The Forum at Downtown Design returns for the fair’s milestone 10th edition, with a roster of leading regional and international designers, architects, and other industry leaders who will take to the stage for a series of compelling panel discussions and keynotes.
Inspired by the cloudy sky, the space was designed by Mohammed Adib, Founder and Managing Director of Intercon.
Global trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort will give the opening keynote address, sharing insights into her work as well as the ethical and sustainable practices in the design industry, and the trends to watch out for in the coming years. The opening keynote is on November 8 from 3pm – 4pm.
From 5pm-6pm, the Power panel gets underway featuring a list of prominent design names including Sebastian Herkner, Nina Magon, Ross Lovegrove, Ozwald Boateng and Giulio Cappellini. The panel will discuss the evolving market of the UAE and the demand for new, contemporary aesthetics, as well as innovation and know-how.
A series of panels will continue daily from November 9-11, including topics such as architecture and materiality, nomadic and history-building processes, sustainability, resilience and longevity, quiet luxury and artificial intelligence and the future of design.
Former director of Downtown Design Rue Kothari is set to make her return, moderating a discussion with a varied line-up of speakers from around the world about what opportunity and perceptions means. Theis Johnson from Audo Copenhagen, Femkee Furnée of FEST Amsterdam, artist Pilar Zeta and Alex Estévez of Mermelada Estudio will join Kothari on November 9 at 2pm.
On November 9, CID Editor Holly Byrne will be joined by Omar Al Gurg of MODU, Christiane Nasr of The Bowery Company, Margriet Vollenberg of Organisation in Design) and Daniel Bismut from Bismut & Bismut at The Forum to explore what’s shaping contemporary living.
You can register to attend Downtown Design here.