The next step
Omar Nakkash discusses his latest hospitality projects – and his new table lamp, which is debuting at the Beirut Design Fair
Dubai designer Omar Nakkash discusses his latest hospitality projects - and his new table lamp, which is debuting at the Beirut Design Fair.
Colour and materiality were also key. “Having mapped out the overall space, I began to consider how to use the materials and finishes to capture and embody the spirit of the client’s direction,” he continues.
Earthy pinks and brass detailing, chic pendant lights and sleek Parisian bistro chairs create a visually warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“The juxtaposition of high-end dining features engulfed in a welcoming and warm atmosphere, to me, was the manifestation of the client’s direction. It is that, coupled with the depth in which every aspect of the food and beverage experience is curated, that I believe makes this interior design exceptional,” Nakkash states.
His new table lamp, Trinity, was created specifically for this year’s Beirut Design Fair and reflects Lebanon’s history and architecture. It draws influence from the three equilateral pointed arches commonly found on building façades in Lebanon, and pairs revered ancestral forms with sleek modern materials – metal, brass and copper. It can also be expanded from its current format, a series of rising arches, into several other forms, such as lighting pieces and chandelier pendulums.
“I’m a huge architecture fan; my favourite pastime is to walk in cities and observe buildings, people and life in general. One hot day in the summer of 2017 I was walking in Beirut and looking up at the buildings, and I noticed that all the façades of the buildings had arches, but always in threes. I was inspired by traditional Lebanese architecture and wanted to translate that into a piece that resonates with the kind of emotion and feeling the city generates in me,” Nakkash explains.
And there is an important difference in how he approaches interior design and product design. He explains: “Both are fuelled by passion and my philosophy of elegance and human-centred design; however, the approach is different. Product design is not restricted to a geographical location, meaning I do not have a specific target audience in mind while designing. Also, when creating a piece, it’s on a much smaller scale and doesn’t involve a client and a contractor; and it has a much longer timeframe. It’s developed out of inspiration.”
His dream project? It’s a hotel, “because it encompasses so many different aspects of life.” It’s clear that it’s not if, but when this next path for him will appear.