Marjan, the master developer of freehold properties in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the completion of infrastructure works at RAK Central, its upcoming mixed-use commercial development in the northern emirate. Along with the appointment of leading Middle East Construction Group, ALEC, as the main contractor for RAK Central HQ Office Complex, it marks a major milestone in the development of Ras Al Khaimah’s upcoming business hub, a vibrant ‘Work-Live-Play’ destination in alignment with RAK Vision 2030.

Spanning 3.1 million sq.ft of prime land with 8.37 million sq. ft. of gross floor area, the progressive integrated destination for living and business is now ready for activation by investors and sub-developers. Comprehensive wet and dry services, including stormwater, sewerage, firefighting, irrigation, potable water, electrical networks and street lighting, are fully operational. Additionally, roads, cycle tracks, landscaping and green spaces with hundreds of trees have been completed. With this foundation in place, sub-developers are scheduled to commence commercial, residential, retail and hospitality projects with RAK Central HQ set for completion in Q1 2027.

Commenting on the progress, Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer, Marjan, said: “With the completion of infrastructure works and onboarding of global contractors, RAK Central has progressed into a new activation phase. The involvement of leading developers reinforces our vision to create a world-class hub that brings together business, lifestyle and tourism, enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as a compelling destination for international investors and families alike.”

RAK Central is a meticulously planned business district designed to be the commercial nucleus of Ras Al Khaimah, offering rare investment fundamentals: 100% foreign ownership, low taxation and high yield potential. RAK Central’s strategic location and smart design make it one of the most compelling investment zones in the region.

Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi Street, with spectacular views of Al Hamra Golf Club and the Arabian Gulf, RAK Central offers easy access to the E-11 highway, with ongoing expansions enhancing connectivity. Designed as a future-ready, work-live-play district, RAK Central features Grade A offices, residences, hotels, retail and a vibrant Town Square with premium amenities. The LEED Gold certified office buildings offer dual licensing and investor-friendly frameworks and will be managed under a hospitality-driven model to ensure an exceptional quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.

Since its announcement in January 2024, RAK Central plots have completely sold out. The masterplan offers three million square feet of rentable office space, more than 4,000 residential apartments, four hotels with a capacity surpassing 1,000 keys, multiple parks and green spaces, various retail and entertainment facilities and several interconnected buildings with over 1,000 parking spaces for visitors.

RAK Central is officially open to welcome international investors, corporations and residents to Ras Al Khaimah’s most dynamic and vibrant new address.

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.

Creative Wrap, the region’s undisputed leader in interior vinyl wrapping, is proud to announce its expansion across the Middle East and Europe. From its home base in Dubai to new markets in Abu Dhabi and London, the company is scaling its operations to meet growing international demand for innovative, mess-free and sustainable renovation solutions. Marking this exciting phase of growth is the launch of The Collective, a new sister company offering full-scope interior solutions with a focus on quality, reliability and customer satisfaction.

Creative Wrap: Transforming Interiors Across Continents

Since 2017, Creative Wrap has redefined the way residential and commercial spaces are renovated across the GCC. By introducing and championing the concept of interior vinyl wrapping, the company has eliminated the long wait times, disruption and waste typically associated with traditional refurbishments.

Headquartered in Dubai and employing a team of over 100 specialists, Creative Wrap operates from a 4,000-square-foot showroom in Dubai Investments Park, serving as both a creative hub and a testament to the brand’s innovation-driven ethos.

Creative Wrap offers superior quality and design flexibility, whether upgrading kitchens, bathrooms, commercial lobbies or hotel interiors, Creative Wrap’s fast, eco-friendly and clean solutions are transforming how people think about renovations. Trusted by leading brands including Emaar, Nakheel, Marriott Group, Accor Group, Rove Hotels, Dubai Developments, and Hilton Hotels, Creative Wrap has established itself as a respected name in the industry.

The brand’s reputation is reinforced by an incredible track record of customer satisfaction, boasting a 100% 5-star rating on Trustpilot and a Google Review score of 4.9 from over 630 reviews, a clear testament to the consistent quality and service Creative Wrap delivers.

Adding to this is the company’s industry-leading 6-year warranty, which speaks volumes about the confidence behind their work. Impressively, 99% of customers have never had to use the warranty, thanks to meticulous craftsmanship and superior installations.

Following overwhelming success across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, and Brunei, Creative Wrap is now officially launching operations in Abu Dhabi, with a brand-new showroom opening soon. They have also recently expanded into London, where the team has already begun wrapping high-end hotel projects, marking a powerful entry into the UK market.

With a rapidly growing international footprint, Creative Wrap is not just a trendsetter in interior wrapping, it’s a movement in modern renovation.

The Collective: Elevating Interiors with Integrity and Innovation

In parallel with Creative Wrap’s growth, the company proudly introduces The Collective, a full-service interior brand created in direct response to a critical industry challenge: the lack of reliable, high-quality contractors in the UAE and surrounding markets.

Already live in Dubai and soon launching in Abu Dhabi, The Collective brings a fresh perspective to interiors, prioritising client satisfaction, transparency and excellence in execution. Backed by the operational strength and design legacy of Creative Wrap, The Collective delivers complete interior transformations, from concept to completion.

Unlike traditional firms, The Collective offers a curated, end-to-end experience grounded in craftsmanship, creative insight, and seamless project management. It aims to redefine what clients can expect from interior contracting in both residential and commercial sectors.

Whether managing bespoke home interiors or large-scale corporate spaces, The Collective stands as a beacon of trust and quality in a market long overdue for a higher standard of service. With both Creative Wrap and The Collective under one visionary group, the Creative Wrap Group is poised to lead the future of interiors across the GCC, Europe, and beyond.