Carving the Future of UAE Design at Downtown Design

At Downtown Design 2025, Finasi joined forces with Pallavi Dean, founder of Roar, to unveil “Dreamed in the UAE. Made in the UAE,” a concept-driven installation that celebrated creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship rooted in local identity. This showcase was not just a display of design; it was a story about what it means to create, build, and innovate in the Emirates today. The partnership brought together a blend of Italian precision and Emirati passion, crafting a narrative that bridged global design thinking with regional production capabilities all under one roof.

The collaboration was revealed in Dubai at Downtown Design, held until November 9, 2025, and quickly became one of the most talked-about installations at the fair. Spanning 935 square feet, the space combined architecture, fashion, materiality, and storytelling to express the growing confidence of the UAE’s design identity. At its centre stood The Carved Kitchen, a sculptural masterpiece designed by Pallavi Dean and crafted entirely in the UAE. Made from 1.8 tonnes of stone, the kitchen was both a visual and tactile experience solid, grounded, and expressive. Dean explained that she wanted to celebrate materials rather than conceal them, mimicking the irregular beauty of nature instead of conforming to the monolithic lines of modern-day kitchens. Complemented by metal accents and glass bricks crafted from recycled materials, the piece stood as a striking metaphor for how design can merge sustainability with artistry.

To bring the installation to life, Finasi collaborated with The Host Café, a homegrown Emirati concept founded by six women. Visitors were invited to experience The Carved Kitchen through taste and aroma, sampling handmade chocolates and a signature dessert called The Carved Amber, inspired directly by Dean’s sculptural design. The activation transformed the kitchen into more than an exhibit it became a sensory experience that celebrated craftsmanship, community, and culture.

 

Beside the kitchen stood The Dressed Wardrobe, a custom-built walk-in wardrobe designed by Norah Hayat, Finasi’s Technical Design Manager. Crafted with wood, glass, leather, and metal, and accented by a bold orange hue, the wardrobe explored the emotional depth of personal space. Styled by the UAE-born fashion label KAGE, founded by Basma Abu Ghazaleh, it transformed the installation into a lived-in moment, merging fashion and interiors to celebrate individuality and local creative synergy.The purpose behind the showcase was clear: to redefine what “Made in UAE” truly means. For Finasi, it was about shifting the narrative from manufacturing to innovation about showing that the UAE could not only produce high-quality design but also originate it. “Made in UAE isn’t just a label,” said Hisham A. Sultan, Partner at Finasi. “It’s a green light to experiment, innovate, and be bolder than the rest.” This spirit of experimentation was echoed in every element of the stand, from the sculptural kitchen to the bespoke wardrobe and custom furniture, each meticulously designed, engineered, and built locally.

The reaction from the design community was overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the growing strength of UAE craftsmanship. Visitors praised the installation for its fusion of art, utility, and authenticity a combination that resonated deeply with the country’s evolving creative scene. For Pallavi Dean, the project was not just professional but personal. “For someone who’s grown up here and built a business, it makes me proud knowing we can create polished, world-class design right at our doorstep,” she said. “We don’t have to import creativity it’s already here.”

By the time Downtown Design 2025 concluded, Finasi’s installation had done more than showcase furniture it had told a story. It was a celebration of the UAE’s creative potential, where design, craftsmanship, and culture converged to form something truly homegrown. Through The Carved Kitchen and The Dressed Wardrobe, Finasi and Pallavi Dean carved not just stone and wood, but a statement: that the UAE’s design future is being shaped right here, by the hands and minds of those who call it home.