Design debut: Highlights of inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh announced
- 8 hours ago
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, the Kingdom’s first fair for original and high-quality contemporary design (May 20 — 23), has announced a line-up of exhibitors and fair highlights. Held in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the fair takes place at JAX District.
It will offer design professionals and industry leaders as well as design enthusiasts and the culturally curious, direct access to contemporary and limited-edition design from around the world, with a spotlight on local talent.
Marking a milestone for the Kingdom’s evolving creative landscape, Downtown Design Riyadh presents a new platform for the unprecedented demand for high-end interiors to serve the rapidly growing market and active projects across the Kingdom.
Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission said that “Saudi Arabia’s design sector is witnessing significant and accelerated growth and we are committed to supporting this progress by showcasing local creative excellence and attracting leading international design exhibitions.
“One of our key objectives is to position the Kingdom as a global destination for design by welcoming world-class exhibitions and fostering cross-cultural exchange. Downtown Design Riyadh, with its thoughtfully curated programme and blend of local and global expertise, reflects our vision to build a dynamic design community that embodies the Kingdom’s rich and diverse cultural identity.” Exhibition highlights include the large-scale multi-brand exhibit, Huda Lighting, which will introduce 10 leading architectural and decorative lighting brands, including Articolo, Brokis, and Tom Dixon. The Bowery Company will feature modern Scandinavian furniture brands Audo Copenhagen, GUBI and &Tradition.
Scarlet Splendour will mark their debut in the region with a presentation that includes pure brass pieces by Richard Hutten. Kuwaiti Babnimnim Studio’s architectural installation for Cosentino bridges heritage and innovation, while an experiential colour exhibition staged by Jotun, features collaborations with local designers. Maison Louis Drucker will launch their digital collaboration with TRAME and ArandaLasch, merging the algorithmic potential of digital design with time-honoured craftsmanship. Teeb Made will showcase a contemporary take on culturally rooted design objects from Saudi Arabia, and the Designed in Saudi initiative will highlight the development of the Kingdom’s industrial design sector.
In a dedicated section, visitors can explore collectible works and ultra-high-end collections, presented by international galleries, independent designers and manufacturers, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary creativity. Gallery COLLECTIONAL presents a curated showcase of limited-edition pieces by internationally celebrated names, including Christophe Delcourt, known for handcrafted furniture that blend natural materials with minimalist design; iconic sculptural lights by New York-based Apparatus Studio; and experimental duo Draga & Aurel, recognised for their bold, vintage-inspired work, among others.
Mumbai-based Aequo Gallery will make their debut in the Middle East, presenting a new body of work by Dutch designer Linde Freya Tangelder, highlighting Indian craftsmanship through a collaborative process with artisan Jeevaram Suthar. Other highlights include Venini’s presentation of hand-blown glassworks in collaboration with Michele De Lucchi and Peter Marino, among other renowned names. Visionnaire’s fine artistry and Serafini’s functional furniture, will highlight Italian heritage in a multi-dynamic showcase.
Throughout JAX District pavilions, Downtown Design Riyadh will offer a programme of experiences and pop-ups, from creative cuisine concepts to cultural exhibits and a line-up of talks and panel discussions. Multidisciplinary design studio Karim+Elias, spearheaded by Karim Tamerji and Elias Hage, will unveil Strata, a modular, outdoor intervention handcrafted from Saudi sand, using rammed earth technique. Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design, said: “Our first edition of Downtown Design Riyadh will present a selection of some of the most innovative and sought-after names of the international design scene, alongside emerging designers, and creatives from around the Middle East.
“Our dynamic programme will offer guests a journey of discovery and an unparalleled experience of a highly curated line-up, from global design brands and limited-edition works to bespoke installations and creative concepts. With the rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s design market, we are seeing increasing interest from across the world. Downtown Design Riyadh will create a new annual meeting point, in one immersive setting.” Fuelled by the rising number of luxury real estate projects and landmark developments in Saudi Arabia, the demand for high-end interiors is growing exponentially across the country.
The curated selection of international brands at the fair, including regional studios and emerging creative talent, reflects the Kingdom’s noticeable position in the global design landscape. The fair is complemented by a collateral programme, including creative installations, activations and pop-up experiences, alongside a line-up of talks tailored to the local context and burgeoning design scene, catering to an audience ranging from industry professionals and developers to local homeowners and design enthusiasts, looking to discover, buy or commission.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to offer the highest in cultural quality, Downtown Design, the leading fair for contemporary and high-quality design in the Middle East, is bringing over a decade of expertise in curating leading design platforms, to the first edition of Downtown Design Riyadh. For over a decade, Downtown Design has played a vital role in shaping the region’s design industry. With Riyadh in its portfolio, it is now expanding its reach, through an established curatorial approach, global network, and regional insight to Riyadh, offering a focused gateway to Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving design market, aligned with the Kingdom’s large-scale development goals and demand for contemporary, high-quality interiors.