Architecture meets outdoor living in Tikal, the kitchen collection designed by Nicola De Pellegrini for Talenti. Inspired by the monumental geometry of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, the design is defined by clean lines, strong verticality, and a distinctly architectural presence. Crafted in Italy from zinc-magnesium alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum, the collection pairs durability with refined aesthetics through concrete-effect porcelain stoneware surfaces.

Updated with new finishes, Tikal evolves into a versatile system that includes the warmth of wood in Tikal Wood and the luminous purity of Tikal White. Modular and highly configurable, it transforms outdoor kitchens into sophisticated spaces for gathering, balancing nature, function, and contemporary design identity.

 AXOR Archivio launch

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Launched during Milan Design Week, AXOR Archivio celebrates archival forms and classical details reimagined for today’s interiors. The resulting collection that bridges past and present is quietly expressive, beautifully balanced, and crafted to feel at home in any architectural setting. Drawing from historic typologies and transitional design principles, AXOR Archivio unites soft silhouettes, flowing contours, and refined accents. Available with either distinctive bloom-like cross handles or sculptural lever handles, each product invites the touch and conveys a sense of calm precision.

“We set out to create a new icon for AXOR – an object that’s instantly recognisable and lasting. The collection looks to the past while presenting it through a refined, contemporary lens, achieving a seamless balance between past and future,” said Barber Osgerby, the designer behind the collection. 

With its elevated materiality, meticulous craftsmanship, and impeccably balanced proportions, the collection emanates a quiet yet unmistakably sophisticated luxury that is created for discerning interiors where design culture, architectural intention, and exclusivity come together in effortless harmony. “With AXOR Archivio, we are advancing our commitment to timeless design while expanding the architectural flexibility we offer to interior designers and bathroom planners. The collection’s harmony of form and detail demonstrates how enduring design can feel both familiar and refreshingly new,” Shared Olivier Sogno, VP of AXOR, Hansgrohe SE.

Across wash basin, bath, and shower applications, AXOR Archivio reveals a coherent design language. Cross handles with white inlays reinterpret traditional hot and cold markers with a subtle modernity. Smoothly curved spouts, bell-shaped bases, and thoughtful detailing speak to the craftsmanship behind the collection. Lever handles, with their natural rise and tactile invite, provide an equally refined alternative. Offered in AXOR FinishPlus surfaces, AXOR Archivio empowers designers to create bold contrasts or soft tonal palettes across a wide variety of configurations, including single-hole, three-hole, wall-mounted, and freestanding designs.

The signature three-hole faucet captures the essence of AXOR Archivio through its curved spout and softly shaped cross handles. Single-lever faucets come in a range of heights, while wall-mounted faucets are available in two- and three-hole variations with either handle style as well as in various spout lengths. The collection features a freestanding faucet for the bathtub as a visual standout, along with a wall-mounted bath spout and three-hole faucets for the tub.

AXOR Archivio encompasses concealed and exposed solutions for the shower, overhead and hand-held showers, shower sets and a porter unit, providing designers with comprehensive flexibility.

With its harmonious geometry, tactile principles, and broad adaptability, AXOR Archivio gives interior architects and bathroom planers a coherent design approach that feels timeless, expressive, and enduring across a full spectrum of bathroom ambiances.

A Brutalist Bathhouse by KOHLER

Kohler collaborated with Flamingo Estate at Milan Design Week to present The Bathhouse, a meditative environment exploring the creative tension that emerges from the convergence of opposing elements – nature and craft, geometric and organic, permanence and ephemerality. By bringing these elements into a state of balance, design becomes a pathway toward enduring and transformative personal wellness

Anchoring the installation was a monumental brutalist bathhouse, rising from a bed of untamed wildflowers and serving as a protective shell for quiet reflection. At the heart of the bathhouse, the new cast iron KOHER Reverie bath paired a timeless, understated form with a warm copper exterior, serving as an invitation to experience a deeper connection with nature.

“The Bathhouse is a meditation on ritual, nature, and the quiet power of materials,” said Richard Christiansen, Founder of Flamingo Estate. “We imagined a place where wildflowers, water, and light come together to create a sensory experience that reconnects us to the rhythms of the earth.” Surrounding the bathhouse, four custom, one-of-a-kind pollinator baths offered respite and hydration to pollinator species drawn into the installation by the blossoming flowers. Handmade by skilled artisans in Kohler’s historic foundry, the pieces are cast in iron and then flame‑sprayed with raw copper before the edges are finished to reveal two unique expressions of copper.

“For the Flamingo Estate Bathhouse, we wanted to explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, how design can create moments of care not just for people, but for the natural world around us,” said Michael Seum, VP of Global Design at Kohler Co. “The pollinator baths translate this idea into sculptural form, drawing from Brutalist principles on the exterior while softening into organic, nature informed surfaces within. It’s a reflection of our belief that design should hold space for both human ritual and environmental stewardship.

