March 28, 2011

RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic tiles & bath ware manufacturing company, has revealed that it has extended the deadline of RAK Ceramics Design Award 2011, which is instituted to honour the best tile and bathware concept designs and its creators, to 30th April 2011.

The theme for the competition is a presentation of wall/floor design (matching wall and floor) inclusive of related decoration such as décor tiles, borders and listellos. The top three winning entries will be rewarded with attractive cash prizes, in addition to significant media publicity. Further, RAK Ceramics has revealed that the winning designs may also be used in the company’s new range of tiles that will be launched later this year.

Abdulla Mahmood, Head - Marketing and Corporate Communications, RAK Ceramics, said,       “The interest generated by the Design Award 2011 has been overwhelming so far, and we have extended the deadline owing to requests from colleges and students. The key tenet of this award is to reward architecture and interior design students who can best depict the versatility and innovation of ceramic tiles made in the UAE, which are known for their perfect blend of heritage and contemporary outlook, attributes that also perfectly sum up the country’s style of architecture.”  

More information about the award, registration details and submission requirements can be found on http://www.rakceramics.com/uae/designaward.html.

RAK Ceramics is a USD 1 billion global conglomerate in the ceramic industry, offering a product portfolio comprising over 8,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in bath ware. RAK Ceramics was recently honoured by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) for complying with good governance and transparency according to best international practices. The company has also been conferred the SuperBrand 2010 Award and continues to be a global pioneer in the world of ceramics through innovative products such as the RAKSLIM, a new brand of 4.5-millimetre thick tile that sets new industry benchmarks in thickness, strength, cost and ease of use. RAK Ceramics is also founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in UAE.

APID to complement upswing with adoption of new strategies and creation of more opportunities for interior design professionals

March 24, 2011

Total spending for the UAE’s interior design segment is expected to grow to USD 22.5 billion in 2011, according to a recent report from Proleads, a leading business intelligence and research firm. In line with this positive forecast, the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), an organization for professional interior designers in the Gulf Region, has revealed a complementing increased demand for interior design services in the Middle East region in general and the UAE, in particular. The increase in services can be seen in the UAE’s current batch of world-class development projects like hotels, mixed-use projects and villas. The strong growth balances the number of projects from 2009 to 2010, which totaled AED 80.3 billion - with the UAE representing two-thirds of the total project value.

The Proleads report also states that the forecasted spending on interior projects in all six GCC countries is estimated to have reached USD 56.9 billion in 2010 and will increase in 2011. The spending refers to fixtures and facilities like curtain walling, doors, windows, canopy and skylights, stone cladding, swimming pools, garbage disposal, window cleaning, parking management, lifts, sanitary fittings, light fittings, external lighting, car park, landscaping, signage, kitchen, laundry and furniture. The projected increase has encouraged APID to launch and adopt new strategic initiatives and programs that primarily aim to create more opportunities for interior design professionals based in the Middle East region. Further, the move will allow APID to reinforce its ties with the interior design industry, connecting with new markets, strengthening existing business relationships and forging new partnerships.

“The Middle East region’s interior design industry is currently witnessing rapid growth and development - strongly reflected in the high number of design projects that accompany the current batch of world class development projects in the region,” said Farida Kamber Al Awadhi, President, APID. “The increase in world-class development projects and the influx of leading interior design brands into the region is a reflection of the industry’s robustness and resilience amid the global economic downturn. APID affirms its commitment towards representing the best interests of the region’s design professionals and to provide them with a strategic platform that will allow them to strengthen business relationships and provide key opportunities for the region’s interior design community.”

APID has recently announced the launch of the region’s first ‘Festival of Interior Design’ (FOiD), which will be held from October 22 to 24, 2011 across Dubai. The event is part of APID’s strategic initiatives to highlight the key role of interior design in everybody’s lives and act as a platform to discuss the industry’s timely issues and also highlight the works of emerging talents and design firms in the region. The festival will be accompanied by the ‘Interior Design Congress, which will run on October 22, 2011, and will entail a program including four keynote speakers and two panel sessions featuring well-known design personalities. FOiD is slated to become a catalyst event that binds and unifies all interior design professionals in the region and allowing them access to key opportunities created by the event.

“APID remains steadfast in its commitment to improve the status and work environment of interior design professionals in the region, by implementing strategic initiatives and programs that are aimed at further developing and improving their interior design skills. These strategic programs also aim at giving the region a better understanding of the interior design segment and the design professionals that make up the industry. We are upbeat of this projected growth and have set our sights on reinforcing our presence in other areas in the region, envisioning a wider reach for APID members,” concluded Farida Kamber Al Awadhi.

Top three winning entries to receive cash prizes, in addition winning designs could feature in soon-to-be launched range of RAK Ceramics

March 15, 2011

RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic tiles & sanitaryware manufacturing company, has announced the launch of the RAK Ceramics Design Award 2011, instituted to honour the best tile design concept and its creators. The competition is open to budding designers who are students of ceramics art, architecture and interior design in the UAE.

