AND THE WINNER IS …. CITYSTARS!

Citystars, Katameya, Cairo

2025 | RLI Retail and Leisure—Future Project Award, RLI Global, Londoner Hotel, London, UK.

2024/25 | Best Retail Development – International at International Property Awards – Global, Strand, London, UK.

2024 | MECS+R Shopping Centre and Retailer MENA Awards – Gold Award Winner for Design and Development “Visionary Concept “ at Retail Congress MENA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Citystars Katameya, a 245,000 sq.m mixed-use development in Cairo, has been awarded the RLI Future Project Award at the 20th Global RLI Retail & Leisure International Awards on June 25th, 2025 in London! Concept i are the lead designers for the project, including master planning, architecture, and retail interior design.

“We are absolutely delighted” says Geoffrey Morrison, Founder/Managing Director of Concept i “This is the second global class award received by the project after winning the 2025/25 “World’s Best” Retail Development at the International Property Awards, MECSC&R Visionary Project Award in 2024. It’s even more special to be part of RLI’s 20th Year celebration, marking 2 decades of Jayne Rafter and her teams relentless energy, passion and connectivity in this amazing sector.”

Read More: iNews – The Global RLI Awards 2025

CONCEPT I WINS WORLD’S BEST

Citystars, Katameya, Cairo

2024/25 | Best Retail Development – International at International Property Awards – Global, Strand, London, UK.

2024 | MECS+R Shopping Centre and Retailer MENA Awards – Gold Award Winner for Design and Development “Visionary Concept “ at Retail Congress MENA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A massive “congratulations” to Citystars, ARCO and the entire development team for this outstanding achievement. Last night, Citystars Katameya, Cairo won the prestigious Best International Retail Development at the 2024/25 IPAX Global International Property Awards held at the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London.

Set in vibrant New Cairo, Citystars Katameya is a vast, 1.2 km long, mixed use development spanning a 245,000 sq m. site. The project is conceived as the “Birth of a New Star”, fusing lush, sustainable landscapes and spectacular retail-tainment, with luxurious residential, hospitality and Grade A office space. It will set a new benchmark for life-style destinations in Cairo, one of the world’ greatest, most rapidly expanding Metropolis. Concept i is the lead Design Architect and Interior Designer, working together with Turner Const. Int. (PM), ECG (Arch/Eng.), Accor (Hotel and Residences), RCG (Retail Consultants), Kristina Zanic Assoc. (Residential/Hotel Interiors), PLandscape (Landscape Design), DJ Coalition (Lighting), Shaker (M,E&P), CKP (Hospitality Consultants) and more.

The International Property Awards celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. An International Property Award is a world-renowned mark of excellence.

CITYSTARS KATAMEYA, CAIRO – BEST RETAIL DEVELOPMENT EGYPT AND AFRICA!

Following its Gold Award (Visionary Concept) at the 2024 MECS+R and MENA Awards, CITYSTARS KATAMEYA, Cairo, is now shortlisted for the Best Retail Development Project in Africa (Regional Level) by the International Property Awards for 2024-2025. The project is now a strong contender for the overall International award, showcasing its exceptional innovation and design.

Congratulations to ARCO, Citystars, and our talented team of designers and support consultants. Thank you to The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers and International Property Awards for recognizing this unique and trend setting project in the retail industry.

Concept i is proud to be the Lead Architect and Interior Designer for the project.

TRANSFORMERS-THE ARK

EARTH’S FIRST RESTAURANT OF ITS KIND

By Richard Wood, Director

Hong Kong’s exclusive Causeway Bay is now home to Earth’s first-ever Transformers-themed ‘smart’ restaurant, ‘The ARK,’ named after the iconic Transformers starship. 

Concept-i’s mission? To create a concept for this initial flagship restaurant and subsequent roll out designs across Asia…

Developing into an immersive dining experience that combines Technology, Food, and Fun for families – the 555sqm restaurant spans two floors, accommodating up to 200 diners, and features an exciting audio-visual storyline that seamlessly integrates the restaurant’s facade, interior, and branding themes.

The journey begins with the eye-catching facade design, featuring a giant animated LED screen mounted above a 3-dimensional model of the crashed ARK’s engines. As customers enter the restaurant, they are instantly transported into a Cybertronian universe of Autobots, Transformers, and dynamic visual interfaces. The interior design stays true to the Transformers brand’s core DNA, accurately replicating the interior of the ARK with its details, colors, and sounds.

The ground floor – themed as ‘REPAIR’ – is where the Autobots check for crash damage to the ARK. It features animated menu screens and seating benches for customers; with a show-stopping giant interactive model of Optimus Prime dominating the entrance to the themed store, selling bespoke Transformers toys and clothing.

The story then moves into launch mode on the second floor – known as the ‘FLIGHT DECK’ – where the ARK’s windows are transformed into animated LED screens depicting its first launch into space. This immersive cinematic feature is further enhanced with the Transformers mobile app, which details more intergalactic adventures. Other highlights on the second floor include a large Instagrammable model of Bumblebee, a futuristic food servery, and seating zones with uninterrupted views of the flight deck screens.

Visit now to indulge in the world of Transformers at ‘The ARK’ – an innovative, immersive, and electrifying restaurant experience. From its jaw-dropping animated facade to cutting-edge interiors, it’s a must-visit for fans and foodies alike. Get ready for a fusion of technology, food, and fun like never before. The ARK is where excitement and innovation collide for an unforgettable dining adventure!

