Dezeen School Shows: a Queen's Gambit hotel designed to appeal to chess fans and another that is informed by Louis Vuitton's summer collections are included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Ajman University.

Also featured is a design concept that represents the historic patterns found in Moroccan design and another that combines traditional UAE design and the Memphis movement.

Ajman University

Institution: Ajman University
School: College of Architecture, Art and Design
Course: Interior Design IV
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Dr Gamal El Samanoudy

School statement:

"The Interior Design IV: Hotel design course provides students with an introduction to the process of designing hospitality areas – specifically hotel interiors.

"Students learn how to create a concept based on local culture and its influence, and how to respond to a brief from a client. Their learning is extended to the field of interior landscape design.

"During this course, students should apply design skills to hospitality spaces, have the ability to relate theoretical knowledge and technical skills to concepts and solutions for hospitality spaces, and describe and understand critical, analytical and strategic thinking in the development of hospitality spaces.

"During the year, students explored different themes that allowed their skills to extend and expand to new levels."

Al Liwan Hotel by Aisha Al Shamsi and Mariam Al Jasmi

"The design for the Al Liwan Hotel features a colour palette that references the Memphis design movement of the 90's and aims to convey a new way of appreciating the splendour of traditional UAE regional design.

"Introducing these two themes is meant to provide a complex environment that will interest tourists from all over the globe.

"The goal is to make it clear to people that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to designing the inside of a space; rather, it should be seen as a blank slate onto which they may unleash their creativity.

"Elderly relatives who saw the project said it took them back to their childhoods, when they fantasied about decorating their bedrooms in blue and baby pink with Al Sadu designs and intricate wooden furniture – complex but beautiful."

Students: Aisha Al Shamsi and Mariam Al Jasmi
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Akram Azmy
Email: 201911130[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae and 201810787[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Al Marjan Heritage Hotel by Zulaikha Thasnim and Eiman Yousif

"Al Marjan is a heritage hospitality project that aims to unite the past and present of UAE by incorporating elements of UAE's coral reefs.

"The project is located in the iconic Al Shindagah in Dubai and is the perfect destination for cultural and marine life enthusiasts and families seeking a pleasant getaway.

"The shapes, textures and movements of the coral system are abstracted to form various contemporary designs in the project with relation to elements from the traditions of UAE to create a visually and psychologically pleasing space."

Students: Zulaikha Thasnim and Eiman Yousif
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Akram Azmy
Email: 201910134[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae and 201911050[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

The Umbrella Academy Hotel by Khawla Al Ali

"My project was inspired by the atmosphere in The Umbrella Academy.

"The concept came from the time vortex that was used in the show to travel between times, which I integrated into my design by focusing on circular compositions, round furniture and mixing between contemporary and modern styles."

Student: Khawla Al Ali
Tutors: Dr Gamal El Samanoudy and Akram Azmy
Email: 201920029[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

MAR- Hotel by Alaa Heijazi

"The concept was created when the capital city of Morocco, Rabat, was named 'The Capital of Islamic Culture 2022'.

"This hotel project is aimed at families and tourists, aiming to showcase both Moroccan and Islamic culture. All the design elements are based on Islamic ogee and arabesque patterns that frequently appear in Moroccan cultural settings.

"The layout makes use of the limited space by drawing a smooth circulation flow for the guests by using partitions and columns as an aesthetic and functional element in the lounge area.

"The furniture has a rough-hewn look, geometric detailing and uneven and intricate carvings – couches and tables are set low to the ground and are full of Islamic/Arabesque patterns and Al-Thuluth calligraphy.

"The interior has a bright colour palette that regularly features blue tones to psychologically encourages thought and meditation, mixed with gold to show the luxurious side of Moroccan style."

Student: Alaa Heijazi
Tutors: Dr Gamal El Samanoudy and Akram Azmy
Email: 201920068[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Mockingjay Hotel by Roudha Mohammed

"I designed this hotel targeting hunters around the Grand Mesa Forest in Colorado. The hotel's design follows the shape of a target – the simplified shape is also inspired by the arena from the book and film series The Hunger Games.

