XBD Collective had envisioned the fair café as a sanctuary for visitors to relax and get together.
Located within Downtown Editions, the fair’s section for limited-edition and bespoke design, the café served as an urban oasis, offering visitors an intimate experience of the real-time benefits of biophilic design.
Incorporating light woods, refined contours and sleek forms, the café’s creative direction adopted cues from current design codes that promote deeper engagement with nature.
At the heart of the café is a landscaped high bench. The tiered and sculptural focal point was also a place for guests and exhibitors to catch up on work or grab a quick bite. Booths and café style seating offered spaces to meet, network and do business. Outside, the terrace area featured an open fireplace, lush greens and raking sand – an inviting setting for visitors to make the most of Dubai’s November weather.
To realise their vision, XBD Collective enlisted the services of leading regional contractors such as Cherwell, Unique Lighting, Platinum Vision, Easigrass and Walk Thru Contracting. Purity, Casa Mia, Parasol, Montalbano, Art by Amrita, Kens & co and Arkinature/Planika provided design elements that lent warmth and character both inside the café area and on its terrace.
Landscape architects ambientStudio and landscape contractors Secret Gardens consulted on the pop-up garden.
