Australia brings ‘Blue Sky Dreaming’ to Expo 2020 Dubai
Australia’s natural wonder, innovative know-how and fascinating 60,000-year-old cultural history and diversity will be on the world’s stage alongside 191 participating nations at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Australian Pavilion will showcase key trade, economic, export and education opportunities while celebrating the nation’s highly unique natural and cultural attractions, from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
Justin McGowan, Australia’s Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said the Expo represents an exciting opportunity for Australia to play a leading role at what is being referred to as the ‘global business Olympics’.
“Expo 2020 Dubai is an unmissable opportunity for Australia to build on existing relationships and identify new trade and investment opportunities. Global collaboration is integral to the world’s economic and social recovery. With 191 nations participating, Expo 2020 Dubai offers a gateway not only to the Middle East but to the whole world,” Mr McGowan said.
Australian companies have already secured over A$170 million worth of Expo related contracts. To support additional business opportunities, the Australian Trade & Investment Commission, in collaboration with Australian states and territories, industry bodies, research institutions, and partner nations are delivering an extensive trade and investment program across priority sectors – Education, Food & Agribusiness, Water, Sport, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Mining & Resources, Space, and Digital Technology.
“Throughout the six-month-long event, the best of Australia will be on show to the world. We will be showcasing the strength of our economy and world-class capabilities through a combination of in-person and virtual events.
The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together nations, communities and millions of visitors in the spirit of hope and collaboration, for a six-month celebration of creativity, innovation and human progress.
“Australia is proud to be participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. The United Arab Emirates is one of Australia’s most important and long-standing trade and investment partners with annual trade links valued at A$ 9.8 billion per year. Approximately 15,000 Australians live in the UAE and 250 of our companies operate here. As a nation, we are excited to be able to join our Emirati friends for this significant global event,” Mr McGowan said.
Alongside its trade program, the Australian Pavilion will offer an outstanding visitor experience and is expected to be one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s must-see pavilions. The pavilion’s theme of Blue Sky Dreaming celebrates Australia’s spirit of innovation and its history as one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations, highlighting the nation’s infinite opportunities.
The Australian Pavilion is in the Mobility District, directly opposite Alif, Expo 2020’s Mobility Pavilion. Standing 21 metres tall, the Australian Pavilion will be among the largest at Expo 2020 Dubai and will offer an immersive and exciting exhibition experience.
Meaningful art touches all aspects of the pavilion, helping to relay the story of Australia’s vibrant and long-lived culture. Visitors go through three distinct sections – the Welcome Stories tunnel, the Star Dreaming planetarium-style experience and an immersive storytelling exhibition space dubbed Annika’s Journey- before reaching the open forecourt where visitors can come together to dine, reflect, and celebrate true Australian culture and hospitality.
“In developing the design for the Australian Pavilion, we wanted a venue that captured not only the Blue Sky Dreaming theme, but the welcoming spirit and relaxed, multicultural society for which Australia is renowned,” Mr McGowan said.
“Brisbane-based architectural team bureau^proberts has designed a space which embodies the Australian spirit and persona; relaxed and laid back, yet dynamic, lively and courageous. The Australian Pavilion will be a place of gathering where everyone is welcome and will leave feeling inspired, having experienced a taste of what Australia has to offer the world.”
A key element of the design of the Australian Pavilion is its roof, a gleaming white canopy inspired by the large fluffy white cumulus clouds that make up Australia’s iconic big blue skylines.
“The large white cumulus cloud is a common feature of Australia’s expansive horizons and is a clear and a recognisable sign of good weather,” Mr McGowan said.
“Agile and ever-changing, visitors to the Australian Pavilion will find the cloud central to their pavilion journey. By day, it provides cooling shade over the forecourt. At night, it comes alive with a dynamic display of light and sound designed to mimic the ancient and rugged landscape of Australia.
“We are confident that the combination of the building and the breadth of the visitor experience will ensure that the Australian Pavilion is one of the highlights of Expo 2020 Dubai and a powerful representation of Australia on the world stage that we can all be proud of.”
The Australian Pavilion enjoys strong support from the Commonwealth Government, along with all Australian states and territories and leading public and private sector organisations. The Victorian Government is a platinum partner, with major partners including the New South Wales Government and The Hermal Group, a diverse enterprise comprising several business interests and investments.
“Presenting an event on this scale is a truly collaborative undertaking. We are proud to be joined at Expo 2020 Dubai by all of Australia’s state and territory governments, as well as our many public and private sector partners,” Mr. McGowan said.
“Together, we can ensure that Expo 2020 Dubai is both an economic and cultural success for our nation.”
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Dar Al Arkan brings world’s first villas with Versace Home interiors at Shams Ar Riyadh
Dar Al Arkan has announced a unique collaboration that will bring the world’s first ever villas with interiors by Versace Home to the Kingdom’s Shams Ar Riyadh project.
