3 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsFebruary 2026 60 SPECIAL REPORT: SURFACES How designers treat surface choices for their projects IN THIS ISSUE 18 OTHER inside Dubai’s latest restaurant offering design-led interiors 32 BORDERLESS BUILDING The story of a truly international designer and how they approach their work 38 BALINESE BEAUTY Discovering an offi ce space infl uenced by wellness and stillness February 20264 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsFebruary 2026 06 70 BIG IDEA Dubai Holding reveals its masterplan for d3 WORLD VIEW A Hong Kong offi ce project embracing biophilia REGULARS 08 NEWS The latest updates from the design world 12 IN THE STUDIO A peek into B8 Architecture & Design Studio 74 SEVEN LESSONS Advice from a master craftsman5 commercialinteriordesign.com Paul Clifford Group Editor TEXTURED tr uth s Published by and © 2026 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi MANAGING DIRECTOR Martin Chambers DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Holly Sands HEAD OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL GROUP EDITOR Paul Clifford EDITOR, HOSPITALITY & DESIGN SAUDI Safa Hassan CONTRIBUTOR Holly Byrne ADVERTISING CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 Email: sally.whittam@itp.com COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 52 393 2862 Email: richard.mobbs@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER Sharmin Rizvi Tel: +971 58 112 5097 Email: sharmin.rizvi@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER, SAUDI Abdulelah Aldawish Tel: +966 11 512 2581 Email: abdulelah.aldawish@itp.com COMMERCIAL ADMIN EXECUTIVE Janet Comia Email: janet.comia@itp.com ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Siti Sumarsono Email: siti.sumarsono@itp.com ART COVER IMAGE Natelee Cocks SENIOR DESIGNER Gillian Fletcher JUNIOR DESIGNER Celine Iskandar-Elhachem GROUP VIDEO EDITOR Bharat Tahiliani VIDEOGRAPHER Karan Sumadari VIDEOGRAPHER & EDITOR Sumeet Katira MARKETING HEAD OF EVENTS Eleanor Ashton SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER Kate Galaktionova EVENTS MANAGER Gavin Moeketsi ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Vrinali Nazareth ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Maria Trishina CONTENT & EVENTS ASSISTANT Jenna Jordan EVENTS COORDINATOR Bobbie Rosario EVENTS SALES EXECUTIVE Jan Mokoala EVENTS SALES ASSISTANT Joyce Salonga EVENTS SALES ASSISTANT Celine Magpoc events@itp.com PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION SENIOR PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Balasubramanian P PRODUCTION MANAGER Anand Sundaram DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Avinash Pereira CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Subscribe at www.commercialinteriordesign.com The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader's particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. IN INTERIORS, SURFACES are the unsung storytellers. They set the tone, shape the atmosphere and whisper (or sometimes shout) a room’s personality. From the sleek gleam of polished marble to the playful irregularity of hand- laid mosaics, surfaces do more than cover, they engage, provoke, and inspire. This issue celebrates the bold and inventive ways designers are reimagining surfaces. Walls curve, floors shimmer, and ceilings surprise. Materials are layered, textures juxtaposed and finishes transformed by technology and imagination. Today, a surface is no longer a backdrop; it is the main act, commanding attention and interaction. We explore surfaces that invite touch, surfaces that catch light like liquid and surfaces that cleverly adapt to every design challenge. Behind each pattern, each carefully chosen texture, lies a combination of craft, innovation and sometimes playful audacity. Surfaces can anchor a minimalist scheme, punctuate a maximalist vision, or quietly harmonise a space without ever demanding notice. Versatility is their superpower. Whether your taste runs to understated elegance or exuberant drama, surfaces are the secret ingredient that turn interiors into experiences. Flip the page, linger on the textures and let the surfaces speak, they’ve never been so compelling. This issue proves that as designers continue to experiment, push boundaries and blend artistry with functionality, the surfaces of tomorrow promise to be even more daring, surprising and unforgettable.6 commercialinteriordesign.comFebruary 2026Big idea7 commercialinteriordesign.comFebruary 