Dubai Design Week celebrates tenth edition with expanded programming

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Dubai Design Week (DDW) has unveiled its milestone 10th edition (Nov. 5 – 10), bringing together more than 1,000 designers, architects and creative practitioners from over 50 countries. Taking place across Dubai Design District (d3), the programme features over 40 large-scale installations, 10 exhibitions, talks, more than 60 workshops and masterclasses, a weekend marketplace, as well as over 150 activations. It has been managed by the Art Dubai Group over the last 10 years. DDW is held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and supported by Dubai Culture.

Country specific presentations include the Italian Trade Agency (ITA); Designed in Saudi, a strategic initiative by the Design and Architecture Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture; and the annual Tanween Design Programme 2024, unveiling the works by the selected emerging UAE-based designers. At Editions, the region’s first fair for limited-edition art and design, highlights include Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah’s new collection for her studio’s 10th anniversary, while Hestia Gallery showcases Elsa Foulon’s organic lights, among works of other designers. The photography place presents Dubai-based Gulf Photo Plus with works by Alia Ali, Hussain AlMoosawi, Rehaf Batniji, and Miro Mannino. Prints, inclusive of screenprints, lithography and serigraphy, feature works by the pioneer of Arab art, Dia Azzawi, at Meem Gallery space.

Abwab is DDW’s programme dedicated to regional talent. The 2024 theme explores vernacular architecture and regenerative design processes through local materials, climate-responsive techniques and community-centred designs. ‘A Present/Absent Mudhif’ by Ola Saad Znad (Iraq) portrays the Marsh Arabs’ architectural heritage in Iraq, using reeds and ancient Sumerian techniques; ‘ReRoot’ by Dima Al Srouri (Jordan/Palestine), Dahlia Hamati (Lebanon/Palestine), Andy Cartier (France) and Rosa Hamalainen (Finland) explores emergency housing solutions through an ecological lens using palm waste and mycelium, a material derived from fungi; and ‘Material Witnesses and Narrating Lifeforms’ by Miriam Hillawi Abraham (Ethiopia) draws inspiration from coral stone found in early settlements on the East African coast and the UAE.

The Urban Commissions theme examines the table’s role in facilitating exchange, dialogue and tradition, and was awarded to Altqadum, a design studio from Oman. ‘TukTukDum’, crafted from traditional and organic materials, is an innovative table that takes inspiration from the musical culture of the Gulf, where communities traditionally gather around and accompany musicians. Audiences can also engage with over 40 large-scale design installations that explore ancient technologies, modern innovations and responsible material choices: Iwan is inspired by Islamic architecture and is designed by four emerging Saudi architects as part of the Tanween Foldable Pavilion Challenge, a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Mamou Mani Studio and Abywat; Stoot is a large-scale pavilion by UAE architect Abdalla Almulla and Oxara, a pioneering cement-free, low-carbon alternative to conventional building materials; Wild Hues by Emirati creative Hessa Ali Alechla of Wild Arab West, invites audiences into a tunnel that utilises primary and secondary colours to reflect on Khaleeji-Western cultural fusion; Dubai Holding Entertainment and Canadian University Dubai’s School of Architecture and Interior Design, in partnership with ImInclusive, has designed the Shelter of Inclusivity, a space dedicated to accessibility and in recognition of People of Determination; The Resilient Blooms, a collaboration between Emirati artist Mariam Abbas and Maska combines botany and architecture to express nature’s resilience and hope through prints, seed paper, fabric, and silk wraps; and Shape of Water by RAK Ceramics is designed to simulate an immersive journey into ocean’s depths through form, lighting and materiality.

This year’s programme offers 10 exhibitions curated by Emirati designer Omar Al Gurg, featuring furniture and products by over 30 emerging designers from or based in the UAE; Men’s Rings: The Yves Gastou Collection by L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts presents over 700 rings spanning from ancient Egypt through to 1970s with American biker gang rings; Next Gen Design strand is led by educational institutions such as the American University of Sharjah, NYU Abu Dhabi and Heriot-Watt University. Audiences can experience various activations, pop-ups and special presentations by cultural institutions and design-driven brands including a multi-sensory activation rooted in the heritage of Arabian perfumery by Hind Al Oud, DDW’s Fragrance Partner by Mohamed Hilal group, to celebrate the launch of two signature perfumes - a new line of perfumes ‘Ya’E’ and ‘Alifi’, inspired by the poem ‘Kibriya’E’ by renowned Kuwaiti poet Faisal Al Adwani; Design Doha, a design biennial established by Qatar Museums, is hosting an interactive reading lounge featuring Arab Design Now, a publication spotlighting contemporary designers from the region; and the Art Jameel space is showcasing exclusive works by local and regional creatives, as well as social impact products by Made51 by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency highlighting refugee craftmanship, Mawaheb, the Dubai-based studio for people of determination and Artisans of Palestine.

DDW features over 60 interactive workshops and masterclasses. Highlights include the National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia. The Forum continues to gather influential voices from the global design industry. The DDW Marketplace is showcasing over 70 brands, celebrating heritage, culture and craftsmanship. Visitors can explore handcrafted jewellery, sustainable fashion and engage in activities such as seed planting and pottery. With more than 10 local food concepts, including artisanal pizzas, donuts and ice cream, the Marketplace is a family-friendly space.