Versace Home’s outstanding design and craftsmanship will augment the extraordinary ‘Upside Living’ design of the limited-edition luxury villas which will be built overlooking the historic and natural setting of Wadi Hanifa.
In an exclusive model of innovative design, the entrance and living areas will dominate the first floor, together with floor to ceiling windows which will flood the living space with light and make a feature of the spectacular views over Wadi Hanifa, meanwhile the bedrooms and family rooms will be repositioned on the ground level, creating an overall space that combines elegance and practicality.
The villas have also been designed for a smarter life incorporating the latest hi-tech throughout and setting a new benchmark for residential technology. Lighting, heating and air conditioning will be engineered to provide a more enhanced, ambient lifestyle controlled by motion sensors, a sophisticated security and surveillance system will be fully integrated, together with a smart home entertainment system including a home theater and smart kitchen appliances will be standard. The emphasis will be on creating luxury and sophistication in every detail.
Situated overlooking Wadi Hanifa with easy access to the city’s prime lifestyle destinations and top attractions. The villas have been designed to make the most of their natural setting and offer a new way of living in comfort, luxury and privacy.
On announcing the collaboration with Versace Home, Yousef Bin Abdullah Al Shalash, Chairman of Dar Al Arkan, said: “We could not be more proud to partner with such a world-famous brand as Versace on this unique project. To have a design house of such a high caliber create the interiors of these very special homes encapsulates the high level of luxury living we are striving for with Shams Ar Riyadh.”
He added: “At Dar Al Arkan, our ambition is to elevate the real estate market in Saudi Arabia. Our close relationship with leading international designers will help achieve this and cement the Kingdom’s growing reputation for outstanding architecture and design on a global scale.”
The Shams Al Riyadh project is located in a strategic area north of Riyadh, on the King Khalid Road. Extending over an area of more than 5 million square meters, the location offers easy access to the city’s most important landmarks. The stunning landscapes of Wadi Hanifa, parks and open spaces all provide a wonderful, comfortable ambiance for families.
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GROHE brings health, well-being, and sustainability to the spotlight
In the course of its continuing efforts to support the design community, GROHE held the first 2021 edition of its GROHE Design Series event virtually, tackling the new hygiene focus in the hospitality sector, as well as the shift in consumer behavior around health and well-being, ending with a spotlight on sustainability in MENA. The Digital Dialogue between Renu Misra, Leader, MENA, LIXIL EMENA, Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design EMENA, and Catherine Belbin, Editor and Editorial Consultant, was moderated by Yeliz Olcay, Regional Specification Manager at GROHE MENA. Leading architects, interior designers, and media attended the event, and interacted with the speakers during the live session.
Health and well-being in the hospitality sector
The first session of the event covered the new Hygiene focus that emerged in the Hospitality sector as a result of travel restrictions and safety measures imposed in many countries around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though consumers’ needs and the way they plan their traveling journeys have changed, they are still eager to travel and are looking for spaces that they trust are maintaining the best hygiene standards. It is therefore a must for the sector to adapt to the shift in consumer behavior to remain resilient in the face of these challenges.
When it comes to hotels in specific, there are many sensitive areas that are considered public, like spas and gyms where the chances of encountering people are high, which might cause hotel guests to start avoiding these areas, while still wanting to have access to the wellbeing experiences that many hotels offer. This is where GROHE’s touchless products and technologies can help make a difference. “Public sectors such as hotels, food preparation, catering, and high-traffic are very sensitive areas with stringent requirements when it comes to hygiene especially in sanitary facilities and washing areas. With the increased demand for hygiene, we are experiencing right now and in order to minimize the risk of spreading germs and also cross-contamination, we need to reduce contact with any surface as much as we can. As a sanitary brand we are developing solutions for quite a while now to answer this consumer demand: An example are our touchless-control faucets, like the GROHE Essence E. Touchless products are not new but the sensor technology allows for example an extra hygienic hand washing routine without touching the faucet and also reduces water consumption, as the water flow automatically shuts off when the hands are removed from the sensor. On top, GROHE design quality ensures that the long service life and functionality of our products is not affected by heavy use” explained Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design EMENA.
The effect of urbanisation on health and well-being
Moving on to the second topic, the speakers discussed how global trends of seismic scale – namely urbanization – are creating shifts in consumer behavior that is driving technological development. “Today consumers are fundamentally changing how they define and use their living spaces. Consumers are creating new living spaces that blend and redefine the kitchen and the living room, the bath and the bedroom – bathroom and kitchen products become furnishing items. They have risen from passive consumption to taking control over the creation of their living spaces while seeking simplicity and intelligent product solutions” said Renu Misra, Leader, MENA, LIXIL EMENA. “Now, more than ever, product innovation and design depend on an empathetic understanding of these trends as consumers are inclined to choose integrated solutions over single products to create spaces that enhance their health and wellbeing” she added.
