Abu Dhabi – this hotel lobby, reception and meeting area has a broadly contemporary feel; separated from the Gulf seas and beaches by a huge glazed curtain wall. The six metre wide decorative pool brings coolness and there is the gentle sound and slight movement of water.

Spaces between the vertical window shades allow darts of intense sunlight to flicker across the surface and reflections from columns and glass shimmer on the water. Two centimetres beneath are handmade ceramics. Stylised reef motives are sculpted into the surface and colours transition seamlessly and subtly from vibrant, electric powder blues to accents of light white marble softness predominant in the adjacent surfaces.