 Kelly Wearstler x H&M Home 

At Milan Design Week, H&M Home showcased a conceptual installation featuring key pieces from the Kelly Wearstler H&M Home upcoming collection. The display included an exclusive preview of objects from the collaboration, along with bespoke pieces in custom colours and sizes. Materials used for the collection include wood, metal, ceramics, marble, and textiles. This milestone marked a bold evolution for the brand, introducing furniture within a designer collaboration for the first time, complemented by smaller design objects. “This is my Milan Design Week debut, and H&M Home is the perfect partner,” shared Wearstler. “Their global presence and genius for storytelling align perfectly with my vision. Bringing this collection to life in Milan and showing people how the pieces come alive in a real space  –  that’s what excites me.”

“This collection represents many firsts for us. Having a presence at Milan Design Week has long been a dream, and with Kelly, we knew the moment was right,” shared Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, H&M Home Head of Design & Creative. “H&M Home has a global presence, but with this milestone we want to make an impact on customers and the design industry alike in a new way. When we discovered the venue  –  the Palazzo Acerbi  –  everything fell into place.” Palazzo Acerbi is a near-mythic 17th-century Baroque palace that has long been closed to the public. Soaring columns and opulent frescoes at the venue created a striking juxtaposition with the collection’s bold contemporary aesthetic. 

Built on the collection’s concepts of daily rituals and modular synergy, the installation was produced by the acclaimed Studio Boum. The story of the installation unfolds as an immersive, choreographed journey through the senses. Each room revealed a distinct dimension of this multifaceted experience, elevating every sense into a sacred act that guides visitors toward presence and connection. The collection launches in stores this September. 

The Kelly Wearstler H&M HOME collection will be available from 3 September 2026 in select stores and online at hm.com/home

Chapter 1 by Loro Piana

In an ode to plaid, one of the House’s first finished products, Loro Piana’s showcase adopted a curatorial language that focused on the finished pieces while revealing the raw material from which it originates: fibre and yarn. Central to Loro Piana’s identity, these elements were shown alongside the processes that transform them. Technique took centrestage with embroidery, appliqué, handloom weaving, needle punching, patchwork, and screen printing that each carried its own gestures, rhythms, and connotations. Historic symbols and graphic elements sourced from the House archives reappeared throughout the selection, translated into contemporary compositions.

Gea by Visionnaire

Gea, named after the Greek word for “earth,” is a lighting collection that explores the dialogue between light and matter through a distinctly geological lens. Inspired by stratigraphy, the design translates layered rock formations into luminous compositions of rhythm and depth. Hand-crafted opal glass slabs, arranged in calibrated warm and cool tones, create a dynamic interplay of transparency, texture, and color. A central LED source animates each layer, producing shifting iridescent effects. Developed as a modular system, Gea expands into pendant and wall-mounted variations, offering a cohesive yet expressive family that reflects the brand’s commitment to material storytelling and innovation.

AREA by Foster + Partners x Kettal

Developed in collaboration with Foster + Partners Industrial Design, Area is a modular furniture system designed by Kettal to support a wide range of collaborative environments – from meeting rooms and co-working spaces to libraries and cafés. At its core, a structural aluminium column integrates power, data, and lighting, enabling adaptable configurations for both seated and standing use. Available in multiple diameters, it allows for flexible spatial arrangements tailored to different ways of working. A variety of tabletop shapes and sizes including round, rhomboid, and triangular, combine with a concealed beam structure that simplifies assembly while incorporating continuous cable management and optional power access. Material options range from timber and linoleum to Fenix, terrazzo, and marble, complemented by a series of integrated accessories such as screen dividers, lighting, and discreet connectivity solutions.

Erosion Collection by Zaha Hadid Architects X Neutra

The Erosion Collection investigates materiality, geology and sculptural form within a series of pieces combining ergonomic considerations with sculptural expression. The MINERA Table and BRANCH Console established the foundation of the collection in 2024 through the expressive use of natural stone; with erosion and geological processes inspiring the collection’s fluid forms carved from solid marble that explore the sculptural potential of natural materials. Evolving into a broader dialogue, the collection introduces six new pieces presented at Salone del Mobile 2026 that expand both the material language and spatial perception of the series.

Lutron

Within the refined context of Four Seasons Hotel Milano, Lutron created a controlled environment where light, shading, and architecture could be understood as one integrated system. Lutron demonstrated how its solutions shape the atmosphere, support the circadian rhythm, and enhance visual comfort across a space. These are not isolated features, but part of a coordinated system designed to perform seamlessly throughout the day.

Porro

On the occasion of Milan Design Week, on Wednesday, April 22, the Porro Milano showroom on Via Visconti di Modrone 29 hosted an immersive journey through a performance by the Milanese choreographer and director Isa Traversi, in dialogue with the installation by Piero Lissoni transforming it into an industrial landscape suspended between production and vision.