2026Big idea MASTER DEVELOPER MERAAS has announced a signifi cant expansion of Dubai Design District (d3), outlining a masterplan that extends the precinct beyond its existing commercial and creative footprint to include residential, cultural and landscape-led components. “Expanding the d3 masterplan into a fully integrated creative neighbourhood is a signifi cant step,” said Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate. “It strengthens Dubai Design District’s position as a global benchmark for design-focused urban living.” Designed and delivered by Meraas, the expanded district spans approximately 1.67 million sq m between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek. The plan introduces canal-front residential buildings, cultural infrastructure, green public spaces and Meraas has unveiled a major expansion of Dubai Design District that repositions the precinct as a liveable, design-led waterfront neighbourhood. By Holly Byrne A NEW FUTURE FOR D3 cultural quarter will introduce performance venues and mid-rise residences overlooking the d3 Bowl. A wellness-focused area prioritises parks, sports facilities and a mangrove-inspired landscape, while a fi nal zone centres on galleries, studios and loft-style spaces intended to support creative production. Sustainability forms a core part, with the masterplan targeting LEED Silver community certifi cation. Measures include energy-effi cient building strategies, sustainable mobility and enhanced pedestrian connectivity, alongside visual links to Dubai Creek and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. The announcement follows strong demand for recent residential launches within d3, reinforcing the district’s transition into a mixed-use neighbourhood. walkable streets, aligning with Dubai’s wider ambitions to embed design, innovation and quality of life into long-term urban development. A defi ning element of the masterplan is the Design Line, a fully shaded, pedestrian-fi rst spine that runs through the district. Rather than acting solely as a circulation route, it is positioned as an activated public realm, incorporating landscaped corridors, public art and spaces for cultural programming. The expanded neighbourhood is structured around fi ve character areas. Canal-front zones will combine residential architecture with boutique hospitality and an activated waterfront promenade. The urban core integrates housing with retail and dining within d3’s established creative environment, while a dedicated 8 commercialinteriordesign.comNewsFebruary 2026 DESIGN NEWS / FEBRUARY KETTAL OPENS ITS FIRST MIDDLE EAST SHOWROOM IN DUBAI International design brand Kettal has opened its fi rst Middle East showroom in Dubai, launching a fl agship space on Jumeirah Street in partnership with Atelio. It marks Kettal’s eighth showroom worldwide and reinforces its presence across more than 80 countries. “Opening in Dubai marks an important milestone in our journey,” says Alex Alorda, CEO of Kettal. “Dubai has fast become one of the most dynamic design centres in the world, making this the right moment and the right location for Kettal to establish a permanent presence in the region. Partnering with Atelio allows us to engage directly with this community and respond to new ways of living across multiple environments.” Founded in Barcelona in 1966 by Manuel Alorda, Kettal has spent nearly six decades shaping a culture of contemporary indoor- outdoor living. What began as a family workshop has evolved into a global design leader panning furniture, lighting, architectural systems and design objects. DOWNTOWN DESIGN RIYADH MOVES DATES TO SEPTEMBER Downtown Design Riyadh has confi rmed that its second edition will now run from September 15 to 18, 2026 at JAX District, in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture. The revised timing follows the fair’s inaugural edition in May 2025 as Saudi Arabia’s design and interiors industry continues to expand, and demand rises for high-end interiors, luxury real estate and large-scale development projects across the Kingdom. A spokesperson said: “In line with its continued development and expansion plans, Downtown Design Riyadh, in collaboration with its Strategic Partner, has updated the dates of its 2026 edition to further enhance the visitor experience and broaden the scope of the event. “The fair will be presented in an expanded format, reflecting its ongoing growth and evolving position in the regional and international design calendar.”Next >