SPECIAL REPORT OUTDOOR DESIGN

An ITP Business Publication March Vol. 13 Issue 3 Show (p)reviews DESIGN DAYS DUBAI MAISON & OBJET PARIS Survey DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL REPORT OUTDOOR DESIGN THE NEW FAIRMONT FUJAIRAH BEACH RESORT IS DESIGNED AS A GALLERY SPACE, FEATURING ARABIC SCULPTURES AND ARTWORK

THE 180-ROOM ART-INSPIRED HOTEL LOCATED IN THE MINA AL FAJER MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT IN FUAJIRAH WAS DESIGNED BY DUBAI-BASED BOUTIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO STICKMAN 38 MARCH 2017 Commercial Interior Design www.designmena.com

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2 1 The Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort was designed by Stickman. 2, 3 The design brief is centred on an Arabic bohemian art hotel concept. The Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, developed by UAE-based Mina Al Fajer Real Estate, was since then has had its opening date pushed back. Last year, it opted on the side of caution, aiming for an April - The general manager, Omar Souab, who was previously the hotel manager at the Fairmont Dubai, says that opening ahead of time was challenge. to open the hotel and beach club at the same time. Then we moved the date to early January because we took a decision to open the hotel without the beach club. But then we had to open and I overcame the challenge of opening the hotel two weeks before the target date which was a big achievement. we had to move forward quite a few training programmes but we managed, and I think that it was actually a good thing to do because it gave us time to fine tune the service and to make sure that we are at the level that we are today. The owners understood that it was important to open softly and then start building the service quality and fine tune the product before we did an official launch, and we supported that wish. Mina Al Fajer mixed-use development was designed by Dubai-based design tiled swimming pool, children s club, outlets, expansive outdoor space, and three meeting rooms, including a large pre-function area. it is reminiscent of traditional architecture in the region, but one step inside showcases the heavy focus on art especially with nods to the region and 40 MARCH 2017 Commercial Interior Design www.designmena.com

3 its culture which can be found across the entire property. Marcos Cain, principal and founder of Stickman, says there overall hotel and public spaces, so the design team worked with brief, which centred on an Arabic bohemian art hotel concept. He says: The hotel was origi- however when the project was put on hold for many years, the previous design became outdated leading the client to choose to redesign the full property, which is where we came in. The design team faced a few created by the original design tions, and certain architectural interfaces. Cain continues: As with most projects, budget was a bit of an issue with this one, but in saying that we have tried to turn a negative into a positive by proposing this Arabic bohemian art hotel concept, allowing us to subtly create a space where we could embellish handpicked elements and commissioned art. and artwork through cultural and social references displayed in a gallery setting or framed to capture a moment in time. This approach worked well in the sense that the minimal feel of the space marries well with the resort setting and natural surrounding creating a seamless feelgood and fresh overall palette. Key cultural, sculptural and ar- worldly character and a unique sense of style while maintaining a throughout. based around gallery white walls ing is enhanced with references to contemporary Arabic architecture from arches to decorative ceiling details and motifs. Creating a new step in the Fairmont legacy, a unique resort style hotel in Fujairah. In our research we discovered that a 2500BC ostrich egg was found in Fujairah and is displayed at the Fujairah Museum. Similarly, like giving birth to a new beginning while also celebrating the past we wanted to introduce this sculptural element to the space. The oversized egg sculptures sit in front of the feature staircase embellished by framed vintage jewellery and Berber rugs that run along the ceiling and wall. Metal Arabic calligraphy merges together to create this beautiful abstract sculpture showcased man s founder. Outstanding design by FSB: doors + windows flush with success. Less is more. Combined with any of the vast range of handle designs in Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Bronze or Brass that set FSB apart, the looks will be right whatever the setting. www.fsb.de A.G.P. Advanced German Products LLC Unit 603, Level 6, Building No. 4 Emaar Business Park, Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box 102761, Dubai, UAE Phone +971 4 885 7050 info@agp-dubai.com www.designmena.com Commercial Interior Design MARCH 2017 41

