Say hello to ema! A new design firm launched by former Wilson Associates’ core team
Further to the closure of Wilson Associates and its Dubai office, managing partners Tim Etherington and Iain McLaughlin launched their interior design firm – Etherington, McLaughlin & Associates (ema).
With its headquarters in Dubai Design District, ema will continue to cater to large-scale luxury hospitality, but also to F&B, wellness and corporate workspace markets.
Joined by Wilson’s former design directors Maud Capet and Julie Djohan, the key design leaders behind iconic hospitality projects, including yet-to-be-opened Marsa Al Arab, Anantara Mena Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah, MGM The Island, the studio will offer full-service interior design and FF&E services.
“We stayed together because of the legacy we’ve built. Our objective remains the same. With a clear vision of strengthening and enhancing a team capable of designing and implementing luxurious projects, ema’s emphasis is on creative excellence, documentation quality,” says Iain McLaughlin, founding partner of ema and a former operations director at Wilson.
Both Tim and Iain have had extensive experience in the design and architectural business, having designed and managed a wide typology of projects for both small specialist boutique studios through to large global corporate organisations – from luxury yachts and hospitality to flagship retail stores, showrooms and brands.
Former managing director of Wilson Dubai and Gensler Shanghai offices, Tim Etherington, a founding partner of ema, brings to the table nearly three decades of multidisciplinary design experience, spanning 15 distinct markets on five different continents.
Etherington comments: “As a firm, we want to establish and maintain strong client relationships and deliver excellent creative solutions. The firm’s primary focus centres around creative innovation, talent development, maintaining and developing key client relationships and strategically positioning the business to support and optimise client’s position in their respective sectors”.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
Design firm Zebra gives a refreshing twist to casual dining concept Jones Social which doubles up as a workspace
Jones the Grocer launches a new casual dining concept, Jones Social. Located in the lobby of the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, Jones Social is an ode to food inspired by wanderlust, open-fire cooking and a desire to share good food in a vibrant, travel-inspired setting.
The eclectic interiors by design firm Zebra are amazing and refreshing, Jones Social features a licensed bar and dining room, an open kitchen with a grand wood-fired ‘Charcoal’ grill as its centrepiece, a cheese wall and charcuterie, a gorgeous informal lounge peppered with easy chairs, kilims, and handmade artefacts which doubles up as a workspace.
An elegant smart wired mezzanine with a bird’s eye view floats spirit-like in the high-ceilinged atrium, serves as either a meeting room or private dining area.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
DLR Group wins Emerging Architecture Firm of the Year 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.
DLR Group was awarded Emerging Architecture Firm of the Year trophy. The brand promises to elevate the human experience through design. The essence of that idea resides at the core of their integrated design teams.
Jamal Salem, regional director, DLR Group Middle East, said: “It feels amazing, this wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing team and support staff.”
Salem is responsible for design and client services throughout the Middle East, leading operations from the DLR Group Dubai office. He has practiced extensively in the Middle East, leading the successful delivery of high-profile projects in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
At DLR Group, the team is made of multi-disciplinary design professionals that bring highly specialized expertise to every project. These teams champion true collaboration, open information sharing, value-based decision-making, proficient use of technology from project outset to close out, and continuous monitoring to optimise a building’s performance to further their practise of evidence-based design.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
SIEC wins Architecture Firm 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.
These awards celebrate creativity and innovation in the field of architecture. One of the prestigious awards — Architecture Fim of the Year’ was won by SIE Consultants (SIEC).
SIEC was established in Dubai in November 2014, as a boutique design studio comprised of architects, planners, and project and development managers with vast experience in the region and industry. SIEC has already entered the market aggressively by winning high-profile projects due to its team’s experience, quality-delivery, and full-service offerings, providing front-to-end development solutions ranging from architectural designs, full in-house engineering, interior design, project management, and landscape design.
SIEC has a 4-star rating from the Dubai Municipality pre-qualification section for contractors and consultants. “It’s a great honour to receive this award. It’s evidence of the good work we do and our clients are really happy,” said Nima Elborz, executive director at SIEC.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
VX STUDIO joins forces with major Maldives-based architectural firm to become the leading resort and hospitality designers in the MENA region
VX STUDIO signs an exclusive agreement with the leading design and architectural firm in the Maldives – GX Associates, ensuring their mutual growth in the MENA region. GX Associates are based in the Maldives and excel in hospitality and resorts with many stunning and revered resorts under their belt already such as Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Kihavah Villas, The Four Seasons, Hilton Irufushi, Niyama, Naladhu, Aarah, and Baros to name just a few.
