Running until 9 February, the festival features over 450 workshops and talks covering arts, design, architecture, visual storytelling, and traditional crafts. The event supports the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, ensuring a rich cultural experience for attendees. The festival’s sessions are led by industry experts and artists, offering valuable insights and practical training. Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum, has been transformed into a dynamic hub for creativity.

Sikka Art & Design Festival : Hands-On Artistic Workshops

The festival offers workshops tailored to various creative disciplines. Emerging City is hosting Gypsum Art, where participants explore gypsum carving techniques. The Traditional Jewellery House presents Jewellery Making: Marriyah (Necklace), providing hands-on experience in crafting traditional ornaments.

Visitors at the People and Faith House can join Henna Stencil and Prayer Bead Crafting sessions. The Traditional Crafts House introduces Spindle, a workshop on hand-weaving using traditional tools.

At House 355 – Masterpieces, creativity takes center stage with Graffiti Art: Express Yourself with Spray Paint, where participants learn graffiti fundamentals from a professional artist. House 341 – Realiity House offers Doodles & AI, transforming simple sketches into digital art using artificial intelligence. The Glitch Art session explores creative distortions inspired by digital effects.

Workshops at House 314 by Sxill Lab include Handmade Tile Making and Cheese Board Design. Meanwhile, House 326 – Sikka Platform presents sustainability-focused sessions such as Sustainability Now: Eco-Friendly Solutions and Perfume Making for Adults. At House 15, Tashkeel hosts modern printing workshops like Hand Printing on Bags and Riso Printing.

Sikka Art & Design Festival : Music, Writing, and Storytelling

At House 196 – Urban House by The Workshop DXB, singer Shilpa Ananth leads Unlocking Authenticity: The Psychology of Songwriting. The session delves into emotional and experiential influences on songwriting, helping participants refine their music composition skills.

The Merin Pavilion hosts Letters to the City: Writing Public Spaces, where attendees reflect on meaningful locations in Dubai by writing personalized messages dedicated to them.

Inspiring Talks and Creative Discussions

The festival includes Sikka Speaks, a dedicated space featuring leading creatives discussing industry trends. Highlights include:

• Creative Minds: Art Therapy for Young Explorers – Art therapist Caline Boghos guides children through therapeutic practices and imaginative play.
• Immersive Magic: Where Art, Music, and Technology Transform Experiences – A panel featuring Anna Lebedeva, Jalal Luqman, Maryam Al Obeidli, Denis Rosiev, Evgenia Romanidi, and Nicholas Mann, moderated by Elias Attallah.
• Decoding Humour: The Art of Multicultural Comedy in Dubai – Featuring comedians Shadi Jad and Saniya Abbas, moderated by Liz Baines.
• Artistic Intervention in Satwa: Tracing Urban Nostalgia – A discussion led by Khalil Abdulwahid and Karim Jabbari.
• Go Global! International Opportunities & Strategies for Dubai-Based Artists – Moderated by Sophie Mayuko, featuring Sanaz Askari, Giuseppe Moscatello, and Behrang Samadzadkan.

A Collaborative Effort

The festival is organized in partnership with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development. This collaborative effort ensures a world-class platform for artists, designers, and cultural enthusiasts.

With an extensive lineup of workshops, talks, and exhibitions, Sikka Art & Design Festival 2025 continues to establish Dubai as a leading creative and cultural hub.

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Sigla Studio’s renovation of this 150-square-metre apartment in Barcelona’s Eixample district focused on preserving the original Catalan modernist elements. The design includes intricate hydraulic mosaic tiles, which were carefully rehabilitated, with missing tiles sourced to maintain their integrity. Sigla Studio co-founder Bernat Riera explained, “These features, emblematic of the period, were meticulously preserved and restored.”

The studio added contemporary elements to improve functionality and comfort. A large wooden dining table designed by the studio features a marine plywood structure and Roman travertine marble top, placed beneath a silver pendant lamp. The living area maintains the mosaic floor tiles, with a speckled black sofa dividing the dining and living spaces.

One of the most significant interventions was the opening up of the kitchen, allowing for better flow and natural light. The kitchen now features a vaulted ceiling and red Alicante marble floors that contrast with steel kitchen cabinets, creating a striking aesthetic.

