id50 2025 – Niko Kapa

Can you let us know about the latest exciting projects that you are working on? 
Balancing design with local relevance, my work aims to illustrate the unique culture, traditions and ecological landscape of the Arab world. In that spirit, a recent project in Doha is treated as investigation in typology in order to redefine the relationship of the skyscraper with public space. Aim of this project is to understand the principles of operation under certain climatic conditions and material choices, in order to suitably apply them in the building’s design. A shaded public space is the ‘heart’ of the tower that allows street life to enter the building. Base develops as a fluid formation that emerges from the ground, while surfaces of urban space wrap around and ‘root’ the building to landscape. The shell of the building features patterned metalwork which filters light through during the daytime, relieving from the irritating external stimuli and noise, while blurring off the undesired intensity of external sunlight.
Another project under development is a high-rise office complex in Dubai that exploits and celebrates the components of its construction, demonstrating the idea that structure is not something to be applied to the design; it is the design. A ‘mashrabiya’ exoskeleton that is the main support of the tower, creates also a shading lattice with an intricate pattern filtering harsh sunlight. The uniform array of these elements transfers loads to the perimeter of the building, freeing interior from structural elements and giving enormous flexibility for the design within.

Please mention some of your proudest achievements as a firm (Top 3)
As a young practitioner in the field of architecture and design, I devote my practice in promoting Arabic culture through the sustainable development and social inclusivity in the Middle East.
Recently we were honored as finalist of the Arab World Design Award by the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris for our socially responsible product design collections inspired by Arabian landscapes. The social project enabled Arab women take part in the making, empowering them by using crafts as a way of active involvement, achieving the vision of Middle East’s sustainable development, while promoting social inclusivity and equality through design.
Winning the AlUla Design Award has also triggered a fruitful collaboration with the Royal Commission of Saudi Arabia, revealing contemporary practices that merge modern design with local Middle Eastern craftsmanship, while bringing the ancient in dialogue with the contemporary and AlUla in dialogue with the world.
In last year’s Dubai Design Week, we received the Iris Ceramica Award for design encouraging cultural exchange with a social project aspiring to elevate brand value through user experience, place-making and community building. Following a winning entry to an international competition organised by the leading Italian Ceramics company Iris Ceramica, installation targeted on promoting socially responsible design and is a continuation of personal efforts to develop on the significance of cultural heritage in contemporary markets. Since we are newly established and we remain experimental in our approach, such recognitions are particularly important in assisting our ongoing efforts for responsible human activities in relation to natural and cultural ecosystems.

Can you talk about a type of project that you would like to take on in 2025 that would interest you and your team to pursue (dream project that you would like to manifest)?
I believe in the importance of cultural and historical context in design and for that reason I am trying to be actively involved in projects that incorporate elements of local culture, climate, landscape and history. My practice maintains a focus in the cultural sector and social aspects of architecture and this would be the ideal path I would like to follow. I am particularly interested in art installations that investigate the link between design and art as well as projects deeply rooted in research, ensuring accessibility to wider communities shaping the architectural and industrial design landscape in the Middle East.

How would you describe your ‘house style’ and design philosophy?
My work targets on promoting socially responsible attitudes, developing on the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary design, pushing the boundaries of aesthetics, materials, and technology. Through a design philosophy that is human-centred we want to raise awareness towards built environment in Middle East, while promoting sustainability through innovation as well as the cultural importance of design and craft. Using local material and techniques we believe in the designer’s social responsibility to contribute towards an environmentally sustainable world. Incorporating local traditions of craft and treating every project as a research and social initiative, we blur the limits among visual arts and architectural interventions, revealing the ways in which fine arts and design intersect with society.

As this is the power issue, what empowers you and your team?
In the spirit of knowledge sharing, dissolving boundaries by creating connections between people and disciplines is the connecting force behind our ventures. Strengthening cross fertilization between differing sectors forms the base for continuous innovation and experimentation in the wider sphere of cultural practice, reflecting the importance of the collective approach while advocating for inclusivity, diversity and equality. We aspire to belong to a group of industry innovators whose commitment is to move the industry forward through discovery and recognition of tangible and intangible heritage, producing exceptional design work in shaping a better world.

View the visionaries.

View the complete id50 2025 list.