Let’s chill, on the Industrial Chic trend
We must strive to contribute towards the evolution and the future of design as re-imagination of elements is essential
n light of the upcoming Dubai Design Week, I think it’s important to look at how far we’ve advanced in the design industry. I also think it’s important to shed light on some of the areas that might need some improvement. What I’d like to discuss in specific is how as a collective, we occasionally tend to fixate on particular themes or styles for extended periods of time, or until the next trend comes along.
The trend I’m referring to in this specific situation is commonly named ‘Modern Industrial’, ‘Industrial Chic’ or ‘Rustic’ design. These terms have come to mean designs that utilise elements such as weathered wood, polished metal, piping, exposed ceilings, Edison bulbs, chalkboards, etc. This has been so prevalent in recent times that several trendy spots across the city can make for excellent magazine spreads on the ‘Industrial Chic’ trend. It seems as though every time you blink, a new artisan cafe or eatery pops up in Dubai, and they’ve all adopted this style, one way or another. This trend isn’t limited to our humble city though, it’s rampant almost everywhere. The theme has also been applied to weddings, homes, and even office spaces.
Now don’t get me wrong, these very restaurants, bars and coffee shops have sometimes been a surprising source of inspiration for some of my own designs, and I’m glad that new establishments are starting to pay more attention to their aesthetic appeal than their predecessors.
However, it seems like a lot of these public places are fixated on recycling the same design elements to the point where they become repetitive and grossly overused.
The design first originated in the 1700s because of the stringent rules placed on factories by insurance companies. As fire safety became a huge priority, these structures were often left bare and unfinished, since decorative elements were seen as an unnecessary fire hazards. Since electricity hadn’t been invented yet, large windows were a necessity. As a result, factories had the exposed brick walls, piping, and ductwork that we’ve grown to love today. The 1900s ushered in a modified version of this design with the introduction of concrete and steel, thus allowing for larger and more efficient warehouses and factories and the older factories were abandoned. They were then repurposed as houses and art studios during the 1960s and the 1970s, and soon enough, the once unappealing and strictly functional design had become sought after, as designers started to replicate some of its key elements in other spaces. What was once a set of guidelines of preventive measures for insurers resulted in an accidental stroke of genius for designers everywhere. Nearly 60 years later, the love for industrial chic shows no sign of slowing down.
As a designer, I love the re-imagination of elements that were once considered only fit for warehouses and factories. Designers took what was considered ugly and transformed it into a timeless staple that is a testament to the innovation of the industry. To be frank, if we had to choose one style from the 1700s to replicate, I’m relieved that it’s Industrial Design and not something like Rococo (Imagine how overwhelming it would be to find elaborate ornamentation everywhere you looked!). However, just as we’ve proven with Terrazo flooring in the 1990s, there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing”.
Duplicating a generic interpretation
Instead of paying homage to Industrial Design through our own creative interpretations, we’ve simply cut and copied the same design everywhere, with nearly little to no artistic liberty. Some places have created an interesting twist on the style, and there are definitely a couple of examples that could prove me wrong. However, it appears as though the general bulk of spaces that have opted for an Industrial Chic layout have just duplicated a generic interpretation of the style, as though they’ve all passed around the same blueprint. The outcome is akin to a group of students submitting the same exact essay copied off of an original, only changing a couple of words every so often.
I don’t want to be misconstrued as a strong opponent to everything related to Industrial Chic; on the contrary, it’s one of my favourite styles, and I believe that certain elements commonly associated with it should stick around forever: black framing for windows and openings should definitely be more common, and I will always have a soft spot for brick walls. The point I’m trying to make however, is that designers should avoid using the same style combinations every single time; it will not only be more interesting to see a designer’s personal interpretation of this style, but it is also extremely essential, especially if we hope to contribute to the evolution and the future of design.
Heba Hani is a professional interior designer living in Dubai.