Salone del Mobile – From Aurea to Drafting Futures

Every year, Salone del Mobile gets bigger and better. This year, Aurea was conceived by Maison Numéro 20, a Parisian studio founded by Oscar Lucien Ono. The project took on the form of an imaginary hotel, divided into a series of rooms. Each room introduced a subtle variation of light, matter and atmosphere. Visitors move around freely, following a logic built on perceptions rather than functions. The spaces open up one after the other, like episodes, allowing an intimate and almost suspended dimension to emerge, in which design does not impose itself, but accompanies.

Kicking of the Drafting Futures series of talks was former identity Design Awards judge, Tosin Oshinowo, Principal Architect at Oshinowo Studio. Curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial & Cultural Director, Advisor of the Salone del Mobile, the series of talks brought together international speakers from the fields of architecture, design and research, fostering an open dialogue between diverse practices, contexts and visions. Held in the Drafting Futures Arena by Formafantasma, the programme spanned a range of geographies, disciplines and languages, developing as a space for the production of thought, where different disciplines do not merely coexist but intertwine to challenge established models and open up new perspectives.

A crowd favourite was Salone Raritas. Curated icons, unique objects and outsider pieces dedicated to collectible design, one-off pieces, limited editions and antiques brought in lots of interest. Hosted in the Pavillion 9 and curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial & Cultural Director, Advisor to the Salone del Mobile.Milano, with exhibition design by Formafantasma, in collaboration with Cleaf, the project bought together an international selection of galleries, designers and creators to create a space where extraordinary objects find a new context for engaging with the world of design.

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“The Bathhouse is a meditation on ritual, nature, and the quiet power of materials,” said Richard Christiansen, Founder of Flamingo Estate. “We imagined a place where wildflowers, water, and light come together to create a sensory experience that reconnects us to the rhythms of the earth.” Surrounding the bathhouse, four custom, one-of-a-kind pollinator baths offered respite and hydration to pollinator species drawn into the installation by the blossoming flowers. Handmade by skilled artisans in Kohler’s historic foundry, the pieces are cast in iron and then flame‑sprayed with raw copper before the edges are finished to reveal two unique expressions of copper.

“For the Flamingo Estate Bathhouse, we wanted to explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, how design can create moments of care not just for people, but for the natural world around us,” said Michael Seum, VP of Global Design at Kohler Co. “The pollinator baths translate this idea into sculptural form, drawing from Brutalist principles on the exterior while softening into organic, nature informed surfaces within. It’s a reflection of our belief that design should hold space for both human ritual and environmental stewardship.”

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We caught up with Karine Obegi, CEO of OBEGI Home and Mauro Nastri, Global Export Manager of Italian brand Porada, at their collaborative stand in Downtown Design. It was Porada’s debut exhibiting at the fair. The brand – originally from Cabiate, Italy – showcased its modern living philosophy, the Porada House, in an exclusive space alongside OBEGI Home, which is the brand’s local partner and official dealer.

Partitions, screens and a palette of warm colours created a welcoming and refined atmosphere that introduced visitors to the world of the Porada House – a vision of Italian savoir expressed through high-end furniture and modern interior spaces. The OBEGI Home booth itself hosted a multi-brand showcase featuring over 20 leading international brands and artists.

Besides panel discussions at its showroom, OBEGI Home also hosted an event celebrating Porada’s mastery of wood craftsmanship, tracing its evolution since 1968. The week also included dedicated events for the next generation of designers from American University in Dubai (AUD) and Heriot-Watt University, underscoring a commitment to nurturing future talent.

You can watch the interview with Obegi and Nastri on our YouTube channel, @identityae.

An Ideal Standard x Villeroy & Boch panel on shaping hospitality design experiences

We also held a panel at the Ideal Standard x Villeroy & Boch showroom in City Walk, on shaping experiences for hospitality, especially those with a focus on health and wellness. The concept of sustainability as a checklist was discussed by the panel, which included: Constantin von Boch, Head of Sales A&D Europe, Villeroy & Boch Group; Diane Thorsen, Hospitality and Design Director at Gensler; and Henrique Dias, Hospitality Director at DLR Group. 

We also explored how, while materiality, touch, colour and functional performance have always been fundamental, sustainability has now become a leading driver of product development. This shift has also transformed the way products are developed, tested and adapted for different global markets, each of which now has unique certification requirements. One of the strongest themes running through the panel was the need for sustainability to move past ‘box-ticking’ and become a deeply embedded design ethos.

On building to last with GROHE

At our studios, we hosted a panel in collaboration with bathroom brand GROHE under the theme of ‘Building Spaces that Endure’. The session brought together leading voices in architecture and interior design to explore how innovation, sustainability and collaboration shape spaces that stand the test of time. Participants included: Stefan Schmied, Leader of LIXIL International, IMEA region; Bruno Gomes, Design Director at Dewan Architects & Engineers; Adriana Graur, Design Director at dwp; and Hiten Pankhania, Design Leader at Nikken Sekkei. The discussion covered the collaboration between brands and architects and how each can adapt to creating future-ready spaces through interventions in design, technology, innovation and sustainability. 

