From interior designers, architects and product designers to fit-out firms and art galleries, here are the 50 regional talents on our radar this year. We have alphabetically placed the entries in each of the categories in the order: designers, followed by fit-out firms and the art galleries. Starting of with:
DESIGNERS:
1508 London
Established in 2010, the London-based design studio specialises in private residential, hospitality and multi-unit developments. Its expertise extends across all stages of design and construction; from feasibility studies, planning applications, conceptual and detailed design through to monitoring construction on-site, procurement, dressing and hand-over. The name 1508 London is a reference to the year in which the Pope commissioned the then-unknown Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling after seeing his perfect, freehand circle. The “Michelangelo moment” for 1508 London was winning the commission to transform Chelsea Barracks – the former British Army barracks in London’s Westminster that dates back to 1860 – into luxury apartments. It was the project that catapulted the studio onto the global stage. 1508 London won the interior design of the project – Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai, an exclusive premium-class project set to open in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
Ignacio Gómez, Global Design Principal, Aedas
Ignacio Gómez, the Global Design Principal at the renowned architecture firm Aedas, is making waves in the field with his visionary approach to design. Known for his deep research, regional understanding, and emphasis on genius loci, Ignacio places people, culture, history, environment, tradition, society, and economics at the core of his designs.
In his role at Aedas, Gómez has been at the helm of significant projects spanning across various sectors, including hospitality, commercial and residential, retail, civic and cultural, and more. His influence extends to shaping the overall design direction of the firm’s Middle East wing, where he mentors a diverse team in the firm’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.
Gómez’s unique blend of compelling storytelling and cutting-edge technologies has propelled Aedas into the forefront of the Middle Eastern architectural scene. His pioneering work is evident in milestone projects such as the Dubai Metro Expo 2020 route, SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, W Hotel Mina Seyahi, and ENOC Mobility Station. Currently, he is leading exciting new developments like the transformation of Riyadh’s historic Red Palace into a 6-star boutique hotel, and NEOM’s futuristic ski resort, Trojena Ski Village.
Gómez’s design journey began in Spain and included notable projects like the New City of Justice in Barcelona, which won the prestigious RIBA Award in 2010. During his tenure, his diverse portfolio also included Torre Agbar commercial tower, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel and America’s Cup Foredeck Building designed by David Chipperfield. Prior to his role at Aedas, he worked at Godwin Austen Johnson as a Design Director designing projects like the Al Seef in Dubai Creek’s historical area and Phase 1 of the Kingdom Tower Masterplan.
Recognized for his outstanding work, Gómez has received numerous awards, and his commitment extends beyond design, as he actively mentors young local architects, participates as a guest critic at universities, and engages in key design conferences in the MENA region. Under Ignacio’s leadership, Aedas is meeting the region’s demand for innovative design solutions through a region-cultural methodology. This approach not only sets the firm apart in the competitive architectural landscape but also resonates with clients seeking solutions that transcend mere aesthetics. Guided by a commitment to thoughtful and culturally sensitive design, Aedas is creating architecture that is both regionally relevant and adaptive while staying at the forefront of design.
Agata Kurzela
Agata Kurzela had some big names added to her existing illustrious portfolio. Her team led the design of the Abu Dhabi Government Office which was awarded – Interior Design – Office, at the identity Design Awards 2023. Her design – Game of Life, was also featured at Downtown Design 2023. The floor piece by Agata Kurzela, draws inspiration from the patterns of Sadu, a traditional weaving technique from the UAE. The design is also informed by a cellular automaton algorithm developed by mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970, which is known as Conway’s Game of Life.
Allen Architecture Interiors Design (AAID)
AAID is an established international design entity that is involved in architecture, interiors and design projects for a broad portfolio of cultural, commercial, residential, retail, hospitality and education clients. The firm creates inspired and timeless designs that maximize the potential of architectural space or building and implement a unique style with a distinctive stamp. The diverse team of talented, dedicated and experienced personnel, provide a well-coordinated, efficient and inspired approach to the design and delivery of any project. AAID has a string of upcoming projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
ANARCHITECT
A boutique design studio with offices in Dubai and London, ANARCHITECT has made its mark in the Middle East through its context-driven, contemporary approach. One of its recent projects – The Serai Wing of the Chedi Al Bait hotel in Sharjah takes a minimalistic approach that is both luxurious and not trite. The design firm is designing projects across the continents, such as an African urban contemporary residence in Kampala, Uganda, and a reimagined bohemian 1926 Private House in Belgrade, Serbia.
