Showcasing Sustainable Practices
Dubai Design Week 2023 featured over 30 large-scale design installations that reflected sustainable practices and celebrated the region’s rich heritage. These installations were specially commissioned for the event and aimed to combat the adverse effects of climate change through eco-friendly architecture and design-led solutions. Designers showcased innovative ways to reclaim and reinvent materials from the past, while imagining new forms that promote sustainable practices.
One standout installation was “Of Palm” by Emirati architect Abdalla Almulla. Made entirely from parts of the indigenous palm tree, the installation featured a stunning ceiling woven from palm mats. Positioned as part of the Abwab initiative, which highlights design from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, “Of Palm” demonstrated how raw materials can be reused in a sustainable and multifunctional way. Visitors could seek shade under the enchanting canopy or explore the corner selling honey from Yemen, highlighting the integration of nature, culture, and commerce.
Another notable installation was “Designest” by Syrian concept designer Ahmad Alkattan. Alkattan’s installation provided shelter for both birds and visitors, drawing inspiration from conventional pigeon towers found in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. The structure collected bird droppings, which were used as fertiliser for plants in the Dubai Design District. This innovative approach to outdoor furniture won first place in the Urban Commissions competition, highlighting the importance of responsible design and its impact on the environment.
Embracing Sustainable Materials
A key theme throughout Dubai Design Week 2023 was the use of sustainable materials in design installations. Designers explored unconventional materials and demonstrated their potential to create eco-friendly structures. One such installation was “Pulp Fractions” by Dubai-based interior design firm TEE VEE EFF. The large-scale work, made from paper pulp and waste cardboard, demonstrated the convergence of man-made architecture with the natural world. Green plants were incorporated into the structure, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between design and nature.
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The importance of sustainable materials was also evident in the work of India-based designers from the Made in Earth Collective. Their immersive installation, “The Future Will Be Sown,” showcased the transformative power of loofah, an agricultural byproduct from southern India. By weaving a regenerative future through sustainable materials, the installation urged visitors to foster respect for nature and indigenous communities.
Exploring Architectural Interventions
Dubai Design Week 2023 featured a number of architectural interventions that reimagined public spaces and promoted sustainable design. Urban Hives, a collaboration between Beirut-based designer Nathalie Harb and BMW, presented a vision for transforming parking spaces into lush gardens. The installation included a solar panel and a rainwater collection and irrigation system, demonstrating how technology and nature can coexist to create a more sustainable urban environment.
The Refugee Housing Unit (RHU), a Better Shelter and UNHCR-led initiative with Ikea Foundation support, was also on display at the event. The RHU provides a durable and easy-to-assemble temporary shelter for emergency situations. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the structures and witness their robustness and functionality, highlighting the importance of design in improving the lives of marginalised communities.
A Forward-Looking Perspective
Dubai Design Week 2023 demonstrated the transformative power of design in addressing sustainability challenges and promoting innovative solutions. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, material innovation, and socio-cultural influences in shaping the future of design. By showcasing sustainable practices and supporting humanitarian causes, Dubai Design Week reaffirmed its commitment to creating a more sustainable and inclusive design industry.
