K_\D`[[c\<XjkËj`ek\i`fij#[\j`^egifg\ikpdX^Xq`e\

identity
®

@JJL<E@E<KPFE<
P<8I<@>?K
8GI@C)'((
8DFK@M8K<GL9C@:8K@FE

;?J(,
Scene stealers: an insight into i Saloni – Milan 2011
Full steam ahead: bathrooms with clean green appeal
Turkey’s new delight: the flavour of new architecture
Spanish conquest: Jaime Hayon’s design rhythms
Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority
R ALPH
Home
LAUREN

HARVEY NICHOLS DUBAI M A L L O F T H E E M I R AT E S 04 4098888

BLOOMINGDALE’S HOME THE DUBAI MALL 04 3505333
A L TAY E R I N S I G N I A
 INSIDE

APRIL 2011

identity
®

Cover photography:
Armadillo lamp by Lzf

26 52
28 75

FEATURES

22 Forza Italia! 52 Master of all he surveys

What’s chic, fabulous and 50 this year? A sneak Jaime Hayon is a new kind of conquistador, who is
preview of i Saloni Milan. taking his brand of design all over the world.

26 Tile them high 75 Plan of action

Bamboo tiles, winning designs and more from The multi-award winning Tabanlioglu Architects is showing
the Cevisama show in Spain. the world what the future of good design looks like.

April 2011 15
 INSIDE

identity
®

DESIGN FORMULA

ISSUE 91
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

JAIME HAYON’S COLLECTION FOR BISAZZA

GROUP EDITOR & MANAGING PARTNER
Ian Fairservice
GROUP SENIOR EDITOR
Gina Johnson | gina@motivate.ae

GROUP EDITOR
Catherine Belbin | catherine@motivate.ae

DEPUTY EDITOR
Shalaka Paradkar | shalaka@motivate.ae

CHIEF SUB-EDITOR
Iain Smith | iains@motivate.ae
35 Take the plunge
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Belinda Igaya | belinda@motivate.ae From water-saving technology and high-end
electronics to spa-inspired fixtures and precious
DESIGNER
Michelle Liu | michelle@motivate.ae metals, find out the latest trends in bathroom design.
GENERAL MANAGER – PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION
S Sasidharan | sasidharan@motivate.ae
MANAGER – PRODUCTION
C Sudhakar | sudhakar@motivate.ae
PROPERTY
GENERAL MANAGER – GROUP SALES
Anthony Milne | anthony@motivate.ae
SENIOR ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER
Seema Kausar | seema@motivate.ae
DEPUTY ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER
Shweta Praful | shwetap@motivate.ae
SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE
Atiya Naseer | atiya@motivate.ae

GENERAL MANAGER – ABU DHABI

Joe Marritt | Joe@motivate.ae
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER – ABU DHABI
Darryl Wiley | Darryl@motivate.ae
HOTEL MISSONI KUWAIT

CONTRIBUTORS:
Karen Evans | Steve Hill | Samia Qaiyum
Ruby Rogers | Richard Warren

59 id Property
+ Luck of the Irish
+ Big is beautiful
+ Antennae
Motivate Publishing FZ LLC
Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8
Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 390 3550, Fax: +971 4 390 4845

Head Office: PO Box 2331, REGULARS

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 282 4060, Fax: +971 4 282 4436, 19 Editorial
E-mail: motivate@motivate.ae
78 Subscription
Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072 81 Forum
United Arab Emirates 90 Design event
Tel: +971 2 677 2005, Fax: +971 2 677 0124,
E-mail: motivate-adh@motivate.ae 92 Antennae
96 Books
London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, 98 Icon
London NW1 3ER
United Kingdom
E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae

Website: motivatepublishing.ae

Member of
IDENTITY NEXT ISSUE MAY 2011
CEIP 2L MARTINET BY MESTURA ARQUITECTES

+ Techno-living: where entertainment meets design

+ Interior inspirations direct from the source
+ From kitchen to museum, Alessi’s first 90 years
+ Design’s grand dame, Andrée Putman, in black+white
+ much, much more…

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai All prices quoted in identity are correct at the time of going to press.

April 2011 17
 EDITORIAL

Celebrazioni!
Many candles have been blown out and glasses raised recently to the future
of design. The biggest birthday party is set to take place in Milan mid-month as the
annual Italian Furniture Fair, i Saloni, celebrates its big five-o. Designers, architects
and journalists from all corners of the globe are excitedly getting ready to present the
future direction of contemporary furniture at the year’s most anticipated design event.
Alessi, the Italian family-owned company synonymous with quirky yet functional
creations, dominates the list of birthday celebrants following 90 years of designing and
manufacturing high quality products.
Matteo Alessi was in Dubai to attend the inauguration of the two-week Alessi Museum
collection exhibition at Bloomingdale’s Home, as well as the opening of the Alessi flagship
store in Tavola, Mall of the Emirates (MoE). Guests at the latter, co-hosted by identity,
were privy to a preview of prototypes of the new spring/summer 2011 Alessi collection.
At the other wing of the mall, Harvey Nichols was given a new façade of cut glass and
turquoise, and furnished with limited edition collections for its fifth anniversary in Dubai.
American chains Crate&Barrel and Pottery Barn also joined in the festivities,
celebrating their first anniversaries in the city with colourful parties while showing off Clockwise from top left: Mustafa Khamash, Matteo
Alessi, Chocolates marking Alessi’s 90th birthday.
their new season collections.
Still in MoE, Louis Vuitton launched its first in-store family room, with the unveiling
of a children’s art collaboration with artist Nadim Karam for the benefit of the START
charity. This follows in the trend of private rooms started by Bottega Veneta which
allow groups of shoppers to indulge in closed-door retail parties in the comfort of
plush private shopping spaces.
Mustafa Khamash of Kart Design, best known for running the Kartell store, continues
to host launch parties for the new Loui’s restaurant he designed in Downtown Dubai,
further enhancing the city’s culinary scene.
Mega store IKEA was also part of the celebratory melee as a traditional log, flown in
especially from Sweden, was cut to declare open the 33,000 square metre ‘Blue box’
on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile across the Gulf, the growing design fraternity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
welcomed the opening of the multi-brand interiors showroom Gallery Design with open
arms. With two floors and over 4,500 square metres of retail space, the custom-designed,
stand-alone store represents some of the best global brands, including Bulthaup, Moroso,
Poliform Minotti, Poltrona Frau and many more.
See you at i Saloni...
PHOTOGRAPHY: VIKRAM GAWDE

Group Editor Catherine Belbin.

April 2011 19
22 identity [interior/design/property]
 R Z A
FO LIA!
ITA lon
a c
i re birthd
a
hes ay
n
I Sa stone bratio n.
il e ele sig
m a c gs de RADKA
R
ith
w ll thi n PA
KA
of a : SHAL A
T
TEX
Posters for the International Furnishing Exhibition – i Saloni 1961-2010.

April 2011 23

This month, one of
the world’s must-attend
design events turns 50.
Milan’s I Saloni – the Salone
Internazionale del Mobile –
will celebrate the milestone
with a raft of events planned
at the Rho fairgrounds and
in the city.
A lot has changed since
1961. The once strictly
functional Modernist classics
are now iconic objects of
desire. Visitor numbers have
gone up from 12,100 in
1961 to 297,460 in 2010.
The initial 328 exhibitors
over what was then 11,000
sqm of exhibition space are
now over 2,500 spread
over 200,000 sqm. And
Italian design is now one of
the world’s most exported
products. The Rho exhibition
complex will host the Salone
Internazionale del Mobile,
the biennial Euroluce and
SaloneUfficio.
The essence of the show
remains the same however:
a smorgasbord of art,
contemporary culture and
design, with some of the
brightest and biggest talents
and firms in attendance from
all over the globe.
24 identity [interior/design/property]
ARMADILLO:
LIGHT IN NEW TEXTURES
Armadillo is a design by Studio Luis
Eslava for Spanish lighting company
LZF Lamps. Inspired by the South
American mammal, the lampshade
is woven in a coat of superposing
scales, creating a unique play
of light and shadow.
The textured material of the
armour opens a whole universe
of decorative ideas. It’s sifted light
creates a genuine warmth, perfect
for public or private interiors.
BBMDS COMES UP ACES
Is it a coffee table? Is it a modular bookcase? Is it a toy out of scale?
Looking like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland is “À la
Carte”, the new project by BBMDS for Seletti, on view next April
during the Milano Design Week. Combining irony and flexibility,
it comprises modular elements that can be assembled into tables,
coffee tables, bookcases and partition walls.
Each composition, realised with the same rules of a house of
cards, is really stable and strong thanks to a precious hardware.
The basic module is made of five silk screen printed MDF boards
that look like huge playing cards. Released, disassembled and
packed like a traditional deck, the packaging optimises shipping,
(reducing space, costs and packaging materials and thus making it
environment friendly), makes storage easier and gives everyone
the opportunity to build their own house (of cards).
NEW FROM SERRALUNGA
The pieces from Italian brand Serralunga that debut at Milan this year are about restful repose.
Together with French designer Philippe Nigro, Serralunga has developed Canisse: designed to feel
like an open-air shelter, a protected place with large cushions inside that invites relaxation. The sofa
and armchair are ideal for use in outdoor areas but can also be used indoors, with a very decorative
design feature on the back.
Nigro was inspired by the rushes
that grow along Mediterranean
shores; wild plants with long, flexible
stems that sway in the wind. These
thin plants are gathered and bound
to create lattices used to protect them
from the sun and the wind. “Like a
fence built from a bunch of stems, joined
together, this structure is developed in
a line of stackable sofas and armchairs,”
Nigro writes in his design note.
 TRENDS

VIVA ITALIA!

This year marks the150th anniversary of Italian Unification.

To commemorate this historic event, Edra has issued a singular
version of the Flap sofa, designed by Francesco Binfarè over a decade
ago. The tricolour sofa is specially upholstered in the colours of
the Italian flag for Esperienza Italia: an exhibition and programme
of events dedicated to Italian history, art, fashion and design.

COUPLES’ RETREAT

Reminiscent of spring and flowers, Bigbaboll from Altamoda Italia

is a two-seater sofa designed just for couples. Upholstered in one
of the most popular fabrics by Ken Scott, Bigbaboll is designed to be
a complete seating experience. It comes with a light that illuminates
from the top and a side table that can be moved to the side of the
seat or the middle, becoming a shared shelf.

BISAZZA PAYS TRIBUTE TO MENDINI

Alessandro Mendini is a man of many parts: architect, designer, theoretician, painter

and past editor of Domus; he also celebrates his 80th birthday this year. He has been a
long time collaborator of Bisazza, who have dedicated a retrospective at La Triennale
di Milano, focusing on Mendini’s sculptures covered in mosaic. Curated and designed
by Mendini, the exhibition will gather some of the most important installations and
works conceived by the designer for Bisazza over the past 30 years. A new equestrian
sculpture, entitled “Il Cavaliere di Dürer” (The Knight of Dürer), will be premiered; this is
an imposing statue of horse and rider, covered in blue and white gold mosaic.
The Mendini retrospective will be a unique opportunity to see the cathedral housing
another major contribution of the maestro: the sculpture “Visage archaïque” (2002), in
Bisazza gold mosaic tiles, recalling the Moai, the monolithic statues of Easter Island. ID

April 2011 25
 Tile them high
Innovation and sustainability were the key themes
at the Spanish ceramic tiles expo.
TEXT: KAREN EVANS
If the tiles on display at Cevisama are any indication, the future of the
Spanish tile industry is exciting indeed.
More than 776 local and international companies filled 120,000sqm of
display space at the 29th edition of the fair that took place in Valencia, Spain,
between February 8 and 11. Cevisama (whose name translates as International
Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Equipment Fair) showcases Spain’s position as the
third-largest exporter of ceramic tiles in the world, just behind China and Italy.
The show lived up to its tagline: “Come and see the future”, showcasing several
advances made in the Spanish tile industry, particularly in the realm of sustainability.
With manufacturers continually thinking outside of the traditional uses of
ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom, innovations in ceramic tile are
expanding rapidly into other fields, including dry installation systems, worktops
in the kitchen and bathroom, ventilated facades and for street paving. Tile of
26 identity [interior/design/property]
Spain is opening up new vistas in research, including solutions that combine
technology and ceramic materials; think photovoltaic panels, pre-bent tiles,
digital printing and translucent ceramics. Ceramic tiles offer a great range
of possibilities in home décor aside from the bathroom, including focal wall
features and headboards in the bedroom.
The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER) is working with
Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design to further the use of ceramic
tile. When asked what features differentiate ceramic tiles from other materials
used in architecture, professor Martin Bechtold said: “Compared to other
materials, the base material ceramic has very few inherent shape limitations, this
offers interesting opportunities for design. An increasingly diverse set of glazes
allows for many different surface effects and colours.”
Advances in technology are allowing easier installation methods and technical
and functional benefits of tiles are becoming an increasingly common feature of
the various rooms in the home. According to Ceraspaña, ASCER’s newsletter,
“ceramic tiles are powerful tools at the service of creativity and design. Aside from
their technical aspects – being easy to clean and maintain, durable, resistant to
chemicals scratching, traffic and so on – their other notable feature is that they
come in a multiplicity of shapes, colours, textures, finishes and weights.”
This out-of-the box thinking was clear in the winners of the ninth annual Tile
of Spain Awards, celebrated at the show. The awards are divided into three
 TRENDS

