Local designers are putting their best foot forward at Downtown Design, showcasing several works that make use of unexpected and sustainable materials, from a dresser made of papyrus to a cabinet inspired by the Emirati burqa.
One standout display is the returning UAE Designer Exhibition. The exhibition highlights works by more than 30 independent designers and studios. While the works are disparate in form and function, the exhibition brings them together with a harmonious curation, alluding to a living space that is as modern as it is environmentally conscious.
The designers all live and work in the UAE, but as they hail from various backgrounds, they bring a medley of inspirations that blend together with cosmopolitan grace.
“The exhibition is inspired by comfort and functionality,” Omar Al Gurg, founder of Modu Method and curator of the exhibition, tells The National. “Not necessarily comfortable to the touch, it doesn’t have to be that, but more of an emotional comfort, mental comfort.”
This dedication to comfort was part of the design call. Al Gurg says: “I wanted everybody's design to work with each other, so I gave them a little brief beforehand. Some of the pieces existed previously and just fit into the brief of the exhibit, and then there were other pieces that were specifically developed for this exhibition.”
Several designs take cues directly from Emirati traditions and cultural motifs. Hessa Alghandi’s Shibriya, for instance, is a bench that draws inspiration from the furniture pieces of her grandmother’s home in Shindagha. The bench features traditional rope weavings with loose strings repurposed from unfinished carpets. Anwaar Abdulla Alhosani’s Mudkhar, meanwhile, rethinks the Emirati incense receptacle, the medkhana.
“We usually connect smell with memories,” Alhosani says. “I wanted to connect nostalgic sentiments of that into this contemporary incense burner.” The two vertical pieces feature an undulating design. Drawers are fitted at the bottom, where the incense burns, whereas holes have been designed on its sloped surfaces, from where the smoke is emitted. Different incense can be placed in each of the burners, allowing users to mix scents.
Aya Moug, meanwhile, is showcasing a material she has developed with her dresser. The material, she has dubbed Byblos, utilises papyrus plants from the banks of the Nile, fashioning them into a durable biomaterial. “It is an alternative to marble and stone, and is a 100 per cent natural material,” she says. Byblos, she says, can be used in myriad ways, from furniture designs to architectural elements. “It's as strong as concrete and marble, and it's very durable,” she says. “You can actually shape it in whatever form you want.”
Displayed beside Moug’s dresser are coat hangers that have also been fashioned from an unexpected material. Lina Ghalib’s Karab is a contemporary take on the coat hanger, designed with the region in mind. It features brass accents, but its core material is plywood made from palm. “The branches are actually thick to the core,” Ghalib says. “Sometimes they're as thick as 3cm. We cut them at different intervals, then we shave them off and we glue them together to make a hardwood material.
“The whole concept is that usually homes and villas, entryways and receptions are missing a coat hanger, because it's not in our culture in the Middle East, and usually it’s not the prettiest piece of furniture. I wanted to design something that is functional and aesthetically pleasing if it’s not in use.”
There are several other highlights in the exhibition, from a carpet that fuses the sensibilities of Emirati and Amazigh creatives, to visually stunning and stackable plant pots made from hemp fibre and recycled plastic.
Jamal Hamsho, meanwhile, is displaying a unique furniture set crafted from waste concrete. “I'm an architect, and when I used to go to sites, I’d see there was a lot of waste material, so I decided to take it and make artistic pieces of furniture,” Hamsho says. The furniture pieces take several weeks to craft and often bear delightful inconsistencies. Hamsho leans towards these particularities with a brutalist aesthetic. His table, for instance, features exposed rebars.
Tanween by Tashkeel is also returning for this year’s Downtown Design. Since its inception in 2013, the programme has been pivotal in offering emerging designers a platform to share their work. Often, the works are on the cutting edge of trends and reimagine familiar cultural elements. Majid Al Bastaki, for instance, is presenting a cabinet and dresser that is made from reclaimed materials. The cabinet’s doors are painted in striking hues, and draw on the star designs often seen on the steel doors of old homes around the UAE.
One Third Studio, comprised of designers Amna bin Bishr, Duna Ajlan and Dania Ajlan, draws from the Emirati burqa to create a contemporary cabinet. “Our product is called Taleed, which means old and inherited,” Bin Bishr says. “Our idea started by using a locally sourced material. Palm tree fronds are being wasted a lot in our local farms in many different areas.”
The dresser was fashioned by a technique the trio dubbed "khous marquetry". Khous is the traditional weaving technique in the UAE that utilises palm leaves to make roofs and floor mats. Marquetry, meanwhile, applies patterns and designs in the form of a veneer.
The design of the burqa is evident in the face of the cabinet, as well as its colour. “Our grandmothers would usually wear the face covering,” Bin Bishr says. “When we greet them, or when we get close to them, the face covering would mark on our faces with the indigo powder. We came up with the idea of extracting it from the fabric to get this deep blue colour.”
Then there are designs that merge cultural elements such as Rimsha Kidwai’s Kashi. The stackable stool design draws from the claymaking traditions of the UAE and Pakistan, while also incorporating patterns found in Al Sadu weaves.
“My inspiration was to use a material that was common in two regions,” Kidwai says. “I used two colour hues and clay tile techniques, one coming from the UAE and the other from Pakistan. The techniques come together in a contemporary way in the design.”
Downtown Design is taking place at d3 until November 9
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
more from Janine di Giovanni
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Company%20profile
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Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
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Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
