Project Art initiative returns to empower both local artists and international women
Project Art, the interactive initiative designed to provide Dubai’s best artists a free space to exhibit their work, will return this month for its first show of 2022 – and as well as empowering Dubai’s creative community, it hopes to empower the emirate’s female artists with a special focus on International Women’s Day.
Hosted at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, the popular three-week Project Art residency will start on February 17 and finish on March 11, three days after International Women’s Day on March 8, with Dubai-based French artist Leiana (@art_by_leiana) showcasing a selection of female-inspired artwork from her Les Françaises collection.
“I live by colours, movement, and texture and always seek the wow effect in my pieces,” said Leiana, who moved to Dubai six years ago and started painting as a hobby. “The opportunity to have my work exhibited at Zabeel House is a dream come true and even more so as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Painting for me is an escape from the stresses of modern life; a simple way to relax. I look forward to sharing that process with visitors.”
Leiana will lead a live painting experience on February 21 at 10am in the hotel’s lobby, where spectators will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the artist, observe her technique, ask questions, and learn a little more about her journey from France to the funkiest neighbourhood hangout in Dubai. The artist’s completed work will be available for purchase, as will all her other pieces.
“Project Art is all about empowerment, so the opportunity to show our support to the burgeoning art community while also celebrating International Women’s Day feels like the perfect moment to bring back what proved a very popular initiative when we launched last year,” said Marcus Sutton, General Manager at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens. “Leiana’s work is incredibly inspiring and with Les Françaises focusing on strong, independent women, I’m sure her residency will motivate many others to pursue their passion.”
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H2R Design’s latest project echoes a serene ambience and positive vibes
H2R Design has revealed details of yet another of its design and branding projects completed in recent months, NETTE: a French Japanese restaurant located in MATCHA Club, Al Quoz’s newest boutique padel and movement club.
Indulging the interests of its cultural and trendy clientele, the venue blends seamlessly within the context of MATCHA, and has been inspired by the net, the court, and the game of padel, as well as the tranquil serenity of the destination, whilst also being functional as a dining space.
Hasan Roomi, co-founder of H2R Design said: “NETTE is in the heart of MATCHA Club, one of the most talked about new spaces and experiences in Dubai, and so the design really needed to match the beauty and ambience of the rest of the Club. We have not only focused on an aesthetically pleasing design, but we have also used the natural surroundings (the open space, the light, the greenery, yoga studios and views of the padel courts) to create a functional space that still works for the dining operation. NETTE is a fantastic example of how our design team have put the customer experience first, whilst also creating something beautiful.”
The space of NETTE itself evokes the tranquil ambience of the brand perfectly. A rectangular design with floor to ceiling windows, it has an abundance of natural light that is blended beautifully with hues of terracotta, as well as green, grey and natural beige tones, skilfully kept as minimalist as possible to let the materials and furnishings set the scene.
To complement MATCHA Club’s distinct geometric style of artistic furniture and lush landscaping, habitual materials have been used as much as possible to contrast the industrial feel of the surrounding area, resulting in an urban sanctuary in the heart of the Club.
Stunning marble has been used throughout the entire space but most notably on the coffee bar, the custom-made communal table that holds court in the centre of the interior space, and the outdoor planters in the courtyard, each handcrafted with colours such as Travertino Red with accents of Gaya and Indian green. These details and accents seamlessly tie the overlook look and feel together, offering a depth of intricacy to match all tables, shelves, counter and waiter stations.
Paying close attention to every element, the restaurant also comprises tasteful greenery and citrus trees, essentially bringing the outdoors in to enhance the overall feel of nature and tranquillity. The space is also home to impressive touches of wood, which is accompanied by accents of aged effect copper and black details, providing an extra layer of warmth and cosiness.
Building on the relaxed narrative, the outdoor area is situated under a beautiful, shaded courtyard and seats up to 43 guests. With the use of natural light and a statement Mango tree in the middle, the intimate yet social space will appeal to anyone looking for a moment of zen in the concrete jungle.
The branding of NETTE itself also reflects the casual and yet elegant effortlessness of the space and dining experience. Inspired by the padel courts (used as a grid to collect the logo mark), as well as the geometric design of the space and its interiors, the typography is simple and yet edgy, whilst the colour palette evokes the same tranquil feeling that guests feel when arriving at the venue. The geometric shapes have also been used throughout the visual identity, in a way to blend seamlessly with the space.
