Designing the Future: The Role of Interior Design in Smart Cities

Have you ever wondered how interior design impacts the user experience in smart cities?

I had the privilege of attending a panel discussion titled "Safe, Smart, Sustainable: The Future of Smart Cities," hosted in Riyadh at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and moderated by Dr. Ayman Elhefnawi from UN Habitat. Insights were shared by Sahem Azzam from Orange Business, Stéphane Eyme from OneMind Technologies, John Hilliard from WiredScore, and Gautam Sashittal from KAFD Development & Management Company. They all emphasized the critical role of user-centric design, technical infrastructure, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making in shaping smart cities – what they call a 'cognitive city.'

Conference Highlights

Dr. Ayman Elhefnawi (Team Leader UN-Habitat Saudi Arabia):

Dr. Ayman Elhefnawi set the stage by emphasizing the need for smart cities to adopt an approach that leverages opportunities from digitalization, sustainability, and human-centered development. He highlighted that the demand for smart solutions and smart cities is global, driven by the challenges posed by rapidly increasing urban populations. His presentation underscored the potential for smart principles to improve public safety, healthcare, mobility, energy management, and economic development, ultimately enhancing the well-being of residents.

Gautam Sashittal (CEO of KAFD Development & Management Company):

Gautam Sashittal delved into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, showcasing that it's happening now, with technologies like AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the fusion of physical assets with advanced technologies. He presented KAFD as a city within itself, designed to be walkable and safe, serving as a testing ground for new technologies that can later be implemented elsewhere. Gautam emphasized the three pillars of smart cities: sustainability, efficiency, and customer experience. KAFD's sustainability practices include recycling greywater and transparent reporting, setting a global benchmark. He also addressed the challenge of convincing end-users of the justified cost of smart amenities, asserting that these practices would become commonplace in the future.

Sahem Azzam (Vice President Middle East and Africa at Orange Technologies):

Sahem Azzam introduced the concept of 'Cognitive Cities,' emphasizing that smart cities should prioritize being smart, safe, efficient, and sustainable. He stressed that implementing digital services is paramount to achieving this vision. Sahem pointed out that European cities are moving toward becoming smart cities, and he highlighted the importance of a human element in these cities, where a large population lives, connects, and relies on services. He emphasized the flexibility of infrastructure for future improvements, envisioning cashless and paperless cities as the future. Sahem encouraged smart city designers and developers to collaborate with various partners to enhance the user experience.

Stéphane Eyme (CEO of One Mind Technologies):

Stéphane Eyme observed a significant shift in mindset among city decision-makers, where smart cities are now considered a necessity rather than a luxury. He attributed this shift to population growth and resource depletion, leading to the need for efficient cities that attract high-tax-paying residents. Stéphane highlighted the importance of holistic city planning, focusing on social transformation, education, and creating unique experiences. He emphasized the role of CCTV and analytics in enhancing safety and mentioned the importance of improving existing technologies rather than recreating them.

John Hillard (Middle East Lead at Wired Score):

John Hillard discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by smart cities, focusing on quality, data, resilience, and scale. He delved into the metrics used in buildings to gather information on how people interact with spaces, highlighting the importance of improving the user experience. Sustainability and resilience became focal points, especially for real estate businesses. John noted the challenges faced by developers in understanding the smart needs of their target users and advocated for direct communication with tenants. He stressed that transitioning to smart cities is not a question of "if" but "when" and "how."

Q/A session was an intersting moment as well, where a young Saudi asked the differences in adopting these changes to digital natives versus digital migrants, a female interior designer asked about strategies on how to convince clients that these technologies are necessary, another person asked about big data impacts. I unfortunately don't have names, but If someone has them - feel free to let me know in comments.

These insights collectively provided a comprehensive understanding of the critical elements required to shape the future of smart cities, highlighting the importance of sustainability, efficiency, and a seamless user experience.

The Role of Interior Design

As someone deeply rooted in the world of interior design, I believe we play a pivotal role in smart city developments. We bridge the gap between visionary city planners, real estate developers, urbanists, architects, and the end-users. Without integrating smart city concepts into the design of spaces, the user experience can feel disconnected from the surroundings. That's why I advocate for maintaining consistent design briefs and guidelines to ensure harmony in the overall user experience.

Innovation and Technology

Furthermore, there's a pressing need to implement new technologies in the interior design and architecture industries. These technologies can enhance efficiency, sustainability, and financial effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle. From concept design to documentation development, sourcing, production, quality inspections, installation, and maintenance, there is a strong demand for industry-standard software utilizing big data, blockchain, and AI.

My Services and Expertise

My commitment to excellence extends to a range of services, including turn-key interior design, quality and project delivery management, and sustainable and innovative design solutions. I also offer Expert Network Connections, connecting potential clients with a network of experienced interior designers and suppliers to ensure they have access to the best resources available to create unique environments.

In the end, I'd like to add that after spending time researching for this article, I believe that

the future of smart cities isn't solely about efficiency; it's about creating enjoyable and convenient living, working, and leisure environments for all residents and users. By integrating smart city concepts into interior design, we can bridge the gap between innovation and user experience, ensuring that these developments truly understand and cater to their residents and users.

I invite you to join the conversation on the future of smart cities. Together, we can shape the future of smart cities.

I encourage you to reach out to me for inquiries, collaborations, or to explore my services. Let's embark on this journey together to create exceptional environments and shape the future of smart cities.

Author's bio:

Paris-trained design professional with over 13 years of experience as a designer and business development partner in the interior design industry, Elena has acquired considerable knowledge in the field, built a world-class network of designers, consultants, and suppliers with extensive experience working on multi-national projects for luxury hospitality, F&B, residential, retail, and mixed-use developments.

Her career started as a designer for F&B projects in Dubai, then participation on integrated entertainment resorts in Asia (Wynn Palace Cotai, Galaxy Macau, Mohegan Sun Inspire Seoul), where she understood what it takes for large-scale luxury fit-out developments. She later continued her path as an interior designer for UHNWI projects in Monaco (residential, yacht, and corporate).

Inspired by Vision 2030, she permanently settled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

She represents a portfolio of international design studios willing to establish design offices in KSA and able to efficiently shape unique spaces in full spectrum of Interior Design and Architectural projects.

RESIDENTIAL

EXCLUSIVE INTERIORS

HOSPITALITY

OFFICES

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

TRANSPORTATION

MIXED-USE, PUBLIC SPACES

INSTITUTIONAL

Multicultural nomad, she lived/worked in West Africa, France, China, Russia, UAE, and Monaco. She has extensive experience collaborating alongside different cultures and environments, having unique opportunities to successfully deliver projects worldwide.