Conversations with Huda Lighting

At Huda Lighting’s Downtown Design booth, we interviewed the Founder and Managing Director Khaled B. Alami on the founding of the brand and its subsequent success, expansion and future plans. We spoke to visiting product designers Lee Broom and Tom Dixon at the booth, both of which had some of their most exquisite collections on display. We also interviewed Yeghya Mardirossian, Group Head of Showrooms on the secret to delivering a consistent standard of quality to their clients, and to Dubai Showroom Manager, Romy Abi Warde on the curation of the booth beyond products into an experience that integrates sound, light control and lighting elements.

KOHLER Talks

Besides interviewing Marco Maximus – the designer behind Kohler’s immersive and tactile booth at Downtown Design, called ‘Colours of Nature: The Desert Chapter’ – we hosted a panel talk along with Inge Moore, Co-Founder of Muza Lab, and Rakan Jandali, Creative Director of KCA International. ‘Sustainable Futures’ uncovered what it truly means to be sustainable in a space where sustainability is now rapidly becoming mandatory across projects in the region. We also discussed regenerative design principles, as well as how important it is for brands to have regular communications with designers for product research. You can grab snippets of the talks in collaboration with identity on our Instagram feed, or watch the full video on our YouTube channel, @identityae. 

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Watch the full video below:

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The desert, with its endless horizons and shifting tones, came to life at Downtown Design 2025 as Kohler Co.unveiled “Colors of Nature: The Desert Chapter,” an immersive design experience created in collaboration with Dubai-based designer Marco Maximus. At Dubai Design District, the installation reimagined the beauty and emotion of the Arabian Desert through artistry, innovation, and nature’s timeless palette.

 

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This year, more of the Downtown Design exhibitors are experimenting with space, from immersive and experiential pop-ups to thematic, elevated environments that contextualise design in the region. Here are some of the exhibits that we are looking forward to visiting: 

Cosentino

Cosentino

Cosentino is partnering with award-winning Milan and Dubai-based studio Etereo to create ‘1930’, a contemporary lounge experience at Downtown Design 2025. Inspired by the design movement of the 1930s, a golden era that blended the glamour and sophistication of Art Deco with the functionality of Modernism, the installation captures the charm of private clubs and brings it to the heart of the fair. 

To develop the interior design concept, the firm took inspiration from the aesthetics of the decade, a style they believe to be a rare balance of opposites: industrial innovation and traditional craftsmanship. Turning to its own design heritage by drawing from the geometric harmony of Piero Portaluppi, the sculptural sensibility of Carlo Scarpa and the bold architectural gestures of Ettore Sottsass, Etereo sketched out a vision and titled it ‘1930’, a namesake that alludes to the spirit of the brand’s favourite design era. Crafted as a sophisticated balance of geometry, materiality and historical inspiration, the immersive installation will go beyond aesthetics to evoke sensory experiences. The space, a perfect place for soirées, will be composed of a sculptural bar serving signature mocktails, a piano lounge, a game table for playful moments, and a salon for animated conversations. A secret bathroom, inaccessible to enter but visible through a porthole, will add a sense of mystery to the narrative, referencing the covert and forbidden nature of speakeasies from the 1930s. Right from the refined vertical cladding to the ornamental flooring, countertops and bespoke furniture, the entire setting will be crafted in Cosentino materials.

Kohler

In collaboration with interior designer Marco Maximus, KOHLER will invite visitors to explore an enchanting booth inspired by the rich colours and adventurous spirit of a journey through the Arabian Desert. Visitors can experience KOHLER collections in rich, expressive neutral colours that complement any design expression alongside exclusive collaborations that bring global design perspectives to life. The brand will also host a series of talks during the fair.

Huda Lighting

At this year’s edition, Huda Lighting will present a curated selection of luxury decorative lighting from its internationally renowned brand partners, including Lee Broom, Tom Dixon, Articolo, Brokis, Rakumba, Penta, Luceplan, Italamp, Terzani, Bomma, Brand Van Egmond, Folio, Lodes and Panzeri. The collection reflects a balance of innovation, craftsmanship and timeless design, tailored to meet the needs of high-end residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Meet Huda Lighting at Stand D20.

Hands Carpet

At Downtown Design, Hands Carpets will launch the collection of Egyptian sister-design duo Doodle & The Gang. Making fine handcrafted carpets since 1881, Hands Carpets finds true expression in ‘art for the floor’. Each of the company’s carpets is woven by skilled artisans with techniques handed down by generations, crafted using some of the finest qualities of silk, wool and other man-made fibres.

Quooker

Quooker

Visitors to the fair can try the All-New Quooker Flex Square, the newest member of the Flex family – now with a straight spout and enhanced controls for boiling, chilled, and sparkling water and still, all from one tap.

Interiors from Spain

nanimarquina

Interiors from Spain will feature ten leading Spanish brands across furniture, lighting, rugs and tiles – including APE Grupo, nanimarquina and Ondarreta. Its booth, called ‘Espejos’ (Mirrors) and designed by Swiss Bureau Interior Design (SBID), will transform the space into a sensory journey, reflecting Spain’s bold, passionate and innovative spirit.

