The Markup #12

12 Issues | 1 Year | 1 Vision.

Author

Alan George
December 22, 2025

🎙️🎙️ Hello and welcome aFormers 🎙️ 🎙️

What a year it’s been! We’ve celebrated some incredible wins, including the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which took home a Silver Award at the Design for Asia Awards — a true mark of distinction for UAE design on the global stage.

At the same time, we bid farewell to Frank Gehry, a visionary whose timeless architecture and influence on design thinking inspired generations. His work reminds us of the lasting impact of bold ideas and creative courage.

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re thrilled to celebrate The Markup hitting its first anniversary! It’s been a year of stories, insights, and shared inspiration — all made possible by you, our amazing readers. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Happy holidays to everyone from all of us at Team aForm. We look forward to catching up in 2026!

Spotlighting Ben Corrigan, whose guidance has grown Bluehaus into a regional hub for integrated design excellence.

Showcasing Sandra Woodall’s approach at tangramGULF, blending practical design with sustainability for meaningful regional projects.

EuroArt

EuroArt transforms interiors with beautifully crafted door hardware and furniture fittings, where design meets precision and every detail tells a story. With decades of expertise, their products blend enduring functionality with elegant aesthetics, perfect for luxury homes, commercial spaces, and hospitality projects. From classic sophistication to bold contemporary statements, EuroArt’s collection inspires architects and designers to shape spaces that endure — and captivate. Get in touch with their incredible team for your next project!

// A spiritual anchor takes shape — SOM’s Friday mosque for Palm Jebel Ali.

// AI meets urbanism — HWKN plots a walkable future in Sharjah’s District 11.

// Design thinking revealed — Zayed National Museum opens to the public.

// From asbestos to innovation - could the materials of yesterday save tomorrow?

// Architectural oddities that defy expectation — explore China’s hidden side!

A Spotify exclusive!

Need an office playlist? Or do you need to plug-in and disconnect from the studio? We got you! We have put together hours of a an eclectic mix of down-tempo, ethereal & dance music tracks designed in keep you in a state-of-flo! Crafted for those deep design dives & studio vibes!

If this newsletter adds value to you, please share it with like-minded designers.

#StayInspired