By Charalampos Sarafopoulos, Executive Director, πRism Interiors.

Commercial spaces such as offices, co-working hubs, retail outlets, restaurants and hotels are not just functional – they set the scene for daily human interactions. As an interior designer, I take this into account when working on a project, defining success by aesthetics and efficiency, but also on whether the space makes every individual feel included and valued. This is what we mean by ‘inclusive design thinking’, and it is a powerful and transformative approach.

Beyond Aesthetics

For decades, commercial interiors were designed with a narrow user in mind; the ‘standard’ employee. But in today’s world, there is no such thing as standard. Workplaces are multigenerational environments that welcome people with different abilities, cultural backgrounds, and expectations.

Inclusive design thinking pushes us, as designers, to move beyond surface-level beauty and function. It challenges us to ask: Does this space empower people of all abilities, ages, and identities to feel comfortable, safe, and valued?

Why Inclusivity Matters

Commercial interiors must serve a wide spectrum of people at once, each with unique needs and expectations. In workplaces, this might mean creating spaces where younger employees can thrive in collaborative zones while older staff benefit from ergonomic, quiet areas.

Cultural inclusivity is equally important. Thoughtful features like prayer rooms, gender-neutral restrooms, or clear multilingual signage show respect and sensitivity, making diverse users feel valued.

At its core, inclusivity in commercial interiors is about more than accessibility. It is about dignity, equity, and belonging. When spaces are designed to accommodate a range of people and tasks, they become not just functional environments, but human-centered ones that foster comfort, loyalty, and connection.

Inclusive Design in Practice

When we began the process of designing our new offices, we wanted to take a truly inclusive approach, and so we asked each team to nominate a member to work with us on the “office re-design team”. Seven team members were tasked with speaking with the rest of their teams to gather and compile their feedback. Through this process, we were able to get all kinds of information that we might otherwise have missed: storage space requirements; whether phones and PABX systems were helpful or not; where people eat; chair comfort… The list goes on; my point is that in bringing all this information to bear on our design brief, we were able to create a space that responded to the team’s needs as much as possible. Inclusive design thinking enriched the design process for us, allowing us to:

• Empathize: Spend time understanding the diverse needs of the people who will use the space. For an office, this may include younger staff who prefer collaborative zones, older employees who need ergonomic seating, and neurodiverse individuals who benefit from quiet pods.
  
  
• Define: Frame challenges in terms of barriers. For example: How might we design a reception area that feels welcoming for both guests/visitors and team members?
  
  
• Ideate: Bring multidisciplinary perspectives, for example consult architects, furniture designers, facility managers, HR teams, and even end-users for ideas.

• Prototype: Create mock-ups of installations such as workstations, retail displays, or check-in counters that can be tested with different user groups.
  
  
• Test: Measure success by evaluating aesthetics, operational efficiency and inclusivity.
  
  

Benefits and Challenges

Office interiors profoundly shape how employees feel and perform. From my experience, inclusive workplaces foster loyalty and morale. Employees who feel supported by their environment, whether through ergonomic furniture, flexible work zones or accessible meeting rooms, are more engaged, productive, and motivated to remain at a company.

However, designing inclusively is not without challenges. Budgets can be tight, timelines demanding, and clients sometimes prioritize aesthetics or branding over inclusivity. But as designers, we hold the responsibility to advocate. We are not just decorators; we are shapers of human experience.

In the many projects that I’ve worked on, I’ve learned that inclusivity often leads to creative breakthroughs. The no-man’s land at the top of the stairs was a real challenge for us during the design process. It had served as a barren waiting area for guests, and an informal divider between two divisions within Al Shirawi. It was a suggestion from a team member that led us to turn that dead space into a coffee bar and breakout area for everyone, including guests. These days, some of the team’s best ideas and concepts come to life in the coffee bar. A design decision made for inclusivity can spark a change in culture. What may seem like an additional cost often pays off in long-term usability and satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

The future of commercial interiors is fluid and dynamic. Hybrid work, smart buildings, and globalized commerce demand spaces that are not only functional and stylish but also adaptable to diverse users. Technologies like voice-activated systems, adjustable lighting apps, and AI-driven spatial analytics can further enhance inclusivity. Yet technology cannot replace empathy.

As designers, our role is to weave inclusivity into every layer of the interior, from circulation planning to furniture details, so that commercial spaces become not just places to transact or work, but places where everyone belongs.

Inclusive design thinking in commercial interiors allows us to create environments that are accessible, flexible, culturally sensitive, and emotionally resonant. By embracing inclusivity, we elevate commercial interiors from functional workplaces or retail destinations to human-centered spaces that empower all who enter.

The UAE has steadily positioned itself as a global leader in advancing gender equality, ensuring Emirati women are drivers of progress as entrepreneurs, scientists, designers and businesswomen. With women making up over 54% of the labour force, holding two-thirds of public sector jobs, and representing the majority of university graduates, the country’s policies and initiatives are building a future where female leadership is both expected and celebrated.

A national framework for empowerment

The UAE is embedding female leadership at the highest levels of governance and ensuring that women influence the country’s strategic direction. The National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023–2031 and the work of the Gender Balance Council have set clear priorities to increase women’s representation in leadership and ensure equal opportunities in technical and academic fields. Today, women occupy 30% of leadership roles in the public sector, and initiatives such as mandatory board representation in listed companies have cemented women’s presence in decision-making spaces.

