Dubai, UAE, 8 November 2022: Dubai Design District (d3) is delighted to announce that some of the brightest minds in the regional and international architectural space are converging once again at d3, a member of TECOM Group PJSC and a global creative hub, alongside Dubai Design Week for the third edition of the d3 Architecture Exhibition.

Kicking off today and running until 13 November 2022, the exhibition presents a collection of architectural works that look at designing with impact and a sustainable future – the overall programming theme of this year’s Dubai Design Week. The large-scale, immersive installations demonstrate the innovation of sustainable materials and designs, and spark conversations around how design can have a positive impact on the environment.  d3-based, Dubai, regional and world-renowned architecture firms are sitting alongside one another, demonstrating a united vision on what a sustainable future could look like.

The innovative exhibits, for the first time, are also located at various locations across Dubai Design District, including a multi-dimensional space on the district’s North Terrace and in the core of d3.   They include striking structures and pavilions made of sustainable materials such as date waste, discarded shellfish, old fishing nets and demolished materials that have been upcycled or repurposed.

Commenting on this year’s exhibition, Khadija Al Bastaki, Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), said: “Dubai Design Week, held in strategic partnership with d3, demonstrates Dubai’s deep commitment to design and innovation and this year’s programming will focus on designing for a sustainable future – across all exhibits, installations, workshops, talks and pop-ups.  As part of this, we are delighted to present our third d3 Architecture Exhibition, which gathers Dubai, regional and world-renowned architects together to envision the future of architecture, inspired by their direct environments, cultural contexts and experience of working in this region.”

“Architects play such a critical role in the development of our cities and built environment and we are excited to see their visionary ideas and installations on the sustainable future of building and how they anticipate future changes and set the foundations today.”

The work of leading architects is being showcased.  These include:

   
• Dewan Metaverse Dome by Dubai Design District-based Dewan Architects, who first established in the UAE but now work across the Middle East. The dome of this installation mimics the forum space of the Babel 4.0 Metaverse being developed by Dewan Architects and Engineers’ Metaverse Architecture department and which will function as a DAO of invited members who come together to explore ideas and share design information.  The circular form of the dome not only encourages more engaging discussions with the audience but also allows presentations to have an immersive feeling of being in the metaverse, with wrap around screens and isolating the space from external distractions.  This installation is also supported by the Metaverse Talks Programme held in Atrium 5.
   
• The Musical Ring by Dubai Design District-based Sharabassy Built Environment Studio.  This installation combines light displays and music to create aesthetic and audible entertainment and is an attractive meeting point. The ring reflects and refracts light to create lighting effects that are regularly synchronised with music so people can gather to enjoy the music at different times.
   
• From the Dunes & Trees by Dubai Design District-based ARDH Collective, an Emirati architecture and design studio with a contemporary approach to architecture and modern sustainability.  This installation was built using the Collective’s revolutionary natural and waste resources from the dunes and trees of the UAE – the desert sand-based concrete, date-seed-based solid surface material, and the region's first plant-based vegan leather.  The form of the installation is also inspired by the circular life cycle of the material solutions on offer by ARDH Collective and the space itself is designed to celebrate the Emirates’ remarkable history in building techniques and its deeply rooted culture in the deserts and agricultural landscapes.
   
• Once Upon a Forest by OBMI, a leading global master planning and architectural design firm from the US.  As seasoned masters of vernacular architecture, OBMI has deep expertise in designing the globe's most storied destinations and creating spaces that transform those who inhabit them. Always seeking to celebrate nature as a place of refuge and inspiration, OBMI's approach plans for the best long-term outcomes - for the land, the water and the people. With Once Upon a Forest OBMI brings the UAE's natural world of mangroves to the urban landscape, awakening new possibilities. Under the shelter of the pavilion's floating canopy, individuals are immersed in an exploration of the protection and promise that awaits within the indigenous forest ecosystem.
   
• KIN  by the Jordanian studio Fadaa Space. Based on idea that it is time to rethink our relationship with nature and to end its exploitation and live symbiotically, KIN’s bricks are bricks are created using discarded shellfish from restaurants, along with natural, low-carbon lime. The installation also hosts native plants and species and this facilitates their interaction with humans, to bring into question our relationship with nature.  
   
• How much does your debris weigh? by Quartz, a Saudi-Italian architecture and design office in Riyadh. Derived from the idea of an ‘inverted wave’ of waste that creates an enclosure for an experiential space, this design represents our future if we continue our current waste practices. Cascading demolished materials in their raw state and bringing waste into immediate proximity highlights the question – what if this was our world? It is an example of how waste will overpower human life, which invites us to walk under it and rethink and redesign our surroundings. Through an exploration of different materials in its architectural construction process, a strong emphasis is placed on materiality.
   
• Al Gargoor by Bahrani architect Sara Alrayyes.  Al Gargoor is a public space made up of a variety of furnishings made from gargoor (a formerly used fishing net), either in its native shape or with minimal alterations. The idea of the Al Gargoor Project is to develop a useful yet creative space through the upcycling of old fishing nets. Retaining the gargoor’s worth and displaying the value of its heritage is the fundamental objective while also modernizing the product. This aspires to leave viewers increasingly exposed to their traditional values as life develops and evolves. This installation aims to educate the next generation about the importance of the fishing culture while preserving Bahrain and the surrounding Gulf countries' unique identities. The project also incorporates traditional palm tree weaving (Sa'af) and naseej textiles, produced and crafted by local Bahrainis.
   
• A Palm Renaissance by Shema John of India-based Tash Architects.  The UAE’s 40 million date palms alone generate approximately 500,000 tonnes of palm waste annually.  Date palm waste can be transformed into contemporary screens, which make efficient, natural sunshades.  Creating date palm shelters sustainably disposes of palm waste (relieving the agricultural sector of this challenging process) whilst reducing carbon footprints through their natural cooling ability.  Graphic posters line the walls of Palm Renaissance, showcasing design possibilities of repurposing this waste in architectural forms.  Palm Renaissance proposes a sustainability-focused solution that is mutually beneficial for the economy and the environment.