DEBUTS

ClayArk

The Dubai-based ceramics brand will be making its Downtown Design debut. Its 23+ years of experience offering premium porcelain tiles and slabs, and a blend of craftsmanship and modern design, enables it to provide innovative surface solutions.

Stellar Works

Calico x Stellarworks

Established in 2012, Stellar Works was founded to unite ideas from East and West, blending heritage with modernity, and craft with industry – bringing the best of the past into the light of the present. The brand set out to inspire a renaissance in Asian aesthetics, reinterpreting the forms, styles and motifs that have defined Japanese design through the lens of European tradition to create something both new and timeless. This path between the old and the new reflects a core belief: that good design is timeless – something that Stellar Works strives to embody.

At Downtown Design, Stellar Works makes its Dubai debut, presenting alongside Calico Wallpaper in a space designed by Emirati architect and designer Omar Al Gurg.

MisuraEmme

Now exclusively brought to the UAE by HMA Living by Al Shamsi, MisuraEmme is a symbol of Italian excellence with over a century of craftsmanship, design innovation and timeless elegance. At the fair, MisuraEmme will be presenting highlights from its latest collection, including designs developed in collaboration with Studio 63 Architecture + Design and other leading Italian creatives – offering a glimpse into timeless design tailored for modern living.

STRATA

STRATA

Strata is the studio of mother-son interior design team Saira Ahsan and Yousaf Shahbaz, who have been undertaking bespoke interior projects and producing handmade artisan furniture for over two decades.

All pieces are designed by the STRATA creative team and produced at their factory in Lahore, Pakistan, using a vast range of techniques which include hand carving, inlays and various types of metal casting.

At Downtown Design the brand will present three collections. The Contemporary Artisanal Collection features carved wood inlaid with mother of pearl and finished with handcrafted ornaments. The Sculptural Collection reimagines natural forms through diverse materials and casting techniques. The Period Study Collection pays tribute to centuries-old craft, revived with precision through more than 20 years of research and prototyping at STRATA.

The Forum, designed by Rola Salamoun

Lebanese architect and designer Roula Salamoun has conceived The Forum space this year. The space reflects her tactile, intuitive approach to combining material experimentation with the exploration of organic forms, often inspired by landscapes and natural morphologies. “The Forum is conceived as a living landscape for ideas, fostering exchange across disciplines, cultures and perspectives,” shares Salamoun. “It draws from the region’s longstanding traditions of gathering, where dialogue unfolds in an intimate and inclusive setting, and their strong connection to the region’s native environment, where people come together to sit, converse and connect. These references are reimagined for a global audience, merging the local spirit of hospitality and exchange with the dynamic energy of Downtown Design.” Designed as an internal courtyard, the space’s seating turns itself onto the stage to create a sense of a collective conversation.

Stéphanie Coutas to open new gallery during fair

Stéphanie Coutas, the acclaimed French interior designer known for her sophisticated blend of contemporary elegance and neo-classical romanticism, is announcing the opening of her new gallery in Dubai at Boxpark, Al Wasl Road. The launch coincides with her participation in Downtown Design 2025.

Coutas’s studio has collaborated with esteemed houses such as Baccarat, Promemoria, Tai Ping, THG Paris and Louis Vuitton. Stéphanie Coutas also creates collections of furniture, lighting and decorative objects. Following the success of her Paris gallery in the Golden Triangle, this new Dubai space introduces a refined evolution of her vision. Designed as a warm and curated environment, it invites visitors to discover the world of the designer through luxurious materials, French decorative arts and sensorial storytelling, brought to life in a vibrant new setting.

At Downtown Design, Coutas will unveil the third triptych created by the studio. Measuring 2.75 metres wide by 1.2 metres high, the wall composition offers a rich dialogue between texture, mineral intensity and artistic emotion. At its heart, a mesmerising micro-mosaic reveals a blooming core of emeralds and semi-precious stones, encircled by layers of turquoise and topaz.

Bureau of Innovation Marks a Debut at Downtown’s Editions

Bureau of Innovation (BOI) is a new hybrid curatorial platform founded by Holly Lucas and Sam Henley to orchestrate contexts for experiencing design. The duo will launch the new initiative at Dubai Design Week as part of Downtown’s Editions. Positioned between gallery, cultural salon and digital curator, BOI introduces a model where design is not distant or decorative, but lived with – bold, purposeful, enduring.

BOI presents an assembly of collectible works and thoughtful product design – objects to enjoy. Each designer has been selected for their distinctive material language and approach: from sculptural stone to expressive glass, from architectural furniture to hand-crafted forms. “I’ve come together with Sam Henley to shape the next chapter of BOI; his background in collectible furniture design and founding of the stone studio Agglomerati brings a grounding in materiality, while mine is rooted in curating experiences that turn hospitality into theatre,” shares Lucas. “We bounce off each other instinctively, building a curation that merges production with mood, and storytelling with substance. For our debut at Downtown Design, we’ve selected designers whose work is built to endure, but also to provoke. The pieces feel timeless yet daring, and the experience we’re creating is about intimacy, immersion and emotional pull.”

