Pierre Abboud recommends strong design, warm and rich colours

THE Ramadan tent has become an icon that represents a place where people can meet and enjoy themselves but what many don’t know is the time and effort that goes into designing a tent.

Pierre Abboud, a Lebanese interior designer and artist living in Dubai, UAE, marks his 11th consecutive year designing tents and concepts for a variety of locations throughout the Middle East.

Abboud has been designing Ramadan concepts and tents since 2001 and understands the importance of the theme. “Every work has its specific theme, it always has Middle Eastern style with traditional design and should have some modern motifs to give the design more life,” says Abboud.

The tent plays a very important role in that it is the location where people can gather to socialise no matter their religion, race or status. There is always a strong sense of community within the tent as people go there for Iftar after sundown and for such an important location a strong design is necessary.

When it comes to being creative with the design in relation to the location Abboud gives this advice “I would advise to improvise and follow the mood of the hotel itself, maybe even the mood of the country where Ramadan tent is being set up.”

There are several aspects to the tent that should be considered and for Abboud the first impression is key. “I believe that the entrance is the most important part, as when you enter any place whether house or restaurant, your first impression is the entrance and there should always be a “wow” effect.” However one thing that Abboud recommends staying away from is the trends that many may fall victim to. “I prefer not to go with the flow of common trends as I believe that Ramadan is not a temporary occasion, it comes every year and it should keep its traditional style and its spiritual feeling.”

Since Ramadan is taking place during the hottest months of the year which make people feel uncomfortable, colour can help affect a person’s mood.

“The heat of today is weighing and pure so I go for warm and rich colours. I would accessorise it with shade of red, orange and purple.”

As an interior designer one colour that Abboud feels should be avoided is white. “The white colour usually spots people, makes them very visible on the background of white. The whole idea purpose of the Ramadan tent is to allow people to fade in, to become a part of the place, to feel its comfort and warmth during Iftar.”

When it comes to his dream project, Abboud described a chance that he is still waiting for.  “I would love to make a Ramadan tent in the water where you walk from the sand on a dock and arrive to a Ramadan oasis surrounded
by water.”