Downtown Design Dubai Main Entrance 2021

Architect：The Niu Studio

Location：Dubai Design District - Dubai - United Arab Emirates; | ;View Map

Project Year：2021

Category：Exhibition Centres

NIU was appointed to design the grand entrance to Downtown Design 2021, the region’s premier design fair. The sparkling mosaic infused installation is an inviting contemporary interpretation of an urban cityscape.

Built using sustainable materials, the project known as 'Thru' is an interactive, multifunctional architectural passageway leading to and from the Fair's main door.

The aim was to design an installation that would highlight the Fair's entrance from a distance, act as an entrance portal and also be a waiting and meeting place, to celebrate Dubai’s post pandemic design boom.

The focal point is Fantini Mosaici’s large mosaic-clad caricature, evocative of a design muse, created by Italian artist Antonello Blandi. The sculpture incorporates an olive tree, representing the ideas and concepts that are bouncing around in the muse’s head. Meanwhile, a richly decorated mosaic bandeau scarf drapes from the head to form a chaise where visitors can recline and relax.

Much festivity and creativity will be generated when visitors enter the two larger elevations that contain the selfie pods, whose design is inspired by traditional circus games! The pods are decorated using avant-garde mirrored and stripped ‘Barrisol’ stretch fabric and Fantini mosaic patterns; they are complemented with energy-boosting and sanitising Artemide light features that blend to create an aura of positivity and well-being and deliver optical illusions!

The result is an uplifting and engaging space where one can experience the elements characteristic of city life: people, landscaping, seating, archways – all complemented by subtle sound effects.

NIU sought to create an urban path – a piece of land art – that is also a container of contemporary artistic expression; an experiential space where visitors will explore various ways of self-expression/representation through art.

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