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This month, we celebrate the interior designers, architects and product designers from the region on our radar; from emerging talent to the visionaries and the global firms with local presence.
When I set out to curate the id50 this year for our milestone 250th issue, my goal was not to merely shine a spotlight on the most influential figures in the A+D industry but to delve into the philosophies that drive them. In speaking with these accomplished individuals whose work has already garnered widespread acclaim, I was interested in their past accolades, but more curious about their aspirations. What dream projects still spark their imagination? What challenges would they embrace if given the chance to shape their ideal vision?
This inquiry was driven by a dual purpose. First, I wanted identity to play its role in celebrating the incredible talent thriving in this region. Second, I wanted to highlight the foresight it takes to be a designer in today’s ever-evolving world. By capturing these dreams on paper, I hope they might resonate with the right entities who could help bring them to life. After all, designers aren’t just shaping spaces; they’re shaping societies, responding to the complexities of our time with ideas that are as thoughtful as they are transformative.
In this context, ‘power’ takes on a different meaning. It’s not about dominance or individual gain, which so often accompany the word, but about the ability to serve communities and create meaningful, enduring connections. This issue is special for this reason as well. On our website throughout this month, you’ll find candid conversations with the individuals on this year’s id50 list – leaders who are not only creative powerhouses but also mentors and role models for the next generation of design professionals. These insights reveal what drives them, what challenges them and what keeps their passion alive.
Beyond the id50, this issue also brings you a curated selection of great projects, from a stunning Palm Jumeirah home to a characterful apartment in Beirut. We also dive into the growing trend of nostalgia in design and explore luxury design as a focus.
In a world overwhelmed with information, perhaps this issue can help make sense of it all – offering you a curated look at the people, ideas and projects that truly matter. Together, we celebrate those that dare to dream.
Read our February 2025 issue here.
On the cover: Citadel of Cairo: Seat of Design Power for Gemma Ceramics designed by Dar Arafa Architecture as part of Cairo Design Week. Photo Credit: Nour El Refai
The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture
In Summerlin, Nevada, Faulkner Architects and Concept Lighting Lab have revealed a desert home that withstands extremities
We interview selected architects and interior designers to talk about balancing permanence and progress across their projects
A conversation with Maryam Raeisi, Managing Director of HMA Living by Al Shamsi
This year’s fair is set to take place between 29 September and 2 October
Daria Zolotova, founder of ARTDOM, discusses the brand’s upcoming first major art forum congress, being held at Riyadh on 11-12 November 2025
A bespoke villa in Dubai Hills Grove designed by XBD Collective blends contemporary elegance with high-end craftsmanship
Arch Home Interiors has crafted a boutique Pilates studio in Dubai Design District, creating an environment where movement meets self-care
Henrique Dias, Principal and Middle East Hospitality Design Director for DLR Group, shares the firm’s growth journey in the region
Read identity magazine's September 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands
Five prominent designers have been selected to judge this year's milestone 11th annual identity Design Awards
In honour of Emirati Women’s Day, we celebrate the visionary Emirati women in the industry that are pushing boundaries