Studio EM ventures into East Africa with Nairobi Street Kitchen
Studio EM recently delivered its latest mega project in East Africa, Nairobi Street Kitchen (NSK), in Nairobi, Kenya.
The former abandoned mixed-use development in the city’s Westland district is now home to NSK, a thriving hub of activity for foodies, artists, and families alike.
NSK, described as one of Nairobi’s “most instagrammable projects,” is home to 11 brands and concepts designed and created by Studio EM’s interiors and branding teams, as well as sister duo and Simba Corp co-founders Alyana and Alyssa Popat.
Taking inspiration from food markets and street food concepts from all over the world, NSK is an assault on the senses, from the food on offer to the thriving and bustling environment created and adorned by gorgeous murals and artworks created by local artists from the city.
The concepts on offer include a Mexican street food concept based out of a chopped up VW Winnebago and an Indian restaurant inside an old disused Leyland bus. Nood is a cheeky Singaporean noodle concept and Butter’d Buns is a burger concept. Spilt Milk is the all day café concept that anchors the project along with the Library 68 wine bar. Other concepts include a BBQ Smokehouse, Pizzeria, A Chicken concept and a sweet truck as well as a rooftop bar.
This is Studio EM’s first step into East Africa and commenting on the project, founder and creative director Emma Stinson said: “We didn’t exactly tip toe into the East African market, rather, we jumped in and landed with a thud, thanks to the support from a really ambitious client. It was such an amazing project to work on with a fantastic client in Alyana and Alyssa who also put their own unique spin on the project, the results are just awesome and we look forward to doing even more in the region.”
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MMAC Design continues to grow in Africa with new hospitality projects
MMAC Design Associates has recently been appointed as interior designer on two new Marriott properties – a five-star hotel in Senegal and a five-star hotel and serviced apartment in Uganda. Other African projects include the acclaimed Hyatt Taghazout, Morocco and the French-colonial inspired luxury retreat for Kempenski on Mahe Island, Seychelles.
The five-star Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments is located in Nsambya, an upscale hillside neighbourhood of Kampala, the capital and largest city in Uganda.
This 258-key, double tower complex draws guests across a transition from old to new Uganda. The urban buzz and vibrant colours of local fashionistas mixes with African heritage in a lobby design that brings the Ugandan hut into an oversized contemporary great room. The native Mutuba tree provides inspiration for the lobby design and its sustainable bark cloth will find its place in the hotel furnishings. This century’s old traditional practice is one of the first known methods of making fabric. An eco-certified process makes bark cloth an exceptional material rooted both in the past and in the future.
F&B outlets are the main attraction at this exquisite new Marriott destination. With a ground floor African grill restaurant, a lobby lounge, café and juice bar, a dedicated sports bar, and a casual lounge pool bar there is something for everyone. The rooftop bar boasts indoor/outdoor space for white spirits, whiskey and cocktail bars that are sure to become the hangout of trendy Ugandan urbanites. The upscale Spa and health club with sophisticated, minimal and clean lines will offer an invigorating yet sensual experience. This property is set to be another pearl in the pearl of Africa.
The Four Points by Sheraton is located in the new city of Diamandio, 30km outside of Senegal’s capital, Dhakar. MMAC is delighted to participate in this new development promoted by the government of Senegal to revitalise the local economy.
Atkins announces a new business structure for the Middle East and Africa
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, announces a new market-focused structure for its Atkins, Faithful+Gould, and Atkins Acuity brands in the Middle East & Africa.
The new business structure, which will take effect from July 1, 2020, will be based around two core markets of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with services and propositions aligned to country priorities and respective client projects. Providing a simpler and focussed structure will ensure Atkins is agile and responsive to customers’ needs with a services delivery model that is more efficient and responsive to evolving local market dynamics.
Cris Dedigama, CEO of Atkins, Middle East & Africa, commented: “The Middle East and Africa region continues to offer great opportunities for our business and this new structure will enable us to be laser-focused in our services and delivery to very localised and dynamic market and client needs. Our new business structure will help us achieve focused future growth, through a robust local presence in key markets. This market-facing structure is underpinned by over 50 years’ regional track record, strong client relationships, a powerful global network and innovative, technology-enabled delivery capabilities.”
Johan Hesselsøe and Ian Redmayne will lead these markets as managing director, UAE and managing director, KSA respectively. Together with a seasoned leadership team dedicated to supporting existing and prospective clients in each market, Ian and Johan will manage the Company’s business growth strategy tailored to each country’s local requirements.
Over the past 50 years, Atkins has delivered many flagship projects in the Middle East. In the UAE, Atkins is currently supporting clients such as The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), MODON, and Miral on a number of transformational projects designed to meet current and future market demands. In KSA, Atkins is currently supporting a number of mega projects from developing masterplans, providing engineering for the built environment, providing PMO and cost management services, as well as strategic privatisation advice and digital asset management to major government entities.
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