From left: CEIP 2L Martinet by Mestura Arquitectes, distinction winner in the

Architecture category; a panel from the proposed San Sebastian Thermal
Sea Baths project by Alba Balmaseda Domínguez, which won in the Degree
category; winner in the Interior Design category – Manuel Clavel Rojo’s
“Avenida Libertad Car Park”; winner of the architecture category – Bach
Architects’ Casp 74 Housing Block.

categories: Architecture, Interior Design and Degree projects. The winner of

the architecture category was Bach Architects for their Casp 74 Housing Block.
The building was notable, said the judges, for “not just the high quality of the
architecture but also for the exemplary way in which ceramic tiles have been
used on its façade”. The ceramics on the outside had a protective function, but
also maintained cultural continuity.
Manuel Clavel Rojo’s “Avenida Libertad Car Park” was the winner in the
Interior Design category. The project used light and ceramics in a public space.
Ceramic was chosen for its ability to be user friendly, durable and easy to
maintain. In the Degree project category, Alba Balmaseda Domínguez, studying
at the Advanced Technical School of Madrid, won for her San Sebastian Thermal
Sea Baths, in which ceramics were used in conjunction with concrete to create
warmth for the human body.
In addition to innovation, sustainability was a big topic at the show. Spain’s
wall and floor tile industry are increasing their commitment to sustainable
development, which it demonstrates as it devises solutions that are
environmentally friendly. Strides include returning all non-hazardous solid waste
to the production chain and reducing water consumption, which is also brought
back into the process after use, saving energy and reducing firing times.
In future years it will be exciting to see what new innovations ceramic will
bring to both exterior and interior projects. ID

April 2011 27
28 identity [interior/design/property]
 ECO

City planning
Plans for Green Tech City, an innovative 145-hectare
development in Hanoi, renewable energy moves by
the Empire State Building and Nissan’s unveiling of
the ESFLOW electric concept sports car are among
the stories making eco headlines this month.
TEXT: STEVE HILL

GREEN FOR GO

Vietnam is set to become home to Green Tech City, a 145-hectare

development in Hanoi which will showcase sustainable design principles to
reduce the demand for non-renewable resources and typical civil infrastructure.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is to master plan the urban district which will
integrate two existing villages and eventually become home to more than
20,000 people.
The plan was informed by a rigorous process designed to optimise its
environmental sustainability. Wind and solar analyses were used to determine
the optimal orientation of streets and buildings in order to create comfortable
urban micro-climates. These ensure the plan will harness natural environmental
conditions in order to maximise comfort and minimise infrastructure
requirements as well as operational energy costs.
Sustainable district-wide technologies like canal water cooling, tri-generation
plants, waste recycling and rainwater harvesting are integral components
of the plan, which also promotes low-tech passive design strategies for
environmentally-friendly architecture that is appropriate for the local economy
and Vietnamese climate and culture.
One of the key architectural features at the heart of the plan is a new
Cultural Forum building, which will accommodate an auditorium, TV studio,
art gallery, mediateque and cafés.

April 2009
March 2011 29
 ECO

Sterren college

COLLEGE WORK IT’S A BREEZE

Sterren College, in the Dutch city of Haarlem, is achieving energy savings through
a wide range of sustainable measures.
Designed by Mecanoo as a green village imbedded in the surrounding landscape,
it features underground thermal storage, the use of low maintenance and durable
materials while special attention has been paid to the interior climate.
Air is changed more often than building standards dictate. In-floor heating and
cooling, operable building components, solid acoustics and lots of natural light create
an academic building where students can concentrate and function at their best.
The college, which accommodates 1,000 students, also features moss-sedum
roofs, which give the school a green presence, while providing insulation, storage
areas for bikes and water run-off. Two green facades with climbing plants enhance
this green environment.
3D INNOVATION
E.ON, one of the UK’s largest power and gas companies, recently received
approval to build a 230MW wind farm which will feature up to 77 turbines
and be located eight kilometres off the Yorkshire coast.
Humber Gate is scheduled to be completed in 2014. The company
was also behind the country’s first offshore farm off the coast of Blyth in
Northumberland, and also operates Scroby Sands, off Great Yarmouth.
Last year, the company developed 40 per cent of all offshore wind
turbines in England. Its Robin Rigg farm in the Solway Firth helping the UK
reach one gigawatt of offshore wind capacity for the first time when it went
on stream in 2010.
The new wind farm will help E.ON in its goals of reducing its carbon
emissions by 50 per cent by 2020. The company also has plans to invest
more than Dhs14.7bn over the next three years to promote renewable
energy and prevent climate change.

Environmentally-friendly bamboo paper pulp has been used to create a new range
of three-dimensional wall panels.
Designed by Dutch company 3DWalldecor, this natural and sustainable product
also features a fire retardant, water repellent and starch.
It is available in four modular designs to bring a modern look to any room. The
panels have a natural appearance, can be painted or varnished, are as sturdy as
hard board and easily mountable.

VERY REVEALING

Reveal’s Ivy Quilted Wallet, available through Feelgoodhandbags, is contemporary,

chic, stylish… and features recycled polyester fabric made from plastic bottles
which are melted down and spun into yarn.
Reveal is a socially
responsible company
that designs
products with the
environment and animal
welfare in mind while
Feelgoodhandbags, established
three years ago, is an animal-friendly
firm based in the north-west of
England that aims to provide elegant
alternatives to leather.

3DWalldecor

30 identity [interior/design/property]
 Deira City Centre 04 2952092 Jumeirah Beach Residence 04 4380650
Mall of the Emirates 04 3414184 Palm Strip 04 3460020 Dubai Mall 04 3399105
 ECO INTERIORS

Clockwise from top left: New York Palace Hotel; the Empire State Building;
Nissan ESFLOW electric concept sports car.

PIONEERING HOTEL EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

The New York Palace Hotel has become the largest hotel in Manhattan to
operate on 100 per cent green energy.
The famous 899-room property offsets its overall electricity usage through
the purchase of renewable energy certificates from Hess Corporation – a move
which will specifically offset some 22 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
This is the equivalent of taking more than 4,100 passenger cars off the
road or saving over 7,200 tonnes of waste from landfills. A renewable energy
certificate is a tradable commodity representing the fact that 1,000kWh of
electricity were generated from a renewable energy resource such as solar,
wind or geothermal technology.
It also became the first hotel in New York to partner with Clean the World,
donating up to 225kg of gently used soap and guest-room amenities per
month to the global relief organisation. The contributed items are shipped from
The New York Palace to the Clean the World Recycling Operations Centre
in Orlando, where they are sanitised and provided to homeless shelters and
impoverished individuals in 30 countries around the world. In the process, the
hotel will divert several tonnes of landfill waste and recycle more than a tonne
of plastic per year.
The Empire State Building has become New York’s largest commercial
purchaser of 100 per cent renewable energy. The 264,000sq/m office building
has signed a two-year agreement with Green Mountain Energy Company
to purchase 55 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy annually, which is
equivalent to planting almost 150,000 trees or nearly every house in New York
State turning off their lights for a week.
Anthony E Malkin, president of Malkin Holdings, which supervises the Empire
State Building, said: “It was a natural fit for us to combine 100 per cent clean
energy with our nearly completed, ground breaking energy efficiency retrofit work.
“Clean energy and our nearly 40 per cent reduced consumption of watts and
BTUs gives us a competitive advantage in attracting the best credit tenants at the
best rents. Our programme of innovation at the Empire State Building shows
simple, replicable, non-proprietary steps for other landlords to follow to be
more energy efficient, cleaner and greener.”
The renewable energy to supply the Empire State Building will be purchased
in the form of wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from NRG Energy,
Green Mountain’s parent company. Purchasing these RECs is a widely accepted
way to address the greenhouse gas emissions of electricity consumption.

POWERFUL CONCEPT

Nissan recently took the wraps off its ESFLOW electric concept sports car, which aims to demonstrate
that it is possible to remain environmentally sympathetic without compromising on the joy of driving.
The ESFLOW, a rear-wheel drive two-seater, uses technology pioneered in the award-winning Nissan
LEAF and features two electric motors, each driving a rear wheel. Laminated lithium-ion
batteries have been mounted along the axis of the front and rear wheels, centralising
the mass of the car and enabling it to travel more than 240km on one charge.
Designed from the start as a zero emission vehicle, it also boasts dramatic styling
with a wraparound windscreen for unobstructed visibility and a head turning
composite body that covers an aluminium chassis, incorporating its own roll cage.
Capable of 0-100km/h in under five seconds, the ESFLOW’s seats – typically
the heaviest component in a modern car’s interior – have been sculpted into the
rear bulkhead of the car, negating the need for a heavy frame. ID

32 identity [interior/design/property] March 2009 32

 KOMMA
Baltimora design Vuesse & Marco Pareschi

For the carcase of the System of Quality

Kitchen Designs Llc kitchens Scavolini uses Management
only Idroleb: a water UNI EN ISO 9001
P.O.BOX 81553 repellent V100 panel with the
Salahudeen Road lowest formaldehyde emission, System of Environmental
Deira - Dubai lower than specified on the Management
Tel. 971 - 4 2691003 Japanese standards F**** (4 stars). UNI EN ISO 14001
ayman@kitchendesigns.ae
Discover Scavolini’s commitment System of Health &
For trade only: Pls. download our general for a cleaner world on Safety Management
www.scavolini.biz catalog from www.scavolini.com www.scavolinigreenmind.com OHSAS 18001

The “best seller” from Italy

Scavolini S.p.A. 61025 Montelabbate (PU) - Italy Tel. +39 0721443333
Fax: +39 0721443413 contact@scavolini.com www.scavolini.com
 BATHROOM | DESIGN FORMULA

Take the plunge

Sensual shapes, rich textures, spa-inspired fixtures and water-saving features are
the signature for bathrooms in 2011 and beyond. TEXT: RUBY ROGERS

DESIGN FORMULA

CONTENTS:
38 Design direction
45 Simple elegance
The Hotech Bauhaus radiator, finished in gold leaf
46 Design notes from ISH and designed by Federico Guastaroba.

April 2011 35
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM

From top: Inspired

by a leaf – Antonio
Pascale’s bath for
Galassia; a new
rubber surface
makes Omvivo’s
basins colourful
and touchable.

“No other room offers more design potential,” claims Kai Steffan,
creative director of international lifestyle brand Villeroy & Boch. He is, of
course, referring to the bathroom, where fixtures and fittings have long
ceased to be merely functional and trends are influencing everything from
choice of material to the look and feel of final designs.
“Trends are like rivers,” Steffan says somewhat poetically. “They float
through the world, picking up objects and ideas from one location and
depositing them somewhere else. Today, this takes place at an enormous
speed as a result of instruments such as social networks. Ideally, a company
positions itself along the banks of just such a river – the way we are – and
after taking a close look at what has washed up, makes its selections and
implements trends in the form of products.”
The bathroom is no longer secondary to other significant areas of the
home. “It is finally coming into its own and being perceived as a genuine
habitat,” Steffan says. “This is accompanied by the emotionalisation of the
bathroom, previously seen in purely functional terms.”
But can a space equipped with ceramics and tiles really be emotional?
“Absolutely,” he maintains. “In fact it has to be. The bathroom is the most
intimate place in the entire home, a place for all the senses. Ceramics are
indispensible given the functional and hygienic demands of the bathroom, but
they are also emotional thanks to the introduction of more sensual forms.”
One such sensual collection is Villeroy & Boch’s Pure Stone series,
whose shapes are inspired by pebbles smoothed by the flow of river
water. Another is Galassia’s new bathtub by architect Antonio Pascale,
a nod to the smooth, flowing lines of a leaf and easily adapted to either
contemporary or classic settings.
Sensual shapes are not solely responsible for the ‘emotionalisation’ of the
bathroom. Take Villeroy & Boch’s Memento collection for instance, a stunning
series of coordinated ceramics available with a decorative finish on fronts,
bodies and trims.
“Bathroom ceramics and tiles are no longer sterile surfaces but have
had life breathed into them,” Steffan says. “All of a sudden you want to
reach out and touch them.”
Forward-thinking Australian manufacturer Omvivo agrees. It has recently
developed a playful technique in order to inject colour into the bathroom.
Created using a rubber compound, Softskin is applied to the exterior of
a number of Omvivo solid surface basins to create a tactile surface that is
soft, warm and demands to be touched. Softskin’s colour can be tailored to
the taste of its user, and is available in a standard colour palette of charcoal,
yellow, lavender and sky, but can also be custom coloured if required.

