Looks matter

Satish Babu of Swift Interiors explains why great office designs can make a difference to a company’s business.

“In the Middle East, the design and build industry is extremely competitive by virtue of the number of players here”
-Satish Babu

How high is demand from commercial companies in the Middle East for bespoke interiors and how can this help to enhance a company's brand reputation?
Satish Babu. Commercial companies have a statement to make, and this comes not only from quality products and/or services they offer, but also the offices they operate from. Office interiors portray an organisation's dynamic outlook and futuristic plans.

Office interiors are looking better and more opulent with every passing day and good interiors are an essential element of most office spaces today. It is a fact, that attractive interiors put employees in a better mood, generate more interest in the working environment, and increase overall productivity. Office interiors are therefore, growing rapidly into designer work spaces which stress the need for facilitating efficient working environments that will be capable of captivating the employees' attention and concentration.

What current interior design trends are you witnessing in the region?
SB. The current interior design trend in one word is sustainability. The emphasis is on a clean, simple and natural style, with colours in the yellow, orange and green family. Simplification is a keyword for many in the anti-clutter movement that is taking over today. Clean surfaces and clean lines are seen as soothing and preferable in this stressed out, over-worked society. Mirrors and windows are also used frequently in tandem. This is a great design technique, with the natural and reflective light adding to the open feel of a room. With furniture the lines are bold and wood veneer is most preferred. All colours of wood and several grains are used and available. Energy saving and LEED certified products are becoming the norm. Earth tones of burnt orange, golden yellows, and lime greens are all very popular in the design world today, much as they were three decades ago. Fashionable feature colours on the wall are of varying earth tones, ranging from browns, reds, etc.

How concerned are your customers about environmental considerations such as the sustainability of their office designs?
SB. Sustainability is the imperative keyword. It is no longer just  hype, but is actually being acted upon. Clients are very conscientious while making decisions. Without compromising on quality, we strive to create eco-friendly solutions that are popular. We stick to the following guidelines and offer the same to our clients:

• Buy from local producers and suppliers to reduce carbon footprint and lower the impact on the environment as much as possible
• Consider the type of materials we choose and ensure they come from renewable, sustainable energy sources
• Avoid materials that contain chemical additives or that use a lot of energy during manufacturing processes
• Specify products that can be readily recycled after use or that can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner
• Consider low energy or energy saving devices and buy as much as you can from recycled or reclaimed materials
• Specify technologies to reduce electricity and water usage.

Finally, as a result of the massive amount of publicity given to global warming and the need for conservation of energy, many producers make claims about their products that are misleading or even false, hence we check out the credentials of all suppliers claiming that their products are certified as natural, organic or eco friendly.

What is unique about the service your company provides compared to others in the region?
SB. While sustainability is the imperative key word, performance and maintenance is central to the interiors world. Along with these integrated capacities come aesthetic and design treatments. And this is where we excel. The expression 'added value' when talking about design is still magical. While we offer customised design solutions to fit the client's budget, we are extremely flexible with our approach. Ours is a very professional organisation, and we are very passionate about the work we do. This is the thread that links all of us in the organisation, right from the technical staff on site to me. What this translates to is that every individual, especially those on site, makes sure that only the best materials and workmanship are used and further make sure that they are satisfied with the end result before handing over the premises to the client. This has ensured that our clients are totally satisfied by our deliverables and we have a great record on retaining our partnerships with our clients.

Satish Babu is an industry veteran in the area of design and build. He honed his skills while working for one of the more aggressive design and build companies in Dubai, However, facing challenges and developing new opportunities is his passion and that is what inspired the setting up of Swift Interiors. The company, is now known for its commitment to customers and for its professional workmanship. Babu believes in giving his team a lot of space and freedom, while encouraging them to come up with innovative ideas. His team is now solid with dedicated and loyal professionals.