Fostering pertinent connections in a sought-after and fast-growing market, The Forum at Downtown Design hosts a series of live talks, panel discussions and keynotes featuring regional and international thought-leaders, in an annually conceptualised amphitheatre setting by a local design studio, designed to promote interaction, connectivity and dialogue with unparalleled industry insights.
Developed in close consultation with the region’s A&ID community, the line-up features renowned names from the global design industry over the last 10 years, the programme has lent its stage to international profiles such as Kelly Hoppen, Ini Archibong, Christian Louboutin, Sabine Marcelis and Sebastian Herkner to mention a few.
Announced as one of the key speakers of the 2023 programme, prominent forecaster, publisher and educator Lidewij Edelkoort will join The Forum for the first time and share her insights into her work in promoting sustainability and encouraging ethical practices in the design industry.
The 2023 programme will be published soon.
2023 Speaker Highlights
Lidewij Edelkoort
Lidewij Edelkoort is the world's most renowned trend forecaster, working in industries from design and fashion to food, architecture, beauty, communication, automotive and retail. She is also a publisher, humanitarian, educator and exhibition curator and has been named one of the Most Influential People in Fashion and one of the Most Influential People in Design.
Massimo Adario
Massimo Adario is a renowned Italian architect, founder of Massimo Adario Architetto. His studio is specialized in interiors characterized by in-depth research of form and function, together with impeccable execution – resulting in original projects. Context, functionality, originality are the ingredients that the studio places side-by-side the many examples coming from the work of great masters.
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Adam Nathaniel Furman, a London-based artist & designer trained in architecture, is a passionate advocate of the power of craft and ornament in contemporary design, architecture and urbanism. Adam's atelier works in spatial design and art of all scales from video and prints to large public artworks, architecturally integrated ornament, as well as products, furniture, interiors, publishing and academia.
Photo credits: Gareth Gardner Photography
DAVID/NICOLAS
David/Nicolas are a Lebanese designer duo that has brought a sophisticated sense of cross-cultural experimentation to interiors across Europe, America and the Middle East. Like their interiors, David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem approach furniture design with similar precision and subtlety, guided by deeply held relationships with the artisans who realize their work, allowing them to continuously push the possibilities of contemporary craft.
Photo credits: Marco Pinarelli
PILAR ZETA
Pilar Zeta is an Argentinian-born artist whose creations granted her international recognition, including a 2021 Grammy nomination for her role as Art Director for Coldplay’s ‘Everyday Life’. Zeta's artistic style described as ‘mystical futurism’ is defined by her minimalist, surrealist landscapes, her bold use of color and of deconstructed shapes. Zeta’s allusions to ancient traditions concerning practical magic and her innovative digital skills allow her to create liminal spaces in which both the past and the future are acknowledged and engaged with.
