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    Dubai Design Week makes a creative return to the emirate next month

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    4 hours ago

    As the UAE continues to be at the forefront of design, Dubai Design Week plays a key role in nurturing this creative spirit.
    All set to take place from November 8 to 13, 2022 at Dubai Design District (D3), this 8th season showcase will push the boundaries of design.
    At one of the region’s most artistic programme, visitors can experience a curated design experience through installations, exhibitions, and experiential mediums that shed light on various talented individuals and platforms in the Middle East and globally.
    “Dubai Design Week is an annual celebration of design and designers that we are proud to be continuously supporting,” said CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash.

    With Metaverse at the core of technological advancements, this year’s annual event will include an exploration of this subject through a series of exhibitions with locally based designers.
    To engage in positive conversations surrounding the environment, this year’s installation programme entitled design with impact with feature immersive installations to showcase new changes in the design world.
    For engaging panel discussions and an opportunity to learn from experts in the industry, visitors can attend talks at The Forum at Downtown Design to delve into in-depth design-related conversations and learn from them through material experimentation.
    Held at this avant-garde district, Dubai Design District is an inspiring community of talented individuals that contribute to the country’s burgeoning artistic sector.

    “We are proud to present the eighth edition of Dubai Design Week, which is set to be – once again – a very exciting highlight of Dubai’s autumn calendar. We look forward to bringing the design and creative community together to engage, connect and be inspired by the ideas, talents and artisans presented across installations, exhibitions, talks, workshops, the Downtown Design fair and the market,” said Vice President of d3, Khadija Al Bastaki.
    As a regional hub for art, design and fashion, this highly-anticipated programme is held at one of the most sought-after venues that engage with like-minded individuals.
    For more information visit dubaidesignweek.ae
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    Images: Instagram @dubaidesignweek More

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    Exclusive: At home with… Founder and CEO of Z7 Communications, Zeina El-Dana

    Lifestyle

    by Dan Robinson
    1 hour ago

    Nothing excites us more than aesthetic interiors and clean spaces.
    One such place that stands out prominently is Zeina El-Dana’s home. As the founder and CEO of one of the region’s prominent PR agencies, Z7 Communications, she has made strides in every aspect of her career and it all lies at the place she works from.
    From muted hues to carefully curated furniture pieces, every room is tailored to complement her sought-after interior choices.
    For an exclusive peek, Emirates Woman shares all our most loved elements from El Dana’s home.
    How long have you lived/worked in this space?
    I moved to this house five years ago after a long hunt of over 40 different villas. I fell in love instantly as this space felt like home when I walked in. The light, the bright feel from the double-height ceiling and windows and the lush green garden resonated with the elements that I was looking for. I am very close to the beach, the vibrant cultural communities in Dubai as well the Z7 offices in Dubai Design District.
    Did you have a clear concept from the outset, and which key pieces are your favourite?
    Given my busy schedule, which involves a lot of travelling, finding my happy place was vital. I con- sider my home to be my haven, where I can recharge. I was on the lookout for an airy, bright space with an open living area where I could host my friends and family. I also like to be surrounded by nature and my home strikes the perfect balance with natural elements such as wood, plants, and flowers in the interiors and the beautiful garden where I enjoy spending the winter months in the warm company of my friends. Some of my favourite interior pieces are the collector’s Sumo edition of Murals of Tibet from Taschen, signed by the Dalai Lama, a vintage tribal carpet from Tribal Rugs in Beirut, and of course the art pieces I’ve collected over the years.

    Have you custom-built any bespoke pieces?
    My square red dining table was custom-made by The Line Concept and the marble bar that an independent designer in Dubai created. Both are unique pieces that stand out in the space.
    How do you think your interior reflects you/your brand?
    I created my home interior around my lifestyle, which I like to maintain as healthy, neat, and peaceful. I love the white interiors, which exude a holistic effect, Zen, and oodles of positive energy. There are also influences from art, vintage pieces, and my fashion choices to a certain extent. My style is minimalist, but I like mixing patterns and colours to add warmth. Similarly, my home’s mini- mal, white base is layered with splashes of colours and details, and I am always on the hunt for new, stylish, and subtle items I could add to my house. Being an ardent traveller, I’ve collected unique pieces throughout the years which add a personal touch to my space and reflect my journey. I love the charming old yet minimalistic design of the house overall.

    Describe your taste in three words.
    Minimalist, bohemian and evolving!
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    Images: Emirates Woman, Photography by Mark Mathew More

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    In pictures: Futuristic new project transforms the Downtown Dubai skyline

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    When it comes to record-worthy structures Dubai has undoubtedly made its mark on the global map.
    Now a new futuristic project designed by a Dubai-based architecture firm has been unveiled with a radical plan to transform the emirate’s skyline.
    Znera Space, Najmus Chowdry and Nils Remess, released a series of photos on Instagram outlining the project which features a circular megastructure surrounding the Burj Khalifa, suspended half a kilometre above the ground level of Downtown Dubai.

    The architects have proposed a giant 550-metre tall ring that will have a three-kilometre circumference supported by five massive pillars. The span of the circle will consist of two rings that will be held together by a continuous green belt named the Skypark.
    The project was coined by the architects during the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to combat the density of Dubai living, championing the notion of “vertical urbanism”.

    “As a response to the dilemma of how to build densely while retaining liveability, the downtown circle project establishes a sustainable and a self-sufficient vertical urbanism,” the founders said on Instagram.
    With sustainability as its main requisite, the mega-complex “aims to create a hyper-efficient urban centre that gives back to the environment”.
    Skypark will act as a support to this impressive structure by bringing nature to life. Featuring swamps, waterfalls, tropical vegetation, and more, the concept will focus on sustainability through rainwater harvesting, solar power and filtering pollutants for clean air.

    With 360-degree views of the city, a tram on the outer perimeter ring is also part of the concept with twenty spacious pods travelling up to 100 kilometres per hour, conceptualised in collaboration with Pictown.
    If the project does ever get the green light, would this be a place where you’d consider living?
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram @znera.space, @pictown.co More