More interesting exhibits at Editions

Galerie GEEK/ART

Galerie GEEK/ART is an Indo-Japanese contemporary art gallery redefining visual arts by merging Asia’s evolving creative identity with global narratives. Grounded in the interplay between heritage and innovation, the gallery examines cultural shifts, offering a platform for exploration and dialogue.

Central to the gallery’s vision is fostering global interconnectedness. By collaborating with public and private institutions and providing bespoke advisory services, Galerie GEEK/ART bridges cultural and geographic divides, cementing its role within the global art ecosystem.

The gallery highlights visionary artists who challenge conventions and reimagine socio-cultural constructs through experimental practices. By curating spaces for meaningful exchange, Galerie GEEK/ART celebrates art’s ability to connect, inspire and provoke reflection, positioning itself as a dynamic nexus for cultural convergence. At Editions, the gallery will make its regional debut, showcasing a curated selection of Japanese artists.

Antilla Di Lauro

Antilla Di Lauro is an Italian designer and artist working across tapestries, rugs, carpets and ceramics. Her practice charts an intimate cartography of form and material, where her multi-layered works reflect the complexity of human experience. Trained in Sustainable Architecture at Politecnico di Milano, she began her career with Patricia Urquiola before moving into luxury hospitality with HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, and later contributing to the design of royal palaces for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

For Editions 2025, Di Lauro presents ‘Unbound’, a body of collectible tapestries shown alongside her first ceramic works. Woven in wool, bamboo silk, linen and recycled plastic, the tapestries stretch into irregular, multidimensional forms that resist convention and read as autonomous sculptural pieces. Alongside them, three ceramic vases stand like totems, guiding the audience’s gaze to discover and interpret Di Lauro’s multi-layered practice. Di Lauro lives and works in Dubai, creating bespoke commissions for collectors and royalty in the GCC. Her work is represented by Galerie Philia (USA) and Freeman Gallery (Australia & New Zealand).

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In collaboration with three world-renowned design firms, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), LW Design Group, and IDA Global, Kohler unveiled a one-of-a-kind booth that blends Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage through a fusion of art, design, and cutting-edge innovation for hotels, residential, and commercial spaces. Here’s the quick look:

The Desert Jewel ​by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA)

​Reminiscent of the desert’s mineral tones and sculptural stillness, KALLISTA® collections unfolded like rare treasures—quietly revealed within a serene, immersive landscape. Visitors immersed in a space where quiet beauty and stillness converged, and the extraordinary emerged in the most unexpected moments—a place that invited reflection, presence, and the quiet luxury of discovery.

The suite highlighted Bezel, a coveted new KALLISTA collection, featuring a soft square profile with the precise faceting of a gemstone, beckoning to be the jewelry of a bathroom space.

A Sanctuary of Sensory Wellness ​by LW Design Group

​

Inspired by the desert’s quiet resilience and the grounding rituals of resort living, this space became a sensory sanctuary, where design transcended aesthetics to evoke emotion and align with intention. Visitors stepped into a retreat shaped by Kohler’s soulful innovations, where every element was thoughtfully crafted to transform the environment into a place of restoration and reconnection—a space that truly invited visitors to explore a deeper sense of self.

This suite featured the pairing of the Anthem smart showering system with the Statement showering collection, delivering an immersive ritual where every drop inspired renewal.​

The Golden Nights ​by IDA Global ​

Immersed in quiet opulence, the lush drama of Italian maximalism met the soulful calm of Arabian nights. The air was rich with oud, golden threads shimmering across flowing fabrics, and music lingering like a memory in the courtyards. Visitors experienced a space where every detail was designed to ground and transport—an invitation to dwell in beauty, stillness, and story.

In this suite, the sleek, minimalist Components collection echoed the mood with bold, confident lines balanced by smooth, curvaceous forms.

Featuring collections from Kohler, KALLISTA, and Kohler x Studio McGee, the showcase reimagined immersive experiences in bathroom spaces elevating everyday rituals, enhancing wellness, and promoting a more sustainable future.

Kohler x Studio McGee

Kohler x Studio McGee is a collection rooted in time-honored craftsmanship, designed exclusively by Shea McGee to pay homage to the legacy of quality fixtures and the luxury of an aesthetic that endures. Throughout the Castia bathroom collection, the products featured a sense of antiquity but are transitional enough to pair with a wide range of styles.

Visionary Design Talks

On the first day of the exhibition, Kohler’s Chief Sustainable Living Officer Laura Kohler also participated in the Visionary Design Talks titled “Saudi Made – Why Culturally Rooted Design Drives Investment Value.” The talk explored how honoring local culture and identity brings authenticity, trust, and lasting value to design. Joining the panellists included Ahmed Zaidan, Founder and CEO, edgearch; Amani Al Ibrahim, Partner – Executive Director, Kristina Zanic Consultants; Tony Archibald, KSA Country Director, X-Architects; and Omar Al Sabbagh, Design Advisor – Director and Strategist, Dar Al Omran.

