In brief
At Dubai Design Week 2026, Meraas unveiled its Creative Living Space, a sensory experience mapping the Dubai Design District’s masterplan five areas. The installation, created with Duette Studio, hosts talks, workshops, and music while exploring how design shapes residential and public life. The week saw designers from over 50 countries present 40 projects, underscoring Dubai’s commitment to a global creative economy.
Meraas, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, debuted a sensory installation at Dubai Design Week 2026 that translates the Dubai Design District’s masterplan into an interactive experience. The Meraas Creative Living Space, presented from 4th to 8th November, is a physical manifestation of the district’s five planned zones — The Creekside, Design HQ, SOHO, The Sanctuary and The Mindspace — and invites visitors to explore how homes, public spaces and cultural offerings can converge to shape everyday life in d3.
The installation was conceived in collaboration with Duette Studio and is supported by prominent architectural and creative firms, including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Woods Bagot and U+A. Across its programming, the space hosts conversations and workshops on designing for the creative economy and on the evolution of d3 as a global creative hub. Sessions highlight how architecture, culture, shared spaces and social experiences can give a district its character.
In evenings, the SOHO component of the space hosts daily listening sessions with artists such as Ben Palace, DJ Liutik and Karrouhat, inviting attendees to gather and experience music as part of the district’s cultural life. These sessions aim to illustrate how creative expression can become an integral element of residential neighbourhoods within d3.
The Meraas Creative Living Space offers a multi‑sensory exhibition that brings the masterplan’s vision to life beyond its architectural drawings, immersing visitors in a future where design influences social interaction and community identity.
Dubai Design Week 2026 opened on 4th November at the Dubai Design District and attracted designers, architects and creatives from more than 50 countries. The 12th edition showcased over 40 projects and activities that blend cultural heritage with contemporary creativity, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The programme features exhibitions, installations, interactive experiences, talks and workshops that explore design, innovation and sustainability.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District, said design plays a central role in shaping how people live and interact with their surroundings. She added that d3 remains committed to supporting Dubai Design Week and initiatives that strengthen the creative ecosystem and Dubai’s position as a global design hub, in line with the Design Sector Strategy 2033.
Design plays a central role in shaping how people live and interact with their surroundings.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said design is a key contributor to Dubai’s creative economy by connecting creative ideas and skills with production capabilities and commercial opportunities. She added that Dubai Culture’s support for Dubai Design Week and the UAE Designer Exhibition enables UAE‑based creatives to showcase their work, exchange expertise and build relationships with industry partners.
Design is a key contributor to Dubai’s creative economy by connecting creative ideas and skills with production capabilities and commercial opportunities.
Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week, said this year’s programme explores the relationship between design and human connection, alongside experimentation with materials, traditional crafts and emerging technologies.
This year’s programme explores the relationship between design and human connection, alongside experimentation with materials, traditional crafts and emerging technologies.
The sources do not identify specific uncertainties about the installation’s impact or the broader future of the Dubai Design District beyond the interpretive scope presented at Dubai Design Week 2026.
