Light Link appoints a new commercial director
Dubai-based lighting design and supply firm Light Link has appointed Jonathan Brown as its new commercial director. Jonathan has a long-standing career in the industry, having worked for several leading contractors and lighting design and supply companies across the region. He is a qualified quantity surveyor and also has broader commercial asset management experience.
The appointment strengthens Light Link’s senior management team as it enters the third year of business and expands its influence into other countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The company has completed 60 projects totalling 300,000 sq. ft, with the latest wins including Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority, Emirates REIT, AKA Restaurant, Microsoft, Accenture, RJ O’Brien, and IFF.
Light Link, founder Jaspal Bal commented: “Jonathan has believed in Light Link’s vision from the start, so we’re thrilled that he’s finally able to join us. His unique mix of commercial and construction experience is a real asset in a market where clients are looking for a more comprehensive level of support.”
Light Link, commercial director, Jonathan Brown added: “I’m delighted to join Light Link and help the business in its next stages of growth and development. The team has built a truly impressive portfolio of projects within two years and we’re all eager to maximise the many opportunities available in a cross-section of industries.”
As a result of growth, Light Link has recently moved into a dedicated two-storey premises in Al Quoz. The Light Garden – featuring a workshop and storage space on the ground floor – brings the design, project management, and logistics teams together in one location.
Founded in 2019, Light Link collaborates with end-users, design teams, contractors, MEP consultants, and project managers to create the perfect balance between art and engineering. Services include lighting design and supply, systems design and supply, WELL testing and commissioning, and full site support.
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Mark O’Brien is the new group commercial director at SSH
SSH welcomes Mark O’Brien as the company’s new group commercial director.
O’Brien has over 30 years’ experience in commercial management, operational management, programme management, and leadership. He has led teams in the UK, Europe, Asia and, for the last seven years, the Middle East.
As a strategic thinker with an adaptive, collaborative style, O’Brien has a proven track record of leading businesses, developing people-focussed cultures, delivering strategic initiatives, and improving commercial awareness. He strongly believes in creating discipline and focus on key issues, introducing processes and control systems and, ultimately, driving better delivery and financial outcomes for both clients and the company.
O’Brien holds a B.Sc. degree in Quantity Surveying from Robert Gordon’s University in Scotland and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
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MZ Architects bags Commercial Project of the Year award at Architecture Leaders Awards 2021
Organised by BNC Publishing and Design Middle East, the inaugural Architecture Leaders Awards 2021 acknowledged and rewarded the exceptional architects, projects, and firms in the region. The gala award ceremony took place on March 31 at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. There were 19 award categories that were given solely on merit and were awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.
One of the prestigious awards— Commercial Project of the Year was won by MZ Architects for their project RBW3-C4 in Abu Dhabi. RBW3-C4 office building stands out as an innovative piece of dynamic architecture on Abu Dhabi’s main transportation highways. The design incorporates the latest architectural and structural technology coordinated with intended solutions for the finest open and closed office spaces.
As a sustainable development, the commercial G+4 levelled RBW3-C4 project engages with an urban context of buildings, communities and public spaces that respond to site, climate and location, and comprise the developmental needs of Al Raha Beach Development while minimising energy and material consumption, and pollution of natural resources. RBW3-C4 implemented a minimum interior energy use reduction strategy by installing energy-efficient fixtures and fittings. Installing easily-accessible water sub-meters monitors the building’s internal and external water use and further adds to the objective of controlling and minimising water usage.
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SAY Studio turns Emaar Square Building into Middle East and Europe’s first commercial WELL-certified space
SAY Studio announces the completion of a Dh100m+ WELL project in Emaar Square for an undisclosed client. The project is the only commercial space across the Middle East and Europe to receive the WELL health and safety seal from the international WELL-building institute, the global authority on healthy buildings. The space is also awaiting confirmation of a Gold grade WELL certification.
With designers at the firm having worked with clients such as DEWA on its net zero footprint office space, Adidas’s award-winning, wellness HQ and big names in the technology space such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google, designers at SAY Studio were tasked with undertaking the design of a brand-new 16,000sqm HQ under the theme “office of the future”, the first health and wellbeing focussed project of its kind for this client.
