Wilson Associates’ Dubai team partners with Downtown Design fair to deliver first community-driven “Just One” design concept

Wilson Associates is excited to announce its collaboration with Downtown Design –– a key event of Dubai Design Week –– serving as the designer of record for an interactive and immersive pop-up space. The experience will debut at the fair, which runs from November 12-15, 2019.

Dubbed “Just One”, Wilson Associates’ Dubai team has been working closely with a variety of collaborators to create a public space for the local community to gather and socialise in the heart of the city’s bustling d3 Waterfront.” In the spirit of the UAE’s 2019 Year of Tolerance, the designers also leveraged the unique partnership as a platform for a greater dialogue within the UAE’s design community, conveying that small actions have the power to lead to big changes.

“We didn’t want to create something that just looked pretty, but something that has substance,” says Isabel Pintado, regional managing director at Wilson Associates’ Dubai office. “We wanted to develop a platform that would push individual actions into a community effort. The ‘Just One’ campaign opens up an enormous universe of possibilities. Whether it’s just one act of kindness or one donation, the concept puts our thoughts into perspective that all of us as individuals can make a difference together.’

Translated into a distinct design language, the community-based message of the campaign gave way to the design of “Just One Bar” –– a microcosm of local ideas and materials blended together to create a socially conscious pop-up experience. Alongside Pintado, Wilson Associates Dubai team, comprised of Hilda Impey, design principal, FF&E; Roy Posey, design director; Maria Economides, project designer; Alika Dobie, project designer; and Grace Fahd, associate designer wanted to “bring people together in a space that champions diversity and its role in our lives.”

Inspired by the mission of driving change through a collective of voices and actions, the “Just One Bar” seeks to explore simple messages of hope, strength, camaraderie, kindness, and power –– all in a space brought to life through unparalleled design collaboration. Partner brands and collaborators include BOLON, OFIS, Sancal, Edges Trading, EMKAY, Studio Mark, Mirodec, Lasvit, Tarrab Trading, Interior 360, Kvadrat Maharam, Drapes Interiors, Ege, and Preciosa.

“Just One Bar” will open on November 12th and will be open through November 15th. The bar will be located inside a purpose-built tent at the Dubai Design District waterfront overlooking Dubai Creek.