Saudi’s Ithra Showcases Two Exhibitions at Milan Design Week

Amidst the creative vibrance of Milan Design Week, Saudi’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) presents two eco-conscious design exhibitions, spotlighting innovation, tradition and sustainability born from the creative crucible of Tanween, the Kingdom’s largest creativity conference.

“We’re thrilled to showcase Tanween design outcomes as part of Isola Design Festival and Milan Design Week, shedding the light on circular design and MENA region designers,” Noura Alzamil, Head of Programs at Ithra, tells SceneHome. “Tanween has become a crucible for partnerships that ignite creative expression while expanding the reach and building the reputation of Saudi ingenuity in design.”

In its first ever participation in the world renowned design festival in northern Italy, Ithra’s dual showcase is headlined with ‘Routes to Roots’, an exhibition co-curated with Italian design platform Isola during its Isola Design Festival in Milan.

‘Routes to Roots’ provides a journey through designs that preserve heritage and the Earth. It draws inspiration from ancestral culture, pairing it with cutting-edge craftsmanship in a demonstration of how emerging talents can breathe fresh life into the design landscape.

The second exhibition, ‘Iwan’, was the winning pavilion from Tanween’s foldable pavilion challenge designed in collaboration with Mamou Mani Studio, an architectural practice specialising in digitally fabricated architecture, and regional production partner Abyat.

Designed by emerging Saudi architects, ‘Iwan’ draws its design from the Islamic Iwan and abstracted shapes of the Muqarnas, combining traditional Islamic design elements with a contemporary approach. A 3D printed version of Iwan is showcased along with Routes to Roots in the Milan Galleria Giovanni Bonelli located in the heart of Isola quarter, next to Porta Garibaldi train station. The exhibition is running until April 21st.