3rd edition of Dubai Design Week opens

Dubai - Downtown Design opens on Tuesday and this fair is double the size it was last year

From Abu Dhabi's Louvre, the focus now moves to the Dubai Design Week (DXBDW), which starts today and runs until Saturday. This is the third and largest edition to date - with more than 200 events all across the city.
Like last year, over 40,000 people are expected to visit the event. William Knight, Head of Design for the Art Dubai Group, who said that "I think the main story is how we have grown." There are 15 installations in Dubai Design District (D3), for instance.
He has also kept the focus on making this a show for everyone. "For example, over the weekend, we have a 'Let's Play for Change' workshop with Ikea, which children are bound to enjoy."
Knight says if there is just one thing you could do this week, head to the Dubai Design District. "Go to the centre of D3 and that's where you will see how design has come alive in the city."

Downtown Design opens on Tuesday and this fair is double the size it was last year. Look out for the work of well-known design companies such as Baccarat, Bernhardt and Herman Miller. And you can also check out the works of local talents like Roudha Alshamsi, who displays a work of 'Art Furniture'.
"Then there are over 200 projects in the Global Graduate show," added Knight. Projects by students of over 90 universities from 40 countries, it's the most diverse celebration of student design for any design fair. It is the scale at which this year's edition of the DXBDW celebrates both home and international design that makes it so important. At least 40 international journalists are heading to the city to cover the show.
"Awaab is also right in D3's heart and really helps outs this region on the international design map." Awaab translates as "doors" and this year's exhibition will host 45 designs from 15 countries within the Middle East North Africa, South Asia (MENASA) region. It's probably the most accurate representation of contemporary design from the region exhibited anywhere, housed within a dramatic temporary structure made from used materials. It's designed by Dubai-based Fahed & Architects, recent winner of the National Architect of the Year Award in India.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com