Interior and product design excellency celebrated at INDEX and workspace at INDEX exhibitions

DUBAI– It was a day of recognition at INDEX and workspace at INDEX exhibitions yesterday(May 19^th) as winners of the Contemporary Majlis Design Competition, of the Middle East Interior Design Awards and of the Product Design Awards were announced. The awarding ceremonies of the three competitions took place after the official inauguration of the two trade shows, which together create the largest event for the MENA residential and commercial interior design industry.

Out of the 51 shortlisted projects, the judging panel selected one project for each of the 15 categories that were participating to the competition.

The projects that were recognized as the most outstanding one and were given an award include: Emaar Dubai Headquarters (Corporate Space Large); GE Ecomagination Centrer, Masdar, Abu Dhabi (Corporate Space Small); Little GEMS International Pre-School, Barsha, Dubai (Cultural/Institutional/Educational); Sky Clinic Dental Center, Dubai (Healthcare); Concourse 3- Dubai International Airport, Emirates First and Business Class Lounges (Hospitality); Hotel 72 by Hues, Sharjah (Hotels & Resorts: Luxury); Abu Dhabi Terminals, Abu Dhabi (Municipal/Public Spaces); Wisden Club, Dubai (Recreational); The Palm Project, Dubai (Residential Space Large); Byblos Sud Village, Lebanon (Residential Space Small); Qbara Restaurant, Dubai (Restaurant); Arteco Ceramics and Level Shoe District (Retail).

“We would like to sincerely congratulate all the winners at yesterday night’s Awards Ceremony. The elements of enthusiasm, innovation, creativity, and beauty combined together producing elegant, sophisticated and harmonious designs that equally please eyes and souls. Kansai’s vision of creating intimate and beautiful living and working environments feels at home within this lively and inspirational community.  Empowering designers and artists is Kansai’s mission, choice, and journey” said Wael Nuweihed, Regional Marketing Director, Kansai Paint MENA.

The Middle East and North Africa Interior Design Awards was open to interior designers, interior architects and architects from across the globe, and rewarded projects located in the Middle East and North Africa which had been completed between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013.

Within the thousands of products on display at INDEX and workspace at INDEX, only 7 were granted with the Product Design Award.

ASPIRE by Guialmi (Best Desk & Table); Auping Essential by PSP Prime Selected Products (Best Furniture); Chipman Table & Chair by Landscape Forms (Best Outdoor Furnishing); Mix and Match Collection by Light Graphics( Best Lighting); Monotop Climate Wall by C + P Moebelsysteme GmbH (Screens, Partitions & Moveable Walls); Net Effect by Interface Middle East (Surfaces & Finishes); and Modello by OFS Brands (Seating) were selected for this award.

Taking into consideration a number of criteria including the choice of materials, the environmental impact, ergonomics and functionality, the judges selected these products as they represent the excellence in product design and are a perfect example of product innovation.

“We are so glad, that our MONOTOP climate wall won the Award. This wall is not only a real “eye-catcher”, but enables totally clean, energy-saving and healthy cooling. Our advanced concept dehumidifies and cools the ambient air without any noticeable or even bothersome air flow. And furthermore, the chilled water film “disposes of” minor air pollutants such as dust or pollen. This is a relief for allergy sufferers” said Mr. Abdullah Hamouch, Area Manager for C + P Moebelsysteme GmbH & Co..

Taking place for the sixth consecutive year, the Contemporary Majlis Design Competition tasks interior designers with rethinking the traditional Arabic space with a modern and sustainable twist.

The floating majlis realized with recycled fisherman’s nylon net and oil barrel, Majlis 3 a’m by Intercon, was announced as the winner of the “Judge’s Choice Award” yesterday afternoon.

Commenting on the award, Mohammed Adib from Intercon said: “Dubai needs to recycle…  Our Majlis proposal is to show that It is possible to create a fully usable floating Majlis made 100% out of recycled/upcycleble materials, as Dubai was built upon dialogue, a floating discussion space that is to be moved daily along the coast to promote the awareness of the necessity to start and take care of our planet, time is running out”.

Majlis 3 a’m, and the other three finalist projects – Global Majlis by Tangram Gulf, The Module of Linear Slots by Design Architecture Being (DAB) and Our Bright Future by Francis & Maria of Lighter Than Air  – are on display at INDEX in Hall 2.

On the last day of the show, Thursday 22^nd May, a second project will be rewarded with the “People’s Choice Award”. INDEX and workspace at INDEX visitors can submit their vote, and the award will be given to the concept that collects the most votes.

INDEX 2014 and workspace at INDEX are taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The two shows will be open until 9pm tomorrow, Wednesday 21^st May, and from 11am to 7pm on Thursday, 22^nd May – the last day.