Laila Al-Yousuf, design director at SAY Studio said: “WELL Projects are required to meet certain, high-level criteria across a broad spectrum of categories and this project required an in-depth understanding of both the built environment, and the operational requirements in order to accomplish this. It’s been a privilege to work on the first health and safety rated commercial space and we are really looking forward to applying our now extensive knowledge on the subject to more of our clients in the near future.”
The WELL Health and Safety seal can be seen on buildings which have set out to prioritise end user’s health and safety. This includes measures such as cleaning and sanitising procedures, air and water quality control, emergency preparedness programs and health services.
The client has offices in 157 countries around the world and the overall design concept for the project was to represent the client’s global presence. We achieved this by designing each of the floors with subtle references back to different pivotal locations. The objectives were two-fold, to maximise productivity and staff wellness, and more specifically staff health and safety, which has globally come under scrutiny since COVID-19 hit and is now an element of WELL accreditation which is being heavily promoted.
The project began in March 2019, and took 19 months to complete. It consists of floors G to five, plus the roof terrace. It is the largest and most adventurous of its kind across the region and for the brand, globally. SAY Studio continues to focus on ground breaking commercial projects with blue chip clients, while gathering momentum in sectors such as hospitality, mixed-use developments and biochemical.
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COMMERCIAL FIT-OUT TRENDS TO WATCH OUT IN 2021!
The experts at GDM Interiors are decoding the trends that will be big 2021
Life as we know, it has changed. The way we work, eat and shop has seen a massive transformation. The changing nature of work is the catalyst for commercial office fit out trends. As we start a new year in this COVID era, we believe the key to forecasting trends in commercial fit out is an understanding of how the world of work is changing around us. In a more multi-faceted and digitally connected world, companies are being forced to develop and compete in a rapidly changing environment. Agility and flexibility are critical components of growth. Technology is altering the tasks and duties of employees. Companies are increasingly automating many routine tasks, leaving humans to take care of more valuable “knowledge work”. At the same time, employee needs and wants from their job have changed.
People want to be engaged in meaningful tasks, in a hospitable and healthy environment that provides flexibility and a better work/life balance. Overarching all these developments is an increasing concern with the health and safety, sustainability, and resource preservation. Companies are already being asked to account not only for their bottom line but for these factors. Commercial fit out trends develop from year to year, but there is rarely a fundamental disjuncture, rather change is cumulative. This year is all about the disruption of traditional economic models, building sustainable environments, using efficient technology and implementing wellness measures.
Health and safety will be paramount
From having furniture that is spaced apart from each other to the installation of screened cubicles, the theme for commercial fit out this year will move from collaboration to silo creation. We also see the emergence of dedicated zones for web conferencing as the workforce is now dispersed geographically or working remotely. This necessitates the presence of better IT infrastructure as well as workspace flexibility to adapt to these unique working conditions.
Technological innovations will thrive
Every aspect of our lives has been touched by digitisation. But technology does not simply mean to be connected anytime and anywhere. In commercial spaces such as offices, co-working zones and malls there are many ways that technological innovations can simplify work and improve wellness and well-being. The future of fit out includes remote monitoring, 3D visualisation and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Some of the latest tech tools include wireless access points, network login data, phone apps, and sensors. For example, automatic sensors can control lighting and A/C and provide information on water and energy usage. This data help reduce costs while saving energy.
Sustainability in design and materials
As a global citizens, we’re becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the environment. Businesses need to do even more to reduce our carbon footprint and build a more sustainable future. So, it’s no surprise that sustainable design practices and materials are a huge commercial fit out trend of 2021. Sustainable fit out for us encapsulates three main areas – using green building materials, managing resource consumption and safe disposal of wastes. Moreover, sustainability was at the forefront of our minds while planning all our projects. We focus on using raw, clean materials and worked closely with the existing building to limit the need for virgin materials. In addition, we also recommend energy saving lights and fixture for our projects.
As we move into a new year, after one that has been tumultuous to say the least, we can say without a doubt that safety, sustainability and technological advancement will be the key trends that will shape the fit out field this year. Being one of the leading fit out contractors in the United Arab Emirates, we are dedicated to provide only the best service to our clients. Get in touch today to discuss how to integrate the latest fit out trends into your project in a sustainable way.
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