Link : https://mailchi.mp/concepti.com/transformers-the-ark

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/6k9hnO7DNKY

HORIZONS

WHERE EARTH MEETS SKY

An Exhibition of Wood Sculpture and Photography

Nov. 11^th – Dec. 5^th, 2022, at MUNx2 Seacon Square, Bangkok

NEW HORIZONS FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING DISABILITIES

Bangkok’s Sesatian School For The Deaf joined us on Nov. 12 for the opening debut of Horizons – Where Earth Meets Sky. The Exhibition by our CEO Geoff Morrison, aims to raise awareness for the school and its innovative programs, and new projects for the children. Founded in 1953, Setsatian School is under the Royal Patronage and is Thailand’s first school of its kind. Concept i is assisting with the design of new teaching facilities including a Cool Co-Lab (for collaboration) and an Innovation Lab for programs in coding, robotics and other digital technologies.

HORIZONS WHERE EARTH MEETS SKY is an exploratory collection of photographs and wood sculptures evoking otherworldly forms and emotions. Two mediums embrace two horizons;

Photography celebrates distant horizons where the earth’s surface and sky appear to meet, and Wood Sculpting reveals “inner” horizons, where the concealed surfaces and spirit of tree roots are re-imagined from the depths of the earth, into lighter, dynamic forms.

Photography

“In these early hours, people and landscapes are raw and authentic.”

The photographs explore early morning landscapes, revealing precious moments of calmness and solitude. Dawn walks with a camera began as a ritual but grew into an artistic practice. The act of walking cultivates a personal dialogue with rural and urban environments and their inhabitants. Here the aim is to capture the poetic qualities and simplicity of everyday life. Whether it’s Old Cairo, Toronto, Cox’s Bazaar, or Bangkok, in these early hours, people and landscapes are raw and authentic. By 8 am, these tranquil scenes melt away as the world returns to its daily disrupted chaos.

Wood Sculpture

“In a controlled metamorphosis, each piece takes on an idiosyncratic spirit and form”

Working with wood is a continuation of this exploration. Roots and logs are transformed into both functional vessels and abstract sculptures. In a controlled metamorphosis, each piece takes on an idiosyncratic spirit and form, where layers of distinctive grains and spalted patterns animate. The sculpting is highly technical, physical, and intuitive. Only dead wood is used each piece is pondered for months while they dry. Common trees like Mango, Jack Fruit, Maca, Mai Daeng and Ratchapruek are the source. In their wood and roots, one can appreciate the intricate symbiosis between earth, air, water, and sun, and the living beings they have nourished and sheltered for decades and sometimes centuries.

View more https://issuu.com/conceptidesign/docs/horizons_exhibition_by_geoff_morrison_english_ver

A Cool Co-Lab is Born!

Setsatian School for the Deaf, Bangkok

 

Setsatian School is Thailand’s first school for the hearing-impaired and has been operating since 1953. Over the past few months Concept i has been working closely with the School to transform the existing computer room into a brand new Creative Co-lab.

“New computer technologies are global and visual and can give the children a barrier free dialogue with society” says Geoff Morrison, CEO of Concept i.  “Our goal is to bridge the employment gap for these kids by helping to empower them with digital skills relevant to our changing world.”

Co-Lab means “collaboration” explains Kittisak J. Interior Designer. “We designed a bright and vibrant space where students can inter-mingle and explore digital skills in a fun way”. Interior graphics and soft furnishings use the Pantone Institute’s color’s of the year – neutral ultimate gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating.

“The color symbolism is powerful” says Pei-han, Graphic Designer, “they highlight our human need to be seen, recognized and heard. This color combination connects to insight, innovation, intuition, and intelligence, motivating us to think, learn, create and problem solve in new ways.”

The space planning is angularized to give a creative look and feel, focusing on the class leader’s demonstration space and projection wall. “Global quotes and pictograms urge you to dream, explore, and create” says Nunthiya C., Architect. There are comfortable spaces to learn, relax, and exchange ideas.

“We look forward to working with the children”, Nunthiya explains. “Together with the teachers of Setsatian we hope to organize workshops where people with and without hearing impairment can interact, have fun, and develop skills together. The workshops will explore graphic and 3D sketching software.

 

Project Facts:         

Construction Period: Aug/Sept 2021

Co Lab Area:  85m2, 22 Work Stations, 2 comfort zones, showcase

Project Cost:  Baht 550,000

Project Inception:  Setsatian School

Sponsors:

Design/Interior Fit Out:  Concept i  www.concept-i-design.com

Furniture: Spokes Jewelry  www.spokesjewelry.com

Lighting Design: DJ Coalition  www.djcoalition.com

Lighting Supply: Mosaic Eins  www.mosaiceins.com

Contractor:  S.P.D. Construction

Team: Dr. Panadda W., Kru Saijai S., Kru Narumol S., Geoff M., Wanna W., Nunthiya S., Kittisak J., Pei-han S., Sineenat D., Wiphada T, Patteera K., Wipaporn P., Banjama P, Sompetch L, Prawat C, Onanong S, Pongkhun Y., Rinnin K.

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

Our Process – More than a year into the global pandemic, RLI checks in with Concept i for an update on work in progress, trends and insights shaping the world of design. Concept i, one of Asia’s leading retail and leisure design firms, celebrates 25 years of success in 2021.
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Find us on page 25 – 26

https://www.rli.uk.com/emagazine/163

Our Vision

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

In our 25th Year, Concept i reflects on our mission to ideate, innovate and have a positive impact on people’s lives and the world we live in. We celebrate our beginnings, our people, our talent and our passion for design.  As always, we look ahead, exploring people’s needs, changing trends, unturned earths and suns yet to rise in our quest to realize fresh concepts internationally. That’s us – Concept i.