Saudi Arabia is hosting the Downtown Design Riyadh, the Kingdom’s first fair dedicated to contemporary and high-quality design.
Taking place from May 20-23, 2025 at JAX District Riyadh against the historic backdrop of Diriyah, Downtown Design Riyadh is a showcase of creativity and talent in the design scene.
Downtown Design Riyadh
In collaboration with the Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the flagship fair brings together global, regional and local design brands, promoting Saudi Arabia’s creative talents and fostering engagement, in addition to offering access to original, high-quality design and limited-edition works from international and regional studios.
In its inaugural edition, the Downtown Design Riyadh offers a key platform for displaying the latest developments in the local design landscape. It showcases a unique blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation, from desert-inspired minimalist furniture to Najdi-influenced architectural designs.
Noura Suleiman
Saudi female designers have shined with unmatched creativity and talent, leaving their mark on the Kingdom’s design scene with innovative visions that shape the future of design in Saudi Arabia.
At Downtown Design Riyadh, Noura Suleiman, co-founder and engineer-designer of NWII.III Interiors, will launch a Najdi-inspired furniture line called Mezlaj. These designs are deeply rooted in the Kingdom’s evolving design identity, offering innovative takes on living and working spaces that expertly balance modern trends with traditional aesthetics.
Amani Al-Ibrahim
Another brilliant Saudi talent is Amani Al-Ibrahim, Partner and Executive Director at Kristina Zanic Consultants. Al-Ibrahim collaborated with BMW to create a VIP Lounge – an exclusive hospitality hub for Downtown Design Riyadh’s prominent guests, including leading architects, designers, and tastemakers.
The BMW VIP Lounge design is inspired by Saudi Arabia’s landscape, notably the contours and elevations of the Tuwaiq Mountains, which carry deep cultural significance.
Budoor Althunayan
Similarly, Budoor Althunayan has forged a distinct identity at the Downtown Design Riyadh. As the co-founder of Saidi-based Dome Furniture & Blends Home Accessories, she introduces her Sands Flow benches, bringing her unique cultural vision to the halls of Downtown Design Riyadh.
Althunayan drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s naturally flowing desert dunes to create warm mustard velvet benches that combine comfort and beauty.
Aseel Alshuail & Raghad Alaydi
A Saudi female duo is also making an outstanding presence at the Downtown Design Riyadh. Aseel Alshuail and Raghad Alaydi showcase their “Adeem” project, a collection of architectural installations and interactive works.
Adeem is an Arabic word which means the outer surface of the Earth. Aseel Alshuail and Raghad Alaydi created the idea of the Adeem project at the Tanween Challenges, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). It focuses on bold and standout sofa designs.
