On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Architecture and Design Commission, His Excellency Rakan Al-Touq, Assistant Minister of Culture, inaugurated the first edition of “Salone del Mobile.Milano” meets Riyadh under the theme ‘Red in progress’. The three-day event, held from 26 to 28 November at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), brings together leading figures, design experts, and prominent Italian brands in furniture and design, marking a significant milestone in cultural and design collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Italy, ahead of the full-scale fair planned in Riyadh in 2026.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Acting CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission (ADC), His Excellency Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, His Excellency Carlo Baldocci, Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, and Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency – along with senior officials, architects, designers and industry leaders.
Speaking at the opening, HH Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf said: “Hosting the world’s leading design and furniture exhibition in Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia’s rising position within the global design landscape. Our architecture and design sector is rapidly expanding, creating new possibilities for companies, creators, and generations to come. Through this partnership, we aim to build a sustainable ecosystem where collaboration between Saudi Arabian and Italian designers drive innovation, knowledge exchange, and long-term opportunities.” He added: “Design in Saudi Arabia is becoming a cultural and economic force that shapes our cities, enriches our communities, and expresses the Kingdom’s identity and aspirations.”
Also addressing attendees, Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano stated: “We believe great design emerges from dialogue, and today, Italian and Saudi Arabian designers are speaking to each other with curiosity, respect, and imagination. Together, we are building a foundation for lasting partnerships that will help define the future of design.”
The exhibition features 38 leading Italian brands, showcasing excellence in furniture, interiors, materials, lighting, and product innovation. The Architecture and Design Commission also presents its national initiative ‘Designed in Saudi’, spotlighting emerging product designers and research collaborations with Saudi Arabian universities – reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to nurturing talent and advancing its creative economy.
The exhibition also features a dedicated handicrafts pavilion curated by the Ministry of Culture. The pavilion presents a series of short visual stories titled “In the Hands of the Artisan: Heritage and Story,” spotlighting Saudi artisans and showcasing their inherited skills.
In collaboration with the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts (WRTH), the pavilion also displays an artistic piece titled “Nasaj,” which brings together five traditional crafts representing key expressions of Saudi craftsmanship. In addition, a selection of handcrafted gifts is offered to distinguished guests as a reflection of the authenticity, cultural depth, and enduring value of Saudi artisanal heritage.
The event also presents a three-day cultural program featuring 13 talks and masterclasses led by experts from Saudi Arabia, Italy, and other countries. The program opens with a keynote session titled “Shaping the Future of Design: Milan meets Riyadh”, featuring HH Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Ayyaf and Maria Porro. It explores the role of institutional strategies in defining the future of design, building knowledge bridges between both countries, and examining the impact of design in advancing economic and social development and strengthening cultural relations.
The cultural program also includes a series of advanced workshops that address the influence of design and its disciplines on the urban landscape; the unifying design language between architecture, product design, and interior spaces; and future-driven perspectives on adaptable, evolving built environments. Additionally, the workshops examine the role of the public realm as vital infrastructure that activates urban life and enhances community belonging.
The program further features a set of panel discussions highlighting topics in urban design, sustainable architecture, and the evolution of living and housing patterns. It also addresses the challenges of contemporary hospitality and ways to advance it, as well as mechanisms that enable local designers to develop their skills, expand their professional presence, and transition their creative work from artisanal practice to broader opportunities in the design market.
The exhibition includes specialized sessions exploring the role of design in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future, with discussions focusing on quality of life, the preservation of craft traditions within contemporary practice, and the impact of technological shifts and artificial intelligence on creative industries.
The program also offers insights aimed at empowering the new generation of Saudi designers and providing platforms that showcase their work and strengthen their international presence, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role in shaping the regional and global design landscape.
This inaugural edition follows the strategic partnership agreement signed between the Architecture and Design Commission and Salone del Mobile.Milano earlier this year in AlUla, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultivating international cultural exchange and establishing long-term design collaborations.
