Tashkeel, an advocate for creativity and innovation in Dubai, marks its significant participation in Dubai Design Week (DDW) with its most expansive stand to date at the Downtown Design Editions exhibition. This showcase underscores Tashkeel’s commitment to nurturing local design talent and highlights the growing impact of UAE-based designers on the global stage.
Central to Tashkeel’s presence at stand #D5 are six new sustainable furniture and lighting pieces developed by participants of its Tanween Design Programme. These include the FAY Pendant Light, a creation by Emirati designer Khadija Almazimi; the BO NAJ-MA console table by Majid Al Bastaki, drawing inspiration from iconic 1980s UAE steel doors; and Taleed, a cabinet crafted from dyed palm leaves by One-Third Studio. Other highlights are KUNOOZ, a handmade coffee table by Osama Rashad that showcases traditional sculptural techniques; Kashi, a modular clay block design by Rimsha Kidwai blending Emirati and South Asian elements; and The Sanad Collection coffee table by Samara and The Poet Studio, using off-cut travertine stone to emphasise sustainability and resourcefulness.
Interview with the Designers
We asked the designers two questions: What inspired the design concept behind your piece? How do you incorporate sustainability into your design process?
These were their answers:
Majid Al Bastaki – BO NAJ-MA
I am Majid Al Bastaki, an architect, product designer, and architectural photographer. At Dubai Design Week, I am proud to represent Tashkeel and the Tanween program with my project, the BO NAJ-MA console cabinet. Inspired by traditional UAE steel doors, I have transformed these elements into a contemporary piece characterised by vibrant colours that evoke modernity and elegance. I invite you to experience BO NAJ-MA, a testament to heritage and innovative design.
Mohamed Samara and Khaled Al Shaer – Sanad
We are Khaled Al Shaer and Mohamed Samara, and our design journey with the Tanween program began by exploring hospitality as an essential theme. This concept evolved into a coffee table that embodies gathering and communion, core tenets of Arab hospitality.
Our sustainable approach addresses production waste, particularly stone, which is a prevalent issue in the region. By upcycling travertine and camel leather offcuts, we have created a design that emphasises sustainability and longevity. The Sanad coffee table, named after the Arabic word for “support,” showcases a gravity-based suspension system that symbolises generational bonds. Through this piece, we celebrate materiality and subvert conventional expectations, emphasising the strength and grace of natural resources in a timeless design.
One Third Studio – Taleed
We are Amna Bin Bishr, Duna Ajlan, and Dania Ajlan from One-Third Studio, presenting Taleed, a freestanding cabinet at Dubai Design Week. This piece introduces an innovative use of sustainable materials by repurposing palm fronds, addressing the significant waste of palm leaves in the UAE. Inspired by the traditional burqa’a and its indigo hues, we utilised a natural dyeing technique that involves boiling the fabric to extract the colour.
The cabinet’s form is designed to appear as if floating, reflecting the essence of the burqa’a, with stitching details integrated into the design as a nod to Emirati craftsmanship. We incorporated al-khus marquetry, an artisanal practice that supports local women artisans, to bring forward an enduring narrative of women’s empowerment. Taleed embodies a bridge between the wisdom of the past and contemporary creativity, advocating for the inclusion of traditional techniques in modern design.
Osama Rashad – KUNOOZ
I am Osama Rashad, an Egyptian architect specialising in local materials. After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Alexandria University, I collaborated with the UNDP, focusing on traditional building methods. Currently, I am channelling my expertise into product design to highlight the innovative potential of regional resources. For Dubai Design Week I present KUNOOZ, a handmade coffee table crafted from natural materials.
Rimsha Kidwai – Kashi
My name is Rimsha Kidwai, and I am an industrial designer dedicated to sustainable design practices. For my project, Kashi, I chose clay as a primary material, symbolising sustainability in both the UAE and my home country, Pakistan. The result is a collection of stools that harmonise natural wood and clay, with optional cushions for added comfort.
Clay’s inherent sustainability, as a natural element that returns to the earth, inspired my design process. I sourced raw clay from the Ras Al Khaimah mountains and conducted extensive experiments to create unique and versatile forms. This project celebrates clay’s rich, earthy hues and emphasises its relevance in sustainable design.
Location: Stand # D5 Downtown Design Editions
Dates: 5 – 10 November 2024