5 4 Oversized egg sculptures sit in front of the feature staircase embellished by framed vintage jewellery. 5 Stacked Arabic rugs line the front of the reception desk and are reminiscent of a colourful Arabic souk. LOBBY AND LOUNGE AREA Clean and contemporary with a re- welcome point and initial taster of the overall concept. With subtle references to local architecture such as Arabic arches and ceiling details, the interior is designed to respect the surrounding area while maintaining a contemporary feel. Symmetrically positioned within the lobby, the reception desks are the key view upon entering. Stacked Arabic rugs lining the front of the desk are reminiscent of a colourful Arabic souk. Comfortable Majlis style seating side. A wall of glowing lanterns acts 4 as the backdrop to Moroccan style pendant lights, which are clustered and hung over theatre seating for guest arrival and waiting. Oversized conical sculptures sit on top of a decorative lobby arrival space. Overall this artistic experience begins in the lobby and is carried throughout the public areas for a uniform quirky hotel concept. Keeping in line with the public spaces, a similar palette of white walls tinue into the tea lounge. Characterised by contemporary columns, arches and Mashrabiya screens, private zones are created for guest interaction. Cain elaborates: The columns are clad with black and white Arabesque style mosaic tiles. Monochrome Berber comfortable sofas, casual ottomans, and etched metal artisan coffee tables dot the room. Dominating the space are clusters of high-backed peacock chairs. These chairs consist of steamcurled wood and large fanned backs, which add another layer of personality throughout. Interesting pieces of contemporary art, referencing tea culture, are set into wall niches. Central art pieces, relating to the history of reading coffee grinds, adorn the space, while an oversized laser cut corten steel tea leaf, which represents the intricate patterns of the leaf structural, is on show. F&B FOCUS Director of food and beverage Heinz Giering explains that while researching the culinary scene in Fujairah, he discovered that the locals are traditional yet like to be exposed to new experiences. We try to stand out and offer something to everybody: the traditionalists as well as those who want to try something different, he says. Canvas is the resort s all-day-dining restaurant with multiple interactive food stations. Adding a bit of fresh playfulness to the interior, the all-day-dining restaurant is distinguished with the use of pop yellow in the furniture and other various details. Contrasting with the intricate black and white geometric pat- ral greenery throughout, the pop yellow adds life and vibrancy to the space. An oversized wrought iron gate leads 42 MARCH 2017 Commercial Interior Design www.designmena.com

6 6 The all-day-dining restaurant is distinguished with the use of yellow in the furniture and other various details. you into the bakery section where freshly baked breads align the display cabinets. Open show kitchens, display tables and juice gondolas provide a market style outlet, where the guest and kitchen staff can interact. Suspended above the show kitchens are elliptical mirrors and timber ceilings envelope the show kitchen area, separating it from the main dining. Scattered throughout the space are decorative pendant lights, crafted by regional artisans, which highlight the different seating arrangements. Nail hammered bohemian doors with white washed in the venue, while Arabic-style arches frame the views to the outside pool terrace and the marina vista. Located on the piazza level, the Copper Lobster is conceptualised around the casual nature of the Fishman s Wharf in San Francisco. Its personality is raw, rustic and relaxed. A small seafood ice display room showcases the daily catch. Cain explains the main features: To jairah, the design features throughout are inspired by the local pearl diving lighting elements create screens that designate the private seating clusters. Leather upholstered banquettes and level of sophisticated dining. The front of house beverage bar is adorned with antique mirror and distressed brick and backlit metal mesh panels. Long communal tables, rope lights, and French doors, give this area an authentic seater dining room and ample amount of outdoor seating cater towards the larger groups. Right next to The Copper Lobster, is Café Pronto, a European-style bistro which serves coffee and light bites. Café Pronto takes all the visual delights of a traditional ristorante and showcases them in a contemporary open layout. This casual café has both a sit in and grab and go concept. This eclectic venue boasts classical Parisian detailing, mixed with contemporary Finally, the hotel offers Iammai (pronounced ya-mai), the poolside bar. For Cain, the pool is without a doubt the signature design of the hotel, one that will be used to identify Fairmont Fujairah for years to come. The Persian carpet inspired pool is best seen from the surrounding elevated platforms. Scenic views of the sunset are perfectly framed using a sculptural 44 MARCH 2017 Commercial Interior Design www.designmena.com

7 9 8 10 7 Pops of yellow and patterned black and white textiles create a fun atmosphere at the shisha lounge. 8, 9 Long communal tables and rope lights give an authentic 10 Marcos Cain. elongated bar services the pool deck and also the swim up counter, while the cantilevered deck above offers private Majlis style seating with unrestricted sightlines to the horizon. RELAXATION AND RECREATION Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort offers the Willow Stream Spa, which is the second of its brand in the region after When designing the spa, we were keen on going in a different direction is no shortage in luxurious gold adorned spas in the UAE after all; instead we aimed to create an intimate homely cottage feel throughout the space, ex- a way that creates a form of exploration for the guest rather than see everything and elegant where we played on the very complementing dynamic of Arabic and bohemian aesthetic. on every corner, from the hanging water cans to the various explorations of rope details to the carving details on the beams above. a resort where we have utilised natural materials such as aged timber, rope, - spa especially in this region, provides a blank canvas for the space, a clean and minimal backdrop, concludes Cain. 46 MARCH 2017 Commercial Interior Design www.designmena.com