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.

 In celebration of the UAE’s 53rd National Day, Western Furniture is calling on furniture lovers to elevate their homes with exceptional style. To honor this national milestone, the brand presents a handpicked showcase of leading international labels, now available on their signature designs.

Natuzzi Editions

Discover refined craftsmanship and artistry from Natuzzi Editions with the Gold Accessories Vase — a sophisticated décor piece that brings a subtle touch of luxury to any console, shelf, or centre table.

HOME SCENT COTTON

A luxurious fragrance diffuser crafted with premium oils and natural reeds, designed to envelop your home in a serene and elegant aroma—perfect for infusing your National Day celebrations with a refined, welcoming scent.

Love in every shape: oily folds céramique multicolor vase:

Captivating statement piece with unique kaleidoscope ceramic that shifts colors under different lighting. Adds enchanting vibrancy to Eid décor.

CALLIGARIS:

For those who appreciate contemporary Italian craftsmanship, CALLIGARIS presents a handpicked assortment of its most iconic designs. Highlights include:

Colette Mirror Designed by Roccadadria

Colette plays with flat and curved glass, breaking up the image while scattering light across the room. The result is depth, rhythm, and a mirror that feels alive, designed to brighten the space it inhabits.

VANITY Mirror: Crafted with bronze glass and a matte pearl beige metal frame this piece elevates contemporary interiors with subtle sophistication.

Circles Occasional Furniture: Designed by Busetti Garuti Redaelli

 Crafted entirely from varnished metal, CIRCLES is a modern and space-saving accent piece designed to keep essentials stylishly on display. This sleek column features four circular shelves set at varying heights, creating a dynamic, sculptural look that adds visual interest to any room.

MAGAZINE Table: A chic combination of matte black lacquer, regenerated leather, and metal, perfect for stylish organization.

SURFACE Mirror: A bold round bronze mirror that becomes a stunning focal point in entryways or living spaces.

As Western Furniture marks this special national occasion, the brand reinforces its commitment to offering timeless design, exceptional quality, and unparalleled style to homes across the UAE.

Western Furniture welcomes all design lovers to visit its showrooms and discover iconic pieces, transforming their spaces with signature pieces that reflect the UAE’s spirit of innovation, unity, and modern elegance.

Exclusive Interview with Carla Klumpenaar, General Manager of Marketing, Communications and Interior Design for IKEA across the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman

How does this next phase support the evolution of modern homes, especially in terms of integrated living?

In today’s homes, spaces are no longer confined to one function. They flow into each other and adapt to the needs of the moment. With the launch of ‘Here to be Part of your Story’, this next phase for IKEA builds on that reality, empowering customers to create environments where hosting, working, cooking, playing and relaxing happen seamlessly. Through our seasonal collections, modular solutions and the “Globally Local” initiative, integrated living is at the heart of our design. We want every corner of the home to feel connected to people’s lifestyle, culture and values. Modern living is dynamic and personal, and our role is to make that flexibility possible, beautiful and within reach for the many.

IKEA is showcasing new kitchen innovations this year. How is IKEA preparing kitchens for smarter, more connected living?

While the kitchen is seen as a cooking space, it is also a hub where design, efficiency and human connection meet. Our innovations this year focus on solutions that support sustainability, organisation and function while adapting to daily routines.

Our METOD kitchen system, paired with MAXIMERA drawers, offers a modular design that customers can customise and rearrange to suit their lifestyle. It features smooth‑close drawers, long‑lasting materials and flexible storage that can evolve over time. For a straightforward start, our KNOXHULT series provides a ready‑to‑assemble, pre‑configured kitchen that is ideal for first homes or smaller spaces where installation needs to be simple and fast.

Durable cookware and efficient taps and appliances deliver quality and performance across a variety of cooking styles. Planning tools such as Online Service Booking simplify the journey and give customers confidence by letting them explore solutions digitally and in store, preparing their kitchens to keep pace with the rhythms of modern life.

With the “Here to be part of your story” campaign, how does IKEA see technology contributing to more personal, story-driven homes?

Technology is most powerful when it enhances everyday life rather than overwhelming it. “Here to be part of your story” is about being present where life happens, in shared meals, cultural traditions and routines that define who we are. Technology becomes an enabler in this process, helping customers visualise their ideas, plan their spaces and personalise solutions to reflect their tastes and heritage. Integrated tools such as virtual consultations and interactive planning make the design journey intuitive and inspiring, bridging the gap between vision and reality so people can shape homes that truly feel their own.

IKEA’s new kitchen planning tools use online and in-store interactive experiences. How does this improve customer readiness for integrated solutions?

Planning a kitchen that blends cooking, dining and living is both exciting and complex. Our online booking service gives customers a clear step‑by‑step path, while in‑store workshops allow them to explore products, layouts and styles they can see and touch. This combination provides the confidence to make informed decisions, ensuring the finished kitchen works for their space and lifestyle. By pairing digital convenience with hands‑on experience, we prepare customers to embrace an integrated solution that feels natural from the very first step.