Indu Varanasi receives UAE Golden Visa
Indu Varanasi, a founder of Dubai-based interior design practice IR Design, is among the first interior architects and design leaders to be awarded a prestigious UAE Golden Visa in the creative sector.
Born and raised in India, Varanasi came to Dubai in 1994, as a young architect with big dreams to create both functional and inspiring spaces within buildings in order to captivate the attention of both users and onlookers.
In 2004, Varanasi ventured out on her own and founded IR Design and has been a creative force behind the studio’s most significant projects in UAE, which include the Time Square Mall, Etihad Mall, Amity University Dubai, Novo Cinemas and DEWA Auditorium, as well as multiple design projects in China, India, Oman, Tanzania, and Sudan.
“I feel honoured that the Emirates government has recognised the importance of interior architecture among other creative industries,” says Varanasi after receiving the Golden Visa status. “On a personal note, this recognition is dedicated to both my younger self who dared to venture out on her own 18 years ago and to all the designers and business leaders who are shaping the creative landscape of this country each day.”
Besides her near two-decade contribution to the UAE’s design landscape, , Varanasi has also been recognised for her continuous support of women in creative industries.
Celebrating the “Year of Tolerance” back in 2018, Varanasi curated “HERstory” a cross-cultural exhibition celebrating 10 women and their inspiring stories and deeds. This collaborative project with Anna Barbara, professor at Politecnico di Milano, was held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Culture, and in partnership with the Women’s Museum in Dubai and Dr Rafia Obaid Ghubash.
IR Design plans to nurture responsible collaborations with women architects, interior designers, business development managers, and visualisers with a minimum of five years of experience, who want to re-join the industry and get back into the field.
The Golden Visa scheme was launched in 2019, to attract and retain talent from all over the world and establish the UAE as an ideal destination to live and work in. Investors, entrepreneurs, special talents and researchers in various fields of science and knowledge along with bright students and graduates are eligible to receive the visa for five or 10 years, which is renewed automatically.
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King Salman Energy Park receives the U.S. Green Building Council 2021 Leadership Award
King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), received the 2021 U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership Award for the Middle East in recognition of SPARK’s exemplary leadership and contribution towards creating sustainable, healthier, equitable and resilient buildings, cities, and communities. Serving as a gateway upon which the world’s energy sector can build an integrated future, SPARK has adopted advanced construction solutions that are environmentally friendly and maximize long-term efficiency.
President and CEO Saif Al Qahtani commented: “At SPARK, we are committed to ensuring sustainable solutions are continuously implemented as we grow to become the leading energy-centric ecosystem in the world. We have achieved many firsts in our initial stages of development and will continue to adopt and support innovative initiatives that help improve the quality of life for our people, while also strengthening our business and the Kingdom’s economy. We are very proud of our team and the work they have done to guarantee SPARK provides long-term value and supports national and regional programs aimed at building a more sustainable future.”
In the Kingdom and in the region, SPARK is the first entity to pioneer the use of multiple cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of the development. Recognised as the first industrial city in the world to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, SPARK continually demonstrates its commitment to environmentally responsible building and construction practices. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and recognized as the most highly-regarded green building rating system, LEED provides a framework for construction and building solutions that aim to reduce environmental impact, limit resource use, reduce carbon emissions and address climate change.
“It is truly inspiring to recognize our leaders that have continued their commitment to green building and sustainable communities while adapting to the changing environments around us,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award awardees have improved our world through the power of green building, and it is their contributions and work that have helped our communities stay safe and healthy.”
The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients represent some of the best of USGBC’s 10,000 member organizations, a network of committed professionals with more than 106,000 LEED commercial projects in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. In addition to the USGBC 2021 Leadership Award, SPARK was also awarded four ISO certificates by world testing, inspection and certification leader Bureau Veritas for integrated management systems certification programs and asset management systems that lower costs, maximize return on investment and optimize growth throughout asset life cycles.
