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AED 120.00 | wonder.ifdm.design

CELEBRATING 100 OF THE REGION’S MOST CREATIVE TALENTS

Annual Collection 2025

QUIET ONLY IN APPEARANCE.

Loungescape sofa, design Antonio Citterio

HEADQUARTERS: VIA A. MANZONI, 45

SAHRAI RIYADH: ANAS LBN MALIK RD, AL MALGA ST.

HERITAGE FOREVER: VIA A. MANZONI, 38 MILANO

FLEUR DE SOIE CAPSULE COLLECTION by SYBILLE DE MARGERIE - Design: FLORAISON DOUCE, superior handtufted in bamboo silk and New Zealand wool - Diam. 400 cm

Fleur de Soie by Sybille De Margerie SAHRAI.COM

D.151.4 Armchair Gio Ponti

An Italian Design Story

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H A R M O N I O U S L I V I N G S O LU T I O N S R O OT E D I N P U G L I A , S I N C E 1 9 5 9.

Discover the Amama Collection. First unveiling in the UAE at Downtown Design Dubai, November 5–9.

Natuzzi Italia Stores Riyadh • Dubai • Abu Dhabi • Doha • Manama • Kuwait City • Amman • Erbil • Beirut For inquiries Natuzzi agency GCC and ME info@natuzzime.com

FEATURES

Essay

Shaping the landscape

Voices

Five perspectives, five curatorial statements

Architecture

159 Keep the tension alive

YEAR X

.W100 Arabia

Publisher & Editorial Director Paolo Bleve | bleve@ifdm.it

Managing Editor

Projects 100 Terrace Majesty Yachts

166 Sleek and graceful Ruler’s Court Ajman, United Arab Emirates 170 Fluid spaces for governance

Dar Tantora The House Hotel AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia

174 Whispers from the past F1 Lounge Abu Dhabi

182 Design & Formula 1 Ghaf Woods Experience Centre Dubai

186 Front row seat to Nature Lime Tree Valley Villa Dubai

192 Under the sign of serenity Otaku Abu Dhabi

198 The beauty of imperfection

Talent on show

Alessandra Bergamini alessandra@ifdm.it

Co-Curators .W100 Arabia Paola Carimati, Rue Khotari

Contributors

Manuela Di Mari, Stefania Evans, Ruben Modigliani, Francesca Oddo, Sabrina Sciama

International Contributor New York | Anna Casotti Beirut | Nadine Fares Kahil

Digital Editorial Team redazione@ifdm.it

Brand Relations

Graphic Department

Marco Parisi | grafica@ifdm.it Maripina Cappelletti | mari@ifdm.it

Advertising

Marble/ADV Tel. +39 02 40701449 - info@ifdm.it

Design inspirations

20th October 2025

for the contract sector by international brands

225 A preview of the upcoming global projects

Retail directory

234 Addresses in the gulf

Agenda

238 Art & Design in the Gulf 14 | IFDM

Deputy Editor, Features & Content Curator

202 Situated practices: the quest of new generations

207 A selection of the most innovative products

174

Giulia Guzzini | giulia@ifdm.it

Closed by the editorial staff Owner and Publisher Marble srl

Head office and Administration

Corso Venezia 8 - 20121 Milano, Italy Tel. +39 02 40701449 - www.ifdm.design

Printed by

Masar Printing & Publishing Dubai, United Arab Emirates All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. A record and picture file is available at Marble.

photography by Andrea Ferrari

made in baxter

BAXTER DUBAI BY MAISON LAMASSU Villa – 4 & 5, Umm Suqeim 3rd Opposite Wild Wadi, Jumeirah Beach Road Dubai, +971 4 352 7317 - www.baxter.it

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FEATURES

    ifdmdesign

Portfolio

IFDM .Wonder Book celebrates a curated collection of 100 regional creative studios