"To trigger the visitors, I created a structure in the centre of the lobby creating a focal point – a large-scale ring holding the Mockingjay bird made of gold steel, with the bird depicted lying on water and bow-arrows falling above it.

"One of the main colours in this project's scheme is red – signifying strength, courage and danger."

Student: Roudha Mohammed
Tutors: Dr Gamal El Samanoudy and Akram Azmy
Email: 202010274[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Louis Vuitton Hotel by Haneen Magdy

"Louis Vuitton is a luxury fashion brand which was established in France in 1854. This project is based on research into the rich history of the brand – the concept of the hotel is inspired by the summer collections of Louis Vuitton and their use of colour.

"Each colour used in this project has a psychological meaning; yellow stands for happiness and positivity, pink represents calmness and comfort, orange for the chaotic and so on.

"These colours were added to bring life to the lounge and help the guests feel comfortable.

"The Louis Vuitton Hotel is a boutique resort on the north coast of Egypt, and most of the furniture and accessories are made by the Louis Vuitton manufacturer.

"The targeted audience ranges from guests coming in for warm family gatherings to business partners discussing upcoming projects."

Student: Haneen Magdy
Tutors: Dr Gamal El Samanoudy and Akram Azmy
Email: 202011449[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Queen's Gambit hotel by Sidra Sabbagh

"Queen's Gambit hotel gives visitors a new and unique experience by providing chess-themed design for chess lovers. The concept is inspired by the Queen's Gambit television series. The theme is shown in many different functional zones, integrated with British-style design and modern furniture.

"The colours used in the hotel are black and white. These colours were chosen to reflect the bold colours of a chess board. Touches of different colours in each zone give life to the place.

"The hotel hosts chess matches and aims to be the first hotel that offers the perfect place for chess lovers."

Student: Sidra Sabbagh
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Omnia Altemnah
Email: 201910626[at]ajman.ac.ae

COMICO Restaurant - Gotham City Hotel dining restaurant by Khaled Osama

"Gotham City Hotel is a themed hotel that references the Gotham TV show. The hotel's target market is teenagers and DC fans with an interest in Gotham's villains.

"COMICO Restaurant is designed for teenagers interested in DC comics and guests who seek a unique and unusual dining experience.

"The comic-style restaurant is created by using comic elements and neon lights to show the dynamic of the comic books. COMICO Restaurant's superpower is the power of attraction."

Student: Khaled Osama
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Dalal Abdullah
Email: 202010874[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

The ONE Hotel Design by Abeer Aziz and Heba Dweik

"'Expo is a message that we are people of civilisation and a meeting point for civilisations.' – this quote about the UAE by the Prime Minister of the UAE HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid was the main inspiration for this project.

"The project consists of two historical buildings transformed into a hotel, which promotes traditional design, sustainability, hospitality and social community.

"The aim is to build and connect spaces and facilities through engaging design abstracted from the local weaving craft known as Al-Sarood and AlSadu. The hotel concept is contemporary while preserving the historical elements of the existing buildings."

Students: Abeer Aziz and Heba Dweik
Tutors: Dina Ibrahim and Akram Azmy
Email: 201910257[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae and 201910423[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Kassab Hotel by Abeer Aljoody

"Kassab is located in northwest Syria on mount Jabal Al-Aqra – the origin of the name goes back to the Latin words Casa Bella, which means beautiful town.

"The inspiration for this project came from laurel leaves found in this region.

"The design is modern and inspired by the colours of nature, which gives the tourists a feeling of stability, calm, relaxation and balance, and the curved lines show elegance, movement and pleasure."

Student: Abeer Aljoody
Tutors: Dr Gamal El Samanoudy and Akram Azmy
Email: 202011199[at]ajmanuni.ac.ae

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Ajman University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.