Designing a bridge
The upcoming event in Riyadh is the result of a strategic partnership between Salone del Mobile.Milano and the Architecture and Design Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and will offer an exclusive B2B platform. It also marks the start of the first edition of Salone del Mobile in Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled to take place next year. During the three-day programme in November, the financial centre of the 7.8 million metropolis of Riyadh will host an exchange between the Italian and Saudi design ecosystems. According to a press release from Salone del Mobile.Milano, 35 Italian companies have been selected for the presentation based on the quality, innovation and sustainability of their processes and products.
"After last year’s touchdowns in New York, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and this year at Expo Osaka 2025 with the Permanent Collection of SaloneSatellite, the Salone del Mobile.Milano now arrives in Riyadh with an event that forms part of a global roadshow designed to bring content, relationships and business to the places where projects are decided.. (...)‘, said Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano. ’Red in progress. Salone del Mobile.Milano meets Riyadh" is being realised with the support of the institutional partners that accompany the Salone in its international activities: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation MAECI and the Italian Trade Agency ITA.
At the same time, the institutional sections of the exhibition offer new insights into the work of local creatives, which is promoted by the Architecture and Design Commission's ‘Designed in Saudi’ initiative. Dr Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission at the Saudi Ministry of Culture, emphasised that "Red in progress. Salone del Mobile.Milano meets Riyadh" strengthens Saudi Arabia's position on the global design and furniture stage. She explained that the event serves as a bridge between Saudi and international designers, opening up new avenues for collaboration and exchange and cementing the Kingdom's status as a destination for creativity and innovation. She further noted that the initiative will expand knowledge sharing with leading institutions, foster collaboration between Saudi and international stakeholders, and attract investment, thereby actively contributing to the growth of the creative economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi Vision 2030 is a government programme in Saudi Arabia that aims to contribute to a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. According to market research and consulting firm Mordor Intelligence, the construction industry in Saudi Arabia is currently growing rapidly, and with it, demand in the furniture sector. Their analysis of the size of the furniture market in Saudi Arabia – growth trends and forecasts (2024 to 2029) – estimates a value of 7.74 billion US dollars in 2024, which is expected to reach 10.93 billion US dollars by 2029, representing an average annual growth rate of 7.15 per cent over the forecast period.
An international cultural programme accompanies the event "Red in progress. Salone del Mobile.Milano meets Riad" event. Curated by Annalisa Rosso (Editorial Director and Cultural Events Advisor Salone del Mobile.Milano, Director of the Euroluce International Lighting Forum), there will be talks and lectures as well as a large installation by the architectural firm Giò Forma, which uses the symbolic construction site as a catalyst for joint reflection on what can be created from it. Studio Lissoni & Partners has also designed a business lounge that will serve as a retreat for company representatives to hold discussions. The culinary experience is also taken care of: guests can look forward to a selection of Italian and Saudi dishes. (am)