Asif Khan
A name that stood out during EXPO 2020, Dubai (which is an accomplishment in itself), Asif Khan had set up his own studio almost two decades ago. The architect/designer is competing and winning projects for cultural giants where curation and deep thought are just as much part of the design as drawing up plans and programmes. The practice’s reworking of Smithfield Market for the Museum of London is due to complete in 2026 and it won the competition for the renewal of the Barbican Arts Centre last year. The firm was also involved in the design of the 21m-high carbon fibre gates for Dubai Expo 2020. It has a museum and space centre in the Middle East and projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
BLINK Design
After an exciting year in 2022, BLINK launched a new studio in Dubai to focus on the Middle East. Located in Design District D3, some of BLINK’s most experienced designers and brilliant new talents brings BLINK’s philosophy of ‘placemaking’ to the vibrant and fast-moving Middle East hospitality scene. BLINK’s Dubai studio will join the group’s studios in Bangkok, Shanghai and Singapore, and become part of BLINK’s collective of bold thinkers with an open-minded approach that nourishes collaboration and creativity
Carla Conte
Carla Conte is the Creative Director/founder of Brand Creative. She is a retail and environmental branding specialist with experience in designing shopping centres, department stores, beauty and fashion brands, food retail and cinemas. Carla’s strength is providing key brand strategy assessments that translate into results-driven design solutions, which draws on a multidisciplinary approach. Having worked over a decade for one of North America’s top branding agencies, her experience in the field is one that spans the globe and shows impressive variety in terms of project scale and type. Her career has seen her execute designs for major international brands and Fortune 500 companies.
CD+M Lighting
Established in 1986, CD+M Lighting Design Group is a multinational lighting and controls design firm that provides professional services covering a full spectrum of architectural lighting design applications. The firm’s lighting expertise, energy efficient architectural lighting techniques and years of construction experience merge to provide clients with highly creative, easy to maintain and sustainable designs. CD+M blends cutting-edge lighting expertise, energy-efficient architectural lighting techniques and years of construction experience to provide clients with highly creative, easy to maintain and sustainable designs.
Chris Barnes
Chris Barnes, founder and Managing Director of Broadway Interiors since 1999, is known as one of the top interior design professionals in the ME region and is a well-respected true leader in his field. He has created some of the most successful projects in the F&B industry. His commercial portfolio lists high profile projects such as the innovative Gold LEED certified RTA Headquarters and award-winning projects such as the recycled TME showroom, the progressive KHDA Headquarters and the Public Sector’s DP World Headquarters.
Desert INK
Known for their context-driven and highly creative landscape designs, desert INK have been creating exciting places both locally and internationally now for over a decade. This Dubai-based studio collaborates with clients and consultants globally yet has gained a following due to their sensitivity to local environments, cultures and placemaking at a human scale. Merging innovation and sustainability, desert INK completed the landscape design for the Sustainability Pavilion, Terra at Expo 2020 Dubai, incorporating indigenous plant species while many were grown from seed collected in the UAE’s wadis, deserts and mountains. The future looks bright for desert INK, who are currently leading a multi-disciplinary design team to deliver a unique lifestyle beach attraction in Abu Dhabi and creating an exclusive community for US developer, Discovery Land in Dubai among other exciting commissions.
Dewan Architects and Engineers
Dewan Architects & Engineers has been leading the evolution of the Middle East’s booming architectural and engineering design sector for almost three decades. Its founder and current Chairman and Managing Director, Mohamed Al Assam, established the inaugural Dewan office in Abu Dhabi in 1984 and successfully completed Dewan’s first high-rise commercial project, Baniyas Tower, in 1988, which cemented Dewan’s presence as a major player in the regional architectural scene. Today, Dewan is recognised as a global multidisciplinary practice and is ranked as one of the top three firms regionally, and in the top 50 firms globally as rated by leading industry publications and its peers. The firm’s project – Nur-Sultan Grand Mosque in Kazakhstan was highlighted as one of the standout projects last year at the identity Design Awards 2023.
DLR
DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Their promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and the planet. Some of their notable projects include; Buruj Hotel, The Point, Abha and moreBuruj Hotel, The Point, Abha and more.
DWP
dwp|design worldwide partnership has grown its market presence through, its global studios, with exponential growth in the Middle East over the last 12 months. In support of this, the company saw the relocation of dwp’s Regional Managing Director, Asia & ME, Charlie Kelly, to Dubai in the second quarter of 2021. The Dubai office designed W Hotels, The Palm and Abu Dhabi – Yas Island both received awards for exceptional interior design and the Dubai Smart office was awarded for innovative workplace design.