42 44 45 46 48 50 51 52 54 56 57 58

192

202

60 62 64 66 67 68 70 72 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85 86 88 90 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107

16 | IFDM

4Space 313 A interiors Acciona Cultura AEA Design Aedas Agata Kurzela Studio Albaker Architects Albatross Architects Algedra AlHumaidhi Architects AMA Andrea Marenco Architettura Anarchitect ARCHJS Ardh Architects Arquitectonica Astet Studio Ateliers Jean Nouvel Aviva Collective Azaz Architects B8 Architecture & Design Benoy Bishop Design BMA Studio BNN Bricklab C’est ici Design Customs Bureau Dabbagh Architects Dar Arafa Architecture David/Nicolas Delfina Design Delphine Gebran Interior Architect DesignLab Designsmith Dewan DLR Group DP Architects E Plus A Atelier Echo Architecture ELE Interior Erga Estilo Blanco Interiors Etereo Faraguna Forsite Creative Fosc Studio Gensler Georges Mouhasseb for Studio Manda Gianni Ranaulo

108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157

Giò Forma Godwin Austen Johnson Grimshaw GroundedDesign h2r Design HCP Architecture & Engineering Hicham Ghandour HOK Idea Art Interior Architects & Design Intercon J2 Design Kayan Office KCA International Killa Design Kristina Zanic Design KWY.studio La Victoire Design & Living Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture Luca Dini Design & Architecture LW Design MODU Method MULA NIU Studio Prospect Design International Ramón Esteve Estudio RECS Architects Richard Yasmine Studio Roar SAL Architects Samir Hakim Architects SAY Studio Schiattarella Associati Shaikha Al-Sulaiti Sneha Divias Atelier SOM Studio M Studio Madouh Studio Nada Debs Studio Toggle Studio Twelve Interiors Sybille de Margerie SYN Architects Vela Design VSHD Design WA International Wells International Wood Bagots Worldesignteam X Architects XO Atelier

VIA MANZONI 41 MILAN ITALY T. +39 026575418 illulian.com

illulian

Illulian In Stock App

ECLISSE SOFA | Made in Italy | Design by CARLO COLOMBO

MILAN FLAGSHIP Via Pietro Mascagni 2 , Milan +39 345 078 4931 | milan@eliesaabmaison.com

Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai +971 (0) 4 296 0031 | aati@altayer.com

Al Manzel Building Zabeel Road, Karama, Dubai +971 (0) 4 337 7825 | aati@altayer.com

EDITORIAL

Stories of the year’s most distinctive designers

PAOLO BLEVE Publisher & Editorial Director

a .Wonder. That was the inspiring title of the very first editorial for IFDM’s .Wonder Book collection back in 2016. Today, as we celebrate its tenth anniversary, we’re not merely commemorating a decade of captivating projects – meticulously discovered, selected, and showcased across our design-focused editions. Instead, we’re embarking on a brand new season of wonder, shifting our gaze to a different, equally vibrant latitude: the Gulf. .W100 Arabia is the latest chapter in a journey that began with my personal explorations of this magnificent territory in 2009. It’s a region of authentic charm, unparalleled vibrancy, audacious ambitions, and a creativity that blossoms daily, fueled by the dedication and passion of every reader. This growth is further propelled by the invaluable contributions of Architects, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and especially the visionary Developers who are powerfully bringing residential, hospitality, retail, architectural, and yachting projects to life. What better way to mark the IFDM .Wonder Book’s first decade than with such a significant launch? For those of us who thrive on “doing,” we felt the most fitting approach was to “craft” this special gift, then entrust it to capable, friendly hands – hands with whom we cherish cultivating new relationships. Hands that can draw inspiration and, with their intelligence, give rise to new and increasingly distinctive projects. With my own hands, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my entire team, whose unwavering support is invaluable, and to our co-curators. My gratitude also goes to the partner companies of this project, the institutions involved, and, most importantly, to all 100 invaluable architecture and interior design leaders in the GCC countries. Their contributions offer an original perspective on the evolving design culture that is driving the region’s architectural transformation. .W100 Arabia bridges the gap between project innovation and business leaders, further amplifying the voices and contributions of the Middle East Design Community on a global scale. We don’t just observe the design world – we actively participate in its growth and evolution. Enjoy the read! IFDM | 19

