Read ‘Greener Perspectives’ – Note from the editor – September 2025
Read identity magazine's September 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands
In this issue, we look at sustainability through the lens of endurance – exploring how architecture, interior design, materials and philosophies can come together to create spaces that truly stand the test of time.
Over the summer, we hosted a roundtable of incredible Emirati women from the design and creative industries in collaboration with Casamia in honour of Emirati Women’s Day. The roundtable focused not only on celebrating them but also on what Emirati identity means in the context of their work, and explored ways to collaborate as well as identifying the unique opportunities that have helped their careers to flourish.
Our cover story shines the spotlight on Henrique Dias, Principal and Middle East Hospitality Design Director at DLR Group. A strong advocate for sustainability as more than just a checklist, Dias reflects on the firm’s growth journey in the region and its lasting impact on the built environment.
We are also happy to announce identity will be attending Feria Habitat Valencia, bringing our homegrown title global yet again this year.
Of course, this issue would not be complete with some truly stunning homes. XBD Collective’s bespoke villa in Dubai’s Hills Grove blends contemporary elegance with high-end craftsmanship, whereas the V Penthouse by Badie Architects is a bold exploration of materiality and spatial harmony. Throughout these projects, there’s a recurring theme: a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship and the idea that less, when considered deeply, truly becomes more.
We love a reimagining, so we also take you to the heart of Cairo, where an old lecture hall at Ain Shams University turns into a theatre. In India, we take you into a sustainable home in Goa, where the home’s orientation and spatial planning allow for natural ventilation and daylighting, reducing the need for artificial cooling and lighting.
There are only a few more days left for submissions for the identity Design Awards. We have an incredible jury this year that we are proud to announce. Submissions are free to enter, and close on 15 September 2025. We’re excited to receive your entries!
The Latest
A New Life
In the heart of Cairo, an old lecture hall at Ain Shams University turns into a theatre
The Quiet Art of Project Management
In Dubai’s ever-evolving real estate landscape, this approach has earned Vedra a reputation for integrity and attention to detail
Award-Winning Residences in Dubai: When Vision Meets Flawless Delivery
Designsmith is bringing two award-winning residences to life by ISTO
OFIS Brings the Iconic HÅG Capisco Chair to the UAE
In an exclusive collaboration with Flokk, the brand continues to raise the bar for healthy and sustainable workplace design
An Avant Garde Residence
The V Penthouse by Badie Architects is a bold exploration of materiality and spatial harmony
Kohler Celebrated Transformative Designs at INDEX Saudi Arabia 2025
Transformative design experiences were highlighted through curated collections from Kohler, KALLISTA, and Kohler x Studio McGee along with panel discussions on wellness, design, and sustainability.
Serenity and Soul
Blending Aman’s signature serenity with the cultural soul of Saudi Arabia, Amansamar emerges as a bold new destination for design-led living and hospitality
Quiet Luxury
The Bernhardt brand brings understated elegance and enduring craftsmanship through Interiors in the UAE
Transform Your Living Space
Renowned designer Antonio Citterio introduces a new paradigm in contemporary seating through the Loungescape sofa
Inside Hobb
We speak with the founder of Hobb, Haifa Malhas, about building a bookstore and a community centred around love for design
Revealed: The venue and date for the identity Design Awards 2025
Save the date for the much awaited gala night.
Conscious design, textural sophistication, and seasonal comfort: What Crate & Barrel and CB2 bring to the GCC with New Stores and Collection
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.