DAVID/NICOLAS’ LATEST DESIGN at

ADREA

words YUZU Editorial 

photos David Raffoul

Founded by David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, David/Nicolas is known for a practice that balances imagination with logic, and contemporary thinking with a deep respect for craft. Working across interiors, furniture, and product design from their studios in Milan and San Francisco, the duo’s recent projects include the design of two key spaces within Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA): the Equestrian Library and the Saddle Workshop.

ADREA is the world’s fifth school of classical horsemanship—and the first established beyond Europe. Rooted in the Arab world’s centuries-old tradition of Furusiyya, the institution brings together equestrian performance, the preservation of knowledge, and immersive learning experiences, all grounded in discipline and craftsmanship.

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Within this wider vision, David/Nicolas propose a measured architectural language that avoids overt symbolism. Instead, the narrative unfolds through materiality, proportion, and rhythm. In the Equestrian Library, curved steel shelving establishes a sense of continuity, subtly recalling the posture and movement of the horse. The atmosphere is quiet and contemplative, supporting the space’s role as a place of study and reflection.

The Saddle Workshop, by contrast, foregrounds the physical nature of craft. Leather, brass, and utilitarian tools define the space, while precise detailing and controlled proportions ensure a refined and composed environment.

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Anchored in Abu Dhabi, the project draws from regional craftsmanship and the tactile world of the stables, translating these references into a contemporary interior language. Here, tradition is not staged but quietly absorbed—resulting in spaces that support the continuity of horsemanship while holding past and present in careful balance.