10 best designs from the MENASA region at dubai design week 2018

dubai has not only become the epicenter of emirati design but, quite simply, for design in the whole MENASA region (middle east, north africa and south asia). and, once more, dubai design week 2018 signified this growing impression. downtown design – the region’s leading trade fair – welcomed global brands including artemide, cassina and marset. however, it was the new downtown editions section that stunningly showcased local designers, brands and even other regional design weeks. this focus extended throughout the festival and below, designboom rounds-up the best projects from MENASA creatives at dubai design week 2018.

bouchra boudoua blue vases
image courtesy of bouchra boudoua

within downtown editions, as part of the casablanca design week’s stand, bouchra boudoua debuts her latest ceramic work. the differently shaped and sized vases feature light blue patterns upon a black backdrop. these intricate yet bold brushmarks resemble a contemporary style whilst still referencing her moroccan roots.

mandoos collection by aljoud lootah
image courtesy of aljoud lootah

paying tribute to the wooden chests that previously played an important role in UAE by holding one’s most precious possessions, aljoud lootah‘s ‘mandoos’ collection aims to reestablish a purpose for these boxes in UAE homes. incorporating modern design elements, the box’s surface is weaved with camel leather and embellished with metallic studs. the leather boxes, which are handcrafted, features separate compartments, each for a specific purpose.

eastern provinces of KSA – the sound of the east coast
image courtesy of dubai design week

as a highlight of dubai design week each year, the 2018 abwab pavilion invited five communities to produce work along the theme ‘between the lines’. as part of the installation by the eastern provinces of KSA, a sound space explores the process of sourcing pearls. soft sculptures fluidly change in reaction to different music and air vibrations.

kuwait city’s desert cast 
image courtesy of dubai design week

also part of abwab 2018, kuwait city presents ‘desert cast‘ by jassim al nashmi, kawther al saffar and ricardas blazukas. addressing a lack of local identity in materials and fabrication, the designers merged the techniques of gypsum-molding and sand-casting. the results are an array of unique metal objects that explore new forms yet offer complete functionality.

the line concept’s continuum collection
image courtesy of the line concept

produced in dubai, the line concept presents the new ‘continuum’ collection at the design week. intended to offer a spectrum of shapes at any view point, the furniture includes a selection of chairs and tables. the designs combine a range of color schemes with rich, handcrafted materials.

kutleh vases by rula yaghmour
image courtesy of the amman design week

designed by architect rula yaghmour, ‘kutleh‘ attempts to create a new medium from the waste of the stone industry. her designs, which range from vases to chairs, enhance the natural colors and materials of the mediterranean. displayed at the amman design week’s stand at downtown editions, ‘kutleh’ actually defines itself as a raw material that designers can use to carve their own creations.

ballerina vases by in doi
image courtesy of in doi

also as part of the amman design week stand, in doi‘s ‘ballerina’ vases illustrate the fast yet graceful spinning motion of dancers. the lines of their arms and bent knees form the curves of design whilst the lightness of movement is visualized with gaps. a thin, strong and elegant body runs almost hidden down the center of the vase.

1971-design space’s thuluth by alia mazrooei
image courtesy of 1971-design space

at downtown editions, 1971-design space presents ‘thuluth’ by emirati interior designer alia mazrooei. forming an elongated sofa and two chairs, the designs reference the natural curves of sand dunes shaped by the wind. the results, which resemble alia’s signature style, combine minimalism with free flowing, organic forms.

KRAY studio’s crystal tables
image courtesy of rita kettaneh

showcased within beruit design week’s stand in downtown editions, rita kettaneh – founder of KRAY studio – presents her ‘crystal tables’ collection. the family of three side tables were inspired by the namesake natural material and its transparency, purity and geometry. the designs pair colorful, flat surfaces on top of thin tubular steel.

LASVIT flow by albal design studio
image courtesy of dubai design week

created by albal design studio, the LASVIT ‘flow’ light feature shines a light on the importance of water in the UAE region. the floating, morphing design combines different surfaces, structures and mirroring through organic shapes, which appear like water reflections and ripples. its metal frames help further distort the shape whilst also acting as light sources.