THE FORUM

OPENING KEYNOTE

Sharing insights into her work, encouraging ethical, sustainable practices in the design industry, prominent forecaster, publisher and educator Lidewij Edelkoort opened The Forum at Downtown Design with highlighting the newest trends on the planet.

Keynote: Lidewij Edelkoort

A conversation with Dezeen

POWER PANEL

Prominent global names that came to Dubai gathered to discuss the evolving market of the UAE and the demand for new, contemporary aesthetics, as well as innovation and know-how in/from the Middle East creative scene.

Speakers: 
Sebastian Herkner 
Nina Magon 
Ross Lovegrove 
Ozwald Boateng
Giulio Cappellini 

Hosted by Nada Debs

Accessibility, Opportunity, Perception

Marking the 10th edition of Downtown Design, Rue Kothari returned to the fair and spoke to a varied line-up of speakers from around the world about what opportunity and perceptions means; from their diverse perspectives on foundation, creation or use of mediums, to (re)branding, perception and rising to global availability.

Speakers: Theis Johnson (Audo Copenhagen), Femkee Furnée (FEST Amsterdam), Pilar Zeta (Artist), Alex Estévez (Mermelada Estudio) 

Moderated by Rue Kothari

Future Cultures & Collectibles

How does craft and culture impact and/or future-proof works of limited edition towards the stature of a collectible design item; where’s the line and how ready is this market?

Speakers: Massimo Adario (Studio Massimo Adario), David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussalem (David/Nicolas), Tamara El Tanani (Don Tanani)

Moderated by Catalina Ruiz-Urquiola, COLLECTIONAL

Nomadic and Historic Building Processes

Hosted by RIBA Gulf Chapter: Nomadic and historic building processes are often inherently in line with an understanding of sustainability as in keeping with culture, geographic context and working with landscape & climate. What lessons can we take from the past to inform the present? How does this inform guidance for conservation & preservation? The architects and designers on this panel explored these themes drawing on their research and understanding of the historic context of the UAE.

Speakers: Mark Kyffin (Abu Dhabi DCT), Peter Jackson (Sharjah Ruler's Office), Jonathan Ashmore (ANARCHITECT), Mohammed Adib (Intercon/ Dewan Architects)

Moderated by Sandra Woodall, Tangram/ RIBA Gulf Chapter 

Fostering Identities:
Matter, Culture, Technology

Manufacturing processes that deploy natural materials bind communities to places where they are sourced and processed. How deeply globalization of trades influences this relationship? What answers can the creative communities give to a widely diffused call for conveying the local in all expressions of lifestyle?

Speakers: Federica Minozzi (IRIS Ceramica Group), Lidewij Edelkoort, Sumaya Dabbagh (Dabbagh Architects)

Moderated by Massimo Imparato

Architecture & materiality:
Yesterday / Tomorrow

Lending the stage to prominent international and local architects that all focus on the fusion between tradition, functionality and innovative practices in architecture, this panel focused on how design, science and technology can converge to reclaim materials of our past, as well as reimagine new forms that foster sustainable practices.

Speakers: Arthur Mamou Mani (Mamou-Mani Ltd.), Diane Thorsen (Gensler), Abdalla Almulla (MULA), Arianna Bavuso (AB + AC Architects), Riyad Joucka (MEAN*)

Moderated by Farah Andrews, Arts & Culture Editor of The National

Contemporary Living: What does it mean?

AID professionals working on high-end projects are bringing products and solutions to the forefront, thereby contributing to the design market by creating or responding to demand. Is this how ‘design of today’ ends up shaping?

Moderated by the editor of Commercial Interior Design, this panel took a close look at contemporary design; from functionality and innovative practices to aesthetics and market needs.

Speakers: Omar Al Gurg (MODU), Christiane Nasr (The Bowery Company), Margriet Vollenberg (Organisation in Design), Daniel Bismut (Bismut & Bismut)

Moderated by Holly Byrne, Editor of Commercial Interior Design

Quiet Luxury!