DZ Design
DZ Design is a Dubai-based architecture and interior design studio, delivering projects worldwide. Established in 2014, UAE-based DZ Design studio has grown to become one of the top interior design companies in Dubai for mid-size hospitality, residential and commercial projects. DZ Design’s latest completed projects include Pullman hotel in Downtown Dubai, Bank of Baroda regional HQ in Dubai, Citymax hotel Business Bay, Hilton Residences in Africa, and luxury residential villas in Khawaneej and Dubai Hills. In the recent years, the firm has had some exciting restaurant designs such as Mogao by Socialicious and more. With a string of high-end restaurants added to its portfolio, DZ Design shows no sign of slowing down and is scale the heights of success.
Etereo
Specialists in luxury residential design and architecture, Etereo Design merges elements of Italian design with design elements from the MENA region. The passion project of Mirko Sala Tenna and Stefania Digregorio, Etereo Design utilises refined craftsmanship and luxury to inform their aesthetical environments. Some of their regional projects include the striking Ghaf Majlis, Segreta and Petraviva projects.
FINCH
Founded in 2011, the Dubai-based design firm, once known as Studio EM, rebranded and embraced a new identity as FINCH. The paradigm shift, led by founders Kristian and Emma Stinson, signals an era of reinvention, growth, and expansive horizons for the award-winning firm. Stepping into a fresh chapter of innovation and collaboration, Studio EM, one of the most recognized early pioneers in the boutique design studio movement, embraces a new identity. FINCH represents a departure from the persona centric brand of Studio EM, fostering a community that celebrates collective ingenuity and a shared vision.
Firas from 4SPACE Dubai
Firas Alsahin is the co-founder and design director of 4SPACE, a dynamic design studio in the UAE. Recognised as one of the finest interior design companies in the region, the company prides itself on blending light and space with delicate, well-considered features to create memorable and unique aesthetics. The firm has grown over the years, designing award winning projects such as NONSENSE by VAGA, that breaks conventional design aesthetics.
Foster and Partners
Foster + Partners has enjoyed a prominent presence in the Middle East through myriad projects. Some of the practice’s prominent projects include ICD Brookfield Place, The House of Wisdom in Sharjah and The Lana Hotel by Dorchester Collection & Residences. The firm is involved in a number of high-profile projects in the MENA region, especially Saudi Arabia.
Kristina Zanic Consultants
Established in the UAE, and with the key leaders having over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kristina Zanic Consultants provide the following services: interior design, facility planning, project coordination, feasibility studies, brand guidelines, furniture design and procurement. The founder of the firm – Kristina Zanic, is a passionate traveller, who finds her inspiration in the places she visits. As a result, Kristina’s designs have a strong connection to the place it is in, while experimenting with colour and materials. The firm’s recent project – Ritz-Carlton Baku is a strong example of this design style.
Lina Ghotmeh
French Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh is an internationally renowned designer and the founder of her eponymous Paris-based studio ‘Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture’. Her works include Serpentine Pavilion, the Estonian National Museum (designed in partnership with Dan Dorell and Tsuyoshi Tan), the Stone Garden tower in Beirut, the design of the new Ateliers Hermès in Normandy.
She was recently announced as the winner of the prestigious award – 2023 Great Arab Minds Award in Architecture and Design, which earned her a special mention from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Congratulating Professor Lina Ghotmeh on “X” platform, Sheikh Mohammed said, “Congratulation to Professor Lina Ghotmeh on winning the 2023 Great Arab Minds Award in Architecture and Design. She teaches architecture at a number of global colleges and universities.”
“Professor Ghotmeh has overseen more than 65 global architectural projects, including renowned museums, exhibitions, and cultural designs that have been linked to the cultures of the world using local materials that resonate with the building’s surrounding environment,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
Ghotmeh is currently in the spotlight for having won the coveted Saudi commission to design The Contemporary Art Museum in AlUla.
Lulie Fischer Design Studio
Lulie Fischer Design Studio’s charm is its ability to remain a boutique firm while expanding its portfolio with diverse projects. The founder of the studio – Lulie Fischer is an Architect and Interior Designer with over 25 years of experience. Fischer relocated to Italy in 2003 and set up her own studio restoring historic properties and remodelling the interiors. From her Italian studio she also continued to work for Foster and Partners in the capacity of Interior Designer on the Yacht Club de Monaco, the Vista Palace Hotel, Monaco, the MGM Lifestyle Hotel and the Mr Chow Restaurant, Las Vegas.
