Riyadh gets its first taste of Downtown Design from 20–23 May, as the fair lands at JAX District with a sharp focus on contemporary, high-quality design. We caught up with Director Mette Degn-Christensen to talk about this exciting debut and Saudi Arabia’s creative momentum.

THERE’S INCREDIBLE ENERGY IN SAUDI ARABIA RIGHT NOW

Downtown Design will be held in Riyadh for the first time this year, following its well-established presence in Dubai. Could you tell us about the goals and highlights of this inaugural edition?

Our first edition of Downtown Design Riyadh will present a dynamic selection of some of the most innovative and sought-after names in the international design scene, alongside emerging designers and creatives from across the Middle East. For over a decade, Downtown Design has been the Middle East’s leading fair for contemporary, high-quality design, acting as a catalyst for growth in the region’s creative scene. We’ve become a key platform for both the industry and emerging talent. Now, we are expanding our reach to bring our established curatorial approach and global network to Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving design market—creating a fair in KSA, for KSA.

Our aim is to create an unmissable event for design enthusiasts, professionals, and the culturally curious alike—those based in Saudi Arabia, the wider region, and international audiences working in or looking to enter the market. The demand for high-quality interiors and a new, modern aesthetic in the Kingdom is unprecedented, and we see this as a much-needed platform to serve this dynamic and rapidly growing market.

There’s incredible energy in Saudi Arabia right now—enthusiasm and a growing confidence in design as a vital part of our surroundings and daily lives. The Kingdom is investing in quality, creativity, and long-term thinking—and design is at the heart of that.

Some exhibitor highlights include Huda Lighting’s large-scale installation of ten architectural and decorative lighting brands; Venni’s showcase of hand-blown glassworks in collaboration with Michele De Lucchi and Peter Marino; Visionnaire’s refined artistry; and Serafini’s functional furniture highlighting Italian heritage. Helen Chislett Gallery will present collectible design by names like Heatherwick Studio, Roome London, Tom Faulkner, and Object Studio.

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Maison Louis Drucker will debut a digital-craft collaboration with TRAME and Aranda\Lasch, exploring algorithmic design rooted in traditional craftsmanship to reimagine the iconic café chair first created in 1885. This project, called ENLACE, merges the potential of digital design with the art of cane weaving—showcasing how generative technologies can complement, rather than replace, artisanal processes.

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The fair will also feature a space dedicated to collectible design and ultra-high-end collections presented by international galleries and makers known for exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary vision. One highlight is Gallery COLLECTIONAL, showcasing the sculptural lighting of New York-based Apparatus Studio, vintage-inspired creations of Draga & Aurel, and works by Laurids Gallee, Mario Tsai, Sabine Marcelis, Steven John Clark, and Refractory.

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We’re particularly excited about the strong selection of contemporary Saudi creatives featured in this first edition. There’s so much energy in the local design scene—studios drawing from heritage, experimenting with materials, and building a visual language that bridges local identity and global conversations.

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We’re looking forward to Designed in Saudi, a strategic initiative led by the Architecture and Design Commission that positions the Kingdom as a global design destination. It’s dedicated to empowering local designers and supporting the growth of the industrial design sector in Saudi Arabia.

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The Kingdom’s creative talent will be showcased with brands such as NWII.III, where founder Noura Suleiman will debut the studio’s Mezlaj furniture collection, and Jotun will unveil an experiential colour concept by Amani Ibrahim that draws on architectural features from five different Saudi regions.

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WE HAVE A CURATION PROCESS 

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How were the designers and design studios selected or invited for Downtown Design Riyadh? Do the participating studios share any common qualities or values?

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For every edition of the fair, we assemble a line-up that combines global brands, regional debuts, creative showcases, and a spotlight on Saudi talent. There is a strong emphasis on material craftsmanship, spatial innovation, and programming tailored to a diverse, high-calibre audience.

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The Riyadh edition reflects the essence of Downtown Design—contemporary, high-quality, and original. We have a curation process for all applications to ensure quality, relevance, and alignment with our vision. This allows us to support both international brands and emerging creative talent while contributing meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s evolving design scene.

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We aim to present an inspiring mix—lifestyle products, new collections from globally known brands, and future-proof solutions for modern interiors—alongside regional studios. Downtown Design is boutique in scale and feel, allowing us to offer a refined, purposeful experience instead of a large-scale supplier show.

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Our audience is well-travelled, design-savvy, and culturally curious—often true aficionados—so our offering is carefully tailored to meet those expectations, not just to mimic other fairs. There’s a consistent focus on premium interior design across hospitality and residential sectors, showcasing both global names and limited-edition works that visitors can explore, buy, or commission.

STRATA: LAYERS OF EARTH 

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Is there a specific theme guiding this year’s Downtown Design Riyadh?

Rather than one overarching theme, we curate a filtered, inclusive showcase that spans relevant sectors and topics, all grounded in local context and materiality.

This year, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Karim+Elias, who are presenting an urban intervention titled Strata, meaning “layers of earth.” The concept draws on Diriyah’s Najdi architectural style and the traditional rammed-earth technique. The modular seating installation—over 50 triangular components—will be handmade using local earth and positioned in the JAX District’s courtyards, surrounded by greenery.

JAX District itself, the fair’s venue, is situated in Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site known as the “City of Earth.” It’s a powerful setting for conversations around sustainability, locality, and heritage-driven design. We see Strata as a perfect embodiment of how we integrate local identity, sustainable thinking, and craftsmanship into our programming.

We’re also presenting Woven by Ruba Al Khaldi—an interactive pavilion first shown at the 2023 London Design Biennale. It celebrates the Bedouin craft of Al-Sadu through a 50-meter tapestry and a working loom with digital exhibits. The piece expresses shared values—innovation, nature, spirituality, knowledge, and wellness—through craft and design.

Another key installation is the Iwan Pavilion, winner of the 2023 Tanween Foldable Pavilion Challenge. It’s a collaborative project inspired by traditional Islamic architecture, brought to life by Itra, Mamou-Mani Architects, and Abay.

THERE’S A REAL SENSE OF MOMENTUM IN RIYADH

What are your personal impressions of Riyadh? How would you describe the city?

I know it sounds cliché, but it’s genuinely been an encouraging experience. There’s so much ambition, readiness, and energy in the people we meet. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of this movement and transformation.

There’s a real sense of momentum in Riyadh. Over the past year, the city has continued to surprise me—in the best way. The opportunities are vast, and while it’s hard work, it’s a rewarding and fascinating process to be a part of.

WE SEE OUR PLATFORM CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DYNAMIC SHIFT

Based on your experience in Dubai, do you think Riyadh has the potential to become a design and art hub as well?

Absolutely—and I believe it’s already happening, especially in the arts. That’s precisely why we’re launching the fair in Riyadh: there’s a growing demand for quality design, and we see our platform contributing to this dynamic shift, aligned with Vision 2030.

How do you feel about hosting the fair at the end of May? I’m asking specifically in regard to the heat, as the event takes place during quite a warm period.

Fortunately, the entire fair takes place indoors, and we have excellent air conditioning! Naturally, we expect evenings to be busier, and our opening hours reflect that. But it’s still May—not August—and we’ve designed everything with the climate in mind.

Are there any plans for Downtown Design to expand into other cities across the Middle East?

We’re certainly open to it and are reviewing long-term strategies—so stay tuned!