36 identity [interior/design/property]
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM
Dornbracht’s new Gentle collection by Matteo Thun is available in a chrome surface finish.
“Colour is such an imperative element in interior design,” says Suzie Dyson
of Omvivo. “Architects, designers and consumers with a passion and awareness
of design will appreciate the playful and elegant contrast that Softskin offers.
These discerning clients will employ Softskin as the foundation to create stunning
contemporary environments in a broad range of applications.”
At Cersaie 2010, Cielo previewed a collection of six decorative shower trays
by the master of ultra-modern design, Karim Rashid. Isla and Fly are subject to
abstract soft curves; Rimmel and Kaos are clean-cut geometric designs; while
Rain and Quart experiment with three-dimensional patterns to great effect. “In
this collection, Rashid has set out to crystallise his own personal vision of the
design concept, as an integral part of the contemporary universe,” Cielo says.
“In today’s world, the task of design goes beyond the creation of beautiful
and functional objects: design must enhance the aesthetic experience in all
directions, by transforming our life story into a poetic and sensorial trail.”
The trouble with trends is that they come and go and the average consumer
is looking for longer-term solutions. “It is a high art,” Steffan says of the balancing
act between a design that reflects the current trend and one that will still look
beautiful 15 years from now. “Fortunately we have mastered this art at Villeroy
& Boch. We interpret bathroom trends in such a way that our products subtly
reflect these trends yet still retain a timeless validity.”
Is he concerned about the globalisation of contemporary design? “You can
view globalisation in a positive or negative light,” Steffan responds. “In terms
of design, too often it has served to disseminate mere similarity. An example
38 identity [interior/design/property]
would be the hotel rooms that look the same all over the world – a kind of
‘international’ style in home decor. Often, rather than inspiring people, it simply
exhausts or bores them. But at some point something great happens – a
countermovement is born.”
This countermovement, according to Villeroy & Boch, is the need for
individualisation and personalization, a demand for new colours and unexpected
decorations that capture attention and express individuality. Its new O.novo
collection is designed to do just that, giving customers an opportunity to use a
selection of décors to express their own personal taste.
DESIGN DIRECTION
Family business Dornbracht has been at the forefront of high-quality bathroom
fittings and accessories for several decades. With a reputation for excellent
design and a clutch of innovations to its name, who better to ask about the key
trends shaping bathrooms in 2011 and beyond?
“The spa has finally reached the private bathroom,” says managing director
Andreas Dornbracht in an exclusive interview. “It has been a feature of the
hospitality industry for quite some years and now the premium customer
wants to enjoy the same experience at home. As a result we have developed
a wide selection of products that imitate the natural state of water.” These
include a series of luxurious showerheads that emulate natural rain and
stunning waterfall-style taps.
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM

Carlo Colombo designed the Solidea bath and Pipa wash basin
for Antoniolupi; both are in timeless Carrara marble.

40 identity [interior/design/property]
BATHROOM | DESIGN FORMULA

April 2011 41
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM
Driving the spa trend is a growing concern for the wellbeing of our bodies
and minds. “The bathroom is going to become central to preserving our
health,” Dornbracht predicts. “Water has been used as a means of curing
illnesses as well as preventing them for more than a couple of thousand years.
Dornbracht has several products in the pipeline designed to harness the healing
power of water. We have already launched with WaterTube, a design-oriented
water hose that can be used as a cold and warm water treatment to improve
blood circulation as in Kneipp hydrotherapy. ”
Electronics are essential to shaping 21st-century bathrooms, improving
comfort by tailoring water temperature and pressure to the users’ exact needs.
“Electronics support sustainability, helping to improve the efficiency of
water usage,” Dornbracht says. “They also help us to create more offerings
for the consumer. Take our new Ambiance Tuning Technique for example,
three pre-programmed water choreographies activated at the touch of a
button – balancing, de-stressing and energising.”
Although detractors might argue that these offerings are merely gimmicks,
Dornbracht disagrees. “Of course there is a danger of introducing electronics
into the bathroom, but we believe that we have found the right solution that
offers the consumer real value rather than just gimmicks.”
It goes without saying that water efficiency will continue to influence
bathroom design. We should expect to see a wealth of products that use less
water but do not compromise on comfort in the future.
42 identity [interior/design/property]
Vola’s aptly named
Round collection,
designed for luxury
residences and hotels.
“Sustainability in the bathroom is not limited to water-saving solutions,”
Dornbracht stresses. “It is also about using environmentally friendly materials.
We have certainly seen a return to more natural materials like stone and wood.”
Cue the new Concrete collection by Glass Idromassaggio, developed in
collaboration with Il Cantiere, a specialist Italian concrete manufacturer with the
expertise and technical ability to transform this humble material into a stunning
series of bathroom pieces. Central to the creation of the Concrete collection is
the use of Ductal concrete, an extremely hi-tech and ecological material made
of organic fibre that is recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. A highlight of the
collection is Concrete Soft, which bears the signature style of its designer Gigi
Rossi: a soft, flowing shape and generous wide back supported by a base in
antique brass or stainless steel.
Looking forward, Dornbracht stresses the importance of greywater systems
(whereby waste water is collected from basins, baths and showers, treated, and
then reused in the house and garden). “We have to develop the understanding
that in the long run greywater is an investment. It will not only save us money
but it will also protect the environment,” he says. “In my opinion architects
play a leading role. They need to learn more about the benefits of greywater
recycling and convince the homeowner to invest in it.”
Another driving force of development is demographics. “In most industrialised
countries we have a very low birth rate and a lot of medical progress which
means society is ageing,” Dornbracht says. “People might not feel old in their
 COLLECTION ALLEGRETTO

Original lighting designs handcrafted in America and specified worldwide since 1940.
www.fineartlamps.com

FOUR SEASONS RAMESH GALLERY

Al Zomorrodah Building, Zabeel Road, Dubai, T: +971 4 334 9090 - Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, T: +971 4 341 3334
www.fourseasonsgallery.com
44 identity [interior/design/property]
 BATHROOM | DESIGN FORMULA

Clockwise from left: Laufen has given its Palomba

collection a facelift with fresh white matt surfaces;
Daniele Bedini’s Shiro showerhead, designed for
Rubinetterie Zazzeri and the freestanding Monolith
washbasin in wood from Galassia, available at
Bagno Design.

mind at 65 or 70 but they might have the need of certain systems in the
bathroom. Our challenge is to create high quality functional designs that do
not sacrifice on aesthetics.”
In recent years the focus of Dornbracht’s product development is not
only to design taps but also to shape water flow. An excellent example is its
new Deque design, reduced to a flat, wide spout that sits close to the basin,
thereby drawing attention to the essential purpose behind it, namely the form
in which water is presented.
“Deque represents a continuation of the range of shapes offered by the
Dornbracht brand in an avant-garde design,” Andreas Dornbracht says.
“What is special about the jet type that we selected for this fitting is that we
work with single jets that present a special, gentle stroking sensation when
washing your hands.”
Also strengthening Dornbracht’s product portfolio in 2011 is Gentle, a
new entry-level collection by Italian designer Matteo Thun that proposes
everyday elegance. “The name Gentle denotes a pleasant character. At
the same time it implies softness, but also class – it evokes the idea of the
‘gentleman’,” Dornbracht explains. “The tactile, feminine shape of the fittings
series thus acquires a note of sophisticated masculinity.” The Gentle range
includes fittings for the washstand, bidet, shower and bathtub, and is available
in a chrome surface finish.

SIMPLE ELEGANCE

Over the past 12 months there has been a shift away from extravagant luxury
and opulence towards understated glamour. “Design in 2011 will be much
more about these glamorous details but it will also be darker than we have seen
before, reflecting our personal desires rather than overarching trends,” says
Vanessa Allen of British brassware manufacturer Samuel Heath. “As the bathroom
has always been a personal space, this trend will resonate particularly well here,
with glamorous details and a dark colour palette featuring blacks and greys.”
For more contemporary interiors consumers will want darker finishes that
offer the same longevity as chrome (see Samuel Heath’s Xenon Black collection
featuring a matt chrome finish). Allen also expects to see more texture in the
bathroom, with the introduction of blackened or tarnished metals and finishes
that have an element of personality such as nickel, which develops a patina of its
own over time.
“We can also expect metallic products in the home to become more fluid
in their design, as though they have been teased from molten metal,” Allen
continues. “This is most definitely a reflection of the developments in design
technology, as advanced computer software and production processes enable
manufacturers to explore designs that have never been possible. Complex
designs and meticulous detail can now be produced with relative ease and now
is an exciting time for manufacturers as we continue to push at the boundaries
of possibility. In 2011 and beyond, we can certainly expect to see much more
playful use of design as this technology evolves.”
Simplicity will continue to be a leading trend in 2011 with consumers looking
to invest in high quality products that become part of their home for a good
many years to come. “With this in mind, faddish trends and designs have been

April 2011 45
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM
Jaime Hayon channels Art Deco for his collection for Bisazza.
replaced by simple and classic ideas. Inspired by a more human approach,
natural colours will feature heavily with organic, curvaceous and more feminine
shapes,” says Allen – Samuel Heath’s Fairfield collection’s sweeping curves and
soft lines illustrate this point perfectly.
“Ornate design and cluttered homes will be stripped back and reduced to
a bare minimum as functionality becomes the driving force in interiors,” Allen
predicts. “Increased importance will be placed on practical products like storage,
as we look to find more order in our lives.” Certainly demand for effective
storage is growing rapidly. Furniture-based bathrooms look destined to become
more popular as a result, with hidden storage under basins and baths creating a
minimalist look and feel to available space.
“Looking towards the latter part of 2011 and following on from the trend
for darker glamour, we will see a new role for luxury begin to develop,”
Allen says. “Functionality, comfort and personal indulgence will supersede the
ostentatious role that glamour once brandished, and attention to detail will
become much more important.”
Finishing touches, such as high-quality hardware and accessories, will provide
a way in which we can renovate our homes, enjoying these smaller details on a
day-to-day basis without making a big design statement.
“Over the past few years, we have seen a lack of consumer trust which
is now reflected in a harkening back to the past for inspiration, both in terms
of colours and design. Rather than being retrospective, this design is a new,
modern take on past styles, with old ideas evolving into something new and
unique,” Allen concludes. “Earthy browns, dark greens and smoky blues help
to develop this sense of nostalgia, whilst classic styles adopt a more modern
interpretation. Popular finishes such as gold will return, but with a burnished,
darker finish rather than the once popular yellow gold.”
46 identity [interior/design/property]
DESIGN NOTES FROM ISH
March was a busy month for the bathroom industry. ISH – the world’s largest
platform for innovative bathroom design – flung opened its doors, bringing together
more than 2,000 companies across 250,000sq/m of exhibition space in Frankfurt.
The big news was that Bisazza announced the birth of its new division
dedicated to the production and distribution of bathroom collections. Christened
Bisazza Bagno, Spanish designer Jaime Hayon was entrusted to design its debut
collection and set the standard for future collaborations. “The collection recalls
the glamour of the 1930s with a Scandinavian touch and feminine shapes,”
Hayon says. “Elegance is the main trait of this innovative collection. The
bathroom is the most important room in the home and it should not be hidden.
With this collection, it becomes an area you want to show, a place you can
keep open. The bathroom becomes a stylish room, full of charm and style,
with a strong identity.”
To channel his Art Deco aesthetic, Hayon cherry-picked a classic colour
palette of white, black, gold and platinum together with a choice of luxury
materials including marble, ceramic, chrome steel or glossy copper-finished
aluminum. To give consumers ample choice he designed a series of bathroom
furniture as well as basins, baths, brassware, shower screens, mirrors, lighting
and an assortment of accessories and decorative items.
Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen extended its successful Palomba collection
with an impressive 1,600mm wide countertop with two asymmetrical basins
and optional towel rail. The Palomba furniture range was also given a facelift to
feature new vanity units and a surface finish in fresh matt white. And thanks to
a newly-developed Siphon, the drawers on the vanity units require no
disruptive siphon cutouts.
 From left: The Esplanade range from Duravit features oak panelling; the Morphing collection from
Kos plays on classic bathroom aesthetics.
Kaldewei extended its floor-level Conoflat shower tray range with 12 new
sizes. Designed to lend a seamless look to bathrooms, Conoflat’s central waste
features a square, enamelled cover available in the same colour as the shower
tray (white, black or in Kaldewei’s new Co-ordinated Colours collection designed
to match the latest tile and wood flooring colours).
Fellow German manufacturer Duravit made a splash with an opulent
bathroom collection in collaboration with German-Russian architect Sergei
Tchoban. In the skilled hands of Tchoban, “opulence” does not translate to mean
ostentatious or excessive. Instead he sought out a more modern approach
that is compatible with the demand for durable bathrooms. In his own words:
“Contemporary opulence is about allowing that little bit more yet keeping one’s
feet firmly on the ground!”
Tchoban’s new series consists of ceramic, furniture and a complete range of
bathtubs. Winning features include the feet of the vanity unit that hark back to
the 18th and 19th centuries, when bathroom furnishings and even toilets were
still regarded as furniture. The characteristic pedestal is also featured in other
48 identity [interior/design/property]
elements from the range and is particularly striking on the floor-mounted toilet,
which is reminiscent of an antique chair. The historical association is further
endorsed by the use of the same material for the body of the toilet and bidet as
for the furniture, all of which are panelled accordingly. The bathtub is designed to
resemble a chaise longue and bathroom furniture features dark brown loops as
handles made of genuine, hand-sewn leather in high-quality chrome surrounds.
The range expresses Tchoban’s view that the bathroom has become a
recreation room and an important element in the layout of the house that
demands space in its own right. “Today, if I make the bathroom too small, my
client doesn’t want to know,” he says. Consequently the bathroom is on its way
to becoming a high-quality living area that rivals the generous dimensions of the
living room in every respect.
Luxury was the buzzword at Vola with the launch of its new Round series
for prestigious houses and apartments, as well as five-star hotels. The cylinder
is a key shape in Vola design which would explain why it has been used to
create new designs in the Round series, finished in either high-polished chrome