In 2016, Lulie launched her own Studio, Lulie Fisher Design Studio, with other talented and like-minded designers specialising in Interior Design. The firm’s recent project: 5 Senses Wellness Retreat, Al Ula by Lulie Fisher Design Studio won multiple accolades and was considered as the best design in the interiors category at identity Design Awards 2023.
LW
Since 1999, LW has developed over three hundred hospitality projects from the ground up. LW’s design process and attention to eclectic details are what drives its popularity. The emphasis lies on the functionality of Interior Design. LW has established a worldwide presence in recent years, with a large number of impressive, award-winning projects coming out of offices in Dubai, Hong Kong , São Paulo and London.
LWK+Partners
LWK + PARTNERS is a leading architecture and design practice rooted in Hong Kong. Its 850+ creative minds collaborate across a network of 11 offices around the globe delivering world-class solutions to the built environment. Its wide range of services include architecture, planning & urban design, interiors, landscape, heritage conservation, building information modelling (BIM), brand experience and lighting design.
Awarded lead architect after winning an international design competition, LWK + PARTNERS is set to create a new architectural landmark in alignment with DIFC’s vision to enhance its standing as a leading lifestyle destination and financial center. The architects began their design approach with devising a distinctive identity for the building positioned between two imposing neighborhoods, as well as establishing a pedestrian flow from the adjacent road to the landmark Gate Avenue podium.
MMAC Design
Christian Merieau & Anil Mangalat founded MMAC Design Associates in 2013. The founding partners have developed more than forty hotel concepts for ten of the world’s leading international hospitality firms and are well known faces in the region. The pair brings over thirty years of combined experience to the table having delivered high-end projects in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Mustard and Linen
Rim Guirari and Thomas Castagnet are the founders behind the firm – Mustard and Linen. The firm delivers projects by ensuring that all the phases are perfectly achieved. Some of their high-profile projects include: Saadiyat Sales enter – Abu Dhabi, Cloud Spaces – Dubai and Aldar’s HQ.
Nada Debbs
Born in a Lebanon and raised in Japan, Nada Debs graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in the US. She then moved to London where she began designing and producing custom furniture. Cosmopolitan and prolific, her multicultural approach has made her one of Lebanon’s design and furniture stars. Her ability to fuse her oriental heritage with Japanese influences, mixing traditional crafts with vibrant references to the contemporary anime culture.
Nakkash Design Studio
Award-winning, multi-disciplinary practice, Nakkash Design Studio is the brain behind the design of Magpie, Compartes and more. Nakkash Design is known for its steadfast support to furthering the design dialogue in the region and for introducing new brands. The studio’s breadth of influence spans from residential and commercial projects. They also offer graphic design and product design services through curate collections of furniture.
OMA
OMA is an international practice operating within the traditional boundaries of architecture and urbanism. The firm is led by nine partners – Rem Koolhaas, Ellen Van Loon, Reinier De Graaf, Shohei Shigematsu, Iyad Alsaka, David Gianotten, Chris Van Duijn, Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, Jason Long – and maintains offices in Rotterdam, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Doha, Dubai, and Perth. Some of their prolific designs include Taipei performing Arts Centre, the renovation of Kaufhaus Des Westens (KaDeWe) in Berlin, Qatar National Library, Qatar Foundation Headquarters, Bryghusprojektet in Copenhagen, Fondation D’entreprise Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and Prince Plaza in Shenzhen. The firm also oversaw the design of the first ever – Islamic Biennale in KSA.
Pallavi Dean
Pallavi Dean has had an interesting year with the completion of some stunning projects such as Sprinklr office and Jaipur Rugs Showroom. The latter has won multiple accolades for its interesting mix of modernity and traditional. It was Jaipur Rugs first showroom in the Middle East, located in the creative district of Aserkal, in one of the former industrial area’s previously abandoned warehouses. Roar’s design for the space pays homage to the architecture of Jaipur, the rug manufacturer’s home city, and in particular its famous stepwells – reservoirs built with staggered terraces and dizzying sets of stairs all the way down into their depths.
Paul Nulty
Paul Nulty founded Nulty in 2011. He is an award-winning architectural lighting designer and has been involved with a wide variety of prestigious projects in a career spanning over 20 years. Combining creativity with an eye for detail, his theatrical lighting background provides him with a unique understanding of the relationship between space and light.
