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Read identity magazine's March 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy
For The Influential Issue, we wanted to explore the power of place – rather than people – as an influence, as it’s so often within spaces that we find community, creativity and sanctuary. From a breathtaking hotel carved into granite massifs and mythic desertscapes to a solar-powered, zero-energy overwater resort whose villas glow like ethereal orbs, these projects are designed to truly exist in harmony with nature. Another resort, perched on the edge of the world’s largest caldera, further proves that architecture can enhance rather than take away from the landscapes that inspire it.
With Maison&Objet behind us, we bring you the highlights from its January edition and give you a sneak peek into Salone del Mobile in Milan, taking place between 8 and 13 April. With the theme of ‘Thought for Humans’, it’s clear that while sustainability, technology and inventiveness are still front and centre of the fair, it’s the refocus towards the ‘why’ that makes it compelling to attend.
In our cover story, we take you behind the scenes into the design story of Gerbou – the much-awaited Emirati hospitality concept which blends culture, sustainability and collab-orative design. What I love most about this project is the depth of storytelling, thought and intention that forms it, embracing the concept of collaboration in all forms. If you prefer to hear rather than read the story, you can listen to our podcast episode with Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum and Kristina Zanic on our YouTube or Spotify channels: @identityae.
From futuristic 3D-printed restaurants to remarkable log homes, this issue also explores the full spectrum of design’s relationship with the environment; working in a cycle that flows from place to people. Don’t miss the feature on E+A Studio’s incredible work in Satwa, where their urban interventions are bringing the community closer together. In The Spaces that Shape Us, we also examine how certain environments influence human behaviour, creativity and cultural identity.
This month, our design focus turns to bathrooms – spaces that have evolved beyond their basic function into wellness sanctuaries. Long considered a place for ‘aah’ moments, bathrooms today are designed as havens for reflection and self-care. We hope you always find time for these moments.
Renowned designer Antonio Citterio introduces a new paradigm in contemporary seating through the Loungescape sofa
We speak with the founder of Hobb, Haifa Malhas, about building a bookstore and a community centred around love for design
Save the date for the much awaited gala night.
With fresh openings in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Crate & Barrel and CB2 unveil Fall/Winter collections that blends tactile design, sustainability, and exclusive collaborations, bringing global style closer to regional homes.
Global surfaces leader Cosentino launches four new quartzite options in the Sensa range
Taking place from 4-9 November 2025, Dubai Design Week this year centres around community.
Casa Tranquilo by DADO offers an immersive retreat into nature
The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture
In Summerlin, Nevada, Faulkner Architects and Concept Lighting Lab have revealed a desert home that withstands extremities
We interview selected architects and interior designers to talk about balancing permanence and progress across their projects
A conversation with Maryam Raeisi, Managing Director of HMA Living by Al Shamsi
This year’s fair is set to take place between 29 September and 2 October