The combination of the two companies guarantees maximum reach of global developers looking to create a signature and world-class resort and hospitality assets. VX STUDIO is part of the Ayana Holding group of companies and is renowned for successfully delivering iconic projects both locally and internationally. Their value-driven, developer-led designs continue to turn heads and prove successful from concept to execution. Opaal, the sister company of VX STUDIO will collaborate for exciting interiors utilising their resort skillsets to provide a unique lifestyle and a one-stop-shop exclusive service experience.
During the signing ceremony, CEO of VX Studio/Ayana Holding and the leading force behind the group’s strategic growth, Hamid Kerayechian, said: “We will be strengthening our position within the market through this partnership with the leading designers based in the Maldives. Their wealth of knowledge in creating world-class resorts only adds to our portfolios mutually and ensures we continue to bring the best from around the world and make it available here in the region.”
Picture caption: At the signing ceremony the meeting was attended by the Partner of GX Associates Mohamed Shafeeq (L) and the CEO Of VX Studio/Ayana Holding, Hamid Kerayechian (R)
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
VX STUDIO joins forces with Maldives-based architectural firm GX Associates
VX STUDIO signs an exclusive agreement with the leading design and architectural firm in the Maldives – GX Associates, ensuring their mutual growth in the MENA region. GX Associates are based in the Maldives and excel in hospitality and resorts with many stunning and revered resorts under their belt already such as Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Kihavah Villas, The Four Seasons, Hilton Irufushi, Niyama, Naladhu, Aarah, and Baros to name just a few.
The combination of the two companies guarantees maximum reach of global developers looking to create a signature and world-class resort and hospitality assets. VX STUDIO is part of the Ayana Holding group of companies and is renowned for successfully delivering iconic projects both locally and internationally. Their value-driven, developer-led designs continue to turn heads and prove successful from concept to execution. Opaal, the sister company of VX STUDIO will collaborate for exciting interiors utilising their resort skillsets to provide a unique lifestyle and a one-stop-shop exclusive service experience.
During the signing ceremony, CEO of VX Studio/Ayana Holding and the leading force behind the group’s strategic growth, Hamid Kerayechian, said: “We will be strengthening our position within the market through this partnership with the leading designers based in the Maldives. Their wealth of knowledge in creating world-class resorts only adds to our portfolios mutually and ensures we continue to bring the best from around the world and make it available here in the region.”
Picture caption: At the signing ceremony the meeting was attended by the Partner of GX Associates Mohamed Shafeeq (L) and the CEO Of VX Studio/Ayana Holding, Hamid Kerayechian (R)
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
JT+Partners bags the Architectural Firm of the Year trophy at Design Middle East Awards 2020
JT+Partners bagged the prestigious Architectural Firm of the Year award at the 3rd edition of the Design Middle East Awards 2020 on December 10 at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Founded by Joe Tabet, JT+Partners has an energetic, collaborative, creative team of 53 multi-skilled innovative individuals of multi-cultural nationalities providing bespoke designs that reflect cultural diversity, experience, and knowledge of their team. JT+Partners is recognised as a world-renown consultant with impressive projects located in international destinations, from
Morocco to Seychelles, Lebanon, India, Sri Lanka, North Africa, KSA, and UAE, spanning residential, hospitality, commercial, mixed-use and masterplan developments, from conception to completion. Tabet is fully committed to and adheres to Corporate Social Responsibility and made it as one of his primary focus. He is a strong advocate of sustainable development, gives his team good health and financial benefits, conducts business ethically and fairly, and supports worthy causes.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
LW wins Interior Design Firm of the Year at Design Middle East Awards 2020
The past year has been very exciting for LW as they delivered some of the most-talked about projects in the region like Bull and Bear lounge, Mr. Taco, St. Trop Waldorf Astoria DIFC, and Asha’s in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They also managed to complete projects at Le Royal Meridian Dubai. The team at LW refurbished the 36th, 37th, and 11th levels of the Le meridian Club Tower, along with its executive lounge.
Since their inception by the hands of a group of friends, Lars Waldenstroem, Morten Hansen, and Jesper Godsk, LW has always been about innovation and breaking through creative barriers.
COVID-19 has brought about its own set of challenges, but the LW team feels closer than ever before. With no more face-to-face contact, they were able to strengthen communication skills and teamwork.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.5&appId=https://www.facebook.com/designmiddleeast”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));