Jumeirah Beach Hotel - Dubai, UAE

Client: Bond Interiors
Designer: EO
Scope of work: Main feature straw marquetry column in the lobby and decorative panels in the bathrooms

The feature column, designed to be attractive and functional, is located in the main lobby of the newly refurbished Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai.

Bond Interiors commissioned COLLECTIONAL to supply, coordinate, and install the custom–made structures designed by Engineering Office.

For the execution of the structure, different manufacturing processes were involved:

On one side, a complex geometry was achieved, thanks to the WOOD-SKIN® proprietary technology and software. On the other side, a laborious hand-made process was required in the creation of straw marquetry where Alexander Lamont’s team had to put in time and patience.

COLLECTIONAL coordinated the interaction between the two companies in its one–of–a–kind project. For a better understanding, below is the process involved in creating the column.

Firstly, after analyzing the project’s needs, WOOD-SKIN created a bespoke product using its patented methods and “Made In Italy” know-how.

Secondly, the structure was delivered to Alexander Lamont for the straw marquetry application. This was done by collecting untreated bundles of rye straw. The stems of the straws were split, flattened, softened and scraped into a flat ribbon. Afterwards, it was glued, edge to edge, to the crafted surface until it had an even surface, and shapes cut from the sheet.

The straw, naturally covered with a varnish formed from plant silica, is impermeable to water and very durable. The flattened straw is usually shiny and takes on different hues as light strikes it.

Lastly, the finished product was delivered to COLLECTIONAL’s installation team in Dubai to finish creating the column.

Photography by: Oana Maria Sofronia for COLLECTIONAL.