Dubai Design Week 2024 marks a milestone in the region’s design landscape. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this year’s edition promises a vibrant mix of cultural programming, international talent and innovative design. “This year’s Dubai Design Week is a special milestone as we celebrate 10 years of design and innovation. We’re excited to present a comprehensive programme including exhibitions, workshops, talks and special projects, as well as over 40 large-scale installations that delve into ancient technologies, modern innovations and materiality,” says Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week.
Here are five key highlights from the upcoming event, which will take place from 5 to 10 November at Dubai Design District (d3):
1. Downtown Design
The headline event, Downtown Design is now in its 11th year and returns on 6–9 November on the d3 Waterfront Terrace. As the Middle East’s foremost fair for contemporary design, Downtown Design will feature innovative collections in furniture, lighting and interior design. Complemented by creative pop-ups, installations and talks, it will provide a platform for industry professionals and design enthusiasts to explore the latest trends. “Downtown Design returns with a packed programme of creative showcases and an exceptional lineup of both international and regional talent. One of the highlights I am particularly excited about this year is the UAE debut of The Conran Shop, a globally renowned name in design. Their creative pop-up at Downtown Design will have lots of nice things to discover, including discounts codes for all visitors to the fair, and their launch here is a great testament to the development of the contemporary design market in the UAE and wider region, a mandate very close to my heart,” shares Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design.
2. Editions
Debuting alongside Downtown Design, Editions will showcase limited-edition art and design, offering an alternative route to collecting high-quality, unique works. Over 50 galleries and design studios will present exclusive pieces spanning contemporary design, prints, ceramics and more, broadening the scope for collectors and visitors alike. “The inaugural Editions fair comes at an exciting time for Dubai’s cultural landscape, matching a curated selection of creatives from around the world to an alternative approach to art and design, in a way that truly sets the stage for cultural innovation in the city,” shares Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director at Art Dubai Group.
3. Urban Commissions 2024
Oman-based design studio Altqadum will present ‘TukTukDum’ – an interactive design installation inspired by Gulf musical traditions. It forms part of the Urban Commissions competition, judged by stalwarts of the design industry such as: Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, urbanist, architect and GM of M_39; Ahmad Bukhash, Director – Urban Planning at Dubai Development Authority and Chief Architect and Founder of Archidentity; design consultant and advisor Cyril Zammit; and Robert Shakespeare, Group Design Director at Cracknell, specialising in sustainable urban and landscape design. The design of ‘TukTukDum’ reimagines the table as a space for communal interaction, celebrating the shared cultural heritage of the region while responding to this year’s theme, Tawila (‘table’ in Arabic).
4. 30+ installations exploring heritage and innovation
Over 30 large-scale installations will showcase the intersection of ancient techniques with modern innovations. Highlights include a pavilion made from prefabricated earth blocks by Bone Studio in collaboration with Fetdeterra, and ‘The Warp’ by Mitsubishi Jisho Design, which is a result of 3D printing technology fused with the traditional Japanese technique of glue-less wood assembly. Using wood-based PLA filament made from sawdust, the project aims to promote sustainable construction by repurposing discarded wood and reducing waste. Over five years of research have culminated in the precise assembly of hundreds of 3D-printed, double-curved pieces, showcasing a regenerative approach to architecture. The project challenges traditional housing paradigms, envisioning a future where lightweight, adaptable living spaces allow for greater freedom and social reform through mobility. Another installation of interest is an AI-infused ‘second skin’ fabric that responds to the body’s state of being. Termed ‘Enfold: The Holistic Embrace of Body and Technology’, the piece was created by tech-driven multidisciplinary practice DEOND, founded by Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo. An immersive installation called ‘Formation of Soof’, by House of Artisans, pays tribute to the core materials and tools of the Al-Sadu craft: the wool (soof) and the spinner/spindle (maghzal or ghazal). Other installations have been created from various organic and upcycled materials, including banana fibre, soybean wax, henna, Himalayan salt, terracotta and scrap metal.
5. Abwab
Abwab, which means ‘doors’ in Arabic, is a platform dedicated to supporting designers from the South West Asian and North African (SWANA) region. Each year, it commissions installations and pavilions that respond to both global and regional themes, offering fresh perspectives through the lens of local design traditions. This year, designers were invited to explore vernacular architecture, focusing on community-driven methods. These approaches, deeply rooted in local materials and techniques, are reimagined for modern contexts, demonstrating how tradition and innovation can merge within evolving environments.
Dubai Design Week 2024 promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the past, present and future of design in the region while offering a platform for dialogue and collaboration. Whether through limited-edition collections, innovative installations or community-driven workshops, this year’s festival is set to inspire and redefine the role of design in shaping culture and society.
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