In brief
At Dubai Design Week 2026, Meraas unveiled a multi‑sensory installation that brings the Dubai Design District’s masterplan to life, while the week itself hosted more than 40 projects from designers in 50 countries. The event highlighted the role of design in shaping public life, with speakers from Dubai Design District, Dubai Culture, and the Design Week team outlining the district’s future and the creative economy.
Dubai Design Week 2026 opened on Wednesday, November 4, with Meraas launching its Creative Living Space inside the Dubai Design District (d3). The installation, devised with Duette Studio, was designed to translate d3’s masterplan into a five‑zone sensory experience, allowing visitors to explore the Creekside, Design HQ, SOHO, The Sanctuary and The Mindspace.
The Meraas Creative Living Space will host a programme of design, culture and music from November 4 to 8, with talks, workshops and daily listening sessions in the SOHO element featuring Ben Palace, DJ Liutik and Karrouhat.
Architectural partners such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Woods Bagot and U+A will collaborate on conversations and workshops that probe how design can shape homes, public spaces and cultural experiences within d3. Sessions will explore the creative economy, the design process and how the district will evolve as Dubai’s hub for creativity.
Beyond the festival programmes, the space offers a sensory experience that brings to life the vision for the next chapter of residential living within d3, showcasing how culture, shared spaces and social experiences can shape everyday life within the district’s neighbourhoods.
Over the same week, Dubai Design Week attracted designers from more than 50 countries, who presented over 40 projects that blend cultural heritage with contemporary creativity. The event ran under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District, said that "design plays a central role in shaping how people live and interact with their surroundings," adding that d3 remains committed to strengthening Dubai’s creative ecosystem.
"Design plays a central role in shaping how people live and interact with their surroundings," said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, stated that design is a key contributor to the creative economy by linking ideas and skills with production capabilities and commercial opportunities.
"Design is a key contributor to Dubai’s creative economy by connecting creative ideas and skills with production capabilities and commercial opportunities," added Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi.
Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week, explained that this year’s programme explores the relationship between design and human connection, alongside experimentation with materials, traditional crafts and emerging technologies.
"This year’s programme explores the relationship between design and human connection, alongside experimentation with materials, traditional crafts and emerging technologies," said Natasha Carella.
The Dubai Design Week’s opening also included Downtown Design, which presented new collections from international design houses alongside regional talent, and showcased a shared indoor exhibition titled "In Other Words" featuring five newly commissioned works.
Collectively, the event underscored Dubai’s ambition to become a global design hub, aligning with the Design Sector Strategy 2033 and affirming that both the government and private sector are investing in the creative economy’s future.
The week ends on November 8, but the impact of Meraas’ immersive installation and the wide array of projects will likely influence how Dubai approaches design, public life and community engagement for years to come.
