KI provides complete furnishing solution at new Etihad Airways HQ in Abu Dhabi

KI has recently completed a major installation of its UK manufactured UniteSE workplace collection for global client Etihad Airways at their new Al Noor building in Abu Dhabi. The space comprises thirteen floors accommodating 1,500 staff. The design concept is predominantly open plan together with executive and conference suites, training rooms, restaurants and breakout areas.

The extensive range of KI furniture designs chosen includes open plan UniteSE workstations, configured as both bench and desking, all featuring pedestals and alongside open plan storage. The task seating throughout is KI's Faveo mesh-backed chair designed by Paul Brooks and winner of a Red Dot Design Award. The call centre floor features UniteSE 120 degree workstations with high specification Corian worksurfaces. There are several specialist training and conference suites where UniteSE tables and workstations were tailored to meet very specific requirements.

UniteSE storage was specified for the open plan areas, suiting perfectly with the UniteSE workstations. 450 cabinets were installed and configured as lockers, lateral drawer units, recycle bins and cupboards and over 1,400 UniteSE mobile pedestals are utilised for personal storage. The conference suite features 450 KI Take5 armchairs which are upholstered in leather. KI also supplied all the breakout and restaurant furniture as well as over 1,200 CBS Flo, single and double monitor arms and CPU holders.

The colour scheme for the new headquarters is a monochrome theme resulting in a smart and sophisticated finish. Similarly, the cream colour marble flooring elongates the space where necessary. Glass partitions help open up the space from the corridor and individual rooms letting in much-needed light. Other glazed partitions applied with vinyl film use Arabic patterns that divide specific areas without creating a solid wall and losing light.

Stunning large feature wall graphics of aeroplanes and Etihad staff exemplify the importance of teamwork and unity which holds great importance in an organisation such as Etihad.

KI workstations, seating, storage are also used by Etihad at their Global Sales offices in New York and Manchester. KI is a leading global provider of workplace & educational furniture that is designed and manufactured locally and offers good value and flexibility with minimal inventory.

UniteSE Workstations: The UniteSE Workstations with height-adjustable benches allow for flexible working whilst offering a range of options that can be tailored to specific modern-day workplace requirements. The understructure of the UniteSE Workstation range provides a sturdy modular platform for the addition of multiple worksurface and screen options. These can be either from its standard line or as an exercise in tailored design. The combined collection offers integrated ranges of benching, freestanding desks, cellular office, workwall, meeting tables and storage.

UniteSE Storage System: The new UniteSE Storage System meets the requirements of a modern flexible working space. It is a comprehensive collection which comprises of cabinets, drawers, lockers, sliding doors, towers and personal mobile storage. This new range has been designed to offer an innovative and unique solution for the office including personal storage below the desk, where personal and keyless storage must dovetail seamlessly with more traditional document management as the pace of the workplace increases and diversifies.

Faveo, task & occasional seating range: Faveo, designed by Paul Brooks, is a task and occasional seating range that has received a Red Dot Design Award. The Faveo task chair, from KI, is both inviting and attractive. A mesh back provides optimum and ergonomic comfort, due to the point synchromatic integrated mechanism which provides a wide range of reclining options with free flow and 4 position locking. Instant ergonomic adjustment is delivered to the user by simple easy touch controls with seat height and tension adjustment integrated on one side and the forward tilt and recline lock on the other. The Faveo range is a complete family of seating suitable for multipurpose applications including task/operational, café, meeting, conference, training and auditorium. There are stackable 4 leg and cantilever frame chairs, swivel chairs with 5 star bases and a wide range of finishes and options including arms, frame finish, transparent and sculptured mesh castors and glides. KI's new seating range comes with options of transparent and sculptured mesh backrests in a choice of colours. The collection also comes with a five-year warranty and 99% of the chair is recyclable; the collection has been awarded the Certificate of Ergonomic excellence.

Take5: Elegant and timeless, KI's Take5 is a classic conference swivel chair. Take5 has Bauhaus influenced design with clean lines, excellent quality and long term seated comfort. Take5 sets the benchmark for design: its subtle style, simplicity, and quality of materials deliver a timeless and elegant chair. The Take5 range offers a choice of bases and arms finished in black or chrome, the option of an automatic reset swivel mechanism, a comfort tilt mechanism; with or without armrests, armrest pads and standard or high backrest.

Client: Etihad
Architects: Shankland Cox
Furniture: Manufactured by KI
- 1,500 Faveo Task and Visitor Chairs
- 450 Take5 Conference Chairs
- 450 UniteSE Storage/Cabinets
- 1,400 UniteSE Mobile Pedestals
- 65 120° degree UniteSE Call centre workstations

Accessories chosen by Etihad and supplied by KI are CBS Flo, single and double monitor arms.

Local Furniture Dealer Partners: Arki Design Group, Gemaco Interiors, Swissco