or brushed stainless steel combined with fronts in white, black or any colour
for larger projects. True to Vola tradition, designs are unobtrusive, with less
aesthetically pleasing elements built into the wall.
Morphing is the most recent offering from Kos. “A collection with a
difference,” say designers Ludovica & Roberto Palomba, who experimented
with classic bathroom aesthetics to create innovative and design-oriented
shapes. The upshot is a contemporary collection with subtle traditional
undertones crafted from Cristalplant. “We believe that good projects already
exist in a sort of collective imagery and that our mission consists of identifying
these unconscious needs, giving them form and introducing them to the
world,’” explain the design duo. “A product, which will be chosen by an infinite
number of people we don’t know, will therefore feel surprisingly familiar right
from the first glance. A real crush – like love at first sight!”
Italian designer Carlo Colombo lent his considerable design skills to new
launches by antoniolupi. Typical of Colombo’s simple but elegant signature style
is the stunning Pipa washbasin that bears resemblance to an inverted “L” and is
BATHROOM | DESIGN FORMULA
designed to stand in the centre of the bathroom serviced by freestanding taps
and fittings. His new Solidea bath is equally impressive, again freestanding and
featuring a rectangular base supporting gently sloped sides that allows for its oval
rim. Colombo’s use of timelessly beautiful Carrara marble unites the two pieces
and establishes a strong connection with nature.
And finally, Hansgrohe showed off its collaborative collection with French
brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, first premiered in Paris last year and
officially launched at ISH. Designed to “radiate calm and thus create a warm
balance within the space”, the collection is easy on the eye and comfortable
to use thanks to soft, free flowing lines and no corners or edges. The position
of the mixer is not pre-determined so the user can decide where to locate
the spout and handles, either on the basin itself, around the sides or on
the wall. Integrated shelves permit flexible positioning of the mixer and also
provide personal tiered storage space. There are more than 70 products in
the collection, giving the user freedom to create a bathroom that ideally suits
their everyday needs. ID
April 2011 49
 DESIGN FORMULA | BATHROOM

Design sources
antoniolupi.it
axor-design; tel: (04) 332 6565
bagnodesign.org; tel: (04) 330 7775
bisazza.it; tel: (04) 347 3347
bouroullec.com
carlocolombo.it
ceramicacielo.it
ceramicagalassia.com; tel: (04) 330 7775
dornbracht.com
duravit.com; tel: (04) 556 2232
gessi.com; tel: (04) 339 0760
glassidromassaggio.it
hansgrohe.com; tel: (04) 332 6565
kaldewei.com; tel: (050) 397 9668
laufen.com; tel: (04) 268 9993
omvivo.com; tel: (04) 334 9943
villeroy-boch.com; tel: (04) 364 2613
vola.com; tel: (04) 339 5660
zazzeri.it
zucchettidesign.it; tel: (04) 339 5660

Hansgrohe’s Axor Bouroullec collection

50 identity [interior/design/property]
 Now Everyday
RAIN & WATERFALL
in your Bathroom
Luxury Mixers

Luxury Sanitaryware

Luxury Bathroom Accessories

Luxury
Shower panel

LUXURY BATH FITTINGS Luxury Massage Bath Tub

that compliment your lifestyle

Parquet Flooring | Curtains | Wallpapers | Window Blinds | Luxury Sanitaryware | Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiles | Chandeliers | Carpets | Home Decors | Hardware Tools | Ceiling | Doors | Paints
Decorative Paints | Wallpanels | Garden & Outdoor Furnitures | Garden Accessories | Gazebos | Pergolas | and many more building materials and home interior products under one roof...

TOLL FREE IN UAE: 800-BUILDMART (284536278)

FREE HOME INTERIOR DESIGNING SERVICES OFFERED IN ALL SHOWROOMS
Dubai +971 4 2977020 | Dubai Festival City +971 4 2325220 | IBN Battuta Mall +971 4 4404920 | Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi +971 2 5506610
Al Falah, Abu Dhabi +971 2 6428090 | Ras Al Khaimah + 971 7 2355761 | Fujairah +971 9 2249848 | Bawadi Mall, Al Ain +971 3 7840318
Salmabad, Bahrain +973 1 7879931 | Bahrain Mall +973 1 7382480 | Jeddah, Saudi +966 2 252 6666 | Mumbai, India +91 22 28496660
www.danubebuildmart.com
 INTERIORS

Master of all
he surveys
Jaime Hayón has been high on the “It-list” ever
since he burst onto the design scene. His use
of bold, whimsical work which blurs the lines
between art, decoration and design continues
to garner accolades and he’s now turning his
fanciful eye to interiors TEXT: LISA VINCENTI

Jaime Hayón didn’t cut his teeth in a fancy fine arts school or a top
European university, instead, he began his early education on the streets of
Madrid, submerging himself in skateboard culture and the graffiti art scene.
Born in 1974, his formative years clearly weren’t wasted youth – they serve
as the backdrop to his current oeuvre.
The design world has been held spellbound by the detailed, bold-yet-
whimsical world he creates ever since he emerged back in 2003 when
London’s David Gill Gallery held Hayón’s first major exhibition Mediterranean
Digital Baroque, followed by Mon Cirque.
He continues to garner attention and last year was named designer of the year
by one of Europe’s most prestigious furniture fairs, Maison et Objet in Paris, for
which he created a Scenes d’Interieur show called Moving Ideas. “The [Maison]
award was given for achievement in interior design – which is an area I’ve been
working in increasingly for the past few years – and it’s an area I’m taking more
and more pleasure from,” notes Hayón, who has signed his name to everything
from shoes and toys to furniture and lighting. “Normally I am contacted by
companies whose guidelines are similar to mine: a passion for quality, use of
exquisite materials and a sense of risk and wanting to try out new things.”

52 identity [interior/design/property]

His work is infused with a sort of unexpected quality and surprise, and – quite
often – humour; it ranges from expressive and witty to highly sophisticated
and elegant, but always with a twist: traditional heritage wrapped in modern
aesthetics. His talent seems to have no bounds, yet the full range of his genius
is, perhaps, best appreciated by the interior design commissions he has been
receiving of late.
Hayón considers these projects like large-scale art installations, where most
of the elements are custom-made, he considers himself a craftsman after all,
and comfort, personality and quality are the leitmotif of his efforts.
Sketches from Hayon’s diaries.
After studying industrial design in Madrid and Paris, Hayón joined Fabrica in
1997, the Benetton-funded design and communication academy, where he
worked closely with legendary photographer Oliverio Toscani, who is best-
known for the controversial advertising campaigns for the Italian brand from
1982 to 2000. It didn’t take Hayón long to climb his way to the top and soon
he headed Fabrica’s design department, where he oversaw projects ranging
from shop, restaurant and exhibition conception and design to graphics.
However, by 2005 Hayón was ready for a change and he broke out on his
own founding Hayón Studio in Madrid. One of his earliest commissions came
April 2011 53
 INTERIORS
from famed porcelain-maker Lladró and both Mediterranean Digital Baroque,
a series of surreal, baroque spindly creatures, and Mon Cirque, a line of fantastic
household objects, were crafted from ceramics.
At around the same time he debuted his fanciful bathroom range for
Barcelona’s ArtQuitect and the design world swooned. His unexpected
combination of porcelain with precious metals, of baroque sensibility
infused with contemporary dynamism cemented his reputation and kept the
commissions streaming in.
Throughout his career Hayón’s work has placed him amid the wave of
creators that continue to blur the lines between art, decoration and design,
and also set him among a new generation that place finely crafted, intricate
objects in a contemporary context.
His first major commercial design project (for Madrid’s La Terraza del Casino
restaurant) allowed him to broaden his reach. After meeting with the chef, Paco
Roncero, and sampling his cuisine, Hayón received the commission in early
2007 to revamp La Terraza.
“The location was both fantastic and complicated,” Hayón recalls. “El Casino
de Madrid, where the Terraza is located, is right in the centre of Madrid.
The atmosphere is very chic and glamorous. This was both interesting and
54 identity [interior/design/property]
Left to right: Lounger
for Barcelona Design;
Groninger Museum;
the restaurant La
Terraza del Casino
very complicated as we needed to create a project that would respect the
characteristics of the building but at the same time be fresh and new.”
All the elements of the new restaurant, cast in pale bluish hues, are made up
of geometric forms. Rhombus-shaped mirrors to reflect the light; a chequered
floor; geometric columns; and even the chairs, each of which is different from
the next. From above, Hayón-designed lamps dangle from the ceiling like large
white spiders. The result is an aesthetic link between past and future using the
Spaniard’s meticulously crafted, imaginative style, which blends art and design.
In fact, when haute jeweller Fabergé was preparing to open its first boutique,
it turned to Hayón for creating a narrative that fused the past, present and
future, tradition and modernity. In the Geneva townhouse Hayón developed
an expression of modern luxury through simplicity and sensuality. Superlative
craftsmanship, sumptuous minimal shapes and forms, and exquisite materials
(including silk wall drapes, rare woods and Carrara marble) lend an organic
and dynamic feel to the space, which balances energy and serenity, historic
grandeur and freshness.
“Choosing materials carefully is very important,” Hayón says of his design
projects. “I believe in long lasting and quality materials that withstand the test
of use and time. I have realised that a project can be iconic and eternal only
if the materials used are durable. I am a great lover of marble, brass, wood,
glass... elements that breathe quality. The way these are used and combined
can be very innovative and we have technology to help us find new ways of
approaching old materials.”
When Kuwaiti couple Fahad Al Hajiri and Sheikha Alanood M Al Sabah
decided to launch their own version of the contemporary jewellery store in
2009, they were seeking a salon that would tell their story. They hoped the
 INTERIORS

Clockwise from top left : Hayon

presented at Rossana Orlandi
Gallery in Milan; Hayon with Armchair
TwentyTwo; Jaime Hayon for Bisazza
Home; Green Chicken rocking chair;
Se Collection by Jaime Hayon.

Octium boutique would set a new contemporary standard in the field of

luxury bijoux. Hayón was commissioned to create a space that evokes a
retro-opulence and stock it with pieces sourced from the couple’s worldwide
travels. The concept he dreamt up was sophisticated, feminine, with just
enough eccentricity to give it Hayón’s customary twist.
After passing through a very masculine façade in St Laurent dark marble and
an impressive brass door, Octium guests enter a contrasting interior that is
organic and soft. The use of feminine shapes is a constant throughout and there
are no corners inside the shop, an idea inspired by traditional Mediterranean
construction, where lime was used for finishes to give an organic feel to
interiors, Hayón explains. He divided the boutique into several distinct areas
with each offering a different approach to experiencing the collection and
creating a sense of movement and journey.
Almost every element was custom-designed and made for the project; from
a theatrical large piece of furniture where ceramic lamps fall inside the display
elements, to a seven-metre centipede-like display composed of natural walnut
and brass crutch-like legs (a nod to surrealist Salvador Dali). In the store’s
central area, a complex, quirky multi-legged round table with spring cylinders
exhibits jewellery above which hangs a light installation composed of various-
sized cylinders. Hayón selected contrasting finishes like glossy lacquered woods,
natural walnut, shiny ceramics and luxurious fabrics to evoke a sense of tradition,
yet in a thoroughly modern way.
“Funnily enough, many times, the approach I use can be the same for an
interior and for a shoe,” Hayón says. “In my case, there is a strong passion for
craftsmanship, quality and the combination of tradition with imagination. These
are constant co-ordinates in my journeys.” ID

56 identity [interior/design/property]
 idProperty

CONTENTS:
60 Luck of the Irish
66 Big is beautiful
72 Antennae

April 2011 59
 Luck of the Irish
Ireland’s property slump began way back in June 2006
and it is only when the “vulture funds” finally arrive that
things might start to turn around on the Emerald Isle.
TEXT: RICHARD WARREN