Photos: Ingrid Rasmussen
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Godwin Austen Johnson incorporates local cultural elements into the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah project
Inspired by Sharjah’s unique heritage and culture, the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences by Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) sits comfortably within its environment as a modern interpretation of a classic design inspired by three key elements. For the first element, guests are greeted by a stylised vertical version of a historic banyan tree structure at the entrance. The Rolla tree was once a favourite spot for residents to sit under the dense shade of the branches to wait for the cargo boats arriving at the nearby port. The abstract tree sculptures and contemporary majlis-style seating area replicate these gathering points reminding guests of the welcoming culture of the emirate.
The story continues, with a second element, through a modern interpretation of the Irish style of housing, a traditional palm leaf structure of early UAE homes, through stylised cladding and installations cleverly incorporated into the public space of the lobby area.
The third element is an acknowledgement of the UAE’s ancient art of pearling which is reflected in the luxurious materials used throughout the project and highlighted by a monochrome palette that borrows heavily from the blue shades of the ocean and the cool green shades of the Rolla tree accented by warm desert orange and lustrous pink pearl tones.
Thoughtfully designed seating areas are enclosed by a wall library shelving treatment housing a large collection of contemporary art and books which is extended into the coffee shop with its large communal table and elegant counter detail.
The wellness facilities include a spacious wooden-floor gym as well as a secluded indoor pool leading into a steam room and unique Himalayan Salt Sauna.
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AGi architects completes Wafra Living project in Kuwait
Wafra Living by AGi architects is an innovative housing organisation in Kuwait, a new type of multi-family living as a social response to housing needs in the country. The design is guided by the requirements contemporary life while balancing traditional norms, and reintroduces urban life to the building level.
Wafra Living is designed as a high-rise building set back from the street, with an L-shaped building defining the street edge. It is conceived to maximise privacy within the community, whilst providing ample natural light and usable indoor and outdoor common spaces. Cuts have been made on the ground floors of the front building to provide better views for the tower apartments. The complex combines at different levels domestic and collective scales that are both private and public.
The architecture defines the edge of the block and creates a series of open spaces within the plot for the community, with various uses. The building cantilevers off the ground to draw street life into the building. The ground floor level opens up to the neighbourhood with accessible retail facilities on the street level, integrating into the urban fabric, and links up to a high square through an inclined, stepped garden. The project is composed of 16 types of living typologies -ranging from two bedroom to four-bedroom duplex- distributed across five cores to cater to a variety of tenants. The project public amenities include multiple gardens, gyms, pools, kids playing areas, squash court, public terraces and community multi-purpose space. A “High Square” is created. It acts as a large-scale, private communal area for all tenants that includes various landscaped pockets, pools, and access to the gym to enjoy leisure activities in a more private setting.
The building envelope provides a safe environment for the inhabitants, protecting them from the hustle and bustle of the street. From this level, one can see an aluminium mesh: a double skin that climbs the internal facade containing the emergency routes, and conceals the various service spaces that do not relate to the public. Behind the lattice are the five cores, which connect the residential floors. Passive design techniques and innovative materials are used to maximise thermal insulation and minimise light consumption, also enhancing ventilation of the building, avoiding the “heat-island” effect that occurs in this type of urban development.
With the pandemic, typologies like this one have taken on a renewed interest as they offer a variety of ‘communal’ and public space and how crucial it is to our well-being as a society. Wafra Living is socially driven, environmentally responsive and behavior-conscious. This development has set an example of how to approach urban issues and redefining areas; thereby becoming a catalyst for the city’s future growth.
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ALTER EGO Project Group – The premium architectural bureau for exclusive projects
When it comes to creating your dream home, it is imperative that you are confident with the selected architectural and interior design team. ALTER EGO Project Group offers absolute service — taking you from the first consultation through to concept completion. They take care of all planning, sourcing, inspection and supervision — from decorating a private aircraft, to designing and building your own bespoke residence complete with helipads, runway and mooring.
The team at ALTER EGO assemble the epitome of private architecture in their work creating the ultimate lifestyle solutions, conjuring beauty that’s unique to their clients. They know how to translate each client’s feelings, thoughts and perceptions into materials, objects and color. So, most of the customers’ preferences and needs are met from the first round of design drawings. The group values their clients highly and each project curated by them is viewed as a worthy legacy for their clients’ descendants – exclusive and premium houses for families to cherish for years and years to come. Recently, Luxury Lifestyle Awards recognised this world-renowned architectural bureau in three contested categories, namely: *Best Luxury Office Interior Design for ALTER EGO Headquarters in Milan, Italy, Best Luxury Villa in Côte d’Azur and ALTER EGO Russian representative office became a winner in the Best luxury interior design studio category.* ALTER EGO Project Group was founded in 2003 as a family business and has been ever since with the core staff remaining constant throughout the years. ALTER EGO is a clear amalgamation of the world of luxury, creativity, and customer-focused service with technical literacy. The company’s main offices are in Milan, Moscow and representatives in Monaco; however, the team works all over the world including the USA, Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The team speak multiple languages and they have created more than 300 projects of private architecture worldwide.