The theme for the award – which is open till March 31, 2011 – is a presentation of wall/floor design (matching wall and floor) inclusive of related decoration such as décor tiles, borders and listellos. The top three winning entries will be rewarded with attractive cash prizes, in addition to significant media publicity. Further, RAK Ceramics has revealed that the winning designs may also be used in the company’s new range of tiles that will be launched later this year.

Abdulla Mahmood, Head - Marketing and Corporate Communications, RAK Ceramics, said, “The RAK Ceramics Design Award aims to encourage budding creative talents in the UAE. The key tenet of this award is to reward architecture and interior design students who can best depict the versatility and innovation of ceramic tiles made in the UAE, which are known for their perfect blend of heritage and contemporary outlook, attributes that also perfectly sum up the country’s style of architecture.”  

“RAK Ceramics has consistently set new benchmarks in ceramic tile design and innovation, and through this competition, we are providing a unique opportunity for students in the UAE to understand the finer points of tile design and application,” he added.      

More information about the award, registration details and submission requirements can be found on http://www.rakceramics.com/uae/designaward.html.

RAK Ceramics is a USD 1 billion global conglomerate in the ceramic industry, offering a product portfolio comprising over 6,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in sanitaryware. RAK Ceramics was recently honored by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) for complying with good governance and transparency according to best international practices. The company has also been conferred the SuperBrand 2010 Award and continues to be a global pioneer in the world of ceramics through innovative products such as the RAK SLIM, a new brand of 4.5-millimetre thick tile that sets new industry benchmarks in thickness, strength, cost and ease of use. RAK Ceramics is also founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in UAE.

February 09, 2010

DOMOTEX Middle East, the only international trade fair for carpets and floor coverings in the MENA region, has revealed that the UAE remains a vital growth market for exhibitors of the upcoming trade event as the country accounts for up to two-thirds of an estimated USD 22 billion worth of interior design contracting projects from 2009 to 2010 in the GCC.

Interior design contracting covers all flooring requirements of construction projects; on average it makes up between 15 to 20 per cent of the total project value. Scheduled for 10-12 May 2010 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), DOMOTEX Middle East will showcase a complete range of carpets and floor coverings including hand-made and machine-made carpets; textile and resilient floor coverings; parquet and other wood floors; laminates; floors for sports arenas and sports facilities; fibres, yarns and textiles; application and floor laying techniques and equipment; machinery and technology; ceramic tiles, natural stone floors and marble floors.

Angela Schaschen, Managing Director, Deutsche Messe Dubai Branch, organizers of the event said, “The latest studies clearly show that demand for carpets and flooring solutions are increasing in view of the relatively large number of construction projects in the GCC, including several projects in the process of completion. The UAE is particularly a key investment destination as it accounts for two-thirds of the total value of projects in the region. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other GCC countries likewise remain important growth areas because of the steady increase in development activities in these markets. Overall, the growth potential remains very strong and is reflected by the surging interest from international industry players who are eagerly looking forward to their participation at DOMOTEX Middle East.”

“We have accordingly prepared extensively to accommodate the requirements of repeat as well as new exhibitors and to cater to the demands of trade buyers in the region. The present condition of the GCC market has certainly energised both trade sellers and buyers to look for gainful business opportunities,” added Schaschen.

DOMOTEX Middle East is targeting wholesalers and retailers in the carpet and floor coverings sector as well as decision-makers from construction companies, architects, interior designers, project planners, floor layers and fitters.

DOMOTEX Middle East is expected to build on the momentum generated by DOMOTEX HANNOVER 2010, which was held from 16th to 19th January 2010. DOMOTEX HANNOVER reported a substantial rise in attendance with some 40,000 professionals visiting the event and a total of 1,395 exhibiting companies from over 70 countries. This year’s participation represented a 12 per cent growth in visitor attendance while exhibitor numbers have remained steady. The positive turnout has ensured the continued success of DOMOTEX HANNOVER in spite of the tough global economic conditions and has given the industry the momentum for sustained growth in the coming year.

Danube BUILDMART aiming to expand design centre and interior related products to leverage burgeoning market

Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials

The UAE is expected to spend AED 53.8 billion for interior design contracting and fit-outs by 2010, Read the full story

Gold sponsor AHEC supports presence of two renowned keynote speakers at architectural congress

Luke Hughes, a London based furniture designer

Roderick Wiles, AHEC Consultant

Patrick Fong, a Hong Kong-based interior architect

American Hardwood earned overwhelming signs of approval and confidence from the region’s top interior designers and architects during the recently concluded ‘ifi09 Dubai’, Read the full story

Leading paint manufacturer aims to unveil over 1,500 Multicolor Centres in the region by 2011 Read the full story