Summertown Interiors

Lately, there have been many reports on the lack of health and safety precautions taken in Dubai’s construction industry. Stories of unfit building sites, careless construction and unsafe disposal of building materials are sadly not uncommon in our burgeoning city. A few days ago we all were made well-aware of the potentially devastating affects of slipshod ways may have on our lives with the report of a crane collapsing on Sheikh Zayed Road. Luckily, a road sign broke the crane’s fall and no-one was injured, but it certainly did give us all a bloodcurdling wake up call. Sometimes, getting a city built at such a crazy pace can have its draw backs; short cuts can be taken and people’s lives can be put at serious risk.

Although for the most part we all try to do our part to ensure we create a safe environment for our employees, there are those who choose not to always implement those rules and regulations set in place. Yes, accidents do happen that are beyond our control, but measures need to be taken to limit those occurrences.

As the old adage goes: Knowledge is power, none more so than in workplace safety where risk and safety assessments are key. One easy way to help keep things in check and people safe is to establish regular “toolbox” meetings. These provide a great way to outline onsite safety procedures and can prove to be an invaluable allocation of time and energy. Implementing this approach will certainly improve day-to-day operations which can result in: Fewer injuries, reduced risk of lost time or damage to equipment or materials and an increased commitment from the building team.

Being a corporate interiors specialist, we also approach health and safety from a design aspect as well. With that in mind, all work environments designed need to take into consideration the user and their space. In space planning, interior detailing and interior specifications, we make sure that all accessibility codes and guidelines have been met. Designs that are based on public welfare, which involves, among other things, employing environmentally-friendly materials and practices where ever possible, are put into place to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.

Even if a city is getting built at warp speed, time must be taken to ensure that everyone (by-standers included) feel safe and in fact are safe, and not just by the stroke of luck.

We’ve noticed that our employees’ extensive commuting time is becoming more and more frustrating, therefore we’ve (Summertown Interiors) recently introduced several opportunities to reduce commuting time. For example, the introduction of flexible business hours; which gives employees the possibility to start early and finish work before the traffic jam begins. Or work one day 8 hours and the next day 10 hours, which also give employees the possibility to avoid traffic jams on certain days and reach home at a decent hour. Or carpooling in a Summertown car to avoid public transport which take much longer.

Does anybody have other suggestions how to reduce commuting time? Should we only hire new employees living nearby the office? Which is a little difficult since we’re based in Jebel Ali Free Zone!! Should we oblige new employees to move nearby our office location? Should we employ staff who only have their own cars? Should we move our office? Of-course some of these ideas are out the question as they are completely impractical, however it gives a platform where we can start looking for real options to save time and have happier employees.

Well, for those of you who have been diligently reading our blogs know that Summertown Interiors is committed to being a leader in green interior design initiatives. Our new headquarters and showroom, which is up for gold LEED certification, will be a tangible sign of that commitment!

Keeping the momentum going, Summertown Interiors was recently nominated for the prestigious Environmentally Sustainable Design of the Year Award at the annual Commercial Interior Design Awards held a few weeks back on December 1st.

Sharing this nomination with two other renowned firms is a great feat as is being recognized as a leader among the region’s leading commercial interior designers, contractors, developers and construction industries. We strive to continue to move with the times, merging superior interior design with environmental consciousness! Keep reading this space and we’ll keep you posted on our progress.

“Going green” has truly emerged as a hot new trend these days. Everyone seems to be jumping on the green bandwagon, from companies adopting virtualization technology--a green computing initiative for those non-techie types (which sadly includes me!) -- to the more accessible use of compact fluorescent bulbs and recycling in our everyday lives. We all can do our little bit to help conserve energy, be more energy efficient and reduce our collective carbon footprints (another hot term being thrown around).

When it comes to die-hard corporate green consciousness, green building initiatives take the cake with its extensive energy efficient practices that are typically fully-incorporated in a corporate space. From adopting specific material selection that lends itself to a healthier outdoor/indoor environmental quality to power-saving technology, these steps are becoming all the more common internationally and more interestingly, regionally and locally.

