Urban Commissions is Dubai Design Week's annual competition that gives architects and designers the opportunity to develop outdoor furniture in the public domain that follows a responsible and resilient design approach.

2024 Theme

Titled 'Tawila', meaning 'table' in Arabic, this year's theme looks at the table as an enduring emblem of human interaction, serving as a platform for dialogue, creativity and communal experiences. From homes to public spaces, tables serve as unifiers, nurturing connections and facilitating the exchange of ideas and traditions across cultures.

2024 Winner

This year's winner is Altqadum, a research-based design studio from Oman that specialises in architecture, interior and objects design, led by Marwan Albalushi, Najd Albalushi and Abdulrahim Alkendi. Their Bab Al Salam Mosque in Muscat is one of Time magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places 2024’. Taking inspiration from the musical culture of the Gulf, where communities traditionally gather around and accompany musicians, TukTuKDum is an innovative table that encourages interaction, inviting audiences to become performers and even an integral part of the table itself.

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2024 Jury

  • Ahmad Bukhash is an experienced architect who received a Bachelor of Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in 2002 and a Master's degree in Architecture from the Kyoto Institute of Technology in Japan in 2006, where he also interned with Nikken Sekkei, a leading design and build development corporation. He then worked at Dubai Properties Group as Director of Urban Planning and Design from 2007 to 2014 before joining the Dubai Development Authority, where he is currently responsible for regulating and reviewing strategic master plans for prominent private developers such as Dubai Holding, MERAAS, SHAMAL, and EMAAR. Bukhash also established his own architectural design firm, ARCHIDENTITY, in 2009 and has completed several projects across Dubai. He is also heavily engaged in the field of Architectural Education as a member of various advisory committees for the Architectural Program Development at American University of Dubai, Ajman University, Zayed University, and the University of Sharjah.

  • Robert Shakespeare is Cracknell's Group Design Director with 33 years of experience as a design professional in the Middle East and Asia. As a Group Design Director, he has a leading role in inspiring and guiding Cracknell’s design strategies and overseeing the design and management of large scale landscape, urban design and masterplanning projects across Cracknell’s global portfolio. Robert is passionate about the creation of site responsive public and private realm landscapes, and sees the role of Landscape Architects as the key to shaping modern cities, and creating high quality integrated sustainable urban spaces that improve the live-ability of our built environment.

  • Cyril Zammit is a Paris-born and Dubai-based design consultant and advisor with over 30 years of experience in the cultural sector. He has worked with various cultural organizations, including the French Embassy, HSBC Private Bank and Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) in Abu Dhabi. He is the founder of Design Days Dubai, the first fair dedicated to collectible and limited edition design in the Middle East and South Asia, and the creator of Dubai Design Week. Cyril has also worked as an expert for the Vice Chairman Board of Directors Office and the International Relations Office at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, as well as for the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation. Currently, Cyril is a strategic consultant for the Uzbekistan Art & Culture Foundation and an invited instructor for the Ithra Academy in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

  • Dr. Alamira Reem Al Hashimi is the General Manager of M_39 in Abu Dhabi, a vibrant hub for start-ups and professionals in the creative and cultural industries. With extensive experience in place-making, cultural strategy, and creative direction, she is the first Emirati woman to earn a PhD in urban planning. Alamira Reem is known for her impactful work, including the acclaimed book “Planning Abu Dhabi: An Urban History.” She has played pivotal roles in managing multimillion-dollar government projects, advising on cultural and urban development, and contributing to initiatives like the UAE Modern Heritage Technical Committee and the National Pavilion of the UAE at the Venice Biennale. Her contributions have been recognised through numerous accolades, including being named one of 150 Inspiring Emirati Women (Zahrat Al Khaleej), 17 Emirati Women You Need to Know About (Emirates Literature Foundation), and among the Five Female Emirati Writers Shaping the Country's Literary Scene (The National).