Downtown Design is returning for its 10th edition, this time with a greater emphasis on booth design. As one of the main attractions at Dubai Design Week 2023, the exhibition is expected to have plenty of eye-grabbing attractions, here are the 10 that you should not skip…
(Arranged in order of booth numbers)
At Downtown Design 2023, sanitary brand Ideal Standard will bring their newest collections to the spotlight. Namely, Solos Fittings and Ceramics Collection, Alu+ Showering System, Gusto Kitchen Mixers, and the i.Life B Collection in grey color will usurp centre stage in a stand with a booth-in-booth concept. Roberto Palomba, Chief Design Officer at Ideal Standard, will also grace the event and even partake in a discussion on ‘Quiet Luxury’ held in the Forum. So, don’t forget to mark your attendance at the Forum on 10 November.
For those waiting with bated breath, the time is finally here. Casa Milano’s Talking Walls Design Challenge will produce its final showcase at Downtown Design. Held in partnership with Love That Design and Intelier, the competition invited six teams from UAE’s interior design studios (namely Bishop Design, CK Architecture, Designsmith, ELE Interior Design, Kristina Zanic Consultants, LW Design) to choose one of six words – Cosy, Vibrant, Harmonious, Grounded, Timeless, or Bold – and create a bathroom design concept inspired by their chosen word for hotel, residential, or commercial interiors.
Returning year after year to Downtown Design with brands like Porcelanosa, ACTIU and more, ICEX has always assumed the responsibility of bringing “Interiors from Spain” under a single umbrella. This year, iSiMAR (outdoor furniture), Naxani (bathroom), and Legado Artesano Castilla-La Mancha, (a display of artisanal crafts by industrial designer Natalia Ortega) shall also grace the stall.
Predominantly a corporate furniture brand, ACTIU will introduce their latest soft seating lines and fabrics along with their first Type A certified task chair, AS WORK at Downtown Design 2023. “These additions represent a significant expansion and diversification of our portfolio, tailored to meet the needs of the hospitality, third spaces, and contract sectors”, testified Diego Sanchez Serrano, Dubai Showroom Manager, ACTIU. The brand’s acoustic booth, QYOS will also share limelight. “Our phone booth has garnered remarkable success in the Middle East in just two months since its launch”, mentions Diego, excited about the reactions of passersby visiting the ICEX booth.
At the same time, Porcelanosa will showcase their latest collections that spotlight sustainability and fuse it with timeless designs. “Downtown Design is a leading annual event that brings together designers, architects, artists and industry professionals,” avers Nuño Arcusa, General Manager of Porcelanosa Middle East. Porcelanosa’s diverse product range will exemplify quality and the allure of natural patterns and colours at the event.
The Quooker tap is a phenomenon, not a product. It’s inventive, innovative and incidentally stylish. This year at Downtown Design 2023, Quooker will showcase 31 of its taps and flaunt two of its newest finishes. Three fully working taps will be used for Live Quooker Demonstrations, and visitors will be eligible for special promotions on direct purchases from the stand.
Crafted by the renowned interior design firm Kristina Zanic Consultants, this exhibit showcased at Downtown Design deconstructs a time-honoured design, simplifying it down to its essential elements. The muse for the marvel is the ancient Mediterranean bathhouse, Balneum, derived from the Latin word for bath. Using the carbon-neutral Dekton® Pietra Kode is expected to imbue understated luxury at the booth. In addition, a cohesive, calming colour palette with soothing landscape features will paint a picture of tranquillity and trance.
Atlas Concorde is a prominent global brand in the production of ceramic surfaces for various applications, including floors, walls, furnishings, worktops, and outdoor spaces. They have a strong focus on design and architecture, offering a wide range of styles to cater to diverse demands in private and public spaces, commercial properties, hospitality venues, and both indoor and outdoor areas.
At the Downtown Design, passersby can explore joint projects with a range of accomplished professionals. This includes Mario Ferrarini, a renowned designer with expertise in bathroom furnishings, Matteo Brioni, an architect and entrepreneur with a deep understanding of natural materials and finish trends, and Piero Lissoni, an architect and designer celebrated for his distinctive minimalistic style and elegant creations.