ALTER EGO Project Group’s Italian office is in central Milan in the well-known Quadrilatero Della Moda. This area is popular and boasts boutiques of the worlds most famous fashion brands, contributing to a luxurious environment where everything is saturated with design ideas and a refined taste for life. Their flagship office is situated in an 18th century historic building and is viewed as a perfect emphasis on the continuous connection between time periods and the spirit of the place. The Italian Palazzo interior of the office has been carefully preserved and the authentic elements remain, however, the team has also filled the space with new content reflecting current ideologies of comfort and luxury whilst applying the latest technologies. The style of the ALTER EGO office is a diverse mix of inspired neoclassicism and respectable Art Deco, where artful frescoes, Venetian terrazzo floors and painted ceilings co-exist with designer pieces of furniture and décor. Therefore, ALTER EGO Project Group’s office has been recognized by the experts at Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Office Interior Design.
This talented architectural bureau was also awarded by Luxury Lifestyle Awards experts for Best Luxury Villa in Côte d’Azur, for their breathtaking project along the coastline. The client’s key desire was to create a home exposed to nature and therefore the concept behind this luxurious property was a space with blurred boundaries, open to air and light. Each room faces picturesque seascapes, and incredible views from panoramic windows are an essential part of the interior. Bionic forms are present in façade design and inside the house, large-scale arches, decorative elements, and elastic lines can be seen against a background of white, which emphasizes the continuity of spaces. ALTER EGO Project Group perfected each color shade and materials needed to create a masterpiece for their client, and coordinated the team of international contractors to achieve the best result.
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Gucci x Balenciaga | The Hacker Project
Hi trendies! Let’s talk about fashion, diving right into the latest news!
See also: Lavender Cream | Color of the year 2023
Not only a collaboration but a hack, The Hacker Project, it’s what Gucci and Balenciaga call their creative adventure.
With performative demonstrations, such as graffiti the word “Gucci” on the Balenciaga storefront, as well as the graffiti on items, like handbags. The brands also mixed the logos, B’s and G’s, creating new patterns, perfect for logo lovers.
So maybe you are a fan of Gucci or Balenciaga, or both really, this is just the perfect collaboration for you. A limited-edition for fans of the brands, or just fans of unique fashion collaborations.
All credits to owners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjDmiGpWc5w
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Summertown Interiors completes Picnic Square, Times Square Center’s food court refurbishment project
Summertown Interiors completes Picnic Square, Times Square Center’s food court refurbishment project
Summertown Interiors has completed and handed over ‘Picnic Square’, Times Square Center’s 2,330sqm food court refurbishment project located in Al Quoz, Sheikh Zayed Road.
Summertown collaborated closely with Times Square Center management team to deliver the sustainable design and build project, handing over the vibrant family-friendly dining space in the first week of November 2021. The unique food and beverage options selected by Times Square Center for Picnic Square will now start to be integrated into the food and beverage outlet spaces. Picnic Square will be officially opened in February 2022.
Picnic Square has an artisanal feel and will offer deli-style dining, setting a new design standard for shopping mall open plan dining areas. The newly refurbished dining space features natural materials, the integration of biophilia and plants, and a variety of welcoming seating options. There are family-friendly seating zones including stylish ‘private pods’ for mothers to feed their babies in privacy in the functional open plan design.
In line with Times Square Center’s sustainability focus, Summertown delivered the fit-out according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements (pending certification), a global green building standard which encourages the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy buildings.
A key challenge during the refurbishment was that it was a live project in an open shopping mall, so much of the work was completed in the evenings to avoid too much noise and disruption to tenants and customers. The new open ceiling design also required specific focus to ensure the mechanical, electricals, and plumbing (MEP) where coordinated seamlessly to create the desired white finish.
Nicola Trivett, Summertown’s Projects Director on the design and build project said: “The successful delivery of this project is the result of high-level communication between our project team and the mall’s management, ensuring the timely completion of the project. We are delighted to handover this high-end sustainable family-friendly dining area that fulfil our client’s goals.”
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