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Designing Homes That Anticipate Life

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An elegantly set dining room features a modern wooden table, comfortable grey upholstered chairs, a decorative white console table, and abstract wall art, all under soft, ambient lighting.

Exclusive Interview with Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia

Nemetschek Group has long been a pioneer in digital design and construction software. How do you see your solutions reshaping the modern home in the UAE?

We see our solutions reshaping the modern UAE home by focusing on three core pillars: intelligent design, sustainable performance, and operational excellence. Instead of just modeling a home, our platforms, like Graphisoft and Vectorworks, allow architects to simulate how a home will actually perform in different conditions, ensuring maximum energy efficiency and indoor comfort from day one.

In construction, tools like Bluebeam enhance collaboration, speeding up delivery and ensuring quality. Critically, we reshape the modern home’s operational life. Our Digital Twin solutions turn the design data into a live asset management tool, allowing seamless integration with smart home technology and predictive maintenance. This ensures the home is not only built efficiently but remains comfortable, sustainable, and high-performing for decades. Ultimately, our goal is to help developers and designers deliver homes that reflect the UAE’s vision for a future where technology enriches everyday living in meaningful, intuitive ways.

With the rising demand for smart living, what role does Nemetschek play in helping architects and designers create more intuitive, tech-enabled homes?

As smart living becomes an essential part of the UAE lifestyle, our role at Nemetschek is to bridge the gap between architectural design and technological integration. Creating truly intuitive, tech-enabled homes requires designers to integrate systems like HVAC, security, and smart lighting before construction even begins.

Our BIM solutions enable architects to design the digital infrastructure for these systems directly within the model. This allows for early clash detection and ensures the building fabric seamlessly accommodates all the smart technology. Furthermore, by promoting open standards, we ensure the data generated by design is easily consumable by all home integrators, guaranteeing a smoother installation and a unified, future-proof platform for the homeowner. In essence, we empower designers to deliver homes where the technology is invisible, intuitive, and truly enhances the living experience without overwhelming it.

As the Managing Director, what excites you most about the future of homes and spaces in the UAE?

What excites me most about the future of homes and spaces in the UAE is the incredible convergence of innovation, sustainability, and human-centric design. This is a country that doesn’t just adopt new ideas, it imagines what living could look like in 10 years or even 50 years from now and then builds it. We are entering a new era where homes will be more adaptable, energy-efficient, and seamlessly connected. Spaces will anticipate residents’ needs, reduce environmental impact, and enhance wellbeing through smarter design and technology.

At Nemetschek Group, I am inspired by how our digital solutions are helping bring this vision to life, from AI-assisted design and precise BIM modelling to digital twins that optimize comfort and performance. What truly motivates me is the opportunity to support developers, architects, and designers as they shape homes that are not only technologically advanced, but also warm, livable, and deeply rooted in the UAE’s forward-looking spirit.

You recently announced a strategic partnership with Concerted Solutions to boost AEC/O digital transformation across the GCC. Can you walk us through a few early projects or pilot deployments under this collaboration and how they align with regional home-and-infrastructure development trends?

Our partnership with Concerted Solutions is deeply aligned with the region’s digital transformation ambitions. Together, we want to accelerate the adoption of smarter, more connected, and more data-driven workflows across the GCC’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Concerted Solutions brings strong regional expertise and an extensive network, which will help us engage more closely with government entities, developers, and consultants who are looking to advance their digital capabilities.

The partnership is also designed to support national agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision by enabling organizations to improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and make more informed decisions through integrated digital tools. Ultimately, our joint mission is to unlock new opportunities for innovation and help shape future-ready built environments whether in homes, communities, or major infrastructure projects.

How are you tailoring your software and digital workflows specifically for large-scale residential developments in the GCC through this partnership?

Through our partnership with Concerted Solutions, we are tailoring our software and digital workflows to meet the unique needs of large-scale residential developments in the GCC – a market defined by rapid growth, ambitious national visions, and rising expectations for smart, sustainable living. Together, we are helping developers move from traditional, siloed processes to fully connected digital ecosystems that support better planning, coordination, and long-term asset performance.

Our joint approach focuses on enabling clearer design communication, improving construction quality, and ensuring that energy efficiency and sustainability targets are embedded from the start. With tools such as BIM, digital twins, and data-driven collaboration platforms, residential developers can simulate community layouts, optimize material use, streamline handover, and enhance the resident experience through smarter building operations.

