Read ‘Innovation in Design’ – Note from the editor

This month, we shed light on innovation and what propels the industry in terms of creativity. In our collaboration with Aedas for the cover we speak to Global Design Principal Ignacio Gomez, track the firm’s rapid evolution in the past 20 years and, more importantly, explore the firm’s belief in its people and the power of mentorship.

Our successful stint at Salone del Mobile included proudly holding a panel with the president of the fair and several eminent architects and designers from the GCC region – and in this issue we share the highlights of the exhibits that had an impact on us. We now turn to Saudi Arabia; as media partners for the inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, taking place between 20 and 23 May, we share with you a special guide on to what to look out for this year. This includes exclusive insights from the director of Downtown Design, Mette Degn-Christensen on how the collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture is shaping this exciting new fair.

We also we step into the residence of Ahmed Sultan, Partner at Finasi, who opens the doors to his sky-high Dubai apartment – a home blends both soul and spirit. We also explore the increasingly relevant concept of the hobby room, spotlighting one such space designed for music and creativity by Saya Studio, and take a tour through an art-filled Shanghai residence that took over five years to come together.

Small Spaces, Big Impact delves into the craft of designing within constraints, speaking to interior designers and architects who are creating immersive, emotionally resonant environments in even the most compact of footprints.

From the beautifully preserved Bait Elowal, designed by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, to the surreal Dali-inspired olive oil museum envisioned by Philippe Starck, we traverse a landscape of creativity that is boundless, unexpected and deeply inspiring.