Alila Jabal Akhdar ... challenging project for S&T Interiors.
Brand new vision
Dubai International Airport ... S&T created 8,000 pieces of furniture for the project.
01 November 2015
S&T Interiors has expanded its project portfolio with several iconic jobs. It has also rebranded globally and tied up with another global fit-out specialist, InteriorPlus
S&T Interiors and Contracting is preparing to soar to greater heights in its niche field, armed with a portfolio that includes iconic names not just in the region but also internationally.
In a latest move, the leading interiors and contracting company that operates across 10 countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, has announced its global rebrand with the launch of its new logo and a joint venture agreement with InteriorPlus, an Italy-based specialist supply and fit-out contractor for the hospitality industry.
The corporate rebrand is to re-emphasise S&T’s commitment to ‘turnkey solutions with a difference’. The new partnership between S&T and InteriorPlus – Interium – will be a 50:50 basis partnership to leverage the strength of the respective companies, thus creating an opportunity for further growth in new and existing markets.
Speaking to Gulf Construction, K S Ravi Kumar, executive director – international operations of S&T, says the company is currently working on The Lalit in London (UK), The Mandarin Oriental in Doha (Qatar), and Muscat International Airport in Oman.
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Dubai International Airport ... S&T created 8,000 pieces of furniture for the project. |
The Lalit, situated close to London’s eclectic South Bank, is being redeveloped by Grand Hotel and Investments Group to provide a unique venue, offering a 70-room boutique hotel, restaurant, bar and spa.
“We have been awarded the complete, structural renovation and interior fit-out work as a key project in the redevelopment and transformation of the heritage school building into a luxury hotel,” he says.
He continues: “Since we’ve been in the industry for nearly four decades, we’ve had various different and interesting projects, the latest being The Lalit in London. The project entails civil construction of a basement under the existing building. The property is an 18th century heritage school building which is being redeveloped into a luxury hotel.
The Mandarin Oriental in Doha, he says, is one of the biggest value and luxurious projects to be undertaken by S&T.
He continues: “The Muscat International Airport is yet another project that we found interesting as it involved combining modern and traditional finishes to the airport interiors with the use of new materials and metal works, as well as stones. Some 40 per cent of the project is of traditional interior-fit.”
S&T’s portfolio includes prestigious projects such as the Qasr Al Sarab, Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and the Alila Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman.
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Qasr Al Sarab ... skilful use of timber. |
According to Kumar, Qasr Al Sarab, Desert Resort by Anantara in the enchanting Liwa Desert is one of the most unusual projects that the company has worked on. “Our proficient team skilfully crafted timber to match the aesthetics of the fort-like resort,” he explains. “However, the challenge lay in the fact that the wood finishes had to be given a distressed fort look. Hence, timber had to be of the highest quality in order to sustain the harsh weather conditions in the desert. The modern building was built in the centre of the desert – some 60 to 70 km away from any form of development and basic amenities like hospitals. Constant formation of sand dunes affected the logistics and schedule for finishing the project.
Kumar describes the Alila Jabal Akhdar project as “most challenging”. With the site being 4,000 m above sea level, logistics, and acclimatisation of workers became a challenge, he explains.
“The Dubai International Airport (Concourse Three) is another development that comes to mind when we think of ‘challenging projects’, as we had to create 8,000 pieces of furniture in an eight-month time span. However, we took this in our stride,” Kumar adds.
S&T’s other prestigious projects include the Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace Hotel, in Muscat, Oman, and the Langham Hotel in London.
S&T Interiors & Contracting operates across the globe from offices in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, the UK, France, Italy, India, Sri Lanka and Brunei. It is focusing on CIS countries, the US and Kuwait, to expand its presence.
S&T Interiors & Contracting is part of Services & Trade (S&T) is one of the largest contracting companies headquartered in Oman. Established in 1977, over the last three decades, the company’s service portfolio has expanded into turnkey interior fit-out, civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works, furniture, fit-outs and equipment (FF&E), operating supplies and equipment (OS&E), building materials trading, decorative painting and carved gypsum works.
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A section of The Alila Jabal Akhdar. |
Commenting on its latest tie-up with InteriorPlus, S&T vice-chairman Waqas Al Adawi says: “With S&T’s global experience and InteriorPlus’ European interior fit-out expertise, we are confident to redefine execution of projects, thus bringing together style, elegance and execution finesse of exemplary quality.
“The new partnership comes at a time when S&T is embarking on a significant path of change. The company has recently unveiled a new brand identity which is in sync with S&T’s belief to take the organisation forward to become one of the top five global brands in its industry.”
InteriorPlus managing director Vagan Oganian says that through Interium, the two companies aim to provide innovative solutions and services to their customers in order to create a unique experience for them, and thus getting recognised as a leading global sustainable interior fit-out solution provider.
“Driven by passion for great aesthetic finish and pursuit for excellence, we are sure that this strategic alliance with S&T will enhance the creative process and provide clients with a new perspective towards interior fit-out solutions,” says Oganian.
Both S&T and InteriorPlus have managed iconic projects in the luxury hospitality sector and high-end residential and commercial projects. InteriorPlus has been associated with international projects such as Gazprom offices, St Petersburg and Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, Moscow, all in Russia; and Hotel Palazzo Parigi in Milan and Hotel Moresco in Venice, both in Italy; among others.