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INSIGHTS

The language of identity: design as a mirror of the Middle East’s future

RUE KOTHARI Curator, Creative Director, and Middle East Design Expert

ver the last twenty-five years, I have had the privilege of watching the Middle East evolve, from a market defined by aspiration into one defined by identity. When I first arrived in Dubai, design was largely an imported concept - international aesthetics applied to a region that was hungry for global recognition. Today, the our creative landscape has matured into something far more distinctive, diverse and self-assured, reflecting a deepening confidence to define our very own design narrative. As a curator, creative director and strategist, my work has been dedicated to shaping and supporting that transformation. Whether launching Harper’s Bazaar Interiors, the first standalone design title of its kind in the Middle East, or turning Downtown Design, the region’s first commercial design fair, into the region’s most significant industry event, I have developed platforms have nurtured a rapidly changing creative ecosystem. In each of these roles, the act of curation has never been neutral. It has been a process of translation, advocacy, and bridge-building between global design dialogues and regional expression. The story of design in the Middle East is often told through the lens of architecture and scale; new cities, striking skylines and a horizon in constant motion. Yet beneath that discourse lies a quieter and more significant movement: the rise of a genuine design culture. Across the region, we have seen the emergence of homegrown studios exploring furniture, craft, and interiors with a language rooted in the past, but with an eye fixed firmly on the future. From Riyadh to Beirut, Dubai to Cairo, a new generation of designers is mining material heritage and thoughtful practices to create objects and spaces that embody both tradition and transformation.

This intersection between craft and contemporary design, between sustainability and storytelling is where much of my work resides. Through DESIGNEAST, a platform I founded in 2023, we aimed to amplify voices from the Global South whose practices are grounded in authenticity and responsible making. Through various collaborations and exhibitions across different global platforms, we tested the immense potential of cultural exchange when it’s based on equity and shared purpose rather than trend or tokenism. Curation, for me, is an act of connection. It is about revealing the threads that tie makers, materials and meanings together - across borders, disciplines, and communities. It is about reframing how the world perceives creativity from our part of the globe: not as peripheral, but as central to the global narrative of design. As the Gulf continues its transformation culturally, economically, and environmentally - design will play an ever more critical role in shaping the region’s identity. The next phase of growth will depend not only on infrastructure but on imagination: the ability to craft environments and experiences that are both contextually rooted and globally recognised. Sustainability will be at the heart of this process, encouraging new relationships between designers, curators, developers, and policymakers to create models of progress that are resilient and inclusive. After decades spent navigating the intersections of publishing, events, architecture, and strategy, I see the curator’s role as that of a catalyst - someone who builds ecosystems where creativity is not only exhibited but sustained. The Middle East’s design journey is ongoing, but its direction is unmistakable: design here is no longer a reflection of ambition; it is the very language through which we envision our collective future.

IFDM | 21

WHITE BOX

ROBERTO PALOMBA & LUDOVICA SERAFINI Palomba Serafini Associati PS+A, Founders

Design and the Middle East What are the prospects from a European perspective? Texs collected by: Giulia Guzzini and Ruben Modigliani

