sharing platters at a large corporate functions may not.

The prosaic, administrative and functional aspects of the restaurant experience must also be reimagined, says the White Paper. Restrooms in particularly must be completely re-planned, with every unnecessary touchpoint removed: doors, soap, water and drying etc.

However, people are a different matter. “Since the dawn of restaurants, a charismatic maitre d’, waiter, chef, barman or patron has been the lifeblood of a good restaurant – nowhere more than in the Middle East, where I grew up,“  Dean said.

The White Paper concluded that this physical familiarity will ultimately endure, though maybe not before a vaccine for COVID-19.

You can read the full White Paper here. 

The post White Paper by Roar reveals the future of restaurant design post Covid-19 appeared first on identity.

The client, HH Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, wanted to create a platform for beloved regional celebrity chef Maroun Chedid, and to support and showcase the talent of local artisans throughout its 550 square metres.

“This was never going to be just another Lebanese eatery. Shababeek reflects what we see as three giant cultural influences that have helped shaped Lebanese architecture: Islamic and Roman since ancient times, and more recently French Parisian glamour. The window arches are classically Roman, while the delicate plaster moulding patterns use abstracted Islamic geometry. Then you throw in a layer of Emirati culture, and yes, you’ve got a lot of influences fighting for attention! The fun is weaving them all together in way that makes a subtle nod to history but with contemporary wow factor,” Dean explains.

“We were clear from the outset that while the food would be ‘fine dining’, we didn’t want the kind of stuffy, formal, white tablecloth interior that often comes with that. We made a conscious effort to embrace biophilia – bringing the outdoors inside. Hence the big statement olive tree, and the custom-design mural on the ceiling above it, which reflects birds, plants and trees indigenous to the UAE,” she continues.

Craftsmanship and maintaining a strong sense of identity when thinking about the cuisine were crucial when considering the elements of design.

“A lot of the carpentry was made just a few kilometres away in Sharjah and Ajman. Then, if you look at the natural materials that form the base palette – such as rattan, wood and local aggregate in the terrazzo flooring – [you’ll see they] reference Chef Maroun’s artisanal approach to the menu. That said, we balanced the local element with a healthy dose of European designer pieces from the likes of Vitra and Thonet,” Dean notes.

Collaboration was also key to the project’s success. “It was one of those collaborations where everyone actually got along!” quips Dean. “I’m not going to lie: sometimes when you get big egos in a room – a chef, a designer, an owner, a branding expert – they don’t always play nicely together. But this was a case of everyone working as a team, bringing different ideas, sometimes disagreeing but always respectfully. I’d probably credit three people for that. HE Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi, the owner, has such a warm, positive energy and that’s infectious. Zohra Qureishi and Ricardo Ledluna represented the client and helped pull the whole thing together.”

Dean’s favourite space: the entrance area with the custom-designed mural. “It brings together the flora and fauna in both Lebanon and the UAE, and ties the design concept together subtly. The terrazzo striped flooring is another favourite,” she muses.

But the best design elements aren’t always in plain view. A crucial hidden design element? The bathrooms. “We designed a curved full-length mirror that embraces the hand wash-basin – this creates a great optical illusion: you drop five kilos in your reflection if you stand at the right angle.”

Dean’s future is as bright as the restaurant’s interiors. “The next restaurant for the same client opens in Sharjah in a just a few weeks. It’s called Al Rawi and it’s a combination of café, library and bookstore. Sheikha Bodour owns a publishing company and is one of the driving forces behind Sharjah’s literature festival, so it’s a natural extension of that. We are also designing a confidential education project – which is going to redefine early years learning environments – as well as the new Edelman HQ in Dubai.”

The post Shababeek’s fresh spin on design appeared first on identity.