The Dubai Design Week opened its doors on Tuesday, bringing together over 500 designers and architects, displaying conceptual and structural works, as well as design projects specially curated for the event.
The event also features discussion panels and workshops on sustainability, emerging techniques and shifts in the design world.
Held at the Dubai Design District, the event runs until November 12, and is free to the public.
The Dubai Design Week consists of several exhibitions, the most anticipated among them is “Downtown Design”, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
It kicks off on Wednesday, welcoming designers and architects from the region and the world to showcase the latest trends and innovations.
Downtown Design is a bridge that connects creative designers with local and global brands by providing a hub showcasing the latest designs of international brands, emerging studios and independent designers from around the world.
The program of Downtown Design offers exhibitors the opportunity to connect with peers and new clients.
This huge annual event raises questions about how much designs can change people’s lives, and whether life changes could impose different designs and trends on designers.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Mette Degn-Christensen, director of Downtown Design, believes that design provides solutions to the challenges that people, communities and industries face, whether it’s related to functional objects, such as furniture and lightning, or to interior subjects, such as decor and accessories.
Downtown Design hosts a wide range of brands and firms from around the world, as well as exclusive exhibitions presenting limited editions and unique designs created by individuals and studios.
For the 10th edition of Downtown Design, exhibitors were challenged to contemplate the spaces at the venue to provide and create their own designs and ideas, so their spaces look like an integral part of the exhibition’s general theme.
Every edition is developed in collaboration with the creative community, highly considering the demand and interests of the market, and accomplishing the exhibit’s main mission, which is providing contemporary high-quality designs that meet the standards of the visitors, Degn-Christensen said.
The director of Downtown Design doesn’t like to put labels on the trends of this year’s design, noting that for the first time, the exhibition showcases experiences that celebrate the beauty and importance of nature for the country. The focus is on the essential elements of nature: sea, sky, earth and greenery.
The narrative of the 10th edition of Downtown Design is aimed at discussing and highlighting the importance of natural resources and outdoor spaces. When the visitors enter the exhibition, they are welcomed with various exhibits that emphasize this concept. For instance, the designs of Spanish company Cosentino, among many others, trigger a sense of calmness and harmony with the main theme: nature.
Other events at Dubai Design Week include a designer exhibition from the UAE sponsored by Fatima al-Mahmoud, hosting over 25 UAE-based innovators; an independent presentation by Omar Al Gurg; and a collection of limited editions of wooden and stone sculptures by designer Fadi Sarieddine.
The events will focus on sustainability and addressing the major challenges facing the world today with artists like Wafaa al-Falahi, Marwa Abdulrahim, Mariam al-Attar and Mohammed al-Najjar.