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King Salman Energy Park receives LEED Silver certification
King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) in Saudi Arabia has become the first industrial city in the world to receive Silver level accreditation for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The LEED certification strengthens SPARK’s ability to support future tenants and investors on their journey towards LEED certification of their facilities, as part of a fully-integrated energy community. It also affirms the city’s integrated sustainability practices, which are at the heart of the community’s planning.
SPARK President & CEO, Saif S. Al Qahtani, said: “SPARK is distinguishing itself as a leading global energy, industrial and technology hub, cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a progressive innovator in these fields on the international stage. The certification reaffirms our commitment to reducing the city’s carbon footprint. LEED communities are in high global demand, as they offer better rates of profitability, productivity and quality of the workplace. Our goal is to create an ecosystem for energy-related companies to grow with minimum environmental impact, and we encourage other industrial cities to follow our lead.”
Strategically located at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, SPARK’s vision is to be the primary gateway to the regional energy sector. Its technologically-advanced ecosystem offers investors unmatched supply-chain efficiency and has been designed to provide an ultramodern “plug and play” infrastructure. As well as targeting large corporations, SPARK also caters to small and medium-sized enterprises and provides support through its SPARK SME Hub, creating a tailored microcosm for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This allows streamlined and cost-effective operations near major workforce providers and close to highway and railway networks. At maturity, it will be home to over 300 industrial, technology and service facilities focused on meeting the demand for energy goods and services across the entire value chain.
Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel receives the SafeGuard Label from Bureau Veritas
Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel becomes the first independent 5-star property in Dubai to receive Bureau Veritas label
Bureau Veritas auditors verified that the Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel has rigorous health, hygiene, and safety procedures in place, all of which are In line with globally recognised best practices on preventative measures.
“At Grand Cosmopolitan the heath and safety of all our guests is our top priority. In current times it is even more imperative for all businesses to elevate their hygiene practices, and for us, as a new to the market property, vital to build trust with our guests. We are proud to have received this certification by such a widely reputed body, and it is testament to the hard work of the entire team. It gives our guests peace of mind that we have done everything possible to ensure their safety,” says Tony Saliba, managing director of the hotel’s owning company.
Cigna’s UAE head office receives WELL Gold Certification
In order to build a healthier, more sustainable workplace for its employees, Cigna has achieved the WELL Gold accreditation by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for Cigna’s headquarters in the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). This makes Cigna the first global health services company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve this certification. Cigna Corporation is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being, and peace of mind.
This prestigious distinction marks Cigna’s continued focus on adopting and promoting employee well-being in the workplace. AESG supported Cigna by providing WELL consultancy services for the project.
Isil Ata, head of human resources at Cigna Middle East & Africa said: “Achieving the WELL Gold certification is a proud moment for Cigna. It symbolises our commitment not just in our role as global leaders in the health and well-being industry but also a promise to our employees to continue providing a better and more holistic workplace that improves their health and positively impacts their overall well-being. A healthy work environment increases efficiency and productivity, which reinforces the need for a sustainable workplace. The timing of this is especially relevant as employees now return to work in the new normal. We will continue to build a safe and healthy environment for employees as they return to work and ensure our workplace wellness programs address employee needs.”
“We are proud to have been appointed as WELL consultants to help Cigna achieve the WELL Gold certification and LEED precertification. This has been an accomplishment that emphasises our commitment to supporting our clients in promoting sustainability, health and well-being,” said Saeed Al Abbar, managing director at AESG.
The 20,000sqft premises is a fully-fledged office space that will accommodate more than 200 Cigna employees across the company’s group health and individual private medical insurance (IPMI) businesses. AESG worked to incorporate several innovative design features in the Cigna MENA head office, many of which are first in the region. Through the implementation of design features such as circadian lighting design, low-glare workstations, increased ventilation and advanced air filtration, the team have ensured a healthy and comfortable indoor working environment. An extensive education and awareness campaign, including wall art and signage, post-occupant surveys and incentive programs, contribute towards engagement with Cigna employees on wider physical and mental health issues to promote a healthier, happier lifestyle for all.
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