60 identity [interior/design/property]
 INTERNATIONAL | idProperty

Ardbrugh House, County Dublin, five

bedroom house through Sherry Fitzgerald

April 2011 61
 The statistics are horrible. Numbers can reveal a truth more starkly than
words and, in the case of the Irish housing market, do so with cruel precision.
Stat number one: Irish property prices have halved over the past four years. Stat
number two: 30,000 buy-to-let investors bought Irish homes in 2006, but only
250 did so in 2010, a contraction of 99 per cent.
And there’s more, University College Dublin reports 170,000 homes are
empty – nine per cent of Ireland’s housing stock. Too many flats were built in
the boom years of the mid-noughties, especially on Dublin’s fringes, and the
Irish are leaving their country to find work overseas now – the demand for
Canadian work visas from Irish nationals doubled last year and thousands more
are moving to other Anglophone countries.
Rich or poor, the slump does not discriminate and Dublin’s trophy homes
sector is among Ireland’s worst affected property markets. “Shrewsbury Road
was the best address,” says Brian O’Driscoll, head of residential research Ireland
at estate agency Savills. “It was not unusual for these homes to sell for Dhs126
million, but now the market is non-existent these homes would go for Dhs15
million there are so few transactions.”
The extent of the housing market’s collapse is unprecedented, but eventually,
what goes down will go up. The question is when. Sadly, before anything gets
better, things will get worse.
Like many strong medicines, the international bailout of Ireland’s public
finances in November 2010 may cure the patient, but its strong side effects will
increase levels of pain and discomfort in the short term. Loans totalling Dhs337
billion from Britain, the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) came with demands for austerity measures and a “punitive” 5.8 per
cent interest rate on repayments.
Ireland’s government responded by raiding Dhs88 billion from the country’s
pension fund, and making Dhs29 billion of spending cuts and tax rises in its
budget last December, reducing the amount of money Irish citizens have
available to spend on home buying.
62 identity [interior/design/property]
However, the budget did include a surprise measure that will help house
sales – stamp duty was slashed from nine per cent to one per cent for homes
valued below Dhs5 million, and cut to two per cent for homes valued above
Dhs5 million.
“This will have a beneficial impact on the market here, stamp duty rates were
punitive before,” O’Driscoll says. “From that point of view this is good news for
the property market in the short term. It will assist the market.”
But stamp duty cuts won’t be enough to counteract the effects of wage
freezes and job losses brought about by austerity measures. What’s more, the
banks are unwilling to lend, so even if Irishmen and women can raise a deposit
and feel inclined to buy a home, they may not get a mortgage.
“In 2007, there were 15 mortgage lenders, now there are three and they are
nationalised or being nationalised,” O’Driscoll says. “You won’t get a loan unless
you work in government or have rock solid employment. Lots of categories of
business are deemed to be unacceptable. Without a fluid mortgage system it is
hard to have a fluent property market.”
There is a rare positive statistic – figures show GDP growing 0.5 per cent
in the third quarter, buoyed by the resilience of the country’s export driven
manufacturers. However, this small expansion in the economy will have minimal
impact on the housing market, O’Driscoll considers.
“Nobody really believes that [GDP growth figure],” he says. “From a technical
point of view there has been very modest growth and growth is projected
for 2011, but it certainly does not feel like that. Everybody feels that this year
will be a terrible year. There will be less money in people’s pockets and less
willingness to invest. Property values are continuing to go down. With the very,
very tight mortgage market, you could say this was a perfect storm.”
Ireland’s political turmoil has not helped, adding to the sense of chaos and
frustration that undermines sentiment in the whole economy, not just the housing
market. What’s more, there is little Ireland’s new Government, a coalition of
conservative Fine Gael and socialist Labour, can do to improve matters.

Urged on by angry Irish voters, these parties want to re-negotiate the bailout
package agreed by the outgoing coalition government of conservative Fianna
Fail and environmentalist Greens. They want those interest rate payments cut.
Economists at US bank Citi say Ireland may default on loan repayments if interest
rates are not halved to at least three per cent. Yet, even if interest rates are cut,
the Dhs336.6 billion principal remains a huge sum for 4.5 million Irish to repay.
If Ireland defaulted on debt repayments this would infuriate the EU, which
has stumped up most of the bailout cash, and would make Ireland a pariah on
international bond markets, so such a scenario is unlikely. But not impossible,
especially if anti-EU, ultra-nationalist, far-left Sinn Fein can get a grip on the balance
of power in the Irish Parliament. Although damaging initially, debt default may
make little difference to the housing market in the longer term, O’Driscoll says.
“There would be a couple of years of complete and absolute instability
in the market, and then it would stabilise,” he says. “It would not be an
absolute disaster.”
O’Driscoll believes that the biggest problem for Ireland’s housing market is the
huge number of empty homes. He expects Hong Kong, Chinese and other foreign
investors to buy swathes of empty, new build developments on the outskirts of
Dublin, known as “ghost estates”, later this year from cash-strapped developers
and NAMA, the government institution that took control of assets from stricken
Irish banks during the height of the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009.
“The oversupply thing is probably the big story, the ‘ghost estates’, how
long will they take to sell,” O’Driscoll says. “Asians may buy 100 units at a time
INTERNATIONAL | idProperty
Clockwise from top left: Kilteelagh
House, Nenagh, County Tipperary
Ireland, has 10 hectares of land
through Sherry Fitzgerald;
33 Brittas Bay, County Wicklow;
K Club, golf and spa resort, County
Kildare, 1/16th fractional ownership
of four bedroom house; Raithmichael
Brook, Raithmichael, County Dublin,
seven bedroom house, 3/5 hectare
of land from Savills.
from NAMA. Vulture funds will arrive and take 100 units in new
build developments outside Dublin from developers in receivership and
rent them out, because yields are very good. We will probably see that
happening in 2011.”
If these funds arrive, they may bring salvation to the Irish housing market.
The turning point for Britain’s housing market during its downturn in the
early 1990s came when investment funds ploughed millions of pounds into
property, giving confidence to others to follow suit. However, that took
several years to achieve and it would be little different for Ireland now.
O’Driscoll says consensus opinion among forecasters is for property prices
to fall 10 per cent to 15 per cent by the end of 2012, and the prices of some
new build homes outside Dublin may drop by as much as 40 per cent this
year. Prices will keep falling until the economy and mortgage lending expand
substantially, and the supply of excess housing is soaked up, he says.
Remedying the housing oversupply problem may be delayed by investors
not entering the market in numbers until late 2011. “Irish property is being
watched closely by investors keen to identify opportunities before the market
turns,” says Liam Bailey, head of research at Knight Frank. “It seems unlikely,
however, that this opportunistic investment will really take off until the second
half of 2011 rather than the first half.”
Like pouring a pint of Guinness, it seems that good things come to those
who wait. Irish homeowners will need plenty more patience before their
marathon wait comes to an auspicious end. ID
April 2011 65
 The trademark Missoni colours rule the lobby.
66 identity [interior/design/property]

Opulent accents of gold and turquoise at Cucina restaurant.
Mirrors in the bathroom convert into televisions screens.
PORTFOLIO | idProperty
Big is beautiful
From gold hands that hold up the ceiling to giant
urns at Kuwait’s latest design hotel, bigger is
definitely better. TEXT: SHALAKA PARADKAR
DESTINATION FASHION
Fashion, design and luxury come together at Kuwait City’s newest property:
the Hotel Missoni Kuwait.
With interiors by Missoni’s creative director, Rosita Missoni, naturally there is
plenty of the signature look: vibrant patterns, bold colour, with strong accents of
turquoise, green and gold, inspired by the property’s Arabian context. She has
even integrated select pieces of furniture from her Italian home, including the iconic
Wishbone Chair by Hans J Wegner. The lobby features giant urns in mosaic, a
design element that will be continued across other Hotel Missoni properties.
The property offers 169 sea-facing rooms with breakfast, laundry, high-speed
wireless internet, free local calls, movies on demand, and the entire contents
of the minibar, inclusive in the cost of the room.
State-of-the-art technological design elements ensure that every guest’s stay
is seamless: using iPads for check-ins, the latest Bang & Olufsen TVs in guest
rooms, and mirrors in the suite bathrooms that convert into televisions.
The hotel also has a 1500 sqm luxury Six Senses Spa, which opens later this year.
Built to appeal to a well-travelled clientele – particularly those with a strong
interest in design, an understanding of food, and a craving for an authentic
experience – Hotel Missoni Kuwait will be staffed by over 17 nationalities,
speaking more than 14 languages.
Kuwait is the second property after Edinburgh to launch Hotel Missoni,
with additional locations in Oman, Brazil and Turkey scheduled to open
within the next few years.
April 2011 67
 idProperty | PORTFOLIO

A CAPITAL SPACE

Riyadh is rapidly growing into a regional hotspot for design and proof came
in the form of the opening of its latest interiors showroom that showcases
a clutch of haute design brands.
Gallery Design, a cavernous 4,500-square metre building located in
Riyadh’s upscale Takhasusi district, houses an edited selection of furniture
from Minotti, Walter Knoll, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Bulthaup, Porada,
Donghia and Moroso, perked up with interior accessories and accents from
Tai Ping, Foscarini and others.
This is the first time that many of these brands have made their debut
in the kingdom and even the region.
Gallery Design hopes to capitalise on Saudi Arabia’s young population
who have adapted to modern living, embrace international design standards
and tend to mix contemporary furniture with classic pieces. Like a true
gallery space, the offerings will change and adapt to customers’ tastes
and current trends.
The entrance of the silver-grey granite building, designed by Delta
Engineering along with inhouse designer from The Gallery, features an
oversized door, fabricated by Strassaker, in solid cast aluminium with a
stainless steel frame. Bespoke silver lighting fixtures by Lebanese lighting
design firm PS Lab float on a pool of water along the front.
The interior spans two floors, with marble flooring, wood panelling and
white walls that feature furniture accents and art. On the ground floor,
furniture and products are displayed along each side of the central corridor
with additional furniture and fabric offerings extending upstairs. The store
also hopes to service the growing number of design offices who are now
in business in Riyadh.
Tastefully designed and artfully laid out to showcase different products,
Gallery Design has ushered in a new age of design in the kingdom.

68 identity [interior/design/property]
 idProperty | PORTFOLIO
SHOW OF HANDS
A restaurant’s ambience is usually defined by its furniture, with accessories
playing a silent supporting role.
At Loui’s, located in Downtown Dubai, that way of thinking is turned on
its head. The restaurant serves multiethnic cuisine for a multiethnic clientele,
with a side helping of art. Overscaled accessories take centre stage in a setting
that gives new meaning to the term ‘dinner theatre’.
Two oversized, pillar-like hands seem to hold up the ceiling, creating an
art installation in a commercial environment. Done in gold, they are a witty
comment on Dubai’s taste and appetite for art and food.
70 identity [interior/design/property]
The designer, architect Mustafa Khamash, says Loui’s is a reflection of
Dubai’s identity: “extremes, multicultural, multilingual and over-dimensional”.
He makes a reference to this with a cacophony of sentences scrawled on
the ceiling. Food and furniture are drawn from the different regions of Asia,
Italy and Lebanon.
As Khamash explains: “With Loui’s, I wanted to start my long-term design
project: ‘Art over function and space’. It’s a concept vision that puts design
in pole position and turns the space into an art space, whether it’s a private
or commercial environment. I wanted to capture Dubai’s style, mixing and
matching influences from different nations in one space.” ID
 R
S TI V
 XE
S[ 5E
2 R
M

)\IGYXMZI(IWOWˆ'SRJIVIRGI6SSQ8EFPIWERH'LEMVWˆ1SHYPEV(IWOMRK7]WXIQWˆ4ERIPPMRK7]WXIQW

(MWGSZIVERI[WXERHEVHMRSJ½GIJYVRMXYVIWSPYXMSRW[MXLE
TSVXJSPMSSJFVERHWTIVJIGXP]TEMVIH[MXLYRTEVEPPIPIHUYEPMX]
ERHZEPYI

Visit our new showroom now at Pyramid Centre, Dubai.

