Dubai Design Week ’24
A Week That Felt Like a Conversation
Every year, Design Week in Dubai feels like a conversation. Designers from all over the world gather, and for a few days the city transforms into a living studio. For me, this year was not only about seeing beautiful installations. It was about feeling how design can move us, connect us to tradition, and carry us forward.
What I loved most was the strong focus on sustainability. Many works showed how materials can be reused, reshaped, or celebrated in new ways. Some were built from natural fibers, others relied only on light or sound. All of them reminded me that in design—whether for interiors, villas, or hospitality projects—responsibility is now as important as beauty.
Where Tradition Meets the Present
Modular Arch
One installation that stayed with me was this shimmering modular arch. Its metallic surfaces caught the light and threw delicate shadows. Standing there, I felt the structure breathing—repetitive yet unique, ancient yet futuristic. It felt like a bridge between temple architecture and contemporary design in Dubai.
The modular approach shows how repeating smaller units can create monumental impact with fewer resources, making it efficient and adaptable.
A play of shadow and light—an installation that reimagines ancient forms with modern materials.
Reed Pavilion
Not far away, I stepped inside a pavilion woven from palm fronds. The air smelled of natural fibers. The rhythm of weaving and the quiet calm inside made me pause. Outside, glass towers reflected the sun. Inside, I felt warmth and intimacy. It was a reminder that tradition and innovation can belong in the same story.
Using natural and renewable palm fronds highlighted local resources and honored Gulf traditions without adding waste.
A reed pavilion reconnects us with Gulf traditions, framed by the city’s modern skyline.
Materials That Speak
Salt Bricks
The salt brick installation curved like a frozen wave. It felt monumental yet fragile, as if it could dissolve back into the earth. This balance between strength and impermanence made it unforgettable.
Fragile and monumental—salt bricks shaped into flowing architectural forms.
Salt is abundant and natural. Using it as a building material reminds us that even humble resources can be powerful in design.
Wooden Totems
A series of tall wooden totems drew me in. Their geometric carvings caught the light, creating an almost human presence. At dusk, the lighting beneath made them glow like voices rising together. Ancient, modern, timeless.
Wood connects us back to forests and renewable cycles, reminding us of the value in natural materials for interiors and architecture.
Sculptural wooden totems glowing with light and shadow play.
Light as a Material
Mirage by Kristina Saakyan (KS Architects)
The mirrored glass installation called Mirage bent light into shifting illusions. Glass discs and reflective surfaces changed constantly as I walked around. Every step revealed a new image, never the same twice. It felt alive.
A kinetic mirage—light bending and refracting with every step
What struck me was how minimal the actual construction was—steel, glass, and light. Without relying on heavy resources or artificial energy, the designers created an installation that was both powerful and sustainable. It showed how design can achieve depth and beauty by collaborating with nature, rather than trying to overpower it.
Deep Jyoti Stambh by Ronak Hingarh (a+d)
This kinetic sculpture reimagined ancient Deepmalas, temple towers of light from India. Made of modular discs, it rotated slowly on a base inspired by Buddhist prayer wheels. Shadows and reflections shifted constantly, offering a sacred rhythm in a modern form.
Modular construction means less waste and easy reassembly, while light as a main element reduces the need for heavy materials.
A column of light—tradition reinterpreted as a dynamic, sustainable sculpture.
The Shape of Water
Walking through this immersive piece felt like diving under the sea. Layers of blue fabric moved with sound and light. Ripples danced on translucent folds, while the floor reflected waves beneath my feet. I slowed down, letting myself drift in its calm rhythm.
abric and light created a powerful experience with minimal materials, proving that atmosphere can matter more than objects.
Layers of light and fabric recreate the sensation of moving beneath the sea.
Closing Thoughts on Design & Sustainability
Walking through Dubai Design Week felt like moving between past and future. Each installation told its own story about culture, materials, or light. Together, they showed that design today is not just about creating striking objects. It is also about care—care for tradition, for resources, and for the people who experience these spaces.
As a designer, I left inspired. The lessons I saw here—working with nature, using materials thoughtfully, and finding meaning in simplicity—are the same lessons we bring to our interiors, villas, and hospitality projects. Design, at its best, is about connection.
A Personal Note from Claire
As an architect, designer, and passionate explorer of art and culture, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and depth of Arabic design. Every journey adds new layers to my creative vision, and I am eager to continue sharing these discoveries with you.
Follow along on my travels and artistic explorations — I share real-time insights, inspirations, and stories from the heart of heritage architecture and contemporary design on Instagram.
Let’s keep this conversation alive. Join me on Instagram @clairedominics for more behind-the-scenes moments and design inspiration.
Looking for something more personal?
Read about our experience at Art Connects Women 2025 — a global exhibition that touched on legacy, emotion, and the power of visual storytelling.
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Warmly,
Claire Ordovsky Tanaevsky
Founder & Art Director, Claire Dominics Buro
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