July 11th, 2016: Architecture student Faisal U-K has been awarded the top prize in the recently concluded Employee Cafeteria Re-Design Competition sponsored by Dusit Thani Dubai in partnership with Canadian University Dubai (CUD).
Faisal triumphed over 14 other interior design and architecture students who accepted the challenge to re-design the hotel’s employee cafeteria, otherwise known as ‘Lumpini’. His direct and elaborately presented concept, which was inspired by Dusit Thani Dubai’s origins, impressed the competition judges, who were captivated by his transformation of the cafeteria walls to display famous scenic spots and beaches in Thailand.
Alongside the aesthetics were the underlying concepts of sustainability and biophilia, which sealed the 23-year-old Nigerian student’s success. Biophilia is a scientific term described as the connection of humans to nature and it has been confirmed by research to improve the psychological and physiological well-being of a person. In creating a biophilic environment, Faisal’s design proposed improvements in set-up, air quality and light quality.
The use of justicia hereto carpa, a type of plant from Zimbabwe, was selected to improve the air quality of the space. A chimney hood that can clean air while cooking was also proposed to help enhance air quality, while better lighting will be obtained with the use of LED lighting and a mineral fiber ceiling, which is a great light reflector.
Faisal revealed, “My aim is to create an atmosphere that would simulate an experience of natural ventilation, lighting and vegetation – hence the plants, the kitchen hood, the light fixtures, and the wallpaper”.
Another noticeable change to the layout is the arrangement of chairs and tables. In the original set-up, most of the chairs are facing the wall, limiting staff interaction; however Faisal’s design creates a layout wherein the chairs and tables are in groups for staff to comfortably mingle with each other.
Faisal continued, “I placed myself in the staff’s shoes, those who access the cafeteria regularly; I imagined what I would want to improve, to make the place conducive every lunch break.”
The winning design also proposed the reupholstering of tables and chairs using hardy organic hemp, a recycled and biodegradable material produced by green manufacturing processes but without harmful chemicals as by-products.
“For sustainability, I made sure that instead of buying brand new pieces of furniture, the chairs and tables would be re-painted with eco paint, and reupholstered with organic hemp”, said Faisal.
A systematic sequencing of the place was also proposed to make sure that every part of the cafeteria is used and maximized. Compared to the previous arrangement, Faisal re-worked the layout in a way that staff will have an organized route, from the entrance, to the buffet area, to the seating arrangement, to segregating their trash before leaving the cafeteria.
Faisal concluded “I noticed that the area is quite congested in some parts hence I proposed having two doors, one for the entrance and one for the exit. The trash bins are placed near the exit so they will not forget to segregate before they leave.”
The esteemed panel of judges comprised of Dusit Thani Dubai’s Executive Chef Antonello Manca, F&B Manager Subarna Thapa, HR Director Vagelyn Federico alongside CUD Chair of Architecture, Mr. Steve Denyer and Associate Professor Dr. Hamoud Dekkiche.
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