Saudi Arabia’s premier interiors and fit-out trade event, INDEX Saudi Arabia 2025, continues today at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre.
The event, which was officially inaugurated on Tuesday by the Architecture and Design Commission, its strategic partner, has attracted more than 400 exhibitors from 33 countries.
Building on the momentum of its opening day, INDEX Design Talks is hosting more than 80 global architects, interior designers, developers, and fit-out leaders to explore the future of Saudi Arabia’s design ecosystem in alignment with Vision 2030. From cultural authenticity and sustainability to mega-event design and AI, the programme provides a powerful platform for knowledge exchange 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, Vice President, Design and Hospitality at dmg events, organiser of INDEX Saudi Arabia 2025. “This year’s edition celebrates global creativity while reinforcing our commitment to Vision 2030 by promoting local talent, sustainable practices, and world-class design solutions.”
Spotlight on human-centred, mega-event design
On the Talks’ first day, Ayah Ghassan Al Farraj, Projects & Development Director at BAAN Holding, lead the session ‘Design Intuition: Shaping Space Through Emotion, Not Rules’.
“Design goes beyond technical standards and stylistic rules and should also take into consideration the emotional connection between people and the spaces they inhabit,” said Al Farraj. “By designing with intuition and empathy, we create interiors that reflect culture, memory, and human experience. 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.”
She added that the Kingdom’s future lies in balancing innovation, sustainability, and cultural identity—a triad that will shape spaces that are immersive, responsible, and deeply resonant with Saudi identity.
Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director – MENA at LWK + Partners, joined a panel titled ‘Mega Moments: Designing for Expo 2030, World Cup 2034 & Beyond’.
“The stadiums that are being constructed for the upcoming World Cup are being designed in a way that they will leave behind legacies of infrastructure, hospitality, cultural venues, and public spaces,” said Cengiz. “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.”
For Cengiz, Vision 2030 is a “cultural and economic manifesto” where design is pivotal to shaping cities, communities, and quality of life. He pointed to innovation, sustainability, and cultural identity as the foundation stones of Saudi Arabia’s design future: From adopting digital twins and AI to embedding resilience in a desert environment, while celebrating heritage and traditions as the nation’s unique design palette.
A Global Platform for Local Progression
The event is hosting international pavilions from France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, India, Turkiye, Russia, China, Belgium, Malaysia, Greece, Morocco and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Trend Tours – expert-led themed journeys guiding visitors across the exhibition floor and assisting interior designers, architects, buyers, and project owners source products and services smarter – is helping to cement INDEX Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom’s most influential interiors and fit-out event.
“INDEX creates a unique platform where global expertise and local talent can meet, exchange knowledge, and spark collaboration,” added 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.”
In collaboration with ArchiNet, INDEX Saudi Arabia is running a Future Stars competition, where local design students are presenting their projects to industry leaders, with winners securing internships with top agencies. – TradeArabia News Service
