Dubai Design Week, one of the region’s largest and most coveted creative festivals, is back for its fifth iteration this week. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the event will span six days, from 11-16 November and is open to all. The free-to-attend program is set to feature exhibitors from the realms of product and graphic design, multimedia, architecture and interiors. Below, we round-up the regional creatives whose showcases you must not miss during the fair.

1. Aljoud Lootah and Irthi at Downtown Design: Keep an eye out for Emirati multidisciplinary designer Aljoud Lootah’s and Sharjah-based Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, who will be showcasing unique works at Downtown Design. Aljoud Lootah’s limited-edition exhibition will feature her take on the traditional Emirati ‘Mandoos’ chest. In its signature style, Irthi will present a string of designs by local craftswomen and international artists.

   

2. ‘Kabul Old City – A Visual Journey’ pop-up by Turquoise Mountain: In association with ICONEM, the organization will be using three-dimensional virtual reality technology to depict the endangerment of cultural heritage sites.
3. Abwab Pavilion’s recreation of classrooms through architectural installations: Translating to doors, ‘Abwab’ is an exhibition dedicated to works from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Representing Abwab: Lebanon will be Lebanese-Polish sisters Tessa Sakhi and Tara Sakhi, the creative forces behind the multidisciplinary architecture and design studio T SAKHI, while Abwab: Eastern provinces of Saudi Arabia will presents works by Shahad Alazzaz, founder of Azaz Architects.
   

   

4. Dubai-based Tinkah’s ‘UMBRA’ installation: The Spanish wood manufacturer, Finsa has commissioned the UAE-based multidisciplinary design studio to create a gateway called ‘UMBRA’, a mashrabiya-pattern-inspired collection. Finsa has supplied the materials used to create the spectacular installation that’s among the first things you’ll see at DDW.

   

Design entrepreneur and curator Ghassan Salameh’s MADAR exhibition: As a part of Downtown Editions, the entrepreneur will showcase an educational exhibition that will put the ongoing initiatives in the regional design market on a spotlight. Salameh will also curate a product-focused exhibition titled ‘INSIGHT/ONSITE’.

Coinciding with Dubai Design Week is the inaugural Sharjah Architecture Triennial, which opened yesterday and will run until 8 February next year. The triennial aims at creating a platform for architecture and urbanism in the region.