Al Fakher Office DXB
Al Fakher is an internationally renowned tobacco brand who have been manufacturing shisha in the United Arab Emirates since the 1990s. For their new headquarters in Dubai's Festival Office Tower, Capsule Arts worked with Veena Siddarth Design Studio as art consultant to design and produce the art and accessories package.
Client: Hyatt International
Industry: F&B
Year: 2015
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Services: Design & Build
The Approach
The design of this open plan working space has an industrial aesthetic incorporating elements associated with the manufacturing and processing of tobacco. We wanted the artwork and accessories to therefore reflect this, as well as highlighting the social and contemporary aspects of shisha culture, creating the right environment for it's users and representing the brand in it's vision.
The Outcome
Throughout the space artwork and accessories were curated to represent many aspects of popular culture in relation to shisha. Tobacco flavors are interpreted through quirky and eye-catching arrangements, while music and game boards associated with shisha cafes feature heavily.
Within the shelving units, elements of the hookah were repurposed to create custom-made accessories by wrapping colorful fabrics around the hose. We further used faux mint leaves and blueberry plants to add greenery while being relevant to the
art narrative.
In keeping with the industrial aesthetic, an art collage wall was created using a custom-made frame and fitting mechanism that allowed the artworks to overlap connecting a story throughout. As visitors enter they encounter the feature light installation made from stacked hookah bases combined with loops of textured rope reminiscent of the hose. The colours emulate tobacco flavors and Al Fahker's brand identity, while the multi-tiered hanging pendants flow through the space in a form inspired by the
tobacco leaf.
The light feature was designed by Capsule Arts to evoke the bustling ambience of shisha cafes. To realise the installation we worked with a local fabrication studio.
