Dubai’s collectible design scene continues to make its mark internationally as The A/P Room became the first UAE-founded collectible design gallery to participate in Design Miami Paris. The milestone reflects the growing influence of the region’s design community and its expanding presence on the global stage.
Based in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, The A/P Room has established itself as a platform connecting historical and contemporary design across cultures and geographies. For its Paris debut, the gallery presented a carefully curated selection that brought together influential names in Brazilian design, including Joaquim Tenreiro, Abraham Palatnik, Branco e Preto and Móveis Cantu, alongside contemporary works by Los Angeles-based artist Rogan Gregory and Lebanese architect and ceramist Zein Daouk.
A highlight of the presentation was Gregory’s Originform, a new body of sculptural lighting that explores the relationship between organic forms, material and illumination. Drawing inspiration from biology and anthropology, the biomorphic pieces transform as light passes through their delicate fibres, creating an almost ethereal glow. Moving between functional design and sculpture, the works challenge conventional perceptions of lighting as both an object and an experience.
The inclusion of Lebanese architect and ceramist Zein Daouk added an important regional perspective to the presentation, reinforcing the gallery’s commitment to introducing Middle Eastern creative voices to international collectors.
Rather than separating historical pieces from contemporary creations, The A/P Room presented them in dialogue, exploring the connections between craftsmanship, materiality and artistic expression. The intimate setting allowed each work to retain its individuality while contributing to a broader narrative about design across generations.
For founder Christelle Bassila, their participation represented more than an international debut.
“Paris allows us to bring our curatorial vision into a wider conversation,” says Bassila. “I want collectors to encounter historical and contemporary works together, and to see how distinct voices can speak to one another through form and material. It is also an opportunity to share work from the Middle East internationally and bring new perspectives back to our region.”
Elie Khouri, partner of The A/P Room, art patron and Chairman of Atelio, also sees the occasion as a significant step in the gallery’s evolution. “From the outset, our ambition for The A/P Room has been to build a distinctive voice in collectible design, bringing together exceptional work across periods, cultures and geographies. Participating in Design Miami Paris marks an important step in that journey and reflects our ambition to engage with collectors and the wider design community on an international stage.”
As the Middle East continues to establish itself as an important centre for art and collectible design, The A/P Room’s participation in Design Miami Paris signals a shift in the region’s creative landscape. Beyond bringing international design to Dubai, the gallery is helping take the region’s creative vision to the world, opening new conversations between artists, collectors and cultures.
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