Dubai Design District (d3) and Isola Design Group launch first flagship collaborative design initiative, Design Next

Dubai Design District (d3) and Isola Design Group are launching a forward-thinking exhibition focusing on the circular economy, expanding Dubai Design Week’s 10th-anniversary programming with a glimpse into the future of sustainable design thinking. Entitled Design Next, the new exhibition will be the first joint initiative between d3 and the innovative Isola Design Group. The Milan-based Isola Design Group recently announced their expansion to the Middle East with a new regional headquarters in d3, a global design hub by TECOM Group PJSC.

Design Next will run as part of the Dubai Design Week programme, which is set to take place in strategic partnership with d3 from 5-10 November 2024. The first-of-its-kind exhibition in the UAE will present ideas and concepts by an inspiring mix of independent designers and studios, innovative sustainable brands and design tech start-ups. The showcase aims to inspire a new mindset in sustainable design and be a platform for promoting environmentally positive changes in lifestyle and consumption habits, presenting sustainable design products, circular furniture, design technologies, and innovative materials.

Beyond the concepts on view to the public, the event will also present a dynamic and engaging platform of panel discussions and live performances to raise awareness for the circular economy and inspire visitors to play a greater part in shaping a sustainable world.

“Great design should prioritise bringing innovative solutions and pathways to the fore,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) part of TECOM Group. “We are always looking to take our design offering at d3 to the next level and growing our contribution to Dubai’s Creative Economy Strategy, the UAE’s Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries and Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33.

This new exhibition, in collaboration with our esteemed d3 partner Isola Design Group, does just that. This exhibition will elevate world-class design concepts and perspectives to on such an urgent topic as the circular economy. We hope the ideas presented will inspire a reset of mindsets and behaviours and contribute to protecting the future of our planet while advancing Dubai’s contribution to the global sustainability agenda.”

“The many initiatives set by the UAE government clearly show its strong commitment to achieving ambitious sustainability goals. Companies need to come together to imagine a better future, finding practical solutions and working to implement a concrete change in their modus operandi.

This collaboration with d3, which has a broad network in both the public and private sectors, especially in the design industry, aims to inspire the design community and beyond on what’s needed—and possible—to build a better and more conscious future. Design Next highlights the important role that design can play in this journey of innovation and pioneering approaches to projects,” said Gabriele Cavallaro, Co-founder and CEO of Isola Design Group.

The exhibition will highlight five key areas: Circular Design and Innovative Craft, Material Hub, Future of Urban Living, Design Labs, and The Stage.

International participants presenting include Arper (Italy) and Armourcoat (UK), alongside a diverse range of designers and design studios from around the globe, such as Aga Blonska (Netherlands), Anett Papp (Hungary), Chryssa Kotoula (Greece), Ethan Streicher (USA), Grob Design (Turkey), House of Piranesi (India), Jordan Keaney (UK), KeepLife (Italy), Maki Ozawa (Japan), Mattice Boets (Belgium), Masquespacio (Spain), Shape & Shade (Kosovo), Shell Homage (Egypt), VANK (Poland), WKND Lab (South Korea), and many more. The UAE will be widely represented by well-established brands such as Generation 3D and Desert Board. Design startups NYXO and Sulmi and the region’s first purpose-built material library, Colab, will also showcase innovative works.

Design Next will be the first of many initiatives launched between d3 and Isola Design Group, who will continue to collaborate on an array of events and services to further cement the region’s flourishing design scene and support exciting local and regional design talent. Design Next will be a biennial event with the d3 Architecture Exhibition running in the intervening years.

Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem that aims to foster growth in the local creative economy. It represents a dynamic design community of more than 1,000 businesses, ranging from multinationals to start-ups, and is a strategic partner of Dubai Design Week.