LEED certification -- short for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is an internationally accepted benchmark established by the United States Green Building Council – has finally made its way to our neck of the woods! Various UAE corporations have taken notice of this new LEED Green Building Rating System –which is divided into four categories: certified, silver, gold and platinum—and have adapted their offices to get this rather difficult certification. We are proud to say that we currently are the only interior design specialist that have recently applied for gold LEED certification for our new showroom that is set to open its doors in March 2009! This is as a testament to our on-going green values.

Although this is fast becoming a trend, this may be the first time you will hear me say I sincerely hope this trend actually sticks (unlike parachute pants and rubber platform shoes, good riddance!).

I was reading an article on the CNN website dated 15 September 2008, about the 3 biggest mistakes business travelers make. It was so nice to see that finally people are realizing something, which I’ve been noticing for some time now.

This article is talking about the ‘corporate travel managers’: which most big well known companies work with. Business travelers should not believe them. I used to be a corporate travel manager for Shell in The Hague and I can totally agree with him. There are rules to be followed in the travel world, for companies to stay profitable.

This article also informs us about business travelers who like to complain, the so-called frequent criers and that you shouldn’t believe in the frequent fly programs most airlines have.Of course it is up to you whether to believe them or not!

The biggest mistake airports DON’T DO is hot-desking for these frequent criers. We are already familiar with the lounges, the break out areas and the wireless – Internet access along with an endless list of little perks that aren’t really used by the majority of the travelers anyway.

But what about an idea that isn’t only green but also a great benefit for the actual individual? An ergonomically, environmental friendly fitted out business centre for these very tired and busy businessman and women??

Dubai is so modern and everything is so well thought out that I believe the new Dubai airport should provide this facility and become the first in the world to introduce this fantastic concept.Dubai has been the leader in many great ideas so I hope that this one will also follow in the near future!!

Check out the link: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/business.travel/09/15/business.travel.mistakes/index.html

As we come to the final months of 2008, the outlook for the economy has become more uncertain. The debate among economists has changed from one of whether the economy will weaken, to one of how much it will weaken as we move toward the end of the year.

The commercial interior design sector is one area which may be impacted - it is perceived to some extent as a luxury-led industry –although everyone presumably needs a desk, chair, and the other basics of the office environment.

Market chatter has revealed that some interior designers are concerned about design being compromised in this financially tight context but I beg to differ!

Cost of green materials

Awareness of appropriate design and specification decisions has been steadily growing over these last few years. In many cases, this is driven by suppliers looking for commercial advantage in an increasingly green-aware society.

The current economic situation may make some of these more exclusive materials more accessible, as the market becomes more competitive, so this could possibly be a plus for those wanted to use such materials.

Demand for durable material

Secondly there is the issue of the increased demand for durable products in commercial interiors. While the economy is in its current state, people don’t want to repeatedly invest in furniture, so increasingly we are finding people opting for materials that they can rely upon for a longer period of time.

Space limitations

I think in this market we will see people opting for smaller offices, which is not always a negative for the commercial interior design sector. In some instances you can find that people will be more selective about the pieces that they buy. For more info, read our thoughts about space limitations in a previous blog.

Thinking outside the Box

This financially challenging situation might be the catalyst that we need to improve and evolve the profession. For far too often, we’ve seen big budget projects produce less than stellar commercial interior design. One could look at this opportunity as a way to separate the designers from the geniuses!

Space is certainly one thing we all could do with more of! Living in a city as busy as Dubai we have become accustom to clutter, whether that be the clutter of construction sites, cranes or road diversions— which certainly has kept us on our toes. We have not only gotten used to, but have come to expect, cramped and busy living. It may be safe to say that space is fast becoming a dwindling luxury in our growing city.

Unfortunately space issues have found their way into our homes and more recently our offices! With the shortage of available commercial space, and with what is available being rented and sold at astronomical rates, more and more corporations are opting to settle for less spacious offices which require resourceful interior design solutions.

