This feature was originally published by Shawati’ magazine Issue 47

Breath of Light, an installation by Preciosa at Downtown Design, 2018. Image courtesy of Dubai Design Week

Constructed in the centre of Dubai Design District’s bustling heart, a six metre wind tower stands tall above its viewers. Produced from layers of reclaimed cardboard, forming a windcatcher that funnels cool air from above to the area below, the piece is entitled “Barjeel” and is just one of several large-scale design installations open to the public as part of the 2019 edition of Dubai Design Week. Staged in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Audi Middle East, Dubai Design Week is a city-wide celebration of creativity for the whole region. The week-long programme of events brings together a global and local community across a range of design disciplines including architecture, product, furniture, interior and graphic design, with the goal of championing Dubai as a platform for creative talent in the region.

All of d3 will be living up to its name during Design Week, with a range of stimulating installations, exhibitions and activations. “Barjeel” is designed by Istanbul-based MAS Architecture Studio made to draw attention to responsible design, with sustainability and functionality in mind also with an obvious nod to traditional architecture from the Gulf region.

Also on display is a multimedia exhibition dedicated to the ancient heart of the city of Kabul. The district of Murad Khani - a hub of historical and contemporary migrations – is presented an exhibition titled “Kabul Old City – A Visual Journey”. Compiled by Turquoise Mountain an NGO who work primarily in Afghanistan supporting local artisans and craftspeople, providing them with new economic opportunities, the exhibition is a highlight of a key part of their work - large-scale development plans for heritage areas in Afghanistan such as Murad Khani. Inside the Dubai Design Week exhibition are Afghan carpets, pottery, crafts and a woodwork lounge area as well as digital visualisations of what Murad Khani once looked like in its prime.

In addition to the installations, there is a vibrant and diverse programme of talks, workshops and design presentations all aimed at involving the public at every level.

A visitor at Dubai Design Week 2018. Image courtesy of Dubai Design Week.

Emphasis on invention

As well as intense public involvement, Dubai Design Week prioritises innovation through the Global Grad Show (GGS), the world’s largest and most diverse gathering of universities and graduates working on social impact design. A not-for-profit initiative, the exhibition showcases graduate projects covering the fields of design, science, technology and engineering from over 100 universities offering solutions to tackle today’s challenges.

Curated by Eleanor Watson, whose previous curatorial projects include exhibitions at the London Design Museum and the Southbank Centre, the inventions inside the 2019 GGS address topics such as health, social care, disabilities, biodiversity, water pollution, farming and sustainable cities.

Abwab. The Pavilion of the Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia from Dubai Design Week 2018. Image courtesy of Dubai Design Week.

Opening doors

A pivotal part of Dubai Design Week is Abwab, a showcase of commissioned work aimed at elevating the standards of design talent in the region. In its fifth edition in 2019, Abwab designers are challenged to recreate the local classrooms of their cultures under the theme ‘ways of learning’. Designers from India, the Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon present three separate pavilions in a celebration of learning. Each pavilion will act as a gathering space for people to experience the making of a memory, and to explore the way information is shared and taught in the respective cultures, by design.

Downtown Design

At the heart of the festival, is the region’s leading design fair Downtown Design. With over 180 Over 180 international and regional brands participating buyers and enthusiasts converge on the festival from all over the region. This year Spanish brand Roca and Italian brand Pedrali are participating for the first time as is Skram Furniture Company, the brand by American designer Jacob Marks. Another part of this year will be Downtown Editions, a showcase of products by emerging designers. Participants in Editions will include Emirati Aljood Lootah, New York based designer Fernando Mastrengelo, and Kuwait design studio Meshari Al Nassar. Guest curator Ghassan Salameh will curate a spotlight on regional designers titled “Full Circle”, where he showcases designers who have produced their product end-to-end.

To find out more about the inner workings of Downtown Design and the design scene in general, we sat down with Rue Kothari, fair director of Downtown Design for a Q&A

Is there a so-called typical day for the Fair Director of Downtown Design? I wonder if you can explain in broad brushstrokes your role and all that it entails?