MARCO PIVA Studio Marco Piva, Founder

I PIERO LISSONI Lissoni & Partners, Founder

he entire Gulf region is a world catapulting itself into modernity, seeking to understand how to integrate its past with the present and with what will shape its future – an undertaking not without risks. Working as an Italian architect on projects, or even on the premises of projects, in this part of the world is far less straightforward than it might appear. There exists a traditional scale that must, in some way, be respected, yet at the same time there is a modernity that demands to be expressed. From this contrast, fascinating outcomes can undoubtedly emerge. There is another aspect to consider. The West continues to think of itself as a cultural, ideological, and social beacon. Yet these are countries moving at an entirely different pace. This is a civilization that once gave humanity mathematicians, poets, and travelers of profound learning, before gradually withdrawing from the global stage. After all, we Europeans too experienced a period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages often described as “dark” – though without it, we would never have reached the Renaissance. Today, the Gulf nations are leaping with astonishing speed through stages of development that took Europe eight centuries to traverse, comprehend, and assimilate – stages we still struggle fully to master. To sustain such rapid progress, they must inevitably operate with fewer restraints, and in doing so, they will make mistakes. Yet it is a moment of extraordinary vitality. Photo © Veronica Gaido

22 | IFDM

t is a rapidly expanding territory, increasingly oriented toward luxury, and therefore perfectly aligned with the broader tendency of all highend brands: the pursuit of excellence. This pursuit, after all, is the hallmark of Italian brands – a steadfast commitment to research, to quality, and to supporting clients, whether in developing full-scale projects or simply configuring their homes, enriched by decades of experience working alongside designers and developers worldwide. A guarantee that few others can truly offer. From a personal standpoint, I believe that permanence and quality do not constrain creativity; rather, they open new expressive possibilities, always moving toward excellence – a product conceived for spaces designed for good living. At this very moment, I am in Dubai for projects we are developing both here and in Ras al-Khaimah. I find myself in a major mall housing some of the finest Italian brands in home design. Observing the place, the displays, the products, and the care devoted to them, I am convinced that what always prevails is style, quality, taste, and an overarching sense of elegance. Specifically for Italian products, craftsmanship and attention to detail remain decisive – qualities that make them precious additions to any environment, anywhere in the world, and particularly in this region. Photo © Nailya Vagabova

oberto Palomba: When speaking of architecture and design in the Middle East, it is essential to acknowledge the profound cultural, climatic, and social differences that define the region. In some areas, we have witnessed extraordinary development; in others, growth has been more uneven. The European experience can offer valuable insight – not only by sharing its achievements but also by reflecting on its mistakes, such as the loss of urban and landscape quality in the name of progress. Dialogue between cultures must be grounded in mutual listening and in the ability to integrate diverse traditions and forms of knowledge, so that shared experiences become a common heritage. The region’s climate and the power of the sun, for instance, provide the Middle East with a unique opportunity to pioneer energy-independent architecture and new urban models. Europe, in turn, can draw inspiration from this forward-looking vision. Architecture and design should serve as instruments of civil and cultural growth, founded on responsibility, collaboration, and respect between humanity, nature, and culture. Ludovica Serafini: Across the Emirates, an increasingly self-aware architectural language is emerging – one that celebrates local materials while reinterpreting them through proportions and spatial concepts distinct from those of Europe. I find particularly stimulating the renewed attention to elements such as brick and ceramic, which embody a powerful cultural identity. It would be desirable for this sensitivity to extend to design and interior furnishings as well, envisioning the use of bronze or color palettes inspired by the local landscape, reimagined through a contemporary and international vocabulary. The goal is to build a design identity of one’s own – a recognizable and authentic language that translates local culture into a universal expression. Photo © Carlo William Rossi + Fabio Mureddu

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Dubai Studio | Dubai Design District D3, Building 8, Office 106

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VOICES

Five perspectives, five curatorial statements Cosmopolitan backgrounds, local stewardship, and a strong sense of community: Beatrice Leanza, Majeda Alhinai, Natasha Carella, Rana Beiruti, and Sara Ghani share their insights on the design scene of the Arabian Peninsula, moving beyond all possible clichés Author: Paola Carimati

IFDM | 31

PORTFOLIO

A CURATED COLLECTION OF 100 REGIONAL CREATIVE STUDIOS

IFDM | 41