Rapid growth

UAE: Marking the end of an eventful year, The Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) hosted a gala dinner in December.

 “The year definitely lived up to our expectations. APID has been looked to by many people not just as a source of information but as a fount of knowledge on this market and how we should be working here,” Kenneth Laidler, president of APID commented.

Around 200 industry professionals attended the event, which was held at Dubai’s Grosvenor House. Looking to 2009, APID hopes to increase awareness of the industry amongst government bodies, Laidler detailed. “We still need to have some serious discussions with the municipalities and federal bodies to increase recognition of interior design as an industry,” he said.
 
The organisation also has ambitious plans to boost membership to 500 by the end of 2009 and will be looking to increase student involvement as part of this plan. “Although we are partners with many of the individual universities, we will definitely be looking to foster more student relationships,” Laidler explained.

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APID currently boasts over 100 industry professionals, 30 design companies and 46 industry partners amongst its members. Recent joiners include the Dubai-based interior design firm, 3 Square.

A partnership between Supriya Fernandes, principal designer and architect, Bamdad Fagihi, managing partner, projects, and Bivas Mishra, managing partner, strategic planning, 3 Square was launched in 2006 and has since completed some 40 projects in the commercial, retail, hospitality and residential sectors.

“It is important for professional interior designers to be recognised as such, and for their clients to know that standards and professional practice are maintained and monitored by a governing body,” Mishra said. 

“Membership gives us not only local and regional recognition, but also allows us access to worldwide events and ideas, and to improve our knowledge by participation in debates and issues relating to professional interior design practice and standards worldwide.”