KOHLER® Signature Store by Bayt Al Ebaa Activations

Kohler also held event activations at the KOHLER Signature Store by Bayt Al Ebaa.

The first event was an accredited master class by the Council for International Accreditation of Architecture (CIAAD) held for aspiring architect students. The session allowed the students to explore how sustainability and innovation converge to shape design education with leading designers.

The master class was followed by an exclusive panel discussion moderated by Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer at Kohler Co., under the topic “Designing for Collective Well-Being.” The talk brought together leaders from the design industry, academia, and government authorities in an important dialogue to explore the shared responsibility of creating wellness spaces that heal both people and the planet.

Explore more at Studio Kohler.

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The new Ledro freestanding bath offers style, functionality and eco-friendliness. Shaped like an avocado, with ample space for shoulders at the head end, it tapers towards the foot end, allowing space for the knees to rest. The angle of recline is gentle, comfortably supporting the lower back, with a flared rim to rest the head. The high sides cocoon the bather for a deeper sense of relaxation.  Made from Quarrycast^TM, a unique composite of Volcanic Limestone^TM and a special resin. The material is durable and relatively light and is scratch and stain resistant. It also acts as a natural insulator, so it retains more heat from the water, resulting in a longer-lasting warm bath.  Ledro complies with all current regulations and guidelines, including BREEAM Level 1, Building Regulations Part G and the Unified Water Label.

Ideal Standard’s  La Dolce Vita

Ideal Standard unveiled the La Dolce Vita range as part of its design-forward Atelier Collections, crafted by Chief Design Officer Roberto Palomba. This collection captures the essence of ‘the sweet life,’ transforming bathrooms into tactile, expressive spaces. Explaining his vision for the range, Palomba stated: “I sought to reinterpret la dolce vita, a phrase evoking a lifestyle where one can take the time to appreciate the beauty in the everyday. The collection creates a space that sparks inspiration and dreams, where new ideas come to life. Every detail was carefully designed to reflect this essence.”La Dolce Vita offers a full suite of bathroom solutions – including vanities, vessels, toilets, bidets, bathtubs, mixer taps, shower products and accessories – that allows easy integration with other products. Accompanying the range, the Finesse furniture series features sleek designs with recessed handles, available in four matte colours and two wood finishes. Sustainability is a key focus, with materials sourced from certified sustainable forests.

Visually, the collection strikes a balance between geometric precision and organic forms, and includes tapered, curved ceramic vanities and toilets, striking vessel basins and a signature freestanding bathtub. Fittings and accessories come in chrome and PVD finishes, including brushed gold, magnetic grey and silver storm.

Axor’s ShowerSelect ID

Developed in collaboration with Phoenix, the Axor ShowerSelect ID brings unparalleled precision and personalisation to the shower experience. The concealed thermostatic mixer, made possible by the innovative AXOR iBox universal 2, extends just 45 millimetres from the wall and features a central temperature control dial that provides haptic and auditory feedback. Surrounding paddles, equipped with Select technology, allow for effortless switching between spray types and outlets. Available in three design styles – round, square or ‘softsquare’ – and offering a wide range of the brand’s FinishPlus surfaces and Signature custom inlay options, ShowerSelect ID merges cutting-edge technology with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Its ultra-precise controls and modular potential enable up to four outlets to be seamlessly integrated into the shower setup. The solid metal surfaces, inscribed with fine symbols, allow users to control water flow with a simple touch, while the SafetyStop feature prevents scalding. As a fully customisable product, it brings individual identity and style into the bathroom, while options including black Nero Marquina marble and mirrored glass make it a true statement piece for any interior.

Zucchetti’s Sablier

The Sablier collection is a new range of stainless steel taps designed by Monica Armani’s studio, offering a fresh perspective on the treatment of steel. Crafted from AISI 316L stainless steel, Sablier redefines the material by transforming its typically rigid, angular forms into soft, flowing contours. This delicate sculpting infuses each tap with fluidity and grace, complemented by a smooth, pleasing, tactile experience. The design is inspired by the silhouette of an hourglass, from which the collection derives its name – a timeless symbol of the passage of time. Monica Armani and her team embraced the challenge of designing their first tap with enthusiasm. Despite the compact size of the pieces, each one demanded intricate attention to detail. Sablier captures the organic essence of mountain landscapes, reflecting the transformative power of natural elements such as time, wind and water. The result is a modern, refined collection that blends the forces of nature with human innovation. In addition to conventional brushed steel, the collection features a new matte finish achieved through sandblasting, subtly altering light reflection and enhancing the aesthetic softness. This blend of organic forms and high-quality materials results in taps that are not only practical but also rich in aesthetic appeal, connecting modern design with a deep respect for nature. The Sablier collection includes single-lever mixers and two-handle taps, all designed with water-saving features to meet the latest environmental standards.