Over recent months, and given the current economic downturn, space saving design has risen to the top of the fit-out solutions heap as it directly affects productivity and turnover! More businesses are making do with what they have by optimizing their current work space, by restructuring, rather than relocating to a space that fit their corporate needs.

Here are a few useful tips to optimize your fit-out investment:

Flipping through the morning papers, I have come to expect reports on political upheaval, traffic accidents and new Salik gates, poor air quality and crime with the occasional lighter piece on how to secure a cab via SMS messaging sprinkled in for good measure. What took me by surprise over the last few weeks have been the cover-page stories on the national newspapers the government’s zero-tolerance on “all acts of corruption, bribing and taking advantage of official positions”.

Impressive. Not only because this issue was being discussed but more importantly that it was being discussed in a very mainstream, public arena (and not buried in an obscure blog). Across the media, financial experts are calling for stricter laws to fight corruption after allegations of misconduct were uncovered in Dubai’s lucrative real estate market. This was a giant leap forward in the discussion of corporate governance and the need to address corruption in the region.

The issue of corporate openness and candor is clearly present on the minds of many living and working in the UAE. And the government and media have finally picked up on the frustrations experienced by many over the years. Irrelevant of industry, we all have heard of, or worse, experienced firsthand, companies rife with financial irregularities or simply shady business practices. How a little backhanding goes a long way, so much so that many may not even be aware that it unethical and illegal, but rather ‘just how things get done.’

A few months back, our integrity was put to the test. We had miscalculated the cost of a project for client. The miscalculation was discovered while conducting a standard “bill of quantities” check on preliminaries, civil work and joinery work in addition to electrical and mechanical operations. Every detail was measured, quantified and crosschecked with the original estimate. The original estimate was AED20,000 over the actual cost due to a discrepancy in space approximation.

Frankly, this is a fairly common occurrence within the interiors industry. With the client already signed off on the original estimate, and the check in hand, pocketing the extra AED 20,000 could have been yet another common occurrence within the interiors industry. But with Summertown’ longstanding commitment to our customers as well as our own frustrations with corruption fresh in thought, the overcharged amount was swiftly returned to the client. Surprised and speechless, the client was left thunderstruck. Giving back what was not rightfully ours after realizing the oversight was our small way of getting things done – what seems to be almost the forgotten way.

I would like to ask people who have a passion for Joinery to read my experience and share with me your thoughts. I have visited the IWF Woodshow exhibition 2008 in Atlanta. To be honest with you. For me it was an eye-opener. I am saying this because I have been in the industry for quit some time (15years) but I never had the opportunity to visit an overseas exhibition of this size so well organized.
 
It was the perfect exhibition for Summertown and myself as we are manufacturing custom made furniture based on clients detailed requirements even though they sound sometimes impossible. We do believe after receiving so many positive customer feedbacks from client over the years that Summertown is the one that is able to manufacture what the customer is having in mind. These "crazy" requirements we enjoy and call challenges!
 
The show was as I mentioned tailor suit for us as the market I believe in The States is not only focused on mass production as most of you people might think. It is also a good market for smaller companies managed by families or friends who are having a small workshop in the garage or basement. Summertown is having an 100,000 square feet factory which you cannot call a garage at all. By saying this I mean we are a modern Joinery factory in its total by having basically workshops on the floor responsible for the drawings which are assigned to each different team of carpenters. Each team is having its lead carpenter overlooked by the Joinery Supervisors.
 
I have made good contact with lots of interesting Joinery people who are in the business of manufacturing more than 30 years. Summertown purchased a number of tools and jigs in the exhibition which will do the job accurate and fast. I would like to mention one interesting website www.cutncrown.com. Please do visit this website and watch the video. It tells you about what is a spring angle and how to fix a crown molding. It is the number one system in the world for fixing crown molding. We are working with the system are are enjoying it.
 
We are looking forward to your response.
Hugo Bish