23rd December 2015, Dubai, UAE

Workplace wellness, sustainability and employee engagement will be major influences on UAE workplace design in 2016, according to Summertown Interiors, the UAE's leading fit-out contractor specialising in green interiors.

The UAE continues to lead the interior fit-out market in the GCC, accounting for 31% of a US$7.35 billion industry, according to a recent report by Ventures Middle East. With the UAE continuing to invest in major infrastructure projects in preparation for Expo 2020 Dubai, the commercial interiors market is expected to grow further.   

Front of mind for many commercial projects is how to improve employee wellbeing in order to boost productivity. Investing in the workspace is no longer considered an extra cost, but a productivity investment that enhances an organisation's overall success. From paying more attention to the quality of lighting, indoor air, sound level and visual design in the office, companies are now understanding the role that the physical environment plays in promoting wellbeing at work.

As sustainability has become a major issue for our society, the fit-out industry has experienced increased pressure to implement environmentally-responsible practices. The UAE is a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, a clear sign of its commitment to combat climate change. Additionally, the Dubai government recently announced that the emirate will obtain 7% of its energy from clean sources by 2020 as part of Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy 2050 - a major feat for the region.

As buildings are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, more attention will be given to the construction of green buildings and the maintenance of sustainable interiors. Regulation will likely be a driver of this, but so will end-user demand. As clients become more aware of the advantages of building green, and their responsibility to the planet, they will put more pressure on the fit-out industry to implement environmentally responsible practises.

'Rethinking' the use of space to accommodate employees will also be a key consideration. Until recently, open plan offices were considered the best environment for staff, encouraging collaboration, innovation and team work. Now many studies have proven that a lack of privacy negatively affects concentration levels, productivity and creativity. Today, the focus is shifting towards building a space that offers the perfect balance between collaboration and privacy. Designers, architects and workspace experts have started to introduce these principles into their projects to increase user satisfaction and productivity.  

Creating workplaces and spaces that encourage employee engagement via seamless technological integration continues to shape the commercial fit-out industry. Technology is a vital component which spearheads and enables creativity amongst the workforce when its implementation is thoughtfully considered. By cleverly integrating the latest technologies into an office fit-out, employees can feel more creative, productive and engaged. From an area with video games to give employees downtime, to top of the range video conferencing solutions in meeting rooms for efficient connectivity, technology brings with it an innovating and forward-thinking element to the workspace.

"The workspace of the future will have to be efficient, sustainable and healthy, while providing the right environment for a creative, productive and engaged workforce. At Summertown Interiors we look forward to undertaking an array of interesting projects that we have in the pipeline for 2016. We are also really pleased to see that the interest in green offices continues to increase," said Marcos Bish, Managing Director, Summertown Interiors. 

-Ends-

About Summertown Interiors
Summertown Interiors offers superior quality interior solutions as a fit out contractor and turnkey provider. As the first fit out contractor in the UAE to occupy LEED Gold certified interiors, it has firsthand experience of executing green interior projects.  

Established in 1997, Summertown Interiors is among the UAE's leading fit out contractors with specialist experience in delivering commercial office, education and retail projects for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses.

Summertown is committed to delivering projects that meet clients' needs, on time and within budget and all projects are executed in accordance with the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2008 quality management system.   As a result, Summertown is often selected as the preferred fit out partner for many of the world's largest project management firms and interior architects.

www.summertown.ae

Media Contacts:
Marianna Wisden
Mojo PR
+971 55 5527758
marianna@mojo-pr.com

Beatriz Palencia
Account Executive - Mojo PR
+971 52 2512436
beatriz@mojo-pr.com

© Press Release 2015