The Markup #21

Our picks for Dubai Design Week 2026

Author

Alan George
October 26, 2026

🎙️Hello aFormers!🎙️

Before Design Week takes over, there’s already plenty to talk about - October sets Dubai’s design scene in motion ahead of November’s big week, with conversations and collaborations taking centre stage.

At AnA, a talk bringing together Ben van Berkel and Pallavi Dean offers a chance to hear two distinct perspectives on architecture and interior design. The iGuzzini x Isola collaboration puts the spotlight on the relationship between light, objects and space, while Tom Dixon’s new partnership with SANIPEX GROUP brings one of British design’s most recognisable names closer to the region’s interiors market.

Different in approach, but each worth a closer look. These are the kinds of moments that make Design Week more than a date in the calendar — a chance to exchange ideas, discover new work and see where the industry is heading. See you there!

— The Markup Team

Rasha Al-Tekreeti, Founder and CEO of WarĂ», explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, design, and cultural identity, bringing a distinctive perspective to building creative businesses and shaping experiences rooted in their context.

Andy Shaw, Managing Partner at AMA Design, explores the intersection of design, creative practice, and artificial intelligence, sharing insights from his early exploration of AI and its impact on the industry, alongside key learnings and recommendations for the future of design.

Stone, wood, brick - but make it flexible! PHOMI uses its innovative econiclay® technology to create lightweight, versatile surfaces that bring texture and character to interiors and facades, with a more resource-conscious approach. Curious to see what’s possible? Explore their materials and connect with the team here!

// Aldar and Arada team up on Dh15bn in new Abu Dhabi developments.

// Guggenheim Abu Dhabi nears its long-awaited debut on Saadiyat Island.

// Arcadis scales back architecture, cutting 1,000 jobs.

// Zaha Hadid’s former London studio reopens soon as a public hub for architecture, design and art.

// Datecrete Studio & Lab earns a 2026 Seoul Design Award Special Prize for its innovative, date-pit-based architectural material.

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