Today, the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week kicks off, running until November 9. The event is held in partnership with Dubai Design District and supported by Dubai Culture, featuring a rich program across its exhibition sections, including Downtown Design, Editions, and Abwab, alongside showcases for major award projects, most notably the 'Ashghal Madani' (Civil Works) award.
Continuing the legacy and enhancing diversity Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week, spoke to 'Emirates Today' about the 11th edition, saying: "The previous edition was special as it celebrated the 10th anniversary and featured the largest design exhibition in the region, which holds great promise for this year. We are building on that momentum, working diligently to bring voices from both the Arab world and the West, because the language of design is incredibly diverse, and that's what we aim to highlight."
Language and story in design Carella added: "Design is important for its form and function, but it also carries significant weight in terms of the language and story it conveys. It is steeped in cultural heritage, which is why we present numerous innovations that express contemporary issues, including sustainability, the environment, climate change, and the role of technology, among others."
She noted that Dubai Design Week sheds light on the ecosystem in the region, especially in smaller nations. It is not just an annual exhibition but a platform that spotlights the efforts of institutions and even governments in supporting design. Carella also mentioned that she avoids imposing a single theme on the participating works, explaining that it's challenging to confine design diversity within a specific framework. The exhibition focuses on the uniqueness, quality, and distinctiveness of the works, and how design contributes to a better future through sustainability and its social impact.
She highlighted that the event also addresses humanitarian projects, such as working with refugees and other groups given the opportunity to showcase their creativity and make their voices heard globally.
Innovative workshops Carella pointed out that the Dubai Design Week program includes numerous events, workshops, and lectures, with over 30 installation works this year. She explained there is a large number of new and distinguished projects, both from independent designers and specialized studios. Some installations were made from innovative materials like dates to highlight the concept of material sustainability. She also noted the presence of architects presenting installation works, showcasing the vast diversity of the exhibition, which extends beyond furniture and lighting to various aspects of creative design.
Artificial Intelligence is present Carella stated that Artificial Intelligence will be strongly featured this year through a series of lectures highlighting its importance and intersection with design innovation. She emphasized that it should be viewed as a tool that supports human creativity. "We must maintain the centrality of the human in the creative process. This tool is for developing human productions, meaning the interplay between technology and humanity is essential and inevitable, and can be described as a necessity for progress."
Emirati designers in the spotlight Regarding the Emirati designers participating, Carella confirmed there are many new names in both Downtown Design and the installation works. Last year, 27 Emirati brands out of 85 participated. She added that these creative designers have earned a prominent place not just in the UAE but internationally, confirming that Emirati design is gaining a respected position on the global stage.
She noted that Dubai Design District is seeing increasing interest from designers seeking exhibition space, and manufacturing opportunities in the UAE are witnessing significant growth, leading to the local execution of designs instead of producing them abroad. This has contributed to the comprehensive growth of the design sector's production process.
The Emirati courtyard in a contemporary guise The 'Ashghal Madani' award, the design competition for Dubai Design Week, provides a platform for architects and designers to experiment with innovative ideas in public spaces. The 2025 edition of the award focuses on the courtyard (the 'haush'), a spatial model that echoes multiple cultures. This year, the award went to the Emirati design and research studio 'Shakl min Shakl' for its creative proposal 'When the threshold becomes a courtyard'.
A story of place and time Engineer Omar Darwish spoke to 'Emirates Today' about the 'Ashghal Madani' project, saying: "The project's goal was to highlight the courtyard in the UAE and how it varies by region, particularly in terms of materials. The design resulted from spatial research in collaboration with the National Archives of Abu Dhabi, utilizing numerous photographs and matching them with reality."
Darwish noted that the materials used in the project include concrete, wood, arish (palm fronds), and wrought iron—elements that tell the story of multiple eras and periods in the UAE's history.
Architect Abdullah Abbas explained that the team worked to present the courtyard in a new and different way, drawing inspiration from the traditional Emirati courtyard while reimagining it with a contemporary spirit. He added that the biggest challenge was sourcing original materials, most of which date back to previous historical periods. Abbas affirmed that the project presents the courtyard as a sensory experience that visitors can interact with, transporting them to the memory of the place and the spirit of heritage within a modern design vision.