Factoring well-being into our interiors, means something else today than it used to. While aesthetics remain important, this panel uncovered how spaces impact our senses and how we thrive, both positive and negative; from acoustics and lighting to good, responsible design that bring longevity and sustainability to the forefront, and how natural materials can be ever-present and an integral part of our lives indoors, both for the betterment of the planet and for our everyday wellbeing.

Speakers: Roberto Palomba (Ludovica+Roberto Palomba), Jacob Riiber (Kvadrat Acoustics), Anna DeFlorian (Ultra Arte), Monica Arango (C’est ici Design), Ahmed Bayashout (Studio A)

Moderated by Miriam Llano, Amphora

Current response for future generations

Hosted by RIBA Gulf Chapter: Current project pipelines encompass all stages; from nearly complete construction to design concept phase, which means it might be built in the years to come. We are currently facing a climate crisis that must be addressed, but what is the current response of designers to sustainability versus the tools and processes we use to ensure our current projects do not compromise the needs of future generations.  

Speakers: Farah Naz (AECOM), Ahmed Bukhash (ARCHIDENTITY), Alia Beyg (Aqua Architecture), Jeff Risom (Gehl)

Moderated by Maya Cochrane, RIBA Gulf Chapter 

Crafting Cultures & Designing Identity

Acclaimed names of the Middle East and beyond, gathered in a panel to uncover opportunities and obstacles when linking design to local context, defining heritage, culture and progression through creative expression. 

Speakers: Fadi Sarieddine (Fadi Sarieddine Design Studio), Basma Bouzo (National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia at Venice Biennale), Meshary AlNassar (Studio Meshary AlNassar), Chrissa Amuah (AMWA Designs), Lisa Ball-Lechgar (Tashkeel) 

Moderated by Fatma Al Mahmoud

Designing solutions for communities

Under this broad, yet crucial, topic finding solutions through creativity and innovation, the panelists dove into various perspectives when addressing the importance of materiality, designing for emergencies brought by climate change and emphasis on necessity for community-focus in urban planning. 

Speakers: Wael Al Awar (WaiWai Design), Kerry Curtis (Royal College of Art), Natalie Harb (Studio Nathalie Harb)

Moderated by Tadeu Baldani Caravieri

Storytelling through craftsmanship and responsible design

An engaging exploration where artistry and ecological consciousness intersect to create captivating narratives, this thought-provoking talk explored the power of storytelling through the lens of responsible design, combining ethics with aesthetics. 

Speakers: Afsal Mohamed (Light & Lives), Laura Bielecki (Nakheel), Ahmad Alkattan (Urban Commissions 2023 Winner), Pragyan Kumar (Asian Paints International)

Moderated by Suha Sabith, Deputy Editor at Identity Magazine

Sustainability, Resilience, Longevity!

The ever-pressing issue of circular approaches to everything we build, consume, repeat has clear, tangible consequences. Specialists in their fields joined this panel to look at solutions and innovations, low tech or high tech, and social issues surrounding the dialogues. 

Speakers: Dr. Hamid Haqparwar (BMW Group Middle East), Robert Shakespeare (Cracknell), Rami Shishan (UNHCR)

Moderated by Ahmed Bukhash

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Design

Hosted by RIBA Gulf Chapter: This panel centred around the following main questions and provided a glimpse into how AI can influence a more Sustainable future; How will artificial intelligence tools enable designers to help deliver a more sustainable future? What will the impact of AI be on the workflow and the role of the designer, and the industry as a whole? How will AI ultimately affect our lives in built environment experience? 

Speakers: Brendan McGetrick (Museum of the Future), Edward McIntosh (Atkins), Dr. Constantin-Victor Spiridonidis (Canadian University Dubai), Alina Valcarce (Valcarce Architects), Ila Colombo (Ross Lovegrove Studio)

Moderated by Andy Shaw, RIBA Gulf Chapter