The FITOUT successfully completes interior construction of 432 luxury apartments at the Palm Tower Hotel & Residences
The FITOUT announces the successful completion and delivery of interior fit-out services for the Palm Tower Hotel and Residences. The design and construction of the interior of 432 rooms were completed by the fit-out service provider.
The FITOUT’s opulent and innovative designs will feature the kitchen, vanity units, wardrobe, fridge, and other storage spaces of the 109,808 sq. m luxury building. As part of building the interior, The FITOUT offered state of the art fit-out solutions for fully furnished studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that offer an astounding view of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeriah, and Dubai skyline.
Sherif Nagy, general manager, The FITOUT said: “The interior of Palm Tower Hotel & Residences that follows the highest standards in the industry resonates with the quality of our work, and we were meticulous in following their requirements. As an organisation, we implement our projects in line with globally recognised benchmarks to ensure superior experience for our clients and their customers, especially in the hospitality sector. The successful delivery of this project is an illustration of our commitment to provide high-end, bespoke joinery and fit-out works in the UAE.”
He added: “By being the interior solutions provider for Palm Tower Hotel & Residences, we have also become part of their initiative to deliver a memorable and positive experience to their guests and residents.”
Furthermore, The FITOUT has also delivered top-quality bespoke joinery for the mega- project that aims to enhance the experience and convenience of residents and visitors in Palm Tower Hotel and Residences by offering premium interiors and top-class facilities.
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Apple Tower Theatre designed by Foster + Partners opens in downtown Los Angeles
Apple Tower Theatre, Apple’s newest store in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, has opened to visitors. The design seeks to reinvigorate one of LA’s most historic movie theaters by giving the building a new purpose and restoring its lost glory. The unveiling of Apple Tower Theatre is a significant part of the larger urban regeneration of downtown LA that will strengthen urban retail and community life in this part of the city.
The design is the result of a close collaboration between the design teams at Apple and Foster + Partners.
Designed in 1927, by prolific motion picture theater designer, S Charles Lee, Tower Theatre was the first movie theater in Los Angeles built to show talking movies. The design restores the distinctive clock tower and exterior terracotta facades, enhances historic interiors and improves the marquees and the Broadway Street elevation, while upgrading accessibility to ensure the building will survive and serve the community long into the future.
Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “I believe that people love being with people. This is the basis for urbanity all around the world. Apple Tower Theatre will be a new beacon of optimism and resilience for the city and a vote of confidence in Downtown LA. The design brings back the romance and excitement of the birth of cinema, recreating the idea of the ‘place to be’. The exquisite detailing of the interior has been painstakingly restored. From today, Apple Tower Theatre will once again be alive with activity and celebrations that will return the vitality of urban life to Downtown LA.”
The design looks to create an active presence on Broadway. Visitors enter a generous lobby at street level. An immaculately restored grand staircase takes visitors to the upper levels, while the lobby opens up to the soaring volume of the main theatre hall at ground level, which has been completely transformed into a majestic display area. The intricate historic plaster detailing on the walls and ceiling, dating back to the 1920s, has been carefully restored and enhanced. The central dome of the theater’s ceiling has been reinterpreted with a fresco of the calming golden sunshine of the southern Californian sky, adding dynamism and color to the space.
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Kettle Collective to design world’s second tallest tower in Russia
Scottish-based architecture firm, Kettle Collective plans to build one of the world’s tallest buildings have been announced by today. The tower will be built in St Petersburg and at 703m will be the second highest skyscraper in the world, just under Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa (828m).
Although the Burj Khalifa is taller, the new Lakhta Centre II, will boast the highest occupied floor and viewing gallery of any building in the world. It will soar above the Shanghai Tower (632m), which is currently the second tallest structure and will dwarf the UK’s Shard (310m), at more than double its height.
The tower will be located on the outskirts of St Petersburg and will stand alongside Europe’s tallest building, the Lakhta Center (462m), which is the headquarters for energy giant Gazprom.
