The new collection of Loro Piana Interiors of fabrics and furniture makes its début at the traditional Parisian event from 15^th to 18^th January 2025. Loro Piana Interiors’ new collection for 2025 showcases materials and a design aesthetic that are a masterful celebration of purity. The fabrics include ultra-fine, fluid Wish merino wool, subtly softened with a hint of cashmere, and an original take on linen – a velvet in full, vibrant shades – as well as fabrics to which it adds textural interest. Pure linen also comes down to earth in a soft carpet. The furniture pieces are a tribute to purity of form, channelling a refined vision of indoor/outdoor living. The designs by Raphael Navot, Francesca Lanzavecchia and Paola Navone with her Otto Studio, are crafted with incredible craftsmanship from the finest of materials.

In a night dedicated to female empowerment, L’Oréal Paris, the world’s leading beauty brand, honored four extraordinary Lebanese women who are shattering glass ceilings and redefining what’s possible. Their unwavering spirit and remarkable achievements were celebrated at the empowering “Women of Worth” gala dinner held on June 13^th, 2024, at the prestigious Robert Mouawad Private Museum in Beirut.

These exceptional leaders, chosen for their outstanding contributions to their communities and their respective fields, represent a beacon of hope and inspiration. They stand as shining examples of success in engineering, entrepreneurship, media, and journalism.
Ms. Nada Abi Saleh, Head of Leo Burnett Beirut – Publicis Groupe (Media): a visionary leader who has redefined the landscape of communication, harnessing its power to drive social impact and policy change.
Mrs. Lynn Tehini, Journalist (Journalism): a powerful voice in media and culture, Mrs. Tehini has been instrumental in championing women’s rights and amplifying their stories through her impactful work.
Mrs. Yusr Sabra, CEO of Wakilni (Entrepreneurship): a true innovator, Mrs. Sabra has disrupted the business world with Wakilni, her tech-driven logistics platform that empowers e-commerce companies to thrive.
Ms. Rein Metlej, COO of Biowaste (Engineering): a Forbes 30 Under 30 Middle East 2023 honoree, Ms. Metlej is a leading voice in sustainable business solutions as COO of Biowaste, a pioneering startup focused on renewable energy.
For over five decades, L’Oréal Paris has been a steadfast champion of women, believing in their inherent worth and their power to change the world. The brand’s iconic tagline, “Because You’re Worth It”, is more than just a slogan – it’s a declaration of self-empowerment and a celebration of the unique beauty and strength that every woman possesses.
“At L’Oréal Paris, we believe that every woman has a story to tell, a dream to pursue, and the potential to make a difference, said Mrs. Emilie Wahab Harb, Managing Director of L’Oréal Liban. These four remarkable women embody this belief, their journeys marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their passions. ‘Women of Worth’ is our way of honoring their achievements and amplifying their voices, inspiring others to reach for their own dreams.”
The honorees were selected not only for their professional accomplishments but also for the values they embody – self-confidence, perseverance, resilience, responsible citizenship, and compassion – qualities that resonate deeply with L’Oréal Paris’ core values.
The evening unfolded with an engaging plenary discussion, skillfully moderated by Mr. Jerry Ghazal, where each awardee shared her unique journey to success, offering invaluable insights and inspiration to the audience. Over 250 guests, including prominent figures from various sectors, family members of the honorees, media representatives, and L’Oréal’s partners, gathered to celebrate these remarkable women in an unforgettable evening dedicated to female empowerment.

The competition project by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for a new business center in Lithuania is approved by the city of Vilnius. Integrated into the municipality’s urban plan and the popular public square adjacent to the site, the ZHA-designed Business Stadium Central will take the form of a dynamic gathering center, with construction starting in the second quarter of 2023.

Spanning 24,000 m², ZHA’s proposal houses two low-rise towers of eight and nine storeys, linked at street level by an atrium, two floors of public amenities and a skybridge joining the two structures at the fifth. The towers feature curved facades and cantilevered balcony stacks directed towards the historic Gediminas Castle tower in the heart of Vilnius. Reinterpreting the dynamic geometries of the district’s existing civic architecture, Business Stadium Central also features 11,750 m² of landscaped terraces, rooftop gardens and spaces that open directly onto the public square created by Martha Schwartz. Lined with cafés, restaurants and boutiques, the atrium courtyard welcomes residents, office workers and visitors alike. Elevators lead to the top floors, which feature two public swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and sun terraces offering panoramic views of Vilnius’s historic old town. Keen to extend the life cycle of the project, the architects imagined flexible office spaces on the central floors of each tower, with maximum adaptability. With different sizes and layouts, these work areas are suitable for a wide variety of businesses, from start-ups to established international companies, and are linked to rooftop gardens and terraces overlooking the surrounding area. In the region’s humid continental climate, the designers used an annual solar analysis to compose the exterior envelope – a series of glazed facades with louvers and balconies, precisely designed to minimize direct sun exposure in summer and maximize solar heat gain during cooler periods. These external shading devices are aligned with the sun’s lowest altitude between October and April, around 38°, and are perpendicular to the sun’s highest position in the region’s summer sky, 151°. Natural hybrid ventilation for most of the year and high-efficiency heat exchange and recovery systems will reduce energy consumption, while low-emissivity double glazing will ensure excellent levels of natural lighting throughout. Inside, a wood palette creates a warm ambience while encouraging sustainable building practices. Digitally optimized design processes minimize the amount of materials required, and are integrated with procurement systems that increase the project’s recycled content. Timber will be sourced from certified local parties and will be included in the global supply chains that ZHA has established to reduce delivery distances. All specified materials are assessed for ease of disassembly and reuse at the end of the building’s operational life.

The Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), is slowly taking shape in China, offering the country a stunning new cultural destination. Currently under construction, it is due for completion later this year to host the 81^st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and the 2023 Hugo Awards.

The new Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, by ZHA, is located on the shores of Jingrong Lake, in the new science and innovation city of Chengdu’s Pidu district. Integrating with the natural landscape, the design defines nodes of activity linked by pedestrian walkways, extending from the city and metro station through the surrounding park to the building. A discovery trail weaves between multi-level indoor and outdoor plazas, linking exhibition galleries, educational facilities, cafés and other amenities. The complex seems to float above the lake, combining programmatic and functional clarity, while responding to site conditions. Moreover, the fluid forms of its roof radiate from a central point, imitating an expanding nebula and transforming the building into a “cloud of stars”, dispersing energy fields throughout its various zones and guiding visitors. With a surface area of 59,000 m², it offers maximum flexibility for hosting exhibitions, conferences, events and galleries. It will also include a theater, conference room and ancillary spaces. In addition, the interior will feature a sky-lit central atrium with a large window overlooking Xiling Mountain. Meeting the highest 3-star standards of China’s green building program, the design is developed through detailed numerical modeling analysis to maximize the efficiency of composition, site conditions, solar irradiation and structure. For example, natural hybrid ventilation optimizes Chengdu’s mild subtropical climate to ensure year-round comfort for visitors and staff, while photovoltaic panels integrated into the large roof help meet the building’s energy needs. The dimensions of this roof are calculated to shade the glass façades in summer. Landscaped with local native plants, the building collects and stores rainwater for natural filtering and reuse, enabling Jingrong Lake to become an integral part of Chengdu’s sustainable drainage system that will alleviate flooding and increase biodiversity throughout the city.

Dar Zefta is a tranquil getaway close to the sun. From its splendid architecture to its natural surroundings, it’s a work of art, even a cultural immersion. Strategy Consultant Bahjat el-Darwiche has succeeded in transforming this 1,200 m² space into a house of arts, culture and heritage, combining the nobility of the past with a vision of the future.

Like a hurricane, Patricia Urquiola recently landed in Dubai to make a whirlwind pit stop for the opening of the region’s first Cassina mono-brand showroom, creating a design shamal. Anyone who knows or has met the dynamic architect will tell you: Patricia has an engulfing energy, curiosity and insatiable passion for her life’s vocation. She is a designer who places equal value on the aesthetic and the manufacturing process, and is as comfortable redesigning a centuries-old palace into a modern hotel as she is creating a new chair…
Hard work, tenacity and endless talent have paid off for the Spainborn designer, who launched her career in Italy in the company of some of the world’s most extraordinary design talents, including Achille Castiglioni and Piero Lissoni.
Having learnt from the best, Urquiola’s career path has continued an upward trajectory, with no end in sight. She blazes her way forward in a seemingly unstoppable manner – and with no project too daunting. Urquiola took time to sit down with Harmonies magazine to share her thoughts and insights on her wide-ranging career and projects – ranging from architecture to hotels and from sustainability to fashion – and on the benefits of being a Spanish-Italian ‘hybrid’ designer…

