An insider’s guide to Downtown Design Riyadh

Taking place at JAX District, a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Diriyah, and framed by the storied beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, Downtown Design Riyadh is being held in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Culture. Downtown Design Riyadh marks a defining moment in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving creative landscape and is positioned as an essential new anchor event on the regional and international design calendar.

The fair will gather a curated selection of global design brands, pioneering regional studios and an inspired showcase of local Saudi talent, celebrating the convergence of heritage, craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation. Alongside design showcases, visitors can explore immersive F&B experiences, creative pop-ups and a robust line-up of talks and keynotes at The Forum.

Karim+Elias

Among the key highlights is ‘Strata’, a modular outdoor intervention by multidisciplinary studio Karim+Elias. Inspired by Diriyah’s iconic Najdi geometry, the installation is handcrafted from locally sourced materials such as Saudi sand, using rammed earth techniques. It pays homage to Riyadh’s cultural roots while offering sculptural urban seating. Jotun is presenting an experiential colour exhibition featuring collaborations with Saudi designers, while Jaipur Rugs is showcasing pieces by designers such as Tatiana de Nicolay, Vinita Chaitanya and Wunderkammer.

Cosentino Dekton Pietra Edition Trevi + Polar Bathroom

Design experimentation and cultural narratives will shine through exhibits like Aida Studio’s creative presentation by Jeddah’s Bricklab and Mumbai’s Æquo gallery, which is debuting in the Middle East with works by Dutch designer Linde Freya Tangelder, made in collaboration with Indian artisan Jeevaram Suthar. Cosentino has partnered with Kuwait’s Babnimnim Studio on a conceptual installation inspired by Saudi colour palettes, including the unveiling of the ‘Dekton Riyadh’ prototype – an ultra-compact surface with carbon-neutral credentials.

Æquo Gallery Slabs Chair by Linde Freya Tangelder

Other standout participants include Serafini with its Italian marble creations, Huda Lighting’s multi-brand showcase featuring design heavyweights like Brokis and Tom Dixon, and Iwan Maktabi’s Libas collection in collaboration with BLU, which celebrates regional textile heritage. The collaborative spirit continues with Klekktic x Assembly, who merge customisable contemporary furniture with curated vintage finds.

Collectional Mirage Mirror by Sabine Marcelis

Lasvit will introduce Splash by Martin Gallo, a poetic lighting sculpture inspired by water’s fluid motion. Natuzzi is highlighting lifestyle concepts crafted in Italy, while Gallery COLLECTIONAL is presenting limited-edition design pieces by globally celebrated names such as Draga & Aurel, Christophe Delcourt and Apparatus Studio. Armourcoat will unveil its eco-conscious ‘Raw Earth’ finishes, and Italian studio Dinodo will showcase limited-edition textile art produced with contemporary artists.

Un:Raw Collective Wanderart Lunar edition at Cava Pacifci. Credit: Studio Eller

New design dialogues are also being fostered by platforms like UN:RAW Collective, featuring conceptual works from Wanderart and Elena Pelosi Studio, as well as Scarlet Splendour, debuting in the region with bold brass pieces by Richard Hutten. Saint-Louis is showcasing the Torsade collection, a collaboration with artist Stefania Di Petrillo, and The Bowery Company is bringing leading Scandinavian design brands including Audo Copenhagen and GUBI.

Venini Lampade Stele by Arnaldo Pomodoro

Local voices are central to the fair. Saudi design studio NWII.III, co-founded by Noura Suleiman, will present projects rooted in the Kingdom’s evolving interior design narrative. Venini is unveiling Lampade Stele by Arnaldo Pomodoro – a limited-edition series of luminous steles inspired by ancient votive columns. The ‘Enlace’ project by Aranda/Lasch in partnership with Maison Drucker and Trame reimagines the French bistro chair through digital innovation, while visitors can interactively explore Drucker’s craftsmanship legacy.

Scarlet Splendour by TOTEM

UAE-based Tulio Design is introducing a rug inspired by Saudi heritage, and Riyadh-based Teeb Made is presenting designs that seamlessly merge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Italian design house Visionnaire debuts with immersive living concepts, while Viúva Lamego is bringing the Arcadia collection, made from high-relief glazed tiles by Oficina Marques.

With its impressive roster and thoughtful curations, Downtown Design Riyadh not only spotlights the Kingdom’s design ambitions but sets the stage for a new era of cultural exchange, creativity and innovation in the region.

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