Since your expansion into Saudi Arabia, you’ve signaled a focus on giga-projects under Vision 2030. What are some of the major developments (residential, infrastructure, or hospitality) you are already involved in, or planning to be involved in, in the Kingdom?

Our focus in Saudi Arabia is strategically aligned with the core pillars of Vision 2030, including the massive residential, infrastructure, and tourism giga-projects. We are proudly engaged with developments that are setting a new global benchmark for sustainable construction. Nemetschek Group is actively supporting the digital transformation goals of major developers behind flagship projects like the ones by Public Investment Fund. Our solutions are providing the digital backbone for design and construction in the Kingdom’s next generation of cities, whether that’s using Graphisoft for residential master-planning, Bluebeam for site collaboration, or dTwin to power the long-term, sustainable operation of the Kingdom’s emerging hospitality and infrastructure assets.

The Nemetschek Group has an impressive global footprint. How are you tailoring your growth strategy for the UAE’s unique home and hospitality markets?

Our global strategy is always executed with a deep commitment to understanding the needs and expectations of the local market. The UAE’s home and hospitality markets are uniquely dynamic, blending cutting-edge design with a strong emphasis on comfort, sustainability, and guest experience. To help developers create spaces that are both technologically advanced and deeply human-centric within this region, our strategy focuses on three areas. First, service localization to ensure our support and consulting services are delivered by local experts who understand the unique regulatory environment and climate challenges. Second, ecosystem collaboration, which means strengthening ties with key local system integrators and property technology providers to ensure our design and operation platforms integrate seamlessly with the specific smart home technology favored here. Third, specialized solutions, where we champion brands like Spacewell and dTwin that deliver immediate, measurable value in facility management – a critical factor for the region’s high-end, long-term asset owners in both the residential and luxury hospitality sectors. Through this strategy which combines global innovation with local partnerships and on-the-ground expertise, we ensure our solutions truly reflect the UAE’s forward-looking vision.

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Home Integrator

AN EXCLUSIVE UNOPIÙ COLLECTION AT WESTERN FURNITURE: ITALIAN ELEGANCE WITH AN ORIENTAL SPIRIT FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

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Outdoor poolside lounge area featuring modern red cushioned armchairs and a matching sofa set with white metal frames, arranged around a small white coffee table holding a glass pitcher and two glasses. The setting overlooks a clear blue swimming pool, surrounded by additional seating and greenery in the background.

Western Furniture, the UAE’s leading destination for luxury interiors, proudly presents Unopiù, a renowned Italian outdoor furniture brand redefining outdoor living—where design meets nature through timeless materials, sculptural forms, and sustainable innovation.

 Unopiù’s renowned collections embody the philosophy of “Where Luxury Meets Nature”, blending artisanal expertise with contemporary aesthetics to create settings that exude balance, beauty, and tranquility.

Among the most admired creations in the Unopiù world is The Chelsea Collection introduces an oriental-inspired aesthetic through sculptural teak frames, low Japanese-style seating, and soft white cushions that embody serenity and warmth. Its extendable dining table and two-seater sofas are distinguished by compact volumes and clean lines, while the Chelsea Sunlounger showcases refined craftsmanship with adjustable back and leg rests, discreet wheels for easy movement, and the option of a plush cushion for elevated comfort. Completing this panorama of outdoor artistry, the Pevero Island stands as a masterpiece of circular design in smooth teak (Ø160 cm), paired with soft Nuvola-hued cushions to create an inviting centerpiece for terraces, gardens, and poolside retreats. Together, these pieces reflect Unopiù’s vision of outdoor living: spaces that balance modern design with the warmth of natural materials, where every detail evokes Italian refinement and timeless luxury.

A timeless icon of Unopiù style, the Ginger Director’s Chair, features a frame made of premium-quality teak with seat and backrest in Cotone cotton fabric, complemented by either a seat cushion or beige Canatex covers (a sustainable hemp-blend fabric composed of 70% PVC and 30% polyester). Exclusive, versatile, and designed for daily use, this chair is a true protagonist of any environment, capturing a personal interpretation of relaxation and refined simplicity.

Another highlight is the Salò Sofa, part of the prestigious Salò 2025 Collection. This piece symbolizes timeless elegance and advanced functionality in outdoor furniture. Inspired by the enchanting landscapes of northern Italy, particularly the captivating charm of Lake Garda, the collection combines modernist design with premium materials to create outdoor sofas and armchairs that stand out for their sophisticated style and extraordinary comfort.

