A programme of talks, creative conversations, networking and private exhibition tours during Dubai Design Week.

DESIGN HORIZONS
4–8 November 2026
Location: Isola Design Space, The Lana Promenade, Business Bay, Dubai

A programme of talks, creative conversations, networking and private exhibition tours during Dubai Design Week.

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER

ITALY & UAE VOICES
Exploring cultural exchange between Italy and the UAE through design, art and creative practices.
11:00 – Opening Design Horizons
An introduction to the initiative and its vision for international cultural exchange.
Participants: Roberto Mauri (Massier), Gabriele Cavallaro (Isola Design).
11:30 – Contemporary Creative Practices
Exploring the intersection of art, design, technology and contemporary culture.
Participants: Pixel Artworks, KAOS Studio.
Moderator: Valentina Della Rocca.
12:30 – Networking & Break
14:00 – Private Exhibition Tour
From 18:00 – Open Events, Dinners & Parties

THURSDAY, 5 NOVEMBER

FOOD, OBJECTS & RITUALS
Exploring how food, design and hospitality shape cultural identity and shared experiences.
10:00 – Design & Kitchen
A conversation on culinary traditions, objects, rituals and the design of gathering.
Participants: Farid Mimouni, Alzaina Lootah.
Moderator: Fatma Al Mahmoud.
11:00 – Heritage & Contemporary Design Practice
Exploring how traditional crafts and materials inform contemporary design.
Participant: URBN FBRC.
Moderator: Fatma Al Mahmoud.
12:00 – Networking & Break
13:00 – Private Exhibition Tour
Evening – Open Events, Dinners & Parties

FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER

CRAFT & CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE
Exploring sustainability, material innovation and the future of craftsmanship.
15:45 – Private Exhibition Tour
16:30 – Ethics in Design: Circularity, Reuse & Local Innovation
Exploring textile recycling, responsible production and circular design.
Participant: Oksan Group.
Moderator: Juan Roldan.
17:30 – Materials, Art & Future
From material experimentation and biological processes to real-world design applications.
Participants: Andy Cartier (NUMU), Sadia Dhorat (House of Zuri).
Moderator: Juan Roldan.
18:15 – Networking Moment
Evening – Open Events, Dinners & Parties

SATURDAY, 7 NOVEMBER

THE NEW FRONTIERS OF DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Exploring how AI, digital fabrication and material innovation are reshaping contemporary design.
17:30 – New Frontiers in Technology, Materials & Innovative Creative Practice.
A conversation connecting research, technology, creative experimentation and future applications.
Participants: Ahmad Al Rasheed (BASE39), Chafic Mekawi (Architect & Digital Artist), Chiara Rodriquez (Materially).
19:00 – Networking Moment
Evening – Open Events, Dinners & Parties

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