20 May 2025
LWK + PARTNERS at Downtown Design Riyadh: Shaping Tomorrow, Ahead of the Curve
LWK + PARTNERS was proud to participate in the inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, a dynamic platform spotlighting innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and the evolution of the Kingdom’s creative industries.
Taking place in the heart of Riyadh’s JAX District, the event brought together global brands, regional pioneers, and multidisciplinary creatives for an immersive programme of exhibitions, installations, and thought-provoking dialogues.
As part of the headline programme, Kourosh Salehi, Global Design Principal at LWK + PARTNERS, joined the panel discussion “Shaping Tomorrow, Ahead of the Curve”—a future-focused conversation exploring the shifting role of design in Saudi Arabia’s urban and cultural transformation.
Moderated by Nada Alturki (Arab News), the panel featured:
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Amani Al Ibrahim, Kristina Zanic Consultants
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Mohammad Sharaf, Sharaf Studio
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Ruba Al Khaldi, Innovation Lab
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Kourosh Salehi, LWK + PARTNERS
Together, the panelists unpacked how hybrid design practices, shared cultural narratives, and cross-border collaborations are influencing the trajectory of the Saudi design scene—from architecture and hospitality to graphic identity and experiential placemaking.
Kourosh offered insights from LWK + PARTNERS’ extensive portfolio in the Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of design as a cultural medium—one that not only delivers on function and aesthetics but also reinforces identity, resilience, and relevance in rapidly evolving urban contexts.
Key highlights included:
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Navigating client aspirations in a future-focused economy
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Redefining regional design languages through collaboration and experimentation
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The impact of design maturity across public realm and lifestyle destinations
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Bridging global know-how with local context to shape spaces with lasting meaning
Downtown Design Riyadh marked a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global design stage. Our participation reflects LWK + PARTNERS’ ongoing commitment to contributing to the Kingdom’s design narrative through place-conscious, human-centric architecture.
