Saudi Arabia’s Premier Design Fair: Downtown Design Riyadh 2025

As Saudi Arabia’s design scene takes centre stage, Downtown Design Riyadh 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s creative and cultural movement. Held in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the four-day fair brings heritage and contemporary design into the limelight, starting a much-needed cross-cultural conversation in the heart of the Saudi creative economy.

From a globe-spanning exhibitor list featuring Huda Lighting, Saint Louis, Natuzzi, Scarlet Splendour and Visionnaire to limited-edition works by international icons like Thomas Heatherwick and Sabine Marcelis and pioneering Saudi studios such as Naqsh Collective and Hobal, the fair pays homage to heritage while welcoming new global design ideas.

As Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design, says, “This inaugural edition brings together what we do best: presenting a thoughtful mix of global brands and emerging regional talent. Saudi creatives are an essential part of the story.”

Set within cool indoor spaces of JAX District, Riyadh’s thriving arts and culture hub, the fair welcomed visitors, bringing together over 80 exhibitors from across Europe, the UK, the UAE and Saudi Arabia itself, setting the tone for a vibrant new design era.

Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, noted “Downtown Design Riyadh represents an important step in our efforts to build a design culture that stems from Saudi identity and engages openly with the world.”

Alongside contemporary installations from Lasvit and brass-rich showcases by Scarlet Splendour stood powerful local expressions by NWII.III and Hobal. Naqsh Collective wove Arab embroidery into sculptural works, while Grey Gardens debuted raw, handmade planters that echoed a return to tactile, grounded design.

One of the show’s key experiences was the BMW Lounge, conceived by award-winning Saudi designer Amani Al-Ibrahim. Inspired by the contours of the Tuwaiq Mountains and the refined identity of the BMW i7, the space was a masterclass in contextual luxury.
David McGoldrick, Managing Director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, shared:“The BMW Lounge is where excellence meets Saudi storytelling. It reflects our belief that design is the soul of innovation.”

The inaugural fair was specially designed to unfold like a walking narrative, from rugs to surfaces, lighting to sculpture - a wholesome journey of design at its best. TRAME’s algorithm-meets-artisan collaboration with Maison Louis Drucker and Jaipur Rugs’ lush garden-inspired tapestries by Tatiana De Nicolay created moments of quiet poetry in design.

Conceptual installations like Strata, created by Karim+Elias from rammed Saudi sand, anchored the outdoor space with natural material storytelling. Inside, the Forum featured daily talks on design’s power to shape culture, commerce, and identity, with a spotlight on women reimagining spatial narratives.

Adding a sensorial element to the feast were glow-in-the-dark desserts by Bompas & Parr, conceptual mocktails by The Lighthouse, and coffee rituals from Origin Roasters; experiences that lifted the vibe and reflected the fair’s layered sophistication.

Saudi talent was at the heart of the fair, from the Designed in Saudi initiative to commissions by Ithra, the Ministry of Culture, and SAMOCA. Independent studios and emerging creatives showcased a spectrum of perspectives, bridging the line between personal expression and professional craft.