With over four decades of design excellence, Unopiù continues to champion sustainable living through the use of ethically sourced teak, durable weather-resistant materials, and an eco-conscious production ethos. Its collections embody the meeting of tradition and innovation, an approach that resonates with Dubai’s commitment to design-led sustainability and creative excellence.

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Home Integrator

MODERN DESIGN WITHOUT THE LUXURY PRICE TAG

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A person wearing a dark blazer over a white dress shirt and jeans, seated on a light-colored sofa with hands clasped together, showcasing a large wristwatch.

Exclusive interview Hussein Khalil El Batal the chairman and CEO of Batal Design Group

Your journey started with a single humble store that evolved into a multi-market design powerhouse. Looking back, which core values have driven BD Holding’s transformation over the past 30 years?

When I look back, what carried us from one humble store to a regional group is quite simple: family, integrity, and obsession with design. We never treated furniture as a product; we treated it as a way of living. Over seventy years, BD Holding built deep relationships with suppliers across the world, always insisting on quality, fair pricing, and long-term partnerships. This mindset created trust. Trust from our teams, our partners, and our customers, and it is that trust which allowed us to grow into a multi country design group rather than remain a single showroom.

The Group has expanded its portfolio with brands such as DAZE, B Design, Intercasa, B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office. How do these brands reflect the region’s evolving lifestyle and design expectations?

Each brand in BD Holding answers a different need in our customers’ lives. DAZE speaks to the new generation that wants modern design, comfort, and accessibility without compromising on quality. B Design and Intercasa focus on craftsmanship, customization, and full interior solutions for homes and projects. B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office answer the growing demand for tailored storage, workspaces, and smart living. Together they reflect a region where people are more design aware, more digitally connected, and more demanding. They expect international standards with a local heartbeat, and this is exactly what our portfolio delivers.

Your philanthropic work and community commitments are widely recognized. How does this personal mission shape the culture, values, and long-term vision of BD Holding?

I grew up in a country that has seen many challenges. For me, success without responsibility has no meaning. Our philanthropic initiatives, whether in education, craftsmanship training, or community support, are not separate from the business. They are part of our identity. Within BD Holding, this translates into a culture of respect, loyalty, and opportunity. A place where people grow, stay, and contribute to something larger than a business. Many of our employees have grown with us for decades. Externally, it means we design and build with the belief that better homes can contribute to stronger communities. When we talk about expansion, we are not only speaking about showrooms; we are speaking about impact and legacy.

DAZE is one of your latest brand concepts. What design gap or unmet customer behavior inspired its creation, and how does it differentiate itself from the Group’s other brands in terms of materials, colour palettes, and price positioning?

DAZE was born because we saw a clear gap. Customers wanted contemporary, trend conscious furniture with a refined look, but at a price that felt realistic for everyday life. With DAZE we combined the heritage and purchasing power of BD Holding with a fresh, youthful design language. The brand plays with bouclé, micro leather, warm woods, marble and metal details, soft neutrals, and rich accent tones that speak to today’s interiors. The collections are carefully engineered to be accessible in price, yet aspirational in mood. It sits alongside our other brands as the most approachable, fashion forward expression of our design philosophy.

DAZE has quickly emerged as a strong franchise model. In your view, what makes it a compelling investment opportunity compared to other concepts in the market?

What makes DAZE powerful as a franchise is that partners are not starting from zero. They step into a concept that is already tested in multiple countries, supported by more than seventy years of sourcing experience and thousands of supplier relationships worldwide. This gives DAZE a strong advantage in price, quality, and design. In addition, we offer a full support structure: operations, R and D, purchasing, and marketing specialists, all focused on the success of our partners. The model is designed to deliver attractive returns, with an accessible initial investment and a clear path to profitability, which is why investors see it as a serious, results driven opportunity.

Looking ahead, what is the expansion roadmap for DAZE? Where do you envision the brand in the next five years, and what strategies will drive that growth?

DAZE started in Lebanon and has grown into key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Buraydah, Dubai, Erbil, Baghdad, and Africa with a new location underway in Baghdad and an upcoming international opening in Milano. Our current footprint spans more than twelve showrooms, and our ambition is to cross fifty by the end of 2030. The strategy is clear: work with committed partners, secure prime locations, and maintain a strong pipeline of collections that respond to local tastes while staying globally relevant. We will continue to build DAZE as a trend-setting yet accessible brand, ready for multi-continent expansion.