Kohler’s Loope

The Kohler Loope, a waterless sanitation toilet and recipient of the prestigious 2024 iF GOLD Product Design Award, marks a major innovation in sanitation solutions, making it particularly valuable in densely populated urban areas lacking traditional sewer infrastructure. This toilet operates without sewage systems or electricity, utilising a container-based sanitation model that separates liquids and solids for efficient, sustainable waste management. Developed under Kohler’s Innovation for Good (IfG) platform, Loope embodies the company’s commitment to social and environmental impact, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by addressing global challenges like safe sanitation access. Designed by Hiro Muraoka and his team, Loope combines form and function, with a water ripple-inspired design that emphasises the value of water while showcasing the ingenuity of a dry toilet without compromising aesthetics.

Roca’s Avant 

The Avant toilet by Roca redefines modern bathroom design with a focus on space optimisation and sleek aesthetics. Featuring the innovative ‘In-Tank’ system, it seamlessly integrates the water cistern into the toilet, eliminating bulky components and maximising space. Perfect for compact areas, this all-in-one solution is easy to install and maintain, requiring no major renovations and available is electric or electricity-free forms.

The electricity-free Avant uses mains water pressure at 2.0 bar and a flow rate of 14 litres per minute. If the installation does not support these specifications, the electrically connected Avant-E is available as an alternative. Avant’s patented ‘Venturi Effect’ flushing system offers powerful performance with full and half-flush options, improving water efficiency. The ‘Rimless Vortex’ dual-flush system delivers a quiet, 360-degree flush that reduces both noise and water usage, while its ‘Supraglaze’ technology ensures a dirt-resistant surface for easier cleaning. Combining cutting-edge design, silent efficiency and advanced hygiene, Avant is a game-changer for the modern bathroom. Offering a blend of elegance and functionality, it’s the perfect solution for homeowners seeking innovative style and space-saving brilliance.

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Our cover features the renowned Italian furniture brand Porro, which is gearing up to mark its 100th anniversary next year. The brand is one of the recent additions this year to Casamia’s growing brand portfolio which now carries over 200 brands. The company continues to support the region’s growing skylines through branded development partnerships with brands such as Versace Ceramics.

Cultural immersion takes centre stage in our global outlook, with features on Neri&Hu’s striking design for the New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center in Shanghai and the serene Maana Homes in Kyoto.

Our design focus turns to bathroom innovation, where we explore the brands leading the charge in sustainability, design, and cutting-edge aesthetics.

We also shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talents and projects that we will be celebrating on the 15^{th of} November during the identity Design Awards.

Read the November issue on ‘Regional Excellence’ online.

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Laura: From our founding, our purpose – our why – at Kohler has always been to leave the world a better place than we found it. Through innovation, bold design and superior engineering, coupled with the clear understanding of the responsibility we have as a global manufacturer to preserve resources and be responsive to societal shifts, we have been embracing operational changes, taken care of our associates, given back to our communities and protected our planetary resources for 150 years.

WasteLAB Vox sink

Q. Water is core to your manufacturing, and it flows through your products.  What is Kohler doing to address the water crisis?

Laura: Water is essential to what we do at Kohler and the experiences it brings to our customers. The water crisis affects at all communities, cities and countries – and I know Saudi Arabia knows this all too well. At Kohler, we believe we all have a shared responsibility to make sure that future generations have access to clean, safe water. That responsibility is core to who we are and why our water strategy is focused on reducing, restoring and reusing water across our operations and products – to try to play our part in helping to alleviate the daily challenges faced by people and communities in water stressed areas.

The KOHLER Loope container-based sanitation toilet is a waterless sanitation solution that integrates with container-based sanitation waste collection models.

I am extremely impressed with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy, particularly how the country is so focused on safeguarding and optimising the use of water resources. We fully support this effort and can do our part by providing products that conserve and protect water, use our marketing power to unlock consumer adoption of more water-efficient products and help change behaviour with smart connected products from low-flush toilets to smart showers that keep track of water usage.

Q: What is the connection between art, design and sustainability for Kohler?

Laura: Kohler has always operated on the belief that artistry—provocative and meaningful—is as essential to our success as innovative design, sustainability and quality materials. We also believe that art is fundamental to making people’s lives better. By combining art, design and sustainability, we can continue to design interiors and spaces that address societal challenges such as growing populations and cities – all while protecting our planetary resources.’ is fundamental to making people’s lives better. From the beginning of Kohler, we have operated under the belief that artistry—provocative and meaningful—is as essential to our success as innovative design and quality materials. We believe that when you combine art and sustainability, it pushes our thinking and creativity. We can then use design to convey meaning, create connections, and evoke emotion. At this intersection, we can design sustainable communities, beautiful interiors and spaces that address societal challenges such as growing populations and cities – all while protecting our planetary resources.  Kohler WasteLAB is a notable example of this philosophy in action. We take landfill-bound materials left over from the manufacturing process and convert it into functional products of style and beauty.

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