RIYADH: With the spotlight on cultural identity, performance-driven interiors and future-ready design, INDEX Saudi Arabia, described as the country’s biggest showcase for interior design, opened on Tuesday and continues until Thursday at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.
Officially opened by Norah Al-Ghofaili, community engagement general manager at the Kingdom’s Architecture and Design Commission, the event includes the INDEX Design Talks, during which about 80 local and international experts in architecture, interior design, developments and fit-out will explore and discuss the future of the design ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond, including the influence of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
From issues related to cultural authenticity and sustainability, to mega-event design and the use of artificial intelligence, organizers say the event provides a powerful platform for exchange of knowledge and collaboration.
“This show is now the leading meeting place for Saudi Arabia’s design community, encompassing the world’s top suppliers as well as the Kingdom’s rising design stars,” said Jasmeet Bakshi, the vice president of design and hospitality at DMG events, the organizer of INDEX Saudi Arabia.
“This year’s event celebrates global creativity while reinforcing our commitment to Vision 2030 by promoting local talent, sustainable practices and world-class design solutions.”
On Tuesday’s opening day of the Design Talks, Ayah Ghassan Al-Farraj, projects and development director at entertainment and hospitality company BAAN Holding, led a session titled “Design Intuition: Shaping Space Through Emotion, Not Rules.”
“By designing with intuition and empathy, we create interiors that reflect culture, memory and human experience,” she said.
“As Saudi Arabia moves towards its Vision 2030 goals, the interiors industry must ensure that innovation and progress remain grounded in authenticity and human emotion.”
The Kingdom’s future lies in striking a balance between innovation, sustainability and cultural identity, Al-Farraj added, to shape spaces that are immersive, responsibly designed and resonate deeply with the Saudi identity.
On Wednesday, Kerem Cengiz, the managing director for MENA at architecture and design firm LWK and Partners, took part in a panel discussion titled “Mega Moments: Designing for Expo 2030, World Cup 2034 and Beyond.”
He said: “The stadiums that are being constructed for the FIFA World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia are being designed in a way that they will leave behind legacies of infrastructure, hospitality, cultural venues and public spaces.
“Saudi Arabia is on the cusp of a design revolution, and INDEX provides a platform to co-create a future that balances innovation with authenticity, helping the Kingdom set new global benchmarks for design.”
He highlighted innovation, sustainability and cultural identity as the foundation stones for the future of design in Saudi Arabia, from the adoption of digital twin and AI technologies to the embedding of resilience in desert environments, while celebrating cultural heritage and traditions as part of the nation’s unique design palette.
The main INDEX Saudi Arabia event features more than 400 exhibitors from 33 countries, many of which have pavilions, including France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, India, Turkiye, Russia, China, Belgium, Malaysia, Greece, Morocco and the UK.
“INDEX creates a unique platform where global expertise and local talent can meet, exchange knowledge and spark collaboration,” said Al-Farraj.
“The real opportunity lies in co-creation, combining international experience with the Kingdom’s cultural identity to shape spaces that are both world-class and authentically Saudi.”
Ahmed Atef, marketing manager at Rawaie Al-Naht, a Saudi company exhibiting at the event that has 20 years of experience in fine woodworking, told Arab News: “We are glad to be at the expo for the second time. Rawaea Al-Naht is a Saudi company that stands as a premier, Indonesian-based manufacturer specializing in luxury natural wood products.
“Our expertise lies in transforming rare, carefully selected Indonesian hardwoods into exceptional decorative pieces, bespoke furniture, and artistic creations that celebrate the wood’s natural beauty. Our products are crafted by local artists.
“We signed a partnership on Tuesday and are expecting another one on Wednesday.”
Zainub Khan, a textile consultant with Guthmi, told Arab News: “We are a Saudi brand, a pioneer in luxury fabrics that seamlessly blends its heritage with modernity.
“Our participation in the exhibition is a reflection of our commitment to innovation, sustainability and the rich heritage embedded in our products, values that align closely with Saudi Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia is currently full of opportunities, with giga-projects, hotels (and) residential commercial building developments expanding at an unprecedented pace.
“As a result, interior designers and real estate developers are seeking partners who can deliver premium, locally available solutions that meet international standards and sustainability goals. At the expo this year, we are launching about 36 new collections which cater to all aspects of the market, be it residential, commercial or hospitality.”
The event is also running a “stars of the future” competition, in collaboration with architecture and interior designers network ArchiNet, which gives local design students the chance to present projects to industry leaders. The winners will secure internships with top agencies.
