GROHE and AUD in collaboration with the ALSERKAL Cultural Foundation team up to take young designers to the next level

The American University in Dubai (AUD) and GROHE, world leading German manufacturer in sanitary fittings, in collaboration with ALSERKAL Cultural Foundation, have launched the “WATER & SAND” Design Atelier. During the unique design atelier AUD students will develop a wellness project located in a wind tower house in the vibrant area of Al Bastakiya Dubai, embracing art and culture while using GROHE Spa range. This challenging project will link local heritage with modern design solutions in respect with the tradition and the historical location.

The workshop is offered to the students of the Department of Interior Design of the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the American University in Dubai (AUD). It will be developed during the Spring 2016 Semester and will involve students enrolled in the Wellness and Spa course – an advanced Interior Design course focusing on wellness centers analysis, planning and design, together with students enrolled in the Interior Design Studio III course.

With this edition of the Design Atelier, AUD and GROHE have renewed their successful collaboration, previously established with the GROHE Design Series program.

The Chair of the Interior Design Department at AUD Albert S. Fakhoury along with Prof. Annamaria Lambri, Associate Professor of Interior Design and Coordinator of the Design Atelier, together with Jasmine Shahin, AUD Adjunct Professor of Interior Design, will support and lead their students through this challenging and exciting journey.

AUD’s Interior Design Department Chair Albert S. Fakhoury stated:

“We are very pleased to see that the collaboration with GROHE is reaching a new milestone: thanks to the tremendous efforts of the department – particularly Prof. Lambri’s contribution - Wellness and Spa is officially offered as a professional elective course and has become part of the new “Emphasis in Hospitality Design” that we are developing within our program. A program, which will prepare the young creative minds towards uniqueness in their professional career. Collaborating with Alserkal Cultural Foundation is nothing less than a statement of our commitment to the values of the UAE heritage by highlighting its traditional architecture in a very innovative context.”

From her side Ms. Lina Varytimidou, Director PR and Head of GROHE SPA in the East Mediterranean, Middle East & Africa introduced the products from the GROHE’s SPA collection during the launch event stated: ‘’GROHE is pleased to partner with AUD's Interior Design Department for the launch of the 'Water & Sand' Design Atelier which involves students enrolled in the Wellness and Spa course together with students enrolled in the Interior Design Studio III course as part of GROHE Design Series. We are extremely excited about this collaboration and developing the future of this topic. ‘’We look forward to seeing the projects that the students will be delivering at the end of the semester and to offering the winner of the best assignment an internship at the GROHE offices in Dubai. We hope that GROHE's partnership with AUD will contribute to the advancement of the interior design standards in the UAE.’’ She added.

Participating students took a guided tour at one of GROHE’s leading showrooms in UAE where they discovered GROHE’s latest innovations in terms of quality, technology and design. Varytimidou also announced that the student with the best assignment would be offered an internship at GROHE’s Middle East and Africa offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 Mr. Eisa Bin Ahmad Alserkal, Board Member of the ALSERKAL Group, supported by Mrs. Annamaria Bersani, ALSERKAL Cultural Foundation Director, introduced ALSERKAL Cultural Foundation and its involvement in the workshop highlighting the importance of the local heritage and culture.
Alserkal’s Cultural Foundation Chairman, Mr. Ahmad Bin Eisa Bin Nasser Alserkal stated:

“At Alserkal, we don’t only focus on our corporate growth but look to our community growth as well, be it through relationship building, engaging in various corporate and social activities and spreading awareness. We have been blessed for the overall role we play in the UAE and Dubai especially, and persist to continue traveling on this ever-growing path with our clients and customers remaining our main priority.”

The Water & SAND Design Atelier articulated program, including GROHE ONE-DAY WORKSHOP at AUD, will lead to a Grand Finale event where the winning team will be awarded.