The Middle East region’s first ever Ventura Project – a one-off collection of 40-plus exciting European designers, is being showcased at the ongoing Index interior design exhibition in Dubai.

The 28th edition of the event was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group in the presence of Index portfolio director Tony Crinion and dmg events President Matt Denton.

Sheikh Ahmed later liaised with firms taking part in Index’s sister shows, Workspace – dedicated to office furniture and décor – and Surface Design Middle East, which focuses on uniting designers and architects with interior and exterior surface solutions.

Between them the four-day shows expect to attract well over 30,000 visitors to more than 1,000 exhibitor stands, said the organisers.

They also promise a host of knowledge sharing industry-focused OFIS-sponsored Design Talks, seminars and on-site interactive features, with Index hosting the Middle East’s first ever Ventura Project – a one-off collection of 40-plus exciting European designers brought exclusively to Dubai for the event.

The debut Ventura Project is being brought exclusively to Dubai for the event.

Samantha Kane-Macdonald, Index event director, said Index along with Workspace and Surface Design Middle East exhibitions promise a fantastic four-days of business and networking with the many of the leading international design firms and figures.

"This year we seek to explore the theme of Design for Expression: how individuality can be illustrated through interiors. Design that brings to life the end user’s personality, ambitions and life experiences is now more in demand than ever across both space build and final fit-out. Our shows are aiming to be able to supply every facet of that to fit any individual," she stated.

According to her, Index opens at a time of huge growth for the interiors industry in the Gulf, which market analysts Ventures estimate will be worth almost $9 billion in regards to fit-out projects across 2018.

As per their data, the interiors industry is valued at its highest within the residential sector, where its annual worth is $3.6 billion followed by the hotel sector ($2.1 billion), commercial real estate ($1.1 billion), retail ($872 million), hospital ($410 million) and education ($339 million). All these sectors are set for strong investment this year.

"The building construction market constitutes the largest market in the total GCC construction market. The market is robust due to growing local and expatriate population, and mega events such as Dubai Expo 2020, 2019 World Championships in Athletics, and FIFA World Cup 2022," said a spokesperson for Ventures.

The GCC building construction projects expected to be completed across all sectors are forecast to increase by 6 per cent from $67.5 billion last year to $72.1 billion in 2018.

According to him, the value of completed and awarded construction projects represents a definite potential for interiors and fit-outs as interior projects are usually contracted during the second half of project execution.

A surge in construction activities influences growth in the GCC interiors and fit-out market, which constitutes approximately 10 to 22 per cent of the average construction project value. Interior design and fit-out are closely tied to the overall health of the economy, and particularly the property market, he stated.

Macdonald said this year Index has perhaps the strongest line-up of exhibitors and speakers, with interactive features installed to allow visitors to explore the varying elements of design.

The OFIS-sponsored Design Talks at Index will welