Last week, AHEAD - the awards for hospitality experience and design - announced the AHEAD MEA 2023 judging panel.
It's now time to get to know the newest additions to the panel, comprising leading hospitality architects, interior designers and hoteliers of the Middle East and Africa regions.
Enter now to present your project to the panel before the entry deadline on 28 April.
Andrew Moore | President (MENA) | HBA
Since joining Hirsch Bedner Associates in 1998, Andrew has been privileged to participate in two of the most dynamic decades of growth in Asia Pacific, especially China. Andrew has led his design team in Singapore in creating some of the region's most important hospitality projects, and developing lasting relationships with HBA clients.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore in 1999-2000; the first project of great scale I worked on for HBA with founder Michael Bedner. I've always been interested in history and architecture, so to have the opportunity to lead a design team in the conversion of the former general post office into a luxury hotel was a dream come true.
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Creative projects that achieve the balance between appropriateness, originality and completeness. As the hoteliers say, great design is everything from the entrance to the chocolate on the pillow.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
The design industry finally embracing sustainability in our everyday practice.
Firas Alsahin | Co-Founder & Design Director | 4SPACE
Firas is the Co-Founder and Design Director of 4SPACE, a dynamic, multi-talented, multi-award-winning design studio delivering high-end architectural and interior design services across the Middle East. Recognized as one of the finest interior design companies in the region, the company prides itself on blending light and space with delicate, well-considered features to create memorable and unique aesthetics. Firas adeptly leads the design divisions at 4SPACE and takes it beyond imaginable boundaries. His extraordinary international experience encourages the team to explore different shapes and forms to create unique spaces that incorporate feasibility, efficiency, and originality. He keenly maintains a hands-on approach that allows him to meticulously manage every phase of the design process, including 3D modeling, design development and site supervision. By providing motivation and dedication, Firas has managed 4SPACE to withstand any challenges that come its way and perfect a work-life balance. His design finesse embraces futuristic, minimalist, functional and sustainable design.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
Address Sky View in Downtown Dubai. It's designed with sustainability in mind, featuring energy-efficient systems and environmentally friendly materials. This commitment to sustainability reflects the growing importance of eco-conscious design in the hospitality industry.
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Projects that excel in Innovation, sustainability, and originality. Also, contextual relevance; projects that thoughtfully integrate into their surrounding environment, culture, and history, respecting local traditions and communities.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
An increased emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. This involves the use of energy-efficient materials, waste reduction strategies, and locally sourced products, ultimately creating hotels and resorts that have minimal environmental impact while offering memorable guest experiences.
Leila Abdul Rahim | Director, Design (ME) | Hilton Worldwide
Starting her career designing theme parks in Japan and Malaysia, Leila moved into corporate interiors in the late 90’s, where she had the privilege to design the newly created Lexus car brand headquarters for Toyota, as well as vanguard offices for Dreamworks, Warner Bros and Warner Records. It was through the start of the actor-owned restaurants that Leila veered into hospitality, designing F&B venues for the likes of Michael Wayne. In 2003, Leila and her family relocated to Dubai, where she first joined the developer Emaar properties and established design and execution standards within the retail department. Later, she returned to the consulting side of design and headed the Dubai brand of several interior design companies, including DiLeonardo, HBA and Bilkey Llinas. Today, with over 35 years of experience in the industry, Leila oversees interior design experiences for Hilton Corporate’s ME region.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
The Waldorf Astoria Lusail that we opened last year in Doha was a very memorable experience for me. Aside from the stellar calibre of consultant and the exquisite detailing of the property, I was delighted to witness the design and execution of an incredibly well-curated art and accessories package.
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Well-choreographed sequences of guest touch points in environments that satisfy all senses and engulf the visitor in the location.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
More than ever before, we value an immersive guest experience and the human touch today. However, it's the coupling of this reality with the phenomenon of vanguard IT that I find exciting moving forward
Mark Eacott | Global VP, Design | Ennismore
Mark joined Ennismore in 2018 from Los Angeles as part of the Accor acquisition of the SBE Lifestyle Brands. Bringing with it his in-depth knowledge of the SLS, Mondrian, HYDE and Delano legacy brands, Mark was part of a small team based in Singapore, instrumental in the growth of Ennismore in Asia-Pacific. Now in a global role in Dubai, Mark co-leads the Ennismore Global Design Team with Charlie North. Working as a ‘hand-to-glove’ link between the Ennismore brands and regional design teams, Mark is responsible for high-level design direction and defining the design and product strategy for Ennismore brands, ensuring they remain future-proofed and true to their unique brand DNA and purpose. Prior to Ennismore, Mark spent more than 19 years working in London, New York and Shanghai, training under renowned architects, designers and hospitality groups such as Soho House, OMA, Richard Rogers, Softroom, HBA and Philippe Starck’s YOO.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
Morgans Hotel in NYC, the world’s first boutique hotel. In fact, all of our Morgans Originals hotels. So incredibly pioneering and disruptive in their approach to public areas that we are still somewhat doing the same thing today, some 3 decades later!
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Unique and courageous design with great ‘design signals’ that reflect the brand's meaning and purpose.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
'Social wellness design'; you don’t have to sacrifice your social life to prioritise your health.
Pinar Calimano | Senior Director, Design & Innovation (EMEA) | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Pinar is Senior Director of Design and Innovation (EMEA) at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. She has over 25 years of experience in hospitality design and hotel operations in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East and Africa region. A graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, Pinar started her career at Stonehill & Taylor Architects in New York. Prior to returning to her hotelier roots in 2013 as Design Director for Hyatt Hotels for the MEA/SWA region, she delivered projects for hotel brands including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton and Millennium Hotels as interior design consultant. In her current role, Pinar leads the Design and Innovation team for the Four Seasons Hotels' EMEA region, overseeing the interior design of new hotels, restaurants and bars as well as renovations of existing properties.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
FS Taormina, San Domenico Palace - and its not because it's home to White Lotus Season 2. San Domenico Palace is a former convent dating back to early 1400’s. With its cliff side location overlooking Ionian Sea, the conversion was one of the most rewarding projects I have been part of; carefully layering Four Seasons luxuries while staying true to building's origins; working with centuries-old art and artefacts, and undergoing the entire design and building phases through a global pandemic made the stunning outcome so much more rewarding.
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Entries will include projects designed during and shortly after the pandemic, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the creative community has responded to changing life circumstances. I'm also looking forward to seeing projects that are kind to the planet and people, and how wellness is woven into each project.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
'More is more' is back. I'm thrilled to see our creative partners taking risks, breaking the mould and changing perceptions of what luxury interiors are.
Sameer Grover | Technical Services Lead | Rove Hotels
As Rove Hotels’ Technical Services Lead, Sameer brings seventeen years of knowledge and experience to the role, from hotel and brand development to construction. With a Master’s degree in Real Estate, he likes to approach hotel projects by striking the fine balance between creative design and ROIs. As an architect in the hospitality sector, Sameer was former Design Manager at the multinational hotel operator and developer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, delivering luxury projects across the globe including India’s first W resort in Goa.
What is one hotel project that's had an impact on you?
PARKROYAL Pickering, Singapore - an example to dare and deliver a sustainable oasis within an urban city, offering vertical gardens, naturally ventilated corridors and the ultimate guest experience.
What are you looking for from this year’s AHEAD entries?
Daring design, story telling and some new ways to elevate guest experiences.
What is one emerging trend in hospitality design that you're excited about?
Reinvigorated minimalism, purposefulness, involvement of the local community and reflection of the neighbourhood.
