Downtown Design returns from November 6 to 9 and with it comes The Forum 2024.
It will feature key discussions on design trends, global influences, and emerging challenges, aiming to foster dialogue and exchange between leading professionals in the design industry.
Downtown Design is the flagship event of Dubai Design Week, recognised for presenting contemporary and innovative designs from around the world at Dubai Design District (d3).
Key discussions and speakers
The Forum will offer a series of live talks, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. These sessions will provide a platform for design professionals to share insights and engage in dialogue about current trends and challenges in the industry. This year’s line-up will include discussions on multiculturalism, design heritage, commercial spaces and the role of craft in architecture.
November 6
With 80 speakers participating this year, the event will bring together well-known designers, architects, and thought leaders. The programme will open on November 6 with a keynote by India Mahdavi, who will share her views on how multiculturalism influences design and how identities are fused in contemporary spaces. This session will be followed by a conversation with Mette Degn-Christensen, director of Downtown Design, exploring Mahdavi’s approach to global design.
November 7
Another key session focuses on cross-cultural forms of expression and how global influences inspire new aesthetics. The panel will include designers Jassim AlSaddah (Babnimnim Design Studio), Rabah Saeid (Styled Habitat), among others. The session will delve into how contemporary design challenges traditional norms and redefines modernity.
The Forum will also address how interior design affects work culture and quality of life. A panel of experts, including Ramón Esteve (Ramón Esteve Estudio), Manjul Trehan (Lutron) and Lucy d’Abo (Together) will discuss the impact of commercial spaces on employee well-being and productivity.
Preserving design heritage will be another focal point of The Forum. Eames Demetrios of Eames Foundation will present a keynote on the importance of safeguarding design narratives for future generations. He will discuss how creative adaptability can be maintained in an ever-evolving industry.
On the same day, a panel titled ‘Design Excellence: Transcending Borders’ will explore how the design industry is evolving globally while maintaining cultural integrity. The session will feature industry professionals such as Valerio Soldani (Trade Commissioner of Italy to the UAE), Fahed Ghanim (Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle), Frederico Cruz (Kerzner International), Pooja Shah-Mulani (LW) among others, with Commercial Interior Design’s editor, Zen Bahar, moderating.
Women in leadership will be another critical topic of discussion at The Forum. A session hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will feature leading female voices from the industry. Speakers including Belinda Irlam-Mowbray, Ila Colombo, Alaa Shibly and Mariska Stoffel will share strategies for overcoming challenges and empowering the next generation of leaders.
November 8
On day three, the programme will shift its focus to sensorial and emotional design. A panel featuring Mohamed Hilal (Mohamed Hilal Group), Mark Eacott (Ennismore), Linda Nieuwstad (Linda Nieuwstad Studio) and Ross Lovegrove (industrial designer, artist, experimental thinker) will discuss how sensory experiences shape creative expression and how materials and spaces evoke emotional responses. This session will be moderated by Pallavi Dean of Roar Design.
The role of design in addressing global challenges will also be highlighted by a panel featuring Arianna Bavuso (AB+AC Architects), Toby Gregory (The Plastic Pledge), Yusuke Hotta (Mitsubishi Jisho Design) and Dr. Gnanli Landrou (Oxara), exploring how design can respond to crises, from architectural solutions to community initiatives. Frederic Sicre of Tardis Advisors will moderate this session.
Sustainability will also be central to the discussion. A conversation, moderated by dezeen’s design and environment editor Jennifer Hahn, will explore the role of craft, community, and sustainable practices in architecture.
Another session, hosted by RIBA, will discuss how young designers can navigate the rapidly changing design landscape. With new technologies, artificial intelligence and the climate crisis, the next generation of designers will need to tackle significant challenges to make their mark. Speakers will include Savannah Williams (RSP), Maya Cochrane (Heriot-Watt), Zeyana Khamis (AMA) AND Paolo Testolini (Woods Bagot).
November 9
The Forum 2024 will conclude with sessions focusing on the importance of connections and the future of the design industry. The Crafting Connections session will explore how design can bridge cultural divides and encourage community engagement. Led by moderator Rue Kothari from DESIGNEAST, the panel will feature insights from industry experts including Shane Ordovás (Atelier Talasin), Emilie Skaff (Beit Collective), Dalia Hamati (Abwab) and Manu Bañó (EWE Studio), focusing on the role of design in fostering meaningful connections across different communities.
A panel titled ‘Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Industry’ will bring together professionals offering insights into the future of residential and hospitality interiors. Participants will include Kristina Bråteng (B8 Architecture & Design Studio), Omar Nakkash (Nakkash Design Studio), Marwan AlBalushi (Urban Commissions 2024 Winner) AND Khyle Alexander Raja (Majara-DXB)