Saudi Designers Take Center Stage at Downtown Design Riyadh

From May 20–23, Downtown Design Riyadh transforms the JAX District into a hub of creativity, marking Saudi Arabia’s first contemporary design fair of this scale.

Hosted in collaboration with the Kingdom's Architecture and Design Commission, this event will bring global names and regional studios together, but it’s the Saudi designers who lead the show with work that is both thoughtful and distinctly local.

Originating in Dubai, Downtown Design brings together globally recognised design brands and manufacturers alongside individual designers, collectives, and studios from around the world, with a strong emphasis on showcasing regional talent. The creative event serves as a showcase and dynamic platform for innovation, creativity, and collaboration, fostering connections between industry leaders and emerging voices in the design landscape.

Spotlight on Saudi Designers

Visit the dedicated Designed in Saudi booth, a strategic initiative led by the Architecture and Design Commission, is a national initiative dedicated to the development of the industrial design sector in the Kingdom by empowering local designers and fostering an environment that supports their growth and capabilities, with the aim of positioning the Kingdom as a global design destination.

NWII.III is a Concept-driven furniture and objects exploring form, materiality, and narrative. Spearheaded by Noura Suleiman, co-owner and designer, their exhibit at the fair will be the launch of the ‘Mezlaj’ furniture collection.

ZAZA Maizon - a Saudi distributor of European brands, presented by A1 Architects, an architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Riyadh, founded by Abdulaziz Khalid Al Tayyash. The stand, designed by A1 Architects, features brands including Zieta, Ongaro Fuga, and IDL architectural lighting
Jotun unveiled an experiential colour concept designed by Amani Ibrahim, Saudi Director of Kristina Zanic Consultants, which looks at the urban architecture features of the five regions in the Kingdom
Hobal is presented by Tajalla, a Saudi-based creative agency, and spearheaded by Mohamad Badra who was part of the cohort that received the ‘Designed in Saudi’ seal in 2024, and the Designed in Saudi exhibit at Downtown Design 2024
Iwan Maktabi's Libas Collection, created with Blu Architects, draws inspiration from traditional Saudi dress, reinterpreted through a spatial and architectural lens. The brand also collaborated with Saudi designer Sumaya Shelbi on a rug inspired by Diriyah’s beauty
Adeem by Assiel Alshuail and Raghad Alaydi, a modular furniture set and the winning furniture piece of Ithra’s Tanween Design Challenge 2023, a collaboration between Ithra, KALO Design, and Alrugaib Furniture
Jusoor Design Collection by ADC, curated by Samer Yamani

Beyond the booths

Downtown Design Riyadh hosts talks, installations, and workshops that bring together designers, thinkers, and the public.

From Tuesday May 20, through to Friday May 23, visitors can expect highlights such as a collaborative and creative forum exploring the concepts of collectible design and urban transformation, in addition to a glow-in-the-dark culinary experience hosted by Bompas & Parr, in addition to Ithra’s creative labs where visitors can experiment with folding furniture, edible packaging, and more.