(YFEM4]VEQMH'IRXVI9QQ,YVEMV6SEH43&S\9%)8IP*E\8SPP*VII3**-')
5EXEV7EP[E6SEH(SLE8IP)QEMPMRJS$SJ½GIPERHQIGSQ[[[SJ½GIPERHQIGSQ
 idProperty | ANTENNAE
Prices are falling to new lows in the United States and being cut in Cape Verde. The global property
market recovery looks shaky. Istanbul and Bordeaux are exceptions. TEXT: RICHARD WARREN
MARKET STALLS
The global housing market recovery has stalled.
The Global Property Guide says prices rose in 15
countries and fell in 21 others in 2010. Prices
fell further in the United States in 2010 than the
previous year, while Ireland, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Lithuania, Greece and Ukraine continue to
suffer badly, though prices leapt 20 per cent
in table topping Latvia. Elsewhere in eastern
Europe prices are still falling and the Scandinavian
property boom is petering out. Price falls
in Greece and Turkey were more severe
in 2010 than 2009. Price rises in Asia were
“robust” despite market cooling measures by
governments. Singapore property prices jumped
13 per cent, putting it second in the table of 36
states. Bottom was Ireland where values plunged
11 per cent, compounding an 18 per cent
collapse in 2009. In the Philippines, prices rose
for the first time following two years of decline.
72 identity [interior/design/property]
SINGIN’ THE BLUES
The United States housing market has reached
a new low. Economic research shows a second
half of a double dip downturn can be worse than
the first. So it is now in the US housing market’s
double dip. Prices are now 0.7 per cent below
the previous cycle low. Indeed, they are back to
2002 levels and still falling. Cities once considered
safe from slump are suffering most as the pain of
negative equity and foreclosure spreads from the
sub-prime mortgage market to prime. After initially
resisting the downturn, prices in Seattle are down
31 per cent from their 2007 peak, and falling
faster than in Las Vegas, one of the first cities to be
hit. Ironically, in some parts of Florida where the
sub-prime crisis was most acute, a situation made
worse by massive over-building of homes, prices
are starting to recover. Not Miami, however,
where prices continue to fall. Nationally, prices are
expected to fall five per cent in 2011.
“FREE” CAPE TRIPS
Homes in the Atlantic archipelago Cape Verde
are being offered for sale at half price. One
bedroom apartments at the Santa Monica Beach
Resort and Spa are on sale for prices starting
at Dhs274,000. However, you must be a cash
buyer. Free furniture and a “guaranteed” seven
per cent rental yield for five years are available
too. Is this expansive offer evidence of the
new, “leaner” market that sales agents Assetz
says has emerged from the ruins of the global
property market collapse? The company insists
“12 months of summer sun guaranteeing minimal
void periods” makes the islands irresistible to
investors. Buyers who want to see a property
before signing on the dotted line will need to
make a trip out there. The sales agents offer
“free” inspection trips, but here’s the catch, they
are free provided you buy. It costs Euro1,500
per couple if you don’t.
 LONDON’S STAMP-EDE

Home sellers and buyers in London’s most des

res areas have been rushing to complete deals
ahead of this month’s (April) rise in stamp duty
on millionaire homes. Stamp duty will rise from
four per cent to five per cent on homes valued
at Dhs5.9 million (GBP1 million) or more on
April 6. Activity has been frenetic in London and
BULLISH ABOUT ISTANBUL South East England where 85 per cent of stamp
duty revenue on sales of Dhs5.9 million-plus
Turkey’s fan club keeps growing. Accountants PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), says Istanbul is the best homes originates. After the storm will come the
place for property investment in Europe. It ranks Turkey’s largest city top of 27 European locations. calm when few properties will be traded. Noel
Athens and Dublin are bottom, reflecting concerns about Irish and Greek debt problems. Istanbul was Flint, partner at Knight Frank’s Knightsbridge
considered to have the “best development prospects” by PwC. New developments under construction office, says: “The increase in stamp duty will
in the city include yooistanbul, a block of 100 apartments with interior designs inspired by Philippe Starck. add to the cost of moving and past experience
PwC considers Turkey’s rapidly growing economy and record low interest rates will boost property shows that as stamp duty rises, so supply falls.”
prices. GDP growth has averaged 7.5 per cent over the past five years. Holiday home lettings in Istanbul The same pattern occurred after the last Labour
have been given a boost by a 28 per cent rise in tourist arrivals in January. PwC’s survey is the latest to government introduced a 50 per cent tax rate on
give Turkey the big thumbs up – the Global Property Guide considers it Europe’s investment hotspot. earnings of Dhs890,000 or more in 2009.

BANKING ON CYPRUS?
Foreign home buyers are returning to Cyprus....
slowly. Overseas nationals bought 2,030 homes in
2010, a 15 per cent increase on 2009, targeting
destinations like Limassol where a new marina is
under construction. However, sales remain well
below the 11,281 made during the 2007 market
peak. Britons, traditionally the biggest group of
buyers, remain conspicuous by their absence, but
Middle Eastern, Russian, Scandinavian and Chinese
investors are arriving. Prices are as much as 30
per cent below 2007 levels and many developers
offer price reductions, so now may seem like a
good time to buy, but there is cause for concern
– Cypriot banks have done 40 per cent of their
lending in Greece, so Cyprus could get sucked
into their neighbour’s financial crisis if it worsens.
The Cypriot state would have to bail out its banks
and mortgage lending could dry up – all bad news
for the property market.
VINTAGE PROPERTIES
Bordeaux vineyards are in vogue. Demand
for grape-growing estates in this south west
corner of France has leapt 30 per cent over
the past year, much of it from overseas,
especially Britain, US, Russia and Scandinavia.
Estates on offer include this 170 hectare
vineyard and chateau marketed by Savills,
pictured above. Tim Swannie, director of
French buyers agency Home Hunts says,
“Prices have dropped a little over the past
two to three years – perhaps by 10 to 15 per
cent – which has helped. Plus, some people are
looking for a change of direction following the
recession. The thought of living in France and
making a living from your land is quite inviting
to many. Aside from that, French wine seems
to have had a real revival in the past 18 to 24
months. It has become quite fashionable for
the international jet set to have a vineyard.”
MARKET UNREST
Political instability triggers property market jitters.
Overseas buyer enquiries for Egyptian holiday
homes nosedived after Cairo’s citizens took
to the streets in February, but there’s plenty of
money flowing in the opposite direction. Wealthy
Egyptians are suddenly more prevalent in luxury
home markets abroad. A London estate agent
says businessmen with a “loose association” to the
former Mubarak regime are keen to invest. Wealthy
individuals from other turbulent Middle Eastern
states want London property brochures too.
Demand focuses on properties in the Dhs24 million
to Dhs59 million range, but some want super-prime
Dhs118 million residences. And these buyers are
not hanging around. One individual has bought
a home through London estate agents Kay&Co
without even visiting it. Meanwhile, back in Egypt,
observers consider property fortunes may be made
and lost in the coming months as investors either
bag a bargain or lose their shirt buying into chaos.

April 2011 73
 DESIGN@LARGE

Plan of action
By incorporating environmentally sound
building techniques; copious green spaces,
both indoors and out; and natural light, the
multi-award winning Tabanlioglu Architects
is showing the world what the future of good
design looks like. TEXT: DOROTHY WALDMAN

The 54-floor Sapphire in Istanbul, Europe’s tallest residential building.

April 2011 75
 DESIGN@LARGE

Top: The award-winning Congress Center

in Tripoli, Libya. Left: Murat Tabanlioglu
and Melkan Gürsel Tabanlioglu.

“After a while it was too much,” laughs Melkan Tabanlioglu about

the travel involved in accepting the deluge of awards bestowed upon the
Congress Center in Tripoli, Libya.
The lengthy list of 2010 accolades earned by Tabanlioglu Architects of
Istanbul, Turkey, for this project includes the Dubai Cityscape Award for
Architecture in the Emerging Market Best: Community Built Category and
the Public Sector Award; and the Institutional and Cultural Project of the
Year at the MEA-Middle East Architects Awards, where Murat Tabanlioglu
and his wife Melkan, who in 2008 was selected as one of Europe’s top 40
architects under 40, were named Architects of the Year. The crowning glory
was being named the winner of the Best Public Building in the World at the
International Property Awards in London.
The two-storey, 350sqm cube is enveloped in a bronze mesh shield
etched with patterns inspired by the trees surrounding the site that permit
diffused natural light into the interior spaces. Water elements provide
a soothing cooling effect in the corridor between the shield and the
glass interior walls, and with no horizontal or vertical obstructions, the
transparency of the centre and communal spaces is a metaphor symbolising The transparent building facade that rises above these public areas
directness and openness, as well as transparency in communications. is actually the first of two independent shells. The area between the
Tabanlioglu Architects is known for its environmentally conscious designs, outer and inner facades creates a buffer zone between the outside and
which include the use of green areas, open spaces, natural light and access the inside, protecting the interior from adverse weather and noise,
from public transportation. Local materials, low energy construction while also providing significant energy savings. Louvres allow fresh air to
techniques and energy-efficient technology are also used whenever possible circulate throughout the buffer zone, while an automatically controlled
to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects. curtain system adjusts to absorb sunlight and ultraviolet beams, making
One of their newest energy-efficient projects is the Sapphire, which was this one of the most ecologically sound buildings in Turkey.
launched in Istanbul in early March. Conceived as an experiment in public The 187 residences of various sizes are configured in three-storey
and private spaces, it is an innovative approach to city living. The mixed-use sections, creating the feel of living in a low-rise community rather than
residential, leisure and shopping project rises 54 floors above ground with in a towering, impersonal skyscraper. On the first floor of each section,
an additional 10 levels below street level. Yet, in spite of its size, it conveys residences open onto landscaped gardens with trees, flowers and grass
the warmth of a traditional neighbourhood. that span the distance from the inner and outer facades.
From the outside, the building swoops downwards from its peak at Residents have immediate access to soothing natural surroundings
261m – making it the tallest building in Turkey as well as the tallest residential and fresh air. Looking beyond the garden through the glass outer facade,
building in Europe – to a soft horizontal curve that resembles a gigantic residents see the stunning views of the city and the Bosphorous, and
shimmering glass ski slope. Natural light permeates the sweeping curve to those living on the second and third levels have balconies that overlook
flood the cafés, cinemas and upscale retail establishments that the lush gardens as well as the incredible cityscape.
are an integral component of the inviting public and social spaces that Inside, the spacious four-metre-high residences feature such revered
comprise the first four levels. names as DuPont Corian, Villeroy & Boch, Gaggenau, Margaritelli,

76 identity [interior/design/property]
Local materials and plenty of natural light abound at Sapphire.

April 2011 77
id limited
promotion

+
identity magazine Design in Dubai by identity

ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
❏ Yes, please send me identity magazine for one year at Dhs180 in the UAE and GCC and Dhs300* outside the GCC.
*Only credit card payments accepted for overseas subscription.

BOOK OFFER – EXCLUSIVE TO THE UAE

❏ Yes, please send me the Design in Dubai by identity book at the special price of Dhs150.

LIMITED COMBINATION – OFFER EXCLUSIVE TO THE UAE

❏ Yes, please send me both a year’s subscription to identity magazine + the Design in Dubai by identity book for Dhs330.

TITLE FIRST NAME FAMILY NAME

COMPANY DESIGNATION
PO BOX AREA CODE CITY COUNTRY
DELIVERY ADDRESS

TEL FAX
EMAIL MOBILE
❏ ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND MY CHEQUE PAYABLE TO MOTIVATE PUBLISHING OR
❏ PLEASE DEBIT MY CREDIT CARD (PLEASE TICK ONE)
❏ AMEX ❏ MASTERCARD ❏ VISA
CARD HOLDER’S NAME CARD NO
EXPIRY DATE
AMOUNT SIGNATURE

SEND THIS FORM + CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO MOTIVATE PUBLISHING

THE SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER, identity, PO BOX 2331, DUBAI, UAE. TEL: +971 4 2052497 OR FAX TO +971 4 2827898 MOTIVATEPUBLISHING.COM

Books

Left to right: The environment-friendly Marmara Forum,
a commercial and retail complex, and the multi-use
Zorlu Center opening later this year, both are in Istanbul.
SCIC and Jado to provide the superior quality expected in luxury living. Locally
quarried Turkish marble is also used, adding elegant touches.
Every ninth floor is either a mechanical floor or a specialised floor with
gardens and recreation areas reserved for the exclusive use of the residents.
One level offers social areas for conversation and television and private rooms
for business meetings, while the swimming pool at 60m up overlooks forested
areas outside. Golfers can practise their game on an indoor driving range and
mini golf course at 187m, and fitness facilities include workout equipment by
Technogym and a pilates studio.
Located above the Sapphire residences at the apex of the structure and
accessed by designated elevators, the observation desk and private events
centre offer the public the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular 360-degree
views from the highest point in Istanbul.
Opening at the end of March was the Marmara Forum, an environmentally
friendly commercial and retail complex that, like the Sapphire, is also accessible
by the city’s metro. Located in a large, densely populated middle-class area of
Istanbul, it incorporates natural light, interior gardens and many other green features.
The open-air car park between the office tower and the shopping mall will be
completely shaded by a living green canopy growing from planters at each post
in about two years’ time when the vines have matured. Landscaped public areas
and an elevated roof terrace above the shopping mall, which has panoramic
views of the Sea of Marmara and the city, encourage social interaction by
providing inviting surroundings for people to congregate within.
The largest of the more than 250 projects Tabanlioglu Architects is involved
in is the Dhs9.16bn Zorlu Center. Developed in co-operation with EAA
Architects, the landmark complex is the first five-in-one project in Istanbul.
The shopping mall will open in the first quarter of next year while the 2,500-
seat performance centre, five-star hotel, office building and residences will open
in the last quarter.
Preserving the tradition of pedestrian-friendly public spaces, a vast landscaped
green roof above the shopping and recreation facilities provides an open park
with dramatic views of the city and sea. Natural daylight floods the semi-
DESIGN@LARGE
covered recreation, shopping and public areas sheltered by the green shell,
providing sky views and fresh air. The green roof also functions as the floor
of the centre’s towers, each one sited in such a way that it does not block
the spectacular views of the others.
In an innovative approach to business life, the office spaces are situated
horizontally on a single level, rather than being stacked vertically in a
conventional tower, resulting in a more relaxed green working environment.
The three luxury residential towers also present new concepts in city living
with apartments ranging in size from 100sqm to 700sqm, some featuring
private gardens. Special provisions are being included to incorporate elderly
housing in the complex, thus allowing ageing parents to enjoy the advantages
of city living while remaining in close proximity to their children; an important
issue for Turkish families.
Like the other projects by the Tabanlioglus, the Zorlu Center integrates the
concerns for ecology and sustainability. It has also won its share of awards,
including a special jury prize for Master Planning at the 2008 Cityscape Dubai
Architectural Awards competition; the Commercial Architectural Award in the
Europe and Africa Property Awards competition; and the Green Good Design
award last year.
Murat Tabanlioglu’s description of the Zorlu Center is one that relates to all
of his firm’s projects: “[The] Zorlu Center is not only a centre of attraction, it
also unfolds as an environmentally sensitive human settlement.” The multitude
of awards the architectural team continuously wins reflects its sensitivity to both
the environment and the quality of life of those who use their buildings. ID
April 2011 79
Sensi Trading L.L.C.
Office 502 Dusseldorf Business Point, Al Barsha 1, Dubai - UAE
Tel: +971 4 447 4634 | Fax: +971 4 447 4635 | Email: info@sensi.ae
Website: www.sensi.ae
 FORUM

Thinking green
Fresh, cool and sophisticated teal, combined with this season’s
nostalgia for bold seventies-style graphics and the gentle appeal
of organics – these are a few of our favourite things this spring.
TEXT: SHALAKA PARADKAR

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Kollektion & Co is now selling Design

House Stockholm products at their
store in DIFC Dubai. Design House
Stockholm specialises in contemporary
Scandinavian design, with products
ranging from furniture to fashion, lighting,
tabletop and limited studio editions
designed by an extensive network of
more than 60 independent designers
from all over the world.

