Offices in vogue

Duram Trading worked with Swiss Bureau for the design.

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With the economy recovering from the recession, office design and fit-outs are showing new trends and a positive future.

With a growth in occupied Dubai-based premium office space, the fit-out market is showing a positive outlook, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, real estate advisory firm.

According to the firm, Dubai has the fastest growing occupied office market between 2008 and 2010 and participants at the Office Exhibition Dubai 2011 will be tapping into $761 billion worth of active projects across the GCC.

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Due to this, the scope for interior refurbishment and fit-out work appears to be wide.

“There are significant opportunities for interior design projects across the Middle East and we are seeing some fantastic and innovative work come out of these countries,” said Cheryl Durst, executive vice president and CEO, International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

The office fit-out industry in the UAE is showing a trend towards being green, with local authorities such as Abu Dhabi introducing Estidama, the new design rating system.

Estidama, which means ‘sustainability’ in Arabic, is an Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) initiative to bring about sustainable design by using an integrative design process where planning, construction and design are developed together.

“Interior designers are major contributors to helping to achieve numerous credits in the Estidama Pearl Rating System. They will play a significant role in designing interiors that improve interior health and comfort by selecting non-toxic materials, high efficiency appliances and low flow water fixtures and fittings.

The Pearl Rating System measures will contribute to the occupants’ health and well-being and will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and protect the environment,” said John Madden, senior planning manager, UPC.

“The environment is the new trend, which is a great thing. Companies are now looking at using less energy as more and more Middle Eastern companies are adopting CSR policies,” said Jonathan Milner, managing director, Interiors Group, which has been based in Abu Dhabi since 2009.

“We have in-house BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) capabilities which allows us to start thinking and planning green working environments from the first briefing with the client. We are also looking forward to seeing what Estidama will bring to the world of green practices in the workspace,” said Milner.

In addition, efficient and optimised working environments work well for the health, safety and welfare of those who use it, said experts.