Several design firsts promised for Interiors UAE 2010

Set in the heart of the rapidly developing and affluent UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Interiors UAE is a show that espouses the cause of fashion-led interior design. One of several exclusives planned for the show is The Sleepotel, a live hotel environment that gathers internationally renowned architects and interior designers to present their hotel design concepts and trends for the future. 

Those involved include Shaun Clarkson, one of the UK’s most prolific hospitality designers, who will showcase his mood-changing roomset, with dark silhouettes designed to provoke a feeling of infinity.

Nini Andrade Silva created the hotel entrance for Sleepotel and designed a unique concept that would encourage the traveller to ‘feel’, as supposed to ‘see’, making the experience particularly special. Vallila Interior and Studio Arcibella designed a roomset of sensual experience in which the materials are exclusive, natural and warm, with the overall design showing a contemporary timeless approach.

Sleepotel: Designs from Shaun Clarkson ID

Such a high quality of participants promises to make the exclusive Sleepotel event one of the most popular components of Interiors UAE 2010 which takes place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE from March 29 to 31.

This is the third edition of the design-led event which is the only exhibition for the interiors industry in the capital city of the UAE.

It offers an invaluable opportunity to view an edited gathering of interior products tailored specifically for interior designers, architects, contract buyers/specifiers, retailers and property developers working within the commercial, domestic and retail markets.

The show caters for the huge growth in demand for high-end products in the Middle East due to the vast number of developments in the region including hotel, residential and contract spaces.

“Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a global leader of design excellence. Its urban planning is intent on nurturing the culture and design ethics of this capital city, a great background to this year’s Interiors UAE and co-located Gulf Landscaping exhibitions,” said Cathy Oates, event and business development director of UBM Live, organiser of the two events.

FASHION FIRST

The important relationship between fashion and interiors will be a key theme for the event this year as it has become very apparent over the last few years that designs in both sectors follow and adapt to each other.

Overall, trends are shaped by the culture at large, so it is natural that there will be similar themes and elements in the ‘lifestyle’ markets such as fashion and interiors. This is especially key across the UAE at the moment, with many collaborations between fashion houses and architects, including the Palazzo Versace Hotel, Dubai and the Armani hotel in the new Burj Khalifa tower. Vice versa, Frank Gehry, architect on the new Guggenheim museum in Abu Dhabi, has designed a shoe range for a French footwear company! 

In keeping with the high-fashion theme, iconic London-based designer Ben de Lisi will be on hand to share the inspiration for his recently launched range of luxury bathrooms to the plenary debate at the event. He will also be a judge of the high-profile interior Student Design Competition.

He said: “Interiors UAE is a prestigious event that reflects the interior design potential of cultural inspiration, not to mention the huge potential for fashion-led interior design on a global basis. I am delighted to be taking part in such an important design-led event in the global calendar and particularly to be a judge for the show’s impressive interior design competition.”

Nini Andrade Silva's design

SKILLS CONTEST

The Student Design Competition has been created for all interior design and landscape design students and sets out to challenge, uncover and celebrate the growing pool of local and regional design talent set to drive the delivery of this ambitious city forward.

The competition is devised by the internationally recognised, Inchbald Institute and students have been asked to explore the concept of high fashion in producing a scheme for a space which satisfies the four key elements of residential design – sleep, eat, play and bathe –  concentrating on spatial planning, spatial sequence and proportion. 

Judging alongside de Lisi, will be Alan Hughes of the Inchbald Institute, RPW and The Association of Professional Interior Designers.

Details and applications for the competition are available from the Interiors UAE website or Gulf Landscaping websites (www.interiorsuae.com/ www.gulflandscaping.com ) or through participating universities.  The closing date is February 28 and finalists’ designs will be on display throughout the Interiors UAE event.

Elsewhere during the show the seminar programme will feature a number of industry speakers from various sectors of interiors and architecture as well as dedicated presentations for the landscaping community. Aside from de Lisi, speakers will present on key local developments, interior and colour trends, Feng Shui in showrooms and commercial properties as well as giving an insight into merging technology with architecture.

There will also be an Italian and Portuguese pavilion, showcasing a number of design-led brands from across the respective countries.

Showcase: Further Sleepotel designs

URBAN DEVELOPMENT GALLERY

The co-located Gulf Landscaping will invite key architectural practices to showcase models of their latest projects in progress, bringing to life Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 within the halls of the show.

This gallery will provide an insight into the projects leading the frontier of landscape architecture in Abu Dhabi and around the world.

The Urban Design Gallery aims to be a demonstration of the world’s most forward thinking architecture to inspire debate and create an intellectual hub for those attending the exhibition and at the forefront of delivering Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.

Gulf Landscaping is co-located with Interiors UAE for the first time in 2010, a natural fusion of products that fit together to progress the evolution of the city of Abu Dhabi.

The exhibition is dedicated to the outdoor design and landscaping architecture industries and is aimed at those leading the development of Abu Dhabi and the wider region’s landscape architecture, offering the perfect opportunity to source products, network and discuss the design, social and environmental challenges facing emerging world-class cities and urban landscapes.

Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, the urban structure framework plan for the city, is designed to help filter and respond to current and future development needs, ensuring that the world-class winning city is at the forefront of global urban and cityscaping design.

Companies involved include Arid Land Development, Bark Enterprises, Buzon Pedestal, BZW Industry and Gebal.