Few designers get to reimagine a building as instantly recognisable as the Burj Al Arab. Tristan Auer is one of them. The Paris-based interior architect is leading the landmark's restoration, bringing more than two decades of work on some of the world's most storied hotels to one of Dubai's defining icons.

This November, the globally renowned designer takes the stage at The Forum at Downtown Design as opening keynote speaker, sharing his insight on reimagining icons, balancing heritage with modern living, and the enduring value of craft.

Each Tristan Auer interior project mixes eras and styles with a ‘sur-mesure’ approach, placing the character of a space, the people who inhabit it and the experience it offers at its core.

Having trained under Philippe Starck and Christian Liaigre before founding his studio in 2002, Tristan Auer today counts the Hôtel de Crillon, one of Paris's most celebrated palace hotels, among his many prestigious projects, soon to be joined by the landmark restoration of one of the UAE's most renowned skyline icons.

Visitors to Downtown Design can hear from him first-hand at The Forum, the fair's annual programme of talks, panels and masterclasses, which has previously welcomed Marcel Wanders, India Mahdavi and Sabine Marcelis, to name a few.

The full programme will be live on 25 October.