April 2011 81
 FORUM

BERRY GOOD

The new Cassis Collection from @home is a lively

assortment of homeware in a rich berry-toned theme:
red, purple, blue and cranberry set the scene, with
accents in silver. The fabrics are glossy, with detailed
embroidery; scatter cushions are highlighted with jewel
brooches. The collection is rounded off with opaque
vases in classic shapes in this season’s favourite: tints of
purple and teal.
The new @home collection is available in stores in FRESH FABRICS
Dubai’s Mercato mall, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina
Mall, Ibn Battuta, Mall of the Emirates, Al Wahda Mall Fabrics specialist Sahco has introduced two new exclusive lines with a
in Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Mall. totally different focus: New Standard features high-quality plain fabrics and
premium-basics, which can be used as background or to set accents. The core
line Creating Interiors comprises exclusive fabrics, wall-coverings and rugs in
unique styles. The company has also founded Sahco Signature Works, a new
institution that looks to the future; a platform for contemporary artists and
designers who work with and interpret Sahco fabrics.

SILVER SWATHE

Renowned American designer Karim Rashid has designed his second

limited edition silver-plated accessories and furniture for Christofle, the
French manufacturer of fine silver flatware and home accessories since
1830. The spectacular new range for the Haute Orfèvrerie collection
consists of decorative objects that embody Rashid’s own likeness – atypical,
brimming with personality and blurring the lines between art, architecture
and sculpture. Although the prolific designer is known more for his colourful
and vibrant creations, the pieces reinforce Christofle’s reputation of what it
does best – astonish, question and innovate.

April 2011 83
 FORUM

FRESH GREENS

A handpicked selection of organic, natural and eco-friendly

BIGGEST IKEA IN THE REGION
Ikea UAE, part of the Al-Futtaim group, opened its biggest store in the Middle
East on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island last month. The Swedish retail chain expects
nearly 1.3 million visitors in the first year of operations.
The sprawling 33,000-square metre store is designed to be a family destination
store, adding a retail dimension to Yas Island’s leisure and entertainment options.
Visitors can access 1,450 parking bays and 35 cash tills, that include Ikea food and
beverage counters. Alongside the market hall and showroom furniture areas is a
450-seat restaurant serving popular Swedish delicacies.
products is now in store at Bloomingdale’s Home.
Bloomingdale’s Home Laundress’ 100 per cent
biodegradable detergents use plant-based ingredients,
with essential oil blends to keep clothes smelling clean
and fresh. Calvin Klein Home’s collection of organic
cotton bed linen is stronger yet gentler on the skin, being
free of pesticide residues, chemicals and bleaches. An
environment-friendly range of fine home furnishings from
Sferra, Abyss & Habidecor, as well as anti-allergenic duvets
from Brinkhaus, are also available.
For organic fragrances, choose from the Neom,
Voluspa and Esteban ranges.
Sustainable development and visual appeal go hand-in-
hand with Périgot’s collection of sturdy, foldable mini-bags
shaped like teddy bears. Other Perigot favourites include
cedar and bamboo tie-organisers. Cedar has a wonderful
aroma and is a natural insect repellant.

CAPPELLINI COMES TO TOWN

Luxury Italian brand Cornelio Cappellini, known for

its fine craftsmanship and custom-designed pieces,
will be showing its wares at interiors showrooms
throughout the UAE.
Known for their expert use of contemporary
lacquered and pearlescent finishes, the brand uses
materials such as Murano glass, leather and steel. Strong
historical techniques are mixed with modern materials
to create contemporary and striking furniture.

84 identity [interior/design/property]
GE
Lighting
LED retail
lighting solutions
PRODUCT RANGE
GE LED Display Case
Innovative optics combine
ambience with sparkle
Tetra AL10
Undershelf system with
extremely high colour rendition
+ Up to 90% energy-cost saving
+ Excellent low temperature light performance
+ Long system life of up to 50,000 hours
+ Reduced maintenance and related costs
+ Less environmental impact
Tetra LED Architectural Series
Accent, cove and backlit
Immersion™ Refrigerated
Display Lighting
Brighter, more uniform look
throughout the case area with
significant energy savings
www.gelighting.com/eu/led
 FORUM

THE NEW ROMANTICS

Design agenda
With its cool pearlised colour palette of distilled vapour blue,
celadon green, ivory, parchment with silvery layers and the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2011,
palest amber, Indigo Living’s spring collection is fresh and cool, Rho Milano, Italy, April 12-17
yet overlaid with whiffs of the past in the antiqued finishes. DesignEx 2011,
Think nubbly rugs in washed-out nautical hues, hand-blown Sydney, Australia, April 13-15
candle holders painted in luminous mossy pearl-greens and
Ideal Home 2011,
malachite, and a range of bamboo decor pieces in translucent
Dublin, Ireland, April 15-17
pearlescent finishes.
The porcelain Cube Stool is a striking piece for the season. BIG+BIH April 2011,
Accessorise with the nickel-plated photo frames Bangkok, Thailand, April 19-24
with full grain leather and cow hide Inter Office 2011,
accents, to add a touch of contrasting Cairo, Egypt, April 19-22
colours and textures.
GULFBID 2011,
Manama, Bahrain, April 26-28

Foire de Paris - Maison & Environnement

2011, Paris, France, April 28-May 8

Decorex Cape 2011,

Capetown, South Africa, April 29-May 2
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Interior Home 2011,
Crate and Barrel’s new spring/summer collection includes a range of furniture Madrid, Spain, May 3-7
that showcases clean, simple designs, using tonal-white fabrics, textured linens Proposte 2011,
and cottons. Shades of orange, purple, lavender and red perk up the collection, Cernobbio, Italy, May 4-6
mixed with camel, grey and soft earth tones.
Furnidex 2011,
Also new is an outdoor furniture range that includes an assortment of
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 8-11
frames, cushions, pillows and umbrellas.
The two main themes driving the MOW 2011,
collection are timeless/comfortable and Bad Salzuflen, Germany, May 8-12
clean/vibrant. The former is inspired by INTERIORS UAE + Decorex 2011,
the romantic appeal of earthy, washed, Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 9-11
vintage and soft florals. The clean and
vibrant collection is a throwback to
70s style, with easy care materials,
synthetics and bold graphics.

HARVEY NICHOLS TURNS FIVE

With a special window display featuring a distinctive

blue colour and comprising thousands of mirrored
tiles and special edition pieces from the likes of Fendi
Casa and Zanotti, Harvey Nichols Dubai pulled out
all the stops for its fifth birthday celebration.
More than 80 luxury brands created a special piece
of fashion history for the anniversary campaign. This
included a couture dress by Alexander McQueen,
and special edition pieces by the likes of Stella
McCartney, Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Yves Saint
Laurent, Moschino, Matthew Williamson, Zagliani,
Dolce&Gabbana, Jimmy Choo and Stephen Webster.

86 identity [interior/design/property]
GE
Lighting
LED hospitality
lighting solutions
PRODUCT RANGE
GE LED Retrofit Lamps
Full retrofit range available
- outstanding light quality
- true replacements
- future upgrade options
eg. 4W GU10 = 80% energy saving
Tetra Architectural LED Series
Accent, cove and backlit
+ Up to 90% energy-cost saving
+ Quality white light with outstanding efficiency
+ Long lamp life of up to 50,000 hours
+ Reduced maintenance and related costs
+ Less environmental impact
Vio LED MR16 Module
High power white LED
The look that lasts™
GE LED Cove
Up to 50,000 hours
of Cove lighting
www.gelighting.com/eu/led
 FORUM – KITCHENS

LESS IS MORE

Backed by four generations of kitchen expertise, the made-to-measure

kitchens from the German family-run firm Eggersmann are a studied play
on materials, forms and finishes.
Case in point being the company’s Unique collection. It features smooth
surfaces, worktops, cabinet fronts and edges in a single material, integrated
handles – while minimalism is the preferred aesthetic, it’s also more hygienic
and easier to maintain. B5 The Art of Living is the exclusive retailer for
Eggersmann in the Middle East.
“We try to keep design and finishes are timeless as possible as a kitchen’s
lifespan should be 10 years or more in the interest of sustainability,” says
Michael Wunram, chief executive at Eggersmann. Wunram predicts that trends
in kitchen design are moving towards surface-treated materials that are tactile
and precious: deep grain veneers, stainless steel alloys, sandblasted stones,
distressed and high-gloss finishes and special stone-glass composites.
Phyllite is the newest stone to be added to the Unique collection. This
is a black, lustrous metamorphic rock with a beautiful veining and a texture
similar to slate with the sparkle of mica scattered throughout.
“Our typical customer is anyone who appreciates good design and can
afford it,” says Wunram.

HOT, BUT NOT TO TOUCH

Induction ranges have been described as the iPad of the kitchen.

Rapidly moving out of large-scale industrial kitchens into the
domestic realm, induction cooking is quick, precise, saves on energy
consumption and is very safe.
There is no live flame as the pots heat up only on contact with the
induction ring; the rest of the worktop remains cool making it easy
to clean and safe as well. And aesthetes will be swayed by the sleek
hob, often inserted flush with the countertops.
De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances hosted a live cooking show
onboard the Gulf 95 yatch at the Dubai International Boat Show.
While induction cooking takes some practise as pots can heat
and cool down very rapidly, patissier Sebastien Vauxion from
Michelin-star restaurant Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire made it look as
easy as pie, producing exquisite desserts for the party.
De Dietrich has installed induction ranges not just on super yachts CUSTOM COMPOSITIONS
but also at At.mosphere, the world’s highest restaurant on the
122nd floor of Burj Khalifa – where safety and sleekness Different – even seemingly contradictory – stylistic directions come together
bagged them the order. in Siematic’s Beaux Arts 0.2 collection. With the option to truly customise and
individualise the kitchens, heirloom cabinetry can be combined with high gloss
finishes, modern can be mixed with classic, for a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
Mick De Giulio, who designed the first BeauxArts collection, has created new
elements, materials, colours, door-styles, and proportions for the new edition.
Dark ebonised walnut door fronts, in contrast to the sterling-grey drawers,
provide immediate visual appeal with the asymmetrical accent of the polished
metal vertical recessed handles. A surprising detail is a mirrored toe-kick which
gives the impression that the base cabinets float above the floor.
The cooking area in the middle of the kitchen has a backsplash in Maljat Brown
limestone, while the signature BeauxArts ventilation hood remains understated
with its lacquered glass cover.
Siematic’s BeauxArts 02 is now in BetterLife stores in the UAE. BetterLife also has
kitchen and kitchen equipment from the likes of Siemens, Fisher & Paykel, Smeg,
Electrolux, Terim, Wolf Power, Vestfrost, Forbes, Zanussi, Gigaset and Grundig. ID

88 identity [interior/design/property]
GE
Lighting

+ High energy efficient LED solutions

LED outdoor + Excellent light performance
lighting solutions + Flexible and reliable
+ Reduced maintenance and related costs
+ Less environmental impact

