Downtown Design Riyadh has officially opened its doors at JAX District, the city’s cultural hub, marking the Kingdom’s first fair dedicated to contemporary and high-end design. Running until May 23 and held in partnership with the Architecture and DesignCommission of Saudi Arabia, the fair signifies a major milestone in theKingdom’s growing design industry.

The fair brings together a curated lineup of global design brands, regional talents, and immersive experiences.Set across both indoor and outdoor spaces in Riyadh’s cultural quarter, the event showcases the potential of Saudi Arabia as a dynamic hub for creative industries.

“Downtown Design Riyadh represents an important step in our efforts to build a design culture that stems from Saudi identity and engages openly with the world,” said Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission. “Through its diverse programs, the exhibition focuses on this vision, bringing together the works of Saudi designers, both emerging and established, alongside prestigious international names... at a time when design is becoming a pivotal element in the Kingdom's cultural and economic landscapes.”

Leading global brands such as Cosentino, Lasvit, Natuzzi Italia, and Maison Louis Drucker are exhibiting alongside regional studios Grey Garden Plant Studio and Klekktic and Assembly.The fair also welcomes design galleries including Helen Chislett Gallery and Gallery COLLECTIONAL, showcasing collectible pieces by renowned designers likeThomas Heatherwick, Christophe Delcourt, and Sabine Marcelis.

Saudi-based talent is a central focus, with participation from studios such as NWII.III, Hobal, and Lucas Barcelo. The Designed in Saudi initiative further amplifies the Kingdom’s efforts to develop industrial design and support homegrown creative entrepreneurship.

Complementing the product showcases, the fair’s programming includes activations from BMW Saudi Arabia—unveiling a branded lounge designed by Saudi designer Amani Al-Ibrahim—and a multi-sensory F&B concept of glow-in-the-dark sweat treat and conceptual mocktails by Bompas & Parr and The Lighthouse, brought together in a space designed by local firm Laeta Interior.

“This inaugural edition of our Riyadh fair brings together what Downtown Design does best, presenting a thoughtful mix of global brands, emerging talent and limited-edition design,”said Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design. “We are proud to provide a platform for quality design in a local context... helping to forge an experience that feels both rooted and forward-looking.”

The Forum, the fair’s knowledge-sharing platform, hosts daily panel discussions on topics such as design at scale, heritage in contemporary practice, and the growing impact of collectible design in the region. Speakers and panelists span architects, designers, cultural thinkers, and innovators, providing opportunities for deeper insight into the burgeoning design scene in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The fair also features a selection of hands-on workshops by Ithra, including stool-making through folding techniques, an introduction to silk screening, and a sustainability-focused session exploring edible packaging as a creative response to global waste.