Throughout the year we review applications from international brands and regional designers who want to take part in the next edition, this comes to a head as we fill the final spaces and curation of the fair. So, my day usually involves an early start, going through emails and requests related to this. I work closely with our consultant architects, who are planning the overall design and concepts of the fair, and liaise with designers and collectives looking to bring concepts, installations and features to the fair. Every day I coordinate with our operations, marketing and audience teams as they produce content, develop the talks programme and engage with exhibitors as well as professional buyers throughout the region to bring them to our four-day event.

How important is design in creating a language of creativity that can connect people across cultures and nations?

The concept of design thinking has become now become a universal language, irrespective of any geographical boundaries. It addresses creative problem solving in a way that subverts challenges and promotes innovation. When it comes to architecture, interior design and product development it leads to a harmony of form and function that can be appreciated by everyone, despite their cultural differences.

In that respect, how does Downtown Design differ from other design fairs in the region and indeed, internationally?

At Downtown Design, we have always prided ourselves on taking a very different approach. We are an art and design company looking to create unique experiences, bringing together the best international content and curating it for the regional market. We work with award-winning architects and interior designers every year to develop a new masterplan for the fair, keeping it fresh and dynamic for our visitors year on year. This year our concept common areas are being designed in collaboration with Wilson Associates and XBD Collective – both leaders in their field. Every area of the fair is created to speak the language of the design industry. Our qualitative approach means that we deliver a fair that is enjoyable to experience, relevant to trade professions as well as public visitors and a real reflection of the creativity our regional designers.

Have you noticed the public or industry perceptions of design changing since the start of Downtown Design in 2012?

I’ve been working in the UAE for 15 years now, and have witnessed incredible progress within the broader design industry. The development of our cities, the expansion in choice for design products and services and the maturation of the market, has led to a growing awareness of design in general by the community. Industry is now less tolerant for cheap copies, has a higher expectation of quality and access to more diversity in both aesthetic and price. When Downtown Design was launched it presented something new to the industry. After Dubai Design Week was launched it helped to open the eyes of everyone living in the region to the relevance and importance of design.

There is a growing conversation about the need to boost manufacture for high end and limited-edition design. How is Downtown Design contributing to that movement?

The manufacturing gap that exists, for example, in the UAE means that it’s often more challenging and costly to build prototypes and manufacture products at home. Having said that, many of our designers that participate in Downtown Editions, our showcase for limited-edition, bespoke and handmade design pieces, do present ‘Made in the UAE’ products. When we launched this showcase in 2018, it was in response to demand from industry professionals who were seeking to discover and commission this type of design pieces. What we didn’t realise is how many designers there were working in the UAE that needed a platform to show their work. Presenting, supporting and promoting these designers has boosted our emerging industry and highlighted the need to develop manufacturing options closer to home.

The design scene is still in its infancy in the region, what do you think it needs as a next step for its infrastructure?

It’s still in the early stages, but it’s rapidly growing. Platforms like Downtown Design, Downtown Editions and Dubai Design Week help to give visibility and focus to the emerging industry. Educational institutes and programmes that are being developed will give aspiring designers the opportunity to learn and develop skills, such as Global Grad Show. Grants for young designers, emerging design awards and vocational paths will definitely help to support the development of our industry. We need to be able to better identify talent, nurture it and provide them with commercial opportunities in order to continue on our path of progress.

I know the programme is vast and varied, but could you give your best advice to someone who will be visiting DXBDW and Downtown Design for the first time this year?

We always invite anyone with a curious mind to come and see what’s on offer at Dubai Design Week. Downtown Design and Downtown Editions are at the heart of this and as the largest content component of the creative festival, they are great for anyone wanting to see beautiful objects, discover interactive and innovative design, spend a little time in our design bar and café overlooking the creek, and perhaps stop in at a talk at The Forum. It is the only time of year you can see over 200 high quality and original design brands from the region and beyond in one place, get design inspiration and pick up beautiful objects for your home. The surrounding Dubai Design Week is full of incredible installations, workshops and activities for the entire family, along with pop-up F&B, retail elements and entertainment throughout the week. It’s the perfect way to spend a few days.

Dubai Design Week. November 11 - 16, 2019. Dubai Design District (d3)

Dubai Design Week: a preview