Sustainability and creating better homes for everyone, everywhere in the MENA
The focus of the last session was on sustainability and GROHE’s efforts in working towards LIXIL’s vision of creating better homes for everyone, everywhere. Besides quality, technology and design, sustainability is one of the four GROHE brand values and it is deeply anchored in the brand’s strategy. GROHE committed itself in its “principles and guidelines for sustainability” to continuously improving all products, processes, and services in terms of protecting the environment and conserving resources. Since then, GROHE has set new industry standards, applying its 360-degree sustainability approach and in the past ten years alone, more than 490 design and innovation awards as well two recognitions at the German Sustainability Award 2021 have confirmed GROHE’s success. “I firmly believe that the MENA region and the UAE, in particular, embrace the sustainability movement and welcomes the new products such as those from GROHE, that contribute to both their own wellbeing as that of the planet. People are aware of the need to minimize their carbon footprint and are open to new concepts and ways to do this, from buying a shower that uses less water to choosing to live in a custom-designed green residential community” said Catherine Belbin, Design Editor.
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USM brings nature to its iconic Haller modular furniture
USM is introducing a new range of plant accessories that will bring nature into apartments, corporate offices and communal public spaces along with all its benefits. With an easy-to-integrate design, USM Haller’s new world of plants creates stunning green landscapes in the blink of an eye – for both existing and budding plant lovers.
Greenery-filled spaces are ideal for meetings, working and living within. These days, we spend 80% to 90% of our time indoors every day. Adding plants to a room significantly improves our well-being, helping to reduce stress and boost productivity. USM’s new world of plants is a simple, modular solution for its USM Haller modular furniture system that allows customised greenery to be added to various areas of life.
This includes panels with pot cut-outs, specially developed pots and a watering set. The panels are available in 5 sizes and 14 USM colours. The pots come in one size and two colours (Terracotta and Basalt).
In open-plan offices and co-working spaces, USM Haller furniture with integrated plants can be used to create privacy screens between workstations or to naturally structure larger rooms. They can create cosy corners and separate areas in restaurants, brighten up the postcard and accessories section of museum shops, or add a cheerful touch to hospital foyers.
This simple and elegant system is perfect for both offices and homes, creating a green oasis of well-being in the living room or an eye-catching feature in the kitchen, for example in the form of a herb trolley. In short, the world of plants for USM Haller enhances any room and blends in seamlessly with the surroundings.
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Brand Creative brings the fearless New York style to this salon at The Dubai Mall
Founded in 2008, by Jacob Hyraki in the heart of the Fashion Avenue district in The Dubai Mall, The Loft Fifth Avenue quickly became one of the leading beauty hubs in the UAE. The original concept took cues from a classic urban aesthetic with black and white glossy finishes and white brick.
Staying true to their promise of staying connected to what their clients want, the brand felt it was time to reflect a more intimate storyline with the interiors. With this in mind, Brand Creative set out to create a narrative that looks at every fashion girl’s wildest dream – what it would feel like to live in New York City.
Floor to ceiling black and white photography was a key element in developing the re-imagined space. By omitting typical model faces and poses and selecting visuals where women were engaging in everyday city life scenarios we allow clients to easily transport themselves into the heart of the big apple. Whether it’s sitting by a windowsill gazing out into the skyline or hustling through busy streets, the excitement of really “living it up” in the “city that never sleeps” is paramount.
Adding to the existing palette, we included tinted and corrugated glass along with grey washed woods for warmth and texture. The glossy black elements were retained throughout the joinery but a slick new application of black mosaic tile with white grouting creates striking, graphic backdrops to the hair wash and nail areas. Layers of black perforated mesh in a variety of custom configurations were layered over distressed walls and tinted mirror bringing an added depth to the space and an elevated application of a typically used industrial material. Another key feature within the space is the black circular metal loft staircase in the hair area, which allows for the ultimate picture taking moment for stylists to show off their finished work.
Fluorescent pink and white LED rope lighting was overlaid onto skyline photography as an ode to Times Square, ultimately depicting the energy of the city. In the nail area, custom light bars were set up to mimic an abstracted deconstruction of the skyscrapers that define the city. Photography of Tristan Eaton’s vibrant graffiti works were featured within the nail area to add a pop of colour in reference to New York street culture.
Particular attention was paid to customised multi-service stations that were designed in collaboration with salon equipment experts at Cinderella. The stations allow for hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, threading, and neck massages to be performed simultaneously. For therapists, key ergonomic principles were applied to the custom design of their work chairs for optimum lower back support – considering longer sitting time and specific postural requirements.
Photo credit: Michael Kruger Photography
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