PRODUCT RANGE

Floodlight LED Iberia LED

For architectural, floodlighting
and signage applications
Tetra Contour
A flexible facade and cove
lighting solution
Duna LED
Ideal for efficient lighting of
residential areas, walkways,
parks and gardens
Versatile luminaire for
architectural and urban
environments, and road lighting
Tunnel LED
For efficient lighting of low speed
tunnels, underpasses, parking
garages and industrial areas
LED Area Lighter
Site, area and general lighting,
providing a high uniformity

www.gelighting.com/eu/led
 i D DESIGN EVENT

La dolce vita
Dubai’s design aficionados came together for the unveiling of the
Alessi spring/summer 2011 collection at Tavola, the Alessi flagship store in
Mall of the Emirates. Co-hosted by identity, the design event was attended
by Matteo Alessi, fourth generation scion of the family-owned business.
The event also marked the company’s 90th anniversary. Matteo
presented prototypes of the new collection, mingled with guests and
held court on Italian design.
Pride of place in the collection goes to prolific Dutch design star Marcel
Wanders’ Dressed dinnerware – a range of plates and cultery sure to make
every meal feel like a celebration. This is nicely balanced out with the more
functional appeal of Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa’s Shiba pans
(named after one of Japan’s most popular breed of dogs and designed to
last for years) and the poetic, painted quality of David Chipperfield’s
Tonale tableware, inspired by Korean, Japanese and Chinese ceramics
and the work of the painter Giorgio Morandi. ID

90 identity [interior/design/property]
 ANTENNAE
Plans for the largest mall in China, a recyclable arena for next year’s London Olympic Games and a new
National Gallery for Greenland make this month’s architectural headlines. TEXT: STEVE HILL
8
4
1
IMAGE COURTESY ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS
1. LANSING MICHIGAN
MUSEUM TAKES SHAPE
Due to open in the spring of 2012 is Michigan
State University’s 4,270sq/m Eli and Edythe
Broad Art Museum. Designed by Zaha Hadid,
the three-level building will be longitudinal in
form and orientated on an east-west axis with
a unique footprint ranging from 24m-30m wide
and from 61m-97m long. It will be constructed
of steel and concrete with a pleated stainless
steel and glass exterior. Sustainable features
include maximising the use of day lighting to
save energy, occupancy sensors to control
lighting, energy efficient heating, recycling
stations, and a pedestrian friendly site planted
with mature trees and shrubs.
92 identity [interior/design/property]
2
3
2. GARDABAER ICELAND
NATURAL APPROACH
The Icelandic Institute of Natural History,
designed by Arkis, houses research facilities and
offices for 50 scientists and other employees
as well as research specimen collections and a
scientific library. It is one of the first buildings to
rise as part of the Urridaholt master plan and will
mark the entry to the development’s business
avenue. Sustainable features include permeable
surfaces for parking and swales for filtering and
slowing down the flow of surface water. The
building’s green roof, which is laid with local turf
and moss, serves as a filtering mechanism for
rainwater, as added insulation and as habitat for
birds and native insects.
5
6
3. LONDON
RECYCLABLE ARENA
The basketball arena for next year’s London
Olympics will be one of the largest-ever
temporary venues built for any Games. The
12,000-seat facility, located north of the Olympic
Park and close to the Velodrome, will also stage
the handball competition and wheelchair rugby
during the Paralympic Games. The 35m-tall arena
has been wrapped in 20,000sq/m of recyclable
white PVC membrane, which has been stretched
over three different types of arched panels. This
skin will act as a canvas for artistic lighting designs
during the event. Post Olympics, the venue will
be dismantled with the potential option of various
elements being used again.
 5. TIANJIN

GIANT STEP

PHOTOGRAPHY SHAI GIL

Development Design Group, the Baltimore-
based planning, architecture, graphics and design
firm, is the planner and design architect for the
retail centrepiece of the landmark Tianjin City
4. TORONTO Culture Centre Development that will soon
become the largest mall in China. Located 20
STYLISH CHALET minutes from Beijing’s central business district, the
372,000sq/m retail component will be part of an
Maison Glissade is a chalet in Town of the Blue Mountains, a popular resort destination in southern Ontario. 836,000sq/m commercial and cultural destination.
Designed by Toronto architects Atelier Kastelic Buffey, it references regional agricultural architecture, rather The development also features a Grand Theatre
than romanticised notions of the ski chalet. The barn-like structure has its own dynamism through an iconic and Opera House, Art Museum, Grand Library,
form that lunges towards the mountain slope. Simple and functional bedrooms, bathrooms and a large Youth Education Museum and a Natural History
mudroom on the ground floor encourage congregation upstairs in an open, light-filled space that comprises Museum. A connection to four city subway lines
the living room, dining room and kitchen. A natural material palette of cedar, concrete and pre-finished grey runs beneath the site, ensuring convenient access
aluminium with white interior walls helps maintain the simplicity and clarity of the form. for Beijing’s 22 million residents.

6. BRISBANE 7. MUMBAI 8. NUUK GREENLAND

TOWERING AMBITION PARKING SPACES DYNAMIC GALLERY

Due to open in November is 111 Eagle Street,
a 45-storey tower on Brisbane’s Central Business
District riverfront which hopes to attract tenants
because of its aesthetic, environmental and
workplace benefits. Its unusual organic structure
was devised by architects Cox Rayner with ARUP
to simultaneously resolve horizontal and vertical
stresses. Weight is transferred diagonally down
the tower, to allow the continued operation of a
loading dock below. The ground plane is designed
as a public thoroughfare space linking the city to
its main ferry terminal, and overall the tower is
currently measured to be above six star rating
under the Green Building Council of Australia’s
Green Star Design Rating System.
A design project by Professor Antony Wood,
Seth Ellsworth and Ja Young Kim, of the Illinois
Institute of Technology, and sponsored by The
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,
addresses Mumbai’s increasing congestion, parking
problems and pollution by imagining an Urban
Vertical Parking Development. TATA Tower is
seen as a development for the company’s offices
and employees who would, in 2030, be driving
alternative energy Nano cars. The power demands
of the structure would be met by photovoltaic
louvres, building-integrated wind turbines and an
algae farm which produces biodiesel. Vertical parking
would maximise parking density and free up space
inside the structure for pedestrian-orientated areas.
The team of BIG + TNT Nuuk + Ramboll
Nuuk + Arkitekti has been selected to design
the new National Gallery of Greenland. Located
in the country’s capital and overlooking fjords,
the 3,000sq/m structure will combine historical
and contemporary art in one dynamic institution
to serve as a cultural and architectural icon.
It has been conceived as a courtyard building
that combines a pure geometrical layout with a
sensitive adaption to the landscape. The three
dimensional imprint of the landscape creates a
protective ring around the museum’s focal point,
the sculpture garden where visitors, personnel
and exhibitions merge with culture and nature,
inside and out.

April 2011 93
 For Design & Build,
PLEASE CALL
+97150 705 5437

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.TOSCANALANDSCAPING.COM
TO VIEW OUR LATEST RANGE OF
GARDEN TILES

WINNER in TWO
CATEGORIES of the
EMAAR GARDEN
COMPETITION
2010

94 identity [interior/design/property]
 Inspirations
.DUHOLDKDUGZRRGIORRUVDUHPDGHRI
UHDOZRRGLQ)LQODQG(DFKIORRULVD
XQLTXHZRUNRIDUWWHOOLQJWKH
ZRRG·VSHUVRQDOJHQXLQHVWRU\
:KDWVKRXOG\RXUKDUGZRRGIORRU
WHOODERXW\RX"

&KRRVH\RXUVW\OHDQGIORRULQWKH
.DUHOLD,QVSLUDWLRQ*DOOHU\

ZZZNDUHOLDSDUNHWWLFRP

:22')/22560,''/(($67//&

3RVW%R[1R'XEDL8$(
7HO
)D[
(PDLORIILFH#ZRRGIORRUVDH
0RELOH



 BOOKS
On identity’s reading list this month: a look at projects from Alberto Pinto, interior design done the French way,
a peek into bohemian homes all over the world and small gardens from the west coast of the USA.
FRENCH CHIC
FLORENCE DE DAMPIERRE
RIZZOLI
DHS 200
French taste lies is in “the way the
women put on their hats and the
upholsterers drape their curtains,”
commented Edith Wharton.
Modelled on Wharton’s seminal
text, The Decoration of Houses,
this book attempts to dissect what
lies behind the legendary French
sense of style. De Dampierre’s
writing is lucid and informative, and
packed with nifty ideas and tips on
how to achieve that elusive je na
sais quoi in design – from how to
frame pictures and decorate a salon
to creating chic menus and table
settings for company.
The author serves up the French
history behind individual architectural
elements, which adds a rich and
satisfying dimension to the text.
Her own home has been beautifully
photographed and presented to
take the reader on a guided tour of
a space that epitomises French chic.
96 identity [interior/design/property]
CREATIVE SPACE: URBAN HOMES
OF ARTISTS AND INNOVATORS*
FRANCESCA GAVIN
LAURENCE KING
This is a delightful package of
portraits and studies in the use of
space in edgy, avant garde ways by
“creative types”. The accompanying
text includes interviews with the
homeowners, with insights into how
creative people gather their ideas
and inspirations. For instance, there
is creative director Grace Cobb’s
London home that is both white
and sparse, and black and cluttered;
artist Julie Verhoeven’s colourful
patterned walls with the Beatles’
Yellow Submarine, illustrator and
café-owner Ludivine Billaud’s Ikea-
hacked kitchen; Maharishi founder
Hardy Blechmann’s home filled with
toys and tiger rugs… Delighting
in their messy exuberance, these
homes are a bricolage of vintage
clothing, flea market finds, art and
books – most of them of the DIY
genre, hence roughly finished but
rich in ideas.
ALBERTO PINTO: MODERNS
PHILIPPE RENAUD
RIZZOLI
DHS 300
Colour, design and imagination
abound in the works of Paris-based
interior designer Alberto Pinto. Over
the course of his long and prolific
career Pinto has created memorable
spaces all over the world. This
sumptuously produced volume takes
a peek into Pinto’s portfolio of diverse
project typologies from homes and
villas, to yachts and jets.
The projects featured here include
the new Club Méditerranée, the
renovation of the La Mamounia Hotel
in Marrakech (which has since been
redecorated in 2006 by Jacques Garcia),
the Balmain boutique in Paris, a private
Boeing 737 and a five-masted private
yacht, a vacation house in Marbella,
and an apartment in Paris.
The text is meagre and keener
editing would have greatly improved
the readability of this book; particularly
in places where it is obvious that it has
been translated from French to English.
GREAT GARDENS IN SMALL SPACES
MELBA LEVICK & KAREN DARDICK
RIZZOLI
DHS 175
This book offers ideas for those
grappling with the constraints of a
small garden – where the devil is
in the details.
While most of the featured gardens
are in the mild and cloudy San
Francisco Bay area, there are oodles
of ideas for those in Dubai; for
instance, the surprisingly colourful
garden inspired by California’s desert
region, and the drought-resistant
garden that incorporates hundreds
of species of desert plants.
Amateur gardeners can also learn
how to visually enlarge and open up
small gardens: from plantation and
potted plant displays to accessories and
paving patterns. Levick’s photography
brilliantly captures the nuances in
shade and texture in these diminutive
spaces, complemented by Dardick’s
fine writing that inspires and educates.
BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM BLOOMINGDALE'S
*NOT YET AVAILABLE IN THE UAE
 HANDWOVEN OUTDOOR FURNITURE CREATED WITH WEATHER-RESISTANT DEDON FIBER

www.dedon.de

Nakkash Gallery · Al Garhoud Street · P.O. Box 26767 · Dubai-UAE

Tel. 00971 4 2826767 · Fax 00971 4 2827567
nakkashg@emirates.net.ae · www.nakkashgallery.com
 ICON

Kikkoman soy sauce

TEXT: STEVE HILL

Think of soy sauce and the chances are that Kikkoman’s elegant glass container,
complete with trademark non-drip plastic top, will come to mind.
Kenji Ekuan’s minimalist design this year celebrates its 50th anniversary and has
become so synonymous with the Kikkoman brand that it is virtually impossible to
imagine this “black gold” being delivered to the plate in any other way.
Ekuan’s deceptively simple creation is ingenious on many levels. A timeless
look means it is equally at home in the kitchen as it is on a dining table at home
or in a restaurant, while it is also extremely practical thanks to the double-
opening pourer that ensures even the smallest amount of soy sauce can be
dispensed without fear of any drips.
More than 100 prototypes were tested before Ekuan achieved perfection,
which, allied with his curved glass container complete with subtle lettering, totally
identifies the brand. It is a formula for marketing success that has been much
copied but rarely bettered. And Ekuan proved to be years ahead of the green
movement as his dispenser is dishwater-safe and can easily be refilled and reused
hundreds of times.
The design has been widely appreciated. In 2003, he received the Lucky
Strike Designer Award while recognition from New York’s Museum of
Modern Art followed.
And although Ekuan, now aged 82, also designed the Akita high-speed
Shinkansen train and became influential as a founding member of the GK
Design Group, a soy sauce bottle that combines aesthetics with functionality
proved to be the defining point of his career. ID
PHOTOGRAPHY: KIKKOMAN SALES USA, INC.

98 identity [interior/design/property]
 more than bedding... fully living.
www.ploh.com

As experienced in luxury hotels and private residences worldwide…

luxury down pillows duvets featherbeds bedlinens more

WWWBLIVINGCOM |     
3IDRA 4OWER 3HEIKH :AYED 2OAD $UBAI

B5 The Art of Living

*ENSEN s #ASADOR s &- &OS s %GGERSMANN s $ÚTTLING s ,AMBERT s *UNCKERS s 3CHMALENBACH s AD NOTAM