Design lead, Tony Kettle, who is also behind the Falkirk Wheel, is one of the UK’s foremost architects. Kettle designed the Lakhta Centre when he worked at major architectural firm RMJM after creating the winning design in an international competition for the Gazprom tower in 2006.
The tower will house pioneering multi-car lifts, powered by regenerating energy from the movement of the lift and is seen as a complimentary development to the first Lakhta Center. The build will include requirements universally recognised as essential for the office of the future -accommodation and relaxation spaces fulfilling the ‘live, work, and play’ needed in a 21st-century business centre.
“The new Lakhta Center will be a template of sustainable design for global high-rise projects,” says Tony Kettle. “It will have the best-in-class low energy design and a mix of uses that will create a vertical atrium space with a vibrant centre as the heart for this new business district.
“The design is both aesthetic and functional as it will reduce considerable wind forces that will impact the structure, in turn reducing the size of structural elements required within the building.
“The tower is born out of a daring idea that has been inspired by energy in all of its forms, from helical waves generated around deep space quasars to the spirals of wave energy. The outer layer of the building is created from spiralling columns that form an open organic helical diagrid, while the structure is carved out by a series of spiral atriums shared with vertical public spaces.”
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Influencer Nas Daily’s new Emirates Tower office designed by Kart Group is bold and beautiful!
Well-known influencer Nuseir Yassin, the face of Nas Daily has opened his office in the Emirates Towers designed by Kart Group.
Yassin is an extraordinary Israeli-Palestinian Harvard graduate influencer who has already spent much of his young life travelling. Yassin runs a storytelling company that communicates the disparity between people, cultures, and religions. His journey started when he pledged to make a minute-long video for 1000 days. Nas means people in Arabic. Nas Daily creates videos about remarkable people from all over the world. Yassin is one of the most influential creators on Facebook, which is just shy of 20 million followers.
Project brief
Yassin and the team at NasDaily asked for a contemporary office design with a touch of colour that reflects the client’s corporate identity and youthful playfulness in the design features.
Concept
The overall concept of the 1100sqft office design is to reflect the personality of the founder; bold and brave. The dominating colour in the office space is pure white, and the rest of the colours are of muted neutral tones and a strong accent of yellow. Nas Daily is a young team, and they need inspirational office space that promotes a social and interactive atmosphere.
Various design elements
The office façade and the internal reception counter is a bold statement and catches everyone’s attention that passes Nas Daily on Emirates Towers Boulevard. The addition of the stark black framing enhances the depth of the office space, increases saturation and accentuates the confident yellow highlights. The office space is conveniently located on one floor and divided by glass panels into four unique areas.
About the ambience
The dynamic atmosphere of the office is boosted with the well-designed casual setting. The strong design lines and powerful pops of colour create compelling energy and movement throughout the office space, reception, and meeting room.
Unique features
Behind the welcome reception desk lies a portal comprising two booths on either side which are made private by floor-to-ceiling black panelling. The panels create an impressive doorway that also encourages movement into the offices behind.
Kart used high-quality concrete porcelain and acrylic panelling to create office space, and coloured stickers gave zingy accents. All of the furniture is in the preferred contemporary design in warm neutral colours that are accented with bold colours in the cushion collection.
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ENBD REIT appoints Savills and Bluehaus Group to refurbish Al Thuraya Tower 1 in Dubai Media City
ENBD REIT (CEIC) PLC (“ENBD REIT” or the “Fund”), the Shari’a compliant real estate investment trust managed by Emirates NBD Asset Management, has announced a major refurbishment programme for its largest asset by value, Al Thuraya Tower 1 in Dubai Media City.
The refurbishment project is a strategic measure to enhance the building’s leasability and boost occupancy. Savills has been appointed as the project manager and cost consultant for the programme, while Bluehaus Group has been appointed to oversee design and MEP works. The project follows ongoing efforts by management to add value to the portfolio by attracting long-term tenants to the REIT’s assets, improving Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Terms (“WAULT”), while engaging with current tenants in genuine financial distress through a Covid-19 rent relief programme.