This national support translates into real impact across industries. Noor Al Muhaideb, Founding Partner of Opaal Interiors, explains how it shaped her career: “The UAE’s encouragement of creativity and entrepreneurship has been a real turning point for me. Thanks to programs like design incubators and creative economy initiatives, I had the confidence and support to launch Opaal interiors and develop projects that bring contemporary design into dialogue with the UAE’s culture.’’

This national support translates into real impact across industries. In government, women now make up over a quarter of the cabinet, with nine female ministers overseeing key portfolios from advanced technology to international cooperation. Initiatives have also focused on creating leadership training programs and mentorship platforms within government, ensuring women are prepared to take on senior roles.

Entrepreneurial ecosystems

Emirati women today own and operate 23,000 businesses valued at more than AED 50 billion, proof of the UAE’s efforts to provide access to funding, training, and global networks. The nation ranked second in 2024 on Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen list, with 14 Emirati women featured.

For Amna Al Falasi, Manager of WrkBay and Huom Culinary Canvas, this environment enabled her to grow a small community initiative into a thriving platform. “The UAE’s commitment to gender equality has been pivotal in my journey. Access to mentorship and funding opportunities gave us the foundation to expand and create meaningful programs for families, professionals, and seniors,” she says. Amna’s trajectory mirrors the wider push to create female-led enterprises that add both economic and social value.

Driving innovation in technology

The UAE’s investments in AI, advanced technology, and education are creating space for women to thrive in future industries. With 56% of STEM graduates now women, the pipeline for female leadership in innovation is stronger than ever. Institutions like the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and national strategies dedicated to AI and digital transformation provide world-class platforms for Emirati talent.

Moza Al Falasi, a data analyst working on machine learning applications, emphasises the opportunity: “The UAE’s focus on innovation gave me the platform to pursue projects like EcoSort AI and accessibility solutions for the hearing-impaired. Women here are not just part of the conversation in technology, they’re leading it.” Her work reflects the country’s aim to merge technological progress with social impact.

Looking ahead

The UAE’s progress is evident in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, which ranks the country as a leading nation in gender equality in the region. Sustained public and private sector initiatives have strengthened women’s presence in business, government, and STEM fields. Emirati women are now shaping industries from design studios to boardrooms and AI labs, supported by legislation that secures equal pay and mandates for female voices in leadership. In 2025, they are setting new benchmarks for leadership, showing how the UAE’s long-term vision turns empowerment into measurable progress.

By: Clara Vicedo, Architect, ASCER

Spain’s ceramic tile industry continues to push the boundaries of innovation and versatility, and one of the most exciting developments in recent years is the rapid growth of large-format ceramic slabs. These slabs are transforming modern architecture and design. In the UAE, where luxury interiors meet extreme climate demands, large-format porcelain slabs are gaining attention from architects, interior designers, and developers alike.

A recent survey conducted by ASCER, Spain’s national association of ceramic tile manufacturers, shows that production of large-format porcelain slabs doubled between 2021 and 2023, driven by both global and regional demand.

Spanish tile producers are at the forefront of this trend, offering slabs that combine technical excellence, design sophistication, and sustainability. These oversized ceramics are increasingly being specified not just for walls and floors, but also for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, backsplashes, and even building facades.

Their resistance to heat, scratches and stains makes them ideal for heavy-use spaces. Their waterproof and hygienic qualities make them a smart solution for environments where cleanliness and durability are non-negotiable like restaurants, hospitality venues and family homes

Why Designers in the UAE Are Choosing Large-Format Slabs

Durability That Matches the Climate

Ceramic countertops are resistant: they do not scratch when kitchen utensils are placed on them or removed and they do not require any special care unlike other more delicate materials, such as marble or natural stone. In fact, they are perfect for outdoor kitchens. They also stand out for their high resistance to heat. In comparison with other surfaces that might get damaged, ceramic slabs are not affected by direct heat. Indeed, induction systems have been developed that enable users to cook on top of countertops, facilitating the cleaning process.

Waterproof & Hygienic

Porcelain countertops have a very low porosity. This impacts on their resistance to dirt, acids, fats from food products etc. because they do not absorb stains, contributing to hygiene and the disinfection of surfaces. This impervious quality is even extendible to textured surfaces. It really is possible to have an impervious, stain resistant tactile surface whose relief texture coincides with the design of the countertop and fits in with the rest of the living space.

Ceramic materials are so versatile that countertops can be integrated with the sink, backsplash, kitchen island and walls and floors to achieve a wrap-around appearance.

Sustainable and Easy to Maintain

Thanks to being waterproof and resistant, ceramic countertops are very easy to care for and they are swift and simple to clean, just using soap and water. Because they do not absorb dirt, they prevent the build-up and spread of bacteria. Secondly, because they have a high resistance to more aggressive detergents and disinfectants unlike other surfaces, they do not gradually lose their shine. Thirdly, because they have a long lifecycle, they only need minimum care and no pollutant materials are needed to clean them, they are a sustainable option in the mid and long term.

Seamless, customisable Design

Ceramic materials can come in a multitude of different looks, with no limit to their designs, shades and finishes. Consequently, you can always find the perfect choice for your kitchen or bathroom, from tiles in gentle neutral colours able to ensure added spaciousness to other colourful options or stone or wood-effect tiles to add a striking, original touch to kitchens.