In the bedrooms, the design uses a pared-back colour palette to complement the vibrancy of the restored mosaic floors. Sigla Studio also divided the main bedroom into two using a custom-built furniture piece, respecting the original layout while accommodating the needs of the modern family.

The bathrooms incorporate red marble sinks and detailing, harmonizing with the original floors and offering a seamless transition from the traditional to the modern.

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The Centenary Building at the University of Salford, recipient of the 1996 RIBA Stirling Prize, is set to be demolished following approval by Salford City Council. This decision comes despite opposition from campaigners and conservation group Twentieth Century Society, which failed to secure heritage listing for the building.

Historic and Architectural Significance

Designed by Hodder+Partners and completed in 1995, the building was celebrated for its innovative design in steel, glass, and concrete. Initially home to the School of Electrical Engineering, it later housed the Faculty of Art and Design Technology before being vacated eight years ago.

Catherine Croft, Director of the Twentieth Century Society, expressed disappointment:

“This decision fails to recognise the building’s heritage value and misses an opportunity for environmentally sustainable reuse.”

Historic England declined heritage listing in December 2024, citing functional flaws and insufficient national significance.

A Controversial Decision

While praised for its architectural merit upon winning the Stirling Prize, the building faced criticism for issues like noisy vents and temperature control. Historic England stated:

“The Centenary Building lacks the special interest in a national context required to merit listing.”

The demolition is part of the Adelphi Village redevelopment project, with work scheduled to begin on 1 March 2025.

Campaigners Push for Preservation

Croft argued the building’s historical relevance as the first Stirling Prize winner:

“Relying on 30-year-old hearsay about functionality undermines its significance.”

The Twentieth Century Society continues to advocate for the preservation of modern architectural heritage, recently campaigning to protect other significant structures like Grimshaw Architects’ Waterloo International Terminal.

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For the second consecutive year, Casa Milano is bringing back its acclaimed Talking Walls initiative, which continues to push creative boundaries and engage young designers. This year’s theme, “Reimagining the Bathroom Experience,” brings together some of the UAE’s most forward-thinking design studios, each tasked with transforming a 12-square-metre space into a stunning bathroom mockup.

Participating studios include Roar (Urban), 4 Space Interiors (Quirky), DZ Design (Whimsical), XBD Collective (Art Deco), Broadway Interiors (Power), Swiss Bureau (Aquatonic), Known (Kitsch), and AK Designo (Minimalist). Over three weeks, each team, supported by senior mentors, developed and refined their concepts before presenting their designs in their respective studios.

“Talking Walls: Reimagining the Bathroom Experience” is not just about showcasing creative talent; it is also a celebration of design excellence. A panel of experts will award the main prize — a trip to Europe — to the most outstanding design, marking a significant recognition of innovation in the field. In addition, other awards include The Best Executed Stand, The Public Vote Award, The Most Sustainable Design Award, and The Best Presentation Award, creating multiple opportunities to honour exceptional achievements in design.

Casa Milano’s role as a platform for emerging talent is exemplified through the Talking Walls initiative. The project bridges the gap between seasoned professionals and young designers, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Casa Milano’s dedication to nurturing fresh talent and pushing the boundaries of design reinforces its commitment to setting new standards in luxury home solutions and contributing to the UAE’s flourishing design ecosystem.

Azhar Sajan, the visionary behind Casa Milano, shared his excitement about the initiative: “Talking Walls is more than just a feature for us; it’s a commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the design community. This initiative allows us to go beyond showcasing products — we’re sharing ideas, nurturing young talent, and giving them a platform to express their visions in a meaningful way. Good design tells a story, and at Casa Milano, we believe every designer, especially the next generation, should have a voice in that narrative.”

Visitors to Downtown Design are invited to explore Casa Milano’s bold presence, where luxury, innovation, and a commitment to supporting the design community come together, setting new benchmarks for the future of interiors in the UAE and beyond.

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The 2024 edition, which runs until November 10, stands as a significant milestone in Dubai’s artistic evolution. It highlights the city’s ongoing role as a dynamic global hub where innovation, design, and creativity converge, both locally and internationally.