How do you balance trend driven collections with timeless pieces that retain value over the years?

For me, this balance is the art of what we do. Our R and D team spends the year studying exhibitions, global fairs, and digital inspiration to identify what is coming next. At the same time, we design with longevity in mind. The new direction in furniture is not fast fashion; it is collections that feel current today but still beautiful ten years from now. We achieve this by anchoring each season in solid proportions, comfortable silhouettes, and materials that age well, then layering in trend elements through fabrics, colours, and details that can be refreshed over time.

What operational systems make DAZE a scalable franchise model for multi market expansion?

Behind the aesthetics, DAZE is a very disciplined system. Our partners benefit from a complete toolkit: showroom design, visual merchandising, staff training, project support, and access to integrated software, systems, and e commerce. A dedicated franchise team follows up daily to ensure consistency and growth. Because sourcing, R and D, marketing, and logistics are centralized and managed by experienced teams, each new franchise can focus on execution and customer relationships rather than building an entire infrastructure from scratch. This is what allows DAZE to replicate success from one country to another while respecting the specifics of each market.

What differentiates DAZE from other contemporary furniture brands in the region?

DAZE stands at the intersection of Lebanese creativity and European refinement. It carries the heritage and credibility of BD Holding, yet speaks with a young, confident voice. The brand combines design research, material innovation, and careful pricing in a way that few regional brands can match. Most importantly, DAZE is not only a showroom concept; it is a partnership model with proven results, from Lebanon to UAE, KSA, Iraq, and soon in Milano and Africa. When you choose DAZE, whether as a customer or a franchisee, you are joining a story that is already successful and still full of possibilities.

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EXCLUSIVE SEASONAL OFFERS: NATUZZI ITALIA SHINES AT DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL

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Modern white leather sectional sofa with integrated side tray, decorative cushions, and a beige rug, paired with two light wood coffee tables featuring books and dried floral accents, set in a contemporary living room with green potted plants in the background."

Step into Natuzzi Italia’s Seasonal Showcase during the Dubai Shopping Festival, where iconic craftsmanship meets contemporary style. Running until January 29, this limited-time event features exceptional offers on select pieces that blend timeless elegance with modern functionality. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring home a true Natuzzi Italia masterpiece.

Featured Highlights of the Best Buys:

The DSF collection highlights Natuzzi Italia’s mastery of comfort and contemporary elegance, led by signature modular sofas such as KULT, designed in fine Bianco Ottico leather, and the sculptural BORGHESE, offering adaptable configurations for modern living spaces. Complementing the sofa range are the refined silhouettes of MILANO, BOTANIC, and LEVANTE, each expressing the brand’s balance of ergonomics and style.

Bedroom offerings are elevated through the DOLCEVITA bed, blending warm textiles with Natuzzi’s signature refinement.

Oblo Sofa:

The Oblò sofa by Maurizio Manzoni captures the comfort of a warm embrace with its soft, organic lines and sleek metal frame. Its modular design offers flexible configurations, whether used as a complete setup or as standalone pieces, making it easy to adapt to different spaces.

Natuzzi Italia also extends its DSF showcase into dining and accessories. The architectural VOYAGE, a fixed dining table featuring an elliptic glass top and gold metal base for a refined dining statement,and AMBER dining tables combine glass, metal, and walnut in contemporary geometries. Completing the lifestyle collection are accent pieces such as the MONDRIAN bedside tables and the Y008 smoked oak mirror, designed to complement modern interiors.

Deep Sofa

Designed by Nika Zupanc, the Deep Sofa captures the flow of sea waves with its modular, customizable configurations and enveloping lines—perfect for unwinding in style.

Simple Sofa

Perfect for compact spaces, the Simple Sofa transforms into a sofa bed with a single gesture. Its sleek, essential lines make it a modern problem solver designed by the Natuzzi Design Center.

The collection also features advanced comfort innovations such as the SEAGULL powered reclining seats and the ultra-functional EASY sofa — a practical design offering a seamless “ready-to-bed” mechanism without compromising on comfort. Its rounded lines create a harmonious blend of style and function, reinforcing Natuzzi Italia’s commitment to intelligent, design-led living.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your home with Natuzzi Italia’s iconic designs at unmatched prices.

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