Jaipur Rugs is set to offer an eye-pleasing experience at Downtown Design 2023. A stunning collection of hand-knotted, tufted rugs, and dhurries, will honour the traditional skills and artistry of Jaipur’s artisans. Their exhibit will also seamlessly blend the rich heritage of Jaipur with modern design elements, offering a fusion of tradition and contemporary aesthetics.
“The Jaipur Rugs exhibit at Downtown Design 2023 is set to be a visual feast for design enthusiasts and art lovers”, expresses Yogesh Chaudhary, Director, Jaipur Rugs. “We invite everyone to visit our stand to explore the incredible range of handcrafted rugs that embody the spirit of Jaipur. We are excited to share our passion for design, culture, and craftsmanship with the world.”
Coming together with one of their UAE partners, Mobili Emirates Furniture, Interstuhl is set to exhibit their ‘on-the-go’ solution for flexible workspaces. Team building and office dynamics today demand furniture that is transformative and adaptable. What If We Fly from Interstuhl is just that and more. With products such as stools that can be joined to form makeshift step seating, to white boards that can be fragmented and fused, depending on the requirement, the range is intuitive and ingenious.
Bringing forth an sensorially-tuned installation that resembles an ethereal underwater world, NGC Nafees and Brand Creative come together this year at Downtown Design to represent the former in renewed light. This venture, building upon their ongoing impactful rebranding efforts, harmoniously solidifies their collective strengths.
Under the visionary guidance of Brand Creative, the initial living room concept has transmogrified into the vibrant hues and luxurious textiles of an aquatic dreamscape. Inspiration bubbled from conversations about the fluidity and drapery of fabric, reminiscent of the gentle flow of water. “It must be an underwater multi-sensory experience,” pondered James Prathap, General Manager at NGC Nafees. Through the integration of sound and light projections, the space springs to life with vivid bursts of colour intermingling with soft, soothing tones, evoking a sense of perpetual motion and dynamism.
In addition, the brand will also host a Flip & Win contest at their booth where the participants stand a chance to pocket luxury room makeovers. Other prizes include free (wallpaper/upholstery) installations, discount vouchers and designer hand fans for each guest visiting the booth.
KOHLER has conceived the design of their booth in collaboration with Nada Debs, who in turn has coalesced her Japanese upbringing and Arab heritage. In both regions, screens carry profound cultural significance. They represent modesty, without shunning external influences. The presence of natural wood in the design offsets a veritable message from KOHLER, signifying 150 years of their existence and presenting new product ranges that resonate with contemporary lifestyles. The wooden louvre screen is intentionally crafted to evoke a sense of spirituality as visitors navigate the booth, fostering feelings of serenity and poise. Scents and sounds will play a role in formulating a truly immersive encounter at KOHLER’s booth.
Three exquisite MillerKnoll Lightboxes will be unveiled at the Jalapeno stand. Each of them will serve as an eloquent narrator, informing visitors of MillerKnoll’s rich heritage, artistry and unwavering commitment to sustainability. These will also showcase MillerKnoll products, each one deserving of its own luminous spotlight.
Christiane Nasr, the founder of The Bowery Company, identified a notable absence of stores or brands in the U.A.E. that could capture the urban vibrancy of New York City or the sleek minimalism of Scandinavian furniture. This multi-brand retail venture brings design trends that emphasize expressive interior elements while also cultivating a sense of comfort and nostalgia in the Middle East. At Downtown Design 2023, the Bowery will flaunt their repertoire of Danish furniture brands such as 101 Copenhagen, Audo Copenhagen and Ferm Living. Norrii and Fest Amsterdam will also imbibe the spirit of austere aesthetics at the stand.
Huda Lighting has carved its name in the UAE as one of the most revered suppliers in the region. But behind their success is the company’s ethos to go above and beyond. Huda Lighting assists designers to correctly understand requirements. Concepts can be guidelines to a project, and the team at Huda Lighting works collaboratively with their partners from start to the end. Boasting brands like Lodes, Masiero, Bomma, Italamp, Panzeri, Penta and Slamp in their exhaustive panoply is testament to their well-rounded approach to illumination. At Downtown Design, guests will be privy to the brand’s fervour and mesmerising stand.
Article:
Date added:
3 November, 2023
