For over a decade, Dubai Design Week has brought together designers, architects, and creative practitioners from across the region and around the globe. The 12th edition of this event is set to kick off on November 3, focusing on the vital role design plays in enhancing communication during a time of rapid transformation in interaction and work practices. This year’s event will explore projects that delve into the experiences, meetings, and relationships formed around design—from the spaces that gather individuals to the languages they speak, and the objects, materials, and systems that shape daily life. This approach will manifest across various exhibition sections, a diverse programme of commissions, art installations, panel discussions, workshops, and public events covering architecture, design, crafts, technology, and material exploration.
Innovative Designs
Returning to the forefront is the “Downtown Design” exhibition, the main event of Dubai Design Week, featuring a collection of high-quality, innovative designs. Exhibition director, Mette Diging Christensen, spoke to Emirates Today about this year’s showcase. “Every year, we strive to present the exhibition differently. We love to break expectations and present contemporary, high-quality, innovative designs. In recent years, designs have leaned towards beige tones and simplicity; this year, I wanted to bring in more joy and colour as a sign of recovery and a return to life,” she noted. One standout feature of this edition is the temporary space dedicated to the Memphis Group, a design movement that emerged in the 1980s. The exhibition will feature 156 designers and exhibiting brands, with the highest number of participants in the associated programme, including various activities and experiences. Christensen highlighted the strong presence of local designers and projects based in the UAE, particularly in the Emirati Designers Exhibition and in Tashkeel’s Tanween initiative. She emphasised that organising the exhibition is not limited to the five days in November but is the result of years of work and communication with global brands. The exhibition plays a critical role in connecting designers with suppliers and brands, facilitating access to global design products while simultaneously supporting local production and developing creative talents within the region. “The aim is to strike a balance between attracting global brands and building a robust local design industry capable of innovation, growth, and international market expansion in the future,” she asserted.
Artistic Expressions
Artist Dalia Raef is participating in the “Doors” exhibition during Dubai Design Week with an installation piece. She described her work, which consists of a single letter—”ش” (Sheen)—extending seven meters and depicted in light. “As the letter stretches, it transforms into a representation of the sounds of silence, noise, dissent, and the calming of the heart. We remain silent not because we have nothing to say, but because we lack the words to express it,” she explained. Raef’s choice of materials largely revolves around light, drawing inspiration from traffic signals, particularly in large cities. She aimed to insert her personal language into this visual perspective. Raef perceives the primary challenge in her work to be how to give sound to something that bears no sound, alongside the difficulties of execution and measurement, and whether the work would need translation for understanding. She clarified her intention to use the Arabic letter, stating, “I cherish the Arabic language as it is the medium through which I feel, mourn, and rejoice. My land is Arabic, and it cannot be erased; it holds identity, and it is vital to use our language wherever possible.” Raef expressed her gratitude for her first-time participation in Dubai Design Week, feeling fortunate to be part of this global exposition.
Exploring Spaces and Emotions
This year’s “Civic Works” competition delves into the theme of “Atmospheres of Place,” reflecting on how we sense spaces before consciously perceiving them. Elements such as light, temperature, sound, materials, and spatial sequences shape our experience of a place and influence our emotions, movement, socialising, and relationships with others. The winning proposal, “Three Gardens and a Ghaf,” was designed by the studio NE Architects. Studio founder, architect Reem Nasour, discussed the project, noting, “Our submission was a direct response to the competition’s theme related to climate and the creation of different spatial experiences. We began considering how colours, scents, and heat affect human perception of space and how these elements can create distinctive atmospheres within an architectural space.” She highlighted that the project will be executed in Dubai Design District, an area surrounded by buildings, glass, and hard materials. The design aims to reconnect people to nature while considering how to integrate local tree species found in the UAE. “We sought to harness the sun from dawn to dusk while choosing colours and materials inspired by traditional mashrabiyahs and blocks used in local architecture to control heat and provide shade.” The project consists of three pavilions and architectural spaces, focusing on the relationships formed between these pavilions and nature and humanity. Nasour affirmed that architecture serves to provide shelter, which humanity has sought for thousands of years, securing protection from climatic conditions through walls and roofs. “The main challenge in this work was its timely execution and delivery, and I take pride in being acknowledged in this competition,” she expressed.
The Market
The Dubai Design Market will take place over the weekend of November 7 and 8, offering a carefully curated outdoor shopping experience within Dubai Design District. This platform supports local businesses and independent artisans from the UAE and the region, with an emphasis on handmade products and crafts. Visitors can explore a diverse array of offerings, from homeware and jewellery to fashion and lifestyle products, alongside sustainably produced goods. This year’s market again combines design with culinary experiences, children’s activities, and live performances, creating a vibrant community space that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship, uniting audiences of all ages.