Banda, the interior design and international development studio founded by Edo Mapelli Mozzi, husband of Princess Beatrice of York, has partnered with Australian real estate expert Rory O’Brien to complete the highly anticipated A$280 million Masthead Ocean Club at the northern end of Main Beach’s waterfront on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The Masthead Ocean Club is a unique residential development, guaranteeing a 7-star resort experience and a truly international appeal. Located beachside at the coveted northern end of Main Beach, the club is situated in the “Golden Triangle”, a location offering premier lifestyle destinations including the Southport Yacht Club and superyacht marina, the Main Beach Surf Club and nearby parks, as well as the Mirage Marina and ongoing dining and entertainment areas. Scheduled for completion in 2024, it will include an ultra-boutique collection of 28 units: 20 residences, five Sky Homes, two duplex sub-penthouses and one super-penthouse. The Sky Homes, sub-penthouses and super-penthouse, designed by Banda Design Studio with the brand’s signature natural materials and textures, will enjoy unobstructed, protected views of the Pacific Ocean, open ocean and hinterland from sunrise to sunset. They also feature a balance of modern family living. The 20 lower-level residences are infused with the MIM Design aesthetic. Striking design elements in the Sky Homes include Tadelakt finishes on the walls, antique bronze elevator details, Calacatta Verde marble and Arabescato Corchia tile in the bathrooms. Signature lighting will include a Four Arches pendant by Stephen Antonson, as well as pieces by Emmanuelle Simon, Serge Mouille, Articolo and Palle Suenson. Custom items from Banda Design Studio will sit alongside vintage furniture such as an antique Sergio Rodriguez chair, a stunning curved sofa (in collaboration with Studio Giancarlo Valle with looped fabric), terracotta urns, a Christopher Farr rug, and art by Struan Teague and Imants Tillers, among others. A fun powder room will sport burgundy Tadelakt tones, and an exceptional home office with distant views of the marina and estuary will showcase a Pierre Yavanovich oak bentwood desk with a Pierre Jeanneret mohair chair. Reserved for Masthead residents, the Ocean Club will feature upscale amenities, including a sophisticated wine and champagne lounge, whiskey and cigar lounge, private dining room, café, library and business meeting spaces, all with spectacular panoramic views of the ocean, coast and hinterland. Members will also receive additional benefits from distinguished luxury brands such as Levantine Hill Winery in the Yarra Valley, BMW and Newgate Thoroughbred Bloodstock Racing. Edo Mapelli Mozzi will be a founding member and honorary president of the Masthead Ocean Club.

Ideal Standard, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative bathroom solutions, inaugurated its Dubai Design & Specification Centre (DSC) in the City Walk area on Nov 3, 2022. The new step cements Ideal Standard’s endeavours across the Middle East and Africa to bring design and performance together by creating astounding products and solutions for private and public bathrooms.

“The Design & Specification Centre inauguration is an organic expansion to our presence in the region to support our partners by showcasing our latest product designs and innovations as well as providing inspiration, information and space for training and research. There, our customers can find an experienced team to get practical advice in the planning and designing of bathrooms and washrooms for any project, from luxury hotels to offices and residential properties”, said Ahmed Hafez, Chief Executive Officer at Ideal Standard MENA.
With a clear view of the Burj Khalifa, the 700 square meter centre offers a unique experience from inside and outside alike.  The showroom is designed by the Italian designer and founder of Palomba Serafini Associati, Roberto Palomba himself to be as a one-stop destination for all bathroom solutions. In addition, it aims to attract and inspire by enabling interior designers, architects, and customers to find the right combination of products and design their dream bathrooms. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the latest trends and inspirations with the strategically designed inspiration areas.

Mad Architects, led by architect Ma Yansong, has unveiled plans for the Museum of Science and Technology to be built in Haikou, Hainan Province, China. Conceived as a meeting point between the lush rainforest and the city with its advanced technologies, it will be a scientific headquarters for the entire province as well as a must-see tourist attraction. It is scheduled to open in 2024.

Located on the west coast of Haikou, surrounded by sports stadiums and a national wetland park, this museum is MAD’s second major public project in Hainan after Cloudscape, a library to be completed in spring 2021. Its design is inspired by the site’s dual urban and natural context, where “a pristine rainforest and the technology of the future” meet. With this landscape as a backdrop, the main pavilion looks like a cloud in communication with nature. From a distance, the futuristic building seems to emerge from the city, while its visitors see it floating above the jungle. Its facade, made of fiber-reinforced plastic, makes the building distinctive from near and far, with a silver, reflective exterior and visionary aesthetic. Of the building’s 46,528 square meters, 27,782 square meters are reserved for above-ground facilities, including a planetarium, a permanent exhibition area, a giant screen theater, and another flying one. Its interior structure consists of three floor-to-ceiling cores, curved trusses, spiral ramps and a roof, all revealed to create harmony between the architectural forms and the structural system. A skylight in the dome bathes the spacious atrium in natural light, generating a bright and transparent environment, while a spiraling, sloping exhibition space rises from the central hall to the 5^th floor, where the bulk of the exhibition is unleashed. Here, in fact, an elevator opens onto an infinite observation platform, surrounded on all sides by the sea and the urban landscape visible in the distance. While admiring this spectacular outdoor environment, visitors can explore the technology and space galleries at the same time before descending to the ocean and life sciences galleries on the fourth level. The math and science collections gather on the third level, while the multimedia interaction and children’s games collections are on the second. A gallery along the ramp extends the visual experience. Outside, an undulating canopy extends from the main pavilion in all directions, forming a shelter specifically designed to accommodate the public, given Haikou’s wet and rainy climate. The north side of this canopy houses a giant screen and a flying theater, while in the southwest corner are the planetarium and observatory. Outdoor public areas include a crater-shaped in-ground plaza and a reflecting pool. When completed, the Hainan Museum of Science and Technology will serve as a destination for the exploration of science, technology, and nature, drawing on both the urban and natural settings.