The areas identified for refurbishment have been selected based on various criteria, including aesthetic improvement, and material upgrades to building infrastructure to align it to the standards of newer, nearby buildings. Upgrades will be made to the foyer and entrance of the building, as well as to lighting and tiling in corridors throughout the tower. Common bathrooms will benefit from improved layout and styling, along with provision for people of determination. Extensive upgrades will be made to fire escape stairs, chillers and lifts as well as car park refurbishments which will include new signage, re-surfacing, lighting and painting. A further objective is to incorporate measures to ensure the building operates as a safe, “virus-free” environment for occupants, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
James Coburn, managing director and partner at Bluehaus Group: commented: “It is a pleasure to be partnering with the ENBD REIT and Savills teams to elevate Al Thuraya Tower 1 to create a memorable, efficient experience at the building. Bluehaus Group has been renowned for its Corporate Workplace Consulting over the past 19 years of operations; however, through a diversification and key talent attraction strategy, we are proud to be able to redevelop assets into unique, safe, “virus-free” destinations for end users’ satisfaction. Bluehaus Group’s Engineering and Interior Design disciplines will work closely with the ENBD REIT and Savills teams to create a first mover asset transformation of Al Thuraya Tower 1, for the benefit of all.”
‘ICD Brookfield Place’ tower becomes the tallest and largest LEED Platinum-certified office building in EMEA region
ICD Brookfield announced that its newest commercial office development, ICD Brookfield Place, has achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the highest rating awarded by the US Green Building Council for green building design, construction, operations and performance. In accomplishing LEED Platinum, ICD Brookfield Place, located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), becomes the tallest and largest office building in the EMEA region to achieve the rating, and takes its place among the top 20 of the world’s largest LEED Platinum projects.
Designed by Foster + Partners, ICD Brookfield Place is a 1.1 million square foot, state-of-the-art office and retail complex offering 990,000 square feet of highly efficient and flexible workspace alongside 160,000 square feet of curated retail and dining offerings. The development and management of the property are overseen by Brookfield Properties, one of the world’s leading real estate services companies.
“We are very proud to be one of the most environmentally and occupant conscious buildings globally,” said Rob Devereux, CEO of ICD Brookfield. “Our leadership approach to sustainability, creates value for our tenants while focusing on what’s right for our planet. By reducing our impact on the environment, we are setting a new benchmark for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving buildings in the region.”
A number of sustainable, environmentally conscious, carbon footprint reducing features as well as occupant wellbeing principles have been incorporated at ICD Brookfield Place to achieve the world’s most widely used green building rating system. These include:
During construction over 87% of waste was recycled to reduce waste to landfill. The building has increased fresh air by more than 30% above the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) requirements and significantly above local standards, and uses UV light technology incorporated in the HVAC system to prevent the transmission of bacterial and viral infections.
“It is an honour to have been appointed by ICD Brookfield to work on this incredible project that sets a new benchmark for commercial development in the EMEA region,” said Saeed Al Abbar, managing director of AESG. “Helping ICD Brookfield Place successfully achieve the LEED Platinum certification emphasises our commitment to supporting our clients worldwide to achieve high performance buildings that meet the highest levels of sustainability. ICD Brookfield Place sets a new benchmark for the region and it is industrious leadership such as this will not only support the sustainable vision of the UAE, but also raise the bar for sustainable buildings globally.”
SAY Studio celebrates second anniversary and new office launch at The Onyx Tower One
Interior design agency SAY Studio is embarking on its third year in business. During the last two years, they have worked with high-profile clients in various sectors, including Facebook, PwC, Uber, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, PepsiCo, and Abu Dhabi School of Government.
To coincide with its anniversary, the nine-strong team has moved into new offices at The Onyx Tower One. The dynamic premises reflect SAY Studio’s commitment to creating unique interior environments that uplift and inspire.
Matthew Sexton, managing director and partner of SAY Studio, said: “Over the last two years we’ve worked with some fantastic clients on incredible projects, and built a team that embraces every challenge to deliver exceptional designs. From a market perspective, demands are changing all the time, and we’ve demonstrated our ability to respond. So much of what we do is built on relationships and our stakeholders rely on us for tailored support underpinned by in-depth expertise. The use of technology is an area where we specialise, using the latest innovations to simplify the design process, and striking a balance between technology and creativity.”
