Save the date. Get your tuxedos and evening gowns ready. It’s just over a month away. Surge For Water is once again bringing us its much awaited gala – Design, Dine & Make a Difference – on 06 December 2017. For those not familiar with this non-profit organisation, Surge for Water is an organization dedicated to helping communities in need access clean drinking water and sanitation services. With a strong presence in the UAE, Surge Middle East’s work includes various activities aimed at educating the public, and more importantly the school going generation of the UAE, on water conservation and related sustainable practices. The Design, Dine & Make a Difference gala is a unique event born of out of a synergy between the driven team at Surge and the A+D community’s commitment to sustainable design. Not just a gala to wine and dine, the event centers around a competitive element. Each year, selected design firms compete to design a unique, one of a kind product made completely from sustainable materials. Those present at the event are offered the opportunity to vote for their favorite product, with a winner being crowned at the end of the evening. The Surge Gala has been a recurring hit, enjoying increasing popularity, engagement and participation from the A+D community every year. Design themes have included seating, tables and storage.
Register for tickets
Reimagine Lighting
A one-of-a-kind, inspirational gala showcasing the region’s Interior Design industry. Design – View innovative, sustainable ‘reimagined lighting’ Dine – Enjoy a 5-star buffet & free-flowing hops & grapes make a Difference – Change the world one ripple at a time Where: The Address- Dubai Marina When: December 06 2017 at 7pm
The theme for 2017 is “lighting”. The participants this year have been tasked with re-imagining the way we think of light, and design a sustainable lighting fixture that complements Surge’s drive towards a sustainable future. Their partners at Acoulite will serve as guides in the experimentation and innovation process. Participants this year include Perkins+Will, LW Design, Wilson Associates, Pallavi Dean & Maja Kozel , Sneha Divias Atelier, Design by Mariska, DWP, HOK, Gensler, Earth & Ware. The event, of course, would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors. This year’s presenting sponsor is No Grey Area (NGA International) followed by sponsorships from Boss Design, Herman Miller, Shaw Industries, Interface, John Cullen Lighting, Al Naboodah Interiors, Seekers Furnishing, Office Inspirations, The Total Office, SAS International and media partners Love That Design.
What to Expect
Anything worth doing is worth doing well. And doing it well is usually not easy. There are several prerequisites and features that the entries must conform too. At the core of the features lies an eco-design base. All materials must be locally sourced or UAE made. At least 60% of the materials must be recycled/upcycled or reclaimed. The construction methodology has to be sustainable with reports proving the same; CO2 usage, eco-distribution and recyclability are equally important. In addition, emphasis will be placed on shared value: creating social value by involving a specific community in the production chain (e.g. fair-trade, promoting traditional crafts, and so on).
Awards
Awards up for grabs are Competition Winner, Most Commended, Most Sustainable, Master Craftsman and The People’s Choice Award. Last years winners were:
- 2016 DDD Competition Winner – Ripples by Bluehaus
- 2016 Master Craftsman Award – Bridging Purity bye Perkins + Will
- 2016 Highly Commended & Most Sustainable – Change by Maja Kozel
- 2016 People’s Choice – Drumlin_O6 by AAID
The design objective was to create an object that reflects a story about paying it forward; an act of kindness that can start small and grow to touch more lives and make them better. The judging criteria go far beyond aesthetics and craftsmanship. Innovation in design and creative use of materials, adherence to the principles of eco-design, functionality, emotional content and impact are a few of the points that entries will be judged on.
How Can You Help?
Stay tuned, vote, and show up! It’s as simple as that. Voting starts soon, and tickets will be up for sale shortly. Make sure to show your support for Surge by booking seats as soon as possible. We all can play a part, and take a few small steps towards one giant leap to a better, more sustainable future.
