Al Habtoor Interiors and Index 2006 together for Local Young Talent

Index has teamed up with Al Habtoor Interiors (AHI), a pioneer in interiors design solutions, to present the 4th annual Student Pavilion, which is designed to give students of UAE Universities the opportunity to participate in the largest interiors show in the Middle East and one of the world's most highly respected events of its kind.

'A unique showcase of young local talent, this is the second year that the show has incorporated a competition for local students,' said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai, organisers of Index. 'Al Habtoor Interiors offer invaluable support through their donation of the prizes and turning the winning design into reality and constructing it on the student pavilion for which we donate the floor space.' To inspire and motivate budding talent, AHI has once again been the driving force behind the 'AHI Young Designer's Award', the winners receiving a prize of Dhs. 10,000 and the unique privilege of having their model built and exhibited at Index.

This year, the participating universities included the American University in Dubai, Zayed University and Ajman University of Science and Technology, and the challenge was to design a lounge bar - a total of nine groups participated. The submitted designs were judged by panel of eminent judges from different walks of the industry, which comprised Mr. Guy Roukaerts, Editor of Gulf Interiors Magazine; Ms. Elena Carabelli, GM, I Design Details; Dr. Mamoun Abu Khait, GM, Al Habtoor Interiors and Mr. Nishanth Narayan, Partner & Creative Director, Client Advertising. The judging criteria included research, creativity, design development, presentation techniques, implementation feasibility and working within a defined budget.

'This competition sees Al Habtoor Interiors forging ahead with its impeccable track record of delivering value to customers and society at large,' said Lina Sadek, Corporate Affairs Manager of Al Habtoor Interiors. 'We take our corporate social responsibility very seriously, and enjoy helping young students showcase their talent.'

Students were given complete freedom to interpret the theme in their own individual manner, allowing them to demonstrate their creativity and imagination to the maximum, and the quality, ideas and perceptions of the entries surprised the judges. Every group came up with exceptional concepts, making the final decision very difficult.

The competing students enjoyed every moment, as the exercise gave them a feel of the real world, as well as giving them the opportunity to discover their own inherent skills and aptitude. Their enthusiasm saw them working overnight on minute details and finishing touches. A number of presentation tools, including perspectives, mood boards, 3D animation, powerpoint slides, sketches, and 3D models were used. The competition also served to create awareness of the vast talent pool that exists within aspiring designers.

The winners were the team from Zayed University, whose design was inspired by the sweeping curves of the Guggenheim Museum in Spain. It has been fabricated by AHI and is on display showcased at Index 2006, which runs through until Saturday 11th November at Dubai Exhibition Centre.

'Exhibitors at the event have also been given the opportunity to recruit from the talent on show,' said Kim Willis, Exhibition Development Director of dmg world media Dubai. 'Index is the ideal place for the world's industry professionals to view future talent here in the UAE and for local universities to make invaluable industry contacts.'
ameinfo.com