Laila Al-Yousuf, design director and partner, shared: “As we celebrate our anniversary in the new office, we’re extremely thankful for everything we’ve achieved. At the same time, our vision is focussed on the future – on how we can achieve more for our clients, our community and our industry. There has been a lot of talk about how work and social environments will need to change over the coming months, but the essence of what we do remains the same. Interior spaces have the power to bring people together and influence how they feel, and that’s a responsibility we take seriously. We’re looking forward to the next phase of the business while maintaining the values that brought us together when we launched.”
In pictures: Farooz Tower by MY PICK ONE
Led by Marianna Piccolo, MY PICK ONE created the interior for the Fairooz Apartment for a targeted demographic. This refers to the niche group of homeowners who dislike the concept of a one-size-fits-all design for residential apartments. Set in the Dubai Marina, Al Fairooz Tower is a unique concept, where the apartments are not just residential, but partially commercial as well. Here, business never sleeps – so the revered design firm aimed to style it in a similar way, so that elements of work, comfort, and leisure, go hand-in-hand.
Designed by their team of professional interior designers, they first drafted a concept that retained aspects of luxury as well as minimalism for a futuristic and innovative vibe. Each palette, statement luminaire, and material are selected to develop the space’s ‘creator’s aesthetic.’
To implement the concept of sustainability, the design team selected a range of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials that, during the building’s lifespan, will have a lesser impact on the environment. By reducing the building’s overall carbon footprint, their design choices lead to healthier spaces for homeowners.
The apartment building is a commercial and residential space altogether, so it needed to be inspiring for people who were working, functional for people who were living, and artistic for people who were enjoying its various leisure amenities.
The interior is marked by sophistication and elegance so that homeowners can simply relax. But to add a commercial aspect, MY PICK ONE crafted a distinct space, highlighted by an environment that’s productive to work. the team developed it this way using ergonomic furniture, comfortable lighting, and minimal distractions. This is where homeowners can create a personalised workspace.
Ellington Properties to launch an art gallery in DT1 residential tower
Ellington Properties has announced its first dedicated art gallery that will add to the cultural showcase of the city, a vibrant global hub for arts and culture. Ellington Art Gallery will be located in its DT1 residential tower in Downtown Dubai, which will be completed shortly.
Taking pride of place on the ground floor, the gallery is developed in collaboration with leading art auction house, Artiana, and will feature specially curated, contemporary art exhibitions. In addition to adding aesthetic and inspirational value to the residents of DT1, the Ellington Art Gallery will provide art lovers and visitors compelling cultural experiences through the various exhibits.
Robert Booth, ,managing director, Ellington Properties, said: “Art and design are fundamental elements in the creation of appealing, contemporary developments that people want to live in. With this in mind, we chose to launch the first Ellington Art Gallery at DT1, our first development in Downtown Dubai. Led by its central location, elegant architecture and world-class design, DT1 will be a sought-after location for those who aspire to be at the heart of Dubai’s vibrant lifestyle destination with the gallery creating an added referral point for their refined lifestyle.”
Lavesh Jagasia, managing director, Artiana, added: “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Ellington Properties on this initiative as we aim to continue raising levels of appreciation for art across the region. The Ellington Art Gallery will serve as a perfect springboard from which we will showcase established as well as emerging artists. The curatorial programme will focus on exhibitions that will add to the multicultural art landscape of Dubai while enhancing the experience of residents in contemporary communities such as DT1 in Downtown Dubai. We are inclined to support Ellington’s commitment to art and look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration as we support them in the delivery of exceptional, liveable communities for modern living.”
The spacious Ellington Art Gallery will host the works of artists from around the world, with the aim to broaden the understanding and appreciation of art in Dubai and the region. In addition to curated selling exhibitions, the gallery will offer a range of services including acquisitions, collection management, curatorial services, and advisory along with private sales and bespoke art storage solutions for collectors.
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