This year’s Dubai Design Week is set to be one of its most impactful, with a packed schedule featuring more than 10 exhibitions, 60 workshops, and 40 installations, covering a wide range of creative disciplines. In addition to these, the event introduces a new marketplace showcasing over 70 regional artisans, entrepreneurs, and culinary creators, providing a vibrant platform for creatives from various sectors to share their works with a diverse global audience.

H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed expressed her pride in Dubai’s journey as a creative force on the global stage: “Dubai Design Week reflects the creativity, resilience, and vision that define our city and its people. Over the past decade, Dubai has flourished into a global centre where creative minds come to find inspiration, innovate, and push the boundaries of design. This year’s edition celebrates not only a decade of achievements but also sets a forward-looking foundation for the future of design in our region. It is a journey powered by the passion of our artists and designers, inspired by Dubai’s vision as a city where dreams are realised.”

Sheikha Latifa further emphasized Dubai’s pivotal role in fostering a culture of creativity: “Dubai Design Week has grown into something far greater than a single event; it has become a testament to our city’s commitment to fostering talent and nurturing a culture of innovation. Today, Dubai is recognised worldwide as a creative hub, providing artists and designers with the resources, encouragement, and opportunities to push the boundaries of their craft. The stories of creativity and success we celebrate here exemplify what is possible when vision meets purpose, and as we look to the future, we remain dedicated to supporting our artists and creatives, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to our city and beyond.”

The 10th edition offers a range of engaging exhibitions and installations, exploring the intersection of tradition and modernity in design. Visitors can expect to witness a fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation, as well as technology-driven art that challenges the boundaries of design.

In addition, over 60 workshops and masterclasses led by industry experts will provide valuable opportunities for participants to learn new techniques and engage in discussions that inspire forward-thinking creativity. The Marketplace, featuring more than 70 regional artisans, highlights the UAE’s growing entrepreneurial spirit, offering a unique space for emerging brands to showcase their work in jewellery, fashion, and culinary arts.

Dubai Design Week’s landmark 10th edition is a celebration of creativity and design excellence, further cementing Dubai’s position as a global leader in the arts and design sectors. This event brings together the best of international and local talent, fostering a rich environment for collaboration and innovation within the creative community.

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A Hub for Innovation and Creativity

Dubai Design Week is renowned for bringing together the best minds in the design world. It serves as a global platform where designers, architects, and technologists showcase their groundbreaking work. From cutting-edge architecture to innovative product designs, the event offers a glimpse into the future of design.

Focus on Sustainability

One of the key themes of Dubai Design Week 2024 is sustainability. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the design community is stepping up to create solutions that are both innovative and sustainable. This year’s event will feature numerous exhibits and discussions centered around eco-friendly materials, sustainable building practices, and designs that prioritize the environment.

Celebrating Regional Talent

Dubai Design Week is not just about global innovation; it also highlights the incredible talent within the region. Local designers and artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work, providing them with a platform to gain international recognition. This focus on regional talent helps to foster a sense of community and encourages the growth of the local design industry.

Exciting Exhibits and Installations

Visitors to Dubai Design Week can expect a diverse range of exhibits and installations. From large-scale architectural models to interactive product design showcases, there is something for everyone. The event is designed to be both educational and inspiring, offering attendees the chance to learn about the latest advancements in the field and get inspired by the creativity on display.

Engaging Workshops and Talks

In addition to the exhibits, Dubai Design Week also hosts a variety of workshops and talks. These sessions provide valuable insights into the design process and offer a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Attendees can hear from leading experts and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of design.

Join the Design Community

Dubai Design Week is more than just an event; it’s a community. It’s a place where designers, architects, technologists, and enthusiasts come together to share ideas, network, and collaborate. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a student just starting out, it offers endless opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and be part of a vibrant design community.

Plan Your Visit

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience Design Week 2024. Whether you’re interested in the latest in sustainable design, looking to discover new regional talent, or simply want to be inspired, this event has something for everyone. Mark your calendar and get ready to immerse yourself in the future of design.

Conclusion

Dubai Design Week 2024 is set to be an unmissable event, highlighting the latest in design innovation, architecture, product design, and technology, all with a strong focus on sustainability and regional talent. Join the design community in Dubai and discover the future of design!

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