After an intense competition that led to much deliberation by the judges, the winners were finally announced at Surge’s Design, Dine, Make a Difference Gala 2019.
The Address Dubai Marina was abuzz with designers, manufacturers and the many friends, volunteers and well wishers of the organisation, Surge, who came together in their glittering best to celebrate Surge’s Design, Dine, Make a Difference Gala.
The theme of the night being Sacred Geometry, designers showcased their final products for the crowd to view and vote. Amidst design talk, good food, and charitable discussions, the winners were announced, and here they are…
The Winner!
The overall winner was the very proud team from HOK for Catch of the Day. Designers Sanjeev Coelho and Basel Kotob were ecstatic for their design was born of UAE’s fishing history.
Traditional fishing cages, Gargoors, had recently been banned to preserve certain species of fish from extinction. “Catch of the day” re-purposes these discarded cages by transforming each into a relaxed seating element. The volume within the Gargoor is filled with plastic bottles retrieved from recycling bins. These bottles not only lend structural support but also remind us of the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste, so they do not end up in our oceans and replace marine life.
Designers: Sanjeev Coelho, Basel Kotob, HOK
Build Partner: Filippo Cima and Petra van der Plas, Idea Associates
People’s Choice Award/Highly Commended
Woods Bagot’s ladies in white struck success by winning three awards, the People’s Choice (from votes collected on LTD’s platform), Highly Commended, and Most Impactful.
Designers: Nadine Kassab, Denise Rodgers, Claudio Vaca, and Aleksandra Nastic from Woods Bagot
Build Partner: ASI Al Shafar Interiors
Most Sustainable
DZ Design won the award Most Sustainable Award for their piece titled The Ripple Seat. The ecstatic designers used one of the most discarded items in this country, rubber tires, as the key component of their design.
Designers: Dina Murali, Mohammed Zain Belgami, Elena Meman from DZ Design
Build Partner: OA Interiors
Most Impactful
The Most Impactful Award was shared between Al Tayer Stocks and Woods Bagot, for their innovative designs and aesthetics. ATS’ Cocoon displayed exemplary design and was decidedly one of the most powerful pieces in the show.
Designers: Peter Esmat from ATS, and Nadine Kassab, Denise Rodgers, Claudio Vaca, and Aleksandra Nastic from Woods Bagot
Master Craftsman
The Master Craftman Award was awarded to Gensler for their coral inspired furniture piece – Breathe. The product showcases coral reef’s perfect geometry while bringing awareness to the global crisis known as coral bleaching.
Designers: Cecilia Corda and Joyce Jarjoura
Build Partners: Qais Abdel Aziz – Bond Interiors
Sustainability Award Winners
This year, Surge added a new category to the event, the Surge Sustainability Awards, to shine a spotlight on the country’s sustainable projects and contractors.
Most Sustainable Contractor:
The most sustainable contractor was awarded to the company that was involved with some of the most sustainable projects.
Winners: Bond Interiors
Health & Well Being Initiative of the Year:
The Health & Well Being Initiative of the Year was awarded to the project that promoted individual wellness.
Winners: Cundall
For more details on the competition and entries, click here.
Scroll down for more event images and videos.
Event Highlights
The glitzy event saw designers from across the region unite for a global cause – accessibility to clean water.