Paul leads the practice in a collaborative way to ensure it continually evolves and refines its service, knowledge, and innovation. Nulty has studios in London, Dubai, Bangkok, Pune, and Miami, and works with some of the world’s foremost architects and interior designers. Collaboration is at the heart of the practice; improving life through light, no matter what the scale, is its goal. A Nulty project is defined by its originality and attention to detail.
Roberto Palomba
Since 2003 Roberto Palomba has been a professor at the Polytechnic of Milan, degree course in Industrial Design. He co-founded the design studio – Palomba Serafini Associati with Ludovica which works on architecture, interiors, industrial design, exhibition design, graphic design, communication and media strategies, marketing consulting. Palomba Serafini Associati follow various interior design and architecture projects all over the world.
The renowned designer has been involved in design projects across the various segments of the industry. From architecture to product design, Palomba is well-known for his creative exploration of colour, texture and style. In 2022, Palomba announced his collaboration with the bathroom manufacturing brand – Ideal Standard and created the Atelier Collections. The designer who also worked on product launches for the likes of Poltrona Frau, Talenti and more, has recently been a regular to the region, promoting luxury design and sustainability.
RSP
RSP is a global multidisciplinary architectural and engineering design group head with headquarters in Singapore. With a portfolio of more than 2,500 international projects, our portfolio spans the master planning, mixed use, retail, office, education, residential, civic, hospitality, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. The firm is involved in exciting projects in the region, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – scope of which includes, master planning, architecture and interior design.
Say Studio
SAY Studio is a collection of creative, passionate and curious designers that love to take on challenges, both big and small. The firm offers architectural and design consultancy services across multiple sectors, namely workplace, hospitality, F&B and residential. The firm drew inspiration for the redesign of LinkedIn’s MENA headquarters at Business Central Towers in Dubai from the city’s diverse landscape and history. SAY designed each floor to connect people to one another and to Dubai through colour, texture, pattern, and art. The design team prioritised creating a community of new experiences that brings employees closer together with their teams, encourages them to explore the office, and includes creative design elements that reflect Dubai.
Shaun Killa
Killa Design – led by architect Shaun Killa – has been part of some of the iconic projects to grace the region’s skylines. Architects behind the ambitious Red Sea project – Sheybarah Villas, Killa Design looks towards creating structures that are innovative, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Recently Shaun Killa was announced along with prolific architects Mario Cucinella, Chris van Duijin, to finalise the architectural direction for Leyja – NEOM’s latest eco-touristic destination.
Styled Habitat
Rabah Saeid, the founder of Dubai interior design company Styled Habitat, believes that design is a luxury that shouldn’t be restricted to a few. The interior designer has a passion for natural materials and spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Sumaya Dabbagh
Led by Saudi architect Sumaya Dabbagh, Dabbagh Architects made waves in the international architecture scene with the design of the Gargash Mosque in Dubai, which reinterprets the typology of a traditional mosque architecture with contemporary interventions. The firm has also been invited to participate in a competition for a grand mosque in Saudi Arabia in addition to other projects in the kingdom. The architect’s EARTH TO EARTH installation at Sharjah Architecture Triennial is a curved wall structure that reflects the fundamental circularity and duality of a material which embodies both solidity and fluidity.
Tadao Ando
Winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize, Tadao Ando needs no introduction. Ando’s body of work is known for the creative use of natural light and for structures that follow natural forms of the landscape, rather than disturbing the landscape by making it conform to the constructed space of a building. Recently the Japanese architect unveiled plans for Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah, a luxury residential complex on the oceanfront in Dubai.
Tam Studio
Founded by Tamilla Jazayeri in 2016, TAM Studio collaborates with local craftsmen in the UAE to create versatile collections of bespoke & custom furniture, distinguished in narrative and craftsmanship.
Inspired by functionality & simplicity of modern Scandinavian design, TAM studio focuses on creating unique statement pieces for residential & commercial projects with a trail of honesty in material & forms. In 2020, with an extensive knowledge of the UAE region, TAM studio expanded their services to Interior Design, with the aim to create beautiful bespoke interiors aligned with TAM’s distinguished brand signature. The brand recently set up its first physical showroom in Dubai, to enhance its local production and commercial collaborations.
XO Atelier
FIT-OUT:
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BW Interiors
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Emkay Interiors
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Finasi
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Havelock One
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ISG
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Pinnacle Interiors
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Smart Renovation
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Swiss Bureau Interior Design
ART:
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Capsule Arts
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Ramesh Four Seasons Art Gallery
