Downtown Design Riyadh has just concluded, marking a milestone for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as its first fair entirely dedicated to contemporary design. The event, held from May 20-23, transformed Riyadh’s JAX District into a vibrant creative hub, bringing together leading companies, local talent, and diverse installations.However, to fully grasp the significance of this fair, it’s essential to understand its context within the Diriyah project, located just 15 minutes northwest. Diriyah, a $62.2 billion “giga-project” under the Public Investment Fund, is transforming the area into a world-class cultural and lifestyle destination. As the cradle of the Al Saud dynasty and the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Diriyah holds immense historical and cultural importance. Its beating heart is the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site, a beautifully preserved mud-brick city, to which the JAX District, the fair’s location, is closely linked.
Just as Diriyah aims to blend traditional Najdi architectural styles with modern urban planning, creating a destination that celebrates the Kingdom’s rich heritage, Downtown Design Riyadh presents itself as a showcase of high-quality design, essential to realizing Diriyah’s vision as a sustainable landmark and a beacon of Saudi heritage and culture.
Scarlet Splendour
Designed in Saudi
Downtown Design Riyadh, an offshoot of the Dubai-based fair launched a decade ago, served as an ideal bridge between the two countries, fostering the burgeoning design scene in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The presence of Downtown Design in Riyadh at this time underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in design and culture as key components of its Vision 2030.
The fair, in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, showcased a diverse range of exhibitors. Cosentino presented the “Moon Vignettes” installation by Kuwait-based Babnimnim Design Studio, showcasing innovative design perspectives from the region. Natuzzi Italia debuted “Amama,” a modular sofa born from a collaboration with Andrea Steidl. Other highlights included Saint Louis presenting “Torsade” in collaboration with Stefania Di Petrillo.
Sahrai Milano
Designed in Saudi
Designed in Saudi
Iwan Maktabi introduced its collaborations with Blu Architects, David / Nicolas and Roula Salamoun, pushing the boundaries of rug design. Serafini showcased the best of Italian craftsmanship through exclusive furniture and functional design. The event also spotlighted Saudi-based designers like Hobal, Lucas Barcelo, and NWII.III, offering contemporary interpretations of cultural heritage. A dedicated section featured collectible works from international galleries, including Gallery COLLECTIONAL, showcasing limited-edition pieces by internationally recognized designers such as Christophe Delcourt, Apparatus Studio, Draga & Aurel, Laurids Gallée, Mario Tsai, Sabine Marcelis, Steven John Clark, and Refractory.
Huda Lighting presented leading architectural and decorative lighting brands including Penta, Brokis, Italamp, Panzeri, Bomma, and Terzani, while Italian textile studio Dinodo’s limited-edition rugs and tapestries made their regional debut.
IWAN Pavilion
The Guardian Palms by Iwan Maktabi, design Sumaya Shelbi
The Forum, a thought-leadership platform, hosted insightful discussions on the region’s creative future, while workshops by Ithra offered hands-on experiences in stool-making, silk screening, and sustainable packaging. BMW Saudi Arabia unveiled a spatial experience by Amani Al-Ibrahim, and Bompas & Parr collaborated with The Lighthouse on a multi-sensory culinary experience influenced by Bauhaus.
Karim+Elias presented “Strata,” a modular outdoor installation constructed from Saudi sand, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. With such a radical transformation underway, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a vibrant new design hub. It’s a landscape in flux, one we should follow closely to fully grasp its future evolution.
Genesis by Terzani, design Gianluca Regazzo
