Scotch Plains Company Decorates Dubai for Ramadan

Parker 3D, a subsidiary of Parker Interior Plantscapes in Scotch Plains, the largest privately-held interior plantscaper in the United States, was invited recently to re-envision the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai – known around the world as, "The mall with the indoor ski slope." Parker 3D filled one of the largest shopping atrium spaces in the world with lights to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“We were all extremely proud to participate in such a respectful exchange of cultural vision, especially at this time,” design director John Carter wrote in an email. “I found it particularly pleasing to be laboring to promote THEIR spiritual vision. I think many times, westerners are seen as not seeing their full culture for its values and gifts. We got to know so many friends there and the hospitality is first-rate. Anyone would be pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the people in the Middle East. It's a shame that in many cases only the negative elements make it into our news radar. Maybe in some very small way, this collaboration between cultures can help our image to each other.”

As part of its expansion in the last three years, Parker 3D brought on consultant Terry Torok, who had been building relationships for years in the Middle East, as well as Gordon Becker, who is widely credited with inventing the "mall holiday" industry. These two, along with Parker 3D senior designer Ed Manner, revisited those old relationships to introduce Parker 3D to the world stage.

“From contract to install was about six weeks, which is quite a rush for a fully custom fabricated display that's the size of a football field,” Carter said. “Proposal from property was May 8, presentation of concept in Dubai was June 5, project was awarded June 16, and installation began July 25. Project premiered Aug. 1.”

While bound by contract not to disclose the exact sale price – the project was a gift from the Mall of the Emirates to the people of Dubai – it is estimated that the cost registered in the six-figures in U.S. dollars. 

As Parker Interiors moved from plants to poinsettia to holiday wreath/tree to large scale installations, the company sought to expand into international holiday decor work. Carter, whose background is in New York City holiday windows like Saks, Lord and Taylor, Macys and more, joined the company and launched the 3D division in 2003. Parker 3D now does synchronized light shows world wide. Recent clients include Madison Square Garden, Sony World Headquarters, Atlantis Bahamas and Plaza Las Americas San Juan.

More international projects are on the drawing board, Carter said.

“We are negotiating a proposal for a shopping center in Bahrain. We are also aware of potential projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman. We've visited Qatar as well. We are currently working on projects in California, Virginia, San Juan, Miami, Houston, and Oklahoma City to name a few that are closer to home," he stated. "We are also building a multimedia TV snowflake for Sony world headquarters in New York City. These projects require full participation of a team of dozens of dedicated New Jersey staff members, from accounting, to bookkeeping, from shipping to logistics, from industrial designers and graphic experts to electrical designers and lighting programmers, as well as help from many other states and countries."

Parker 3D’s newest division, Parker Urban Greenscape, is also doing some of the largest green installations in the area, including Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Parker 3D, 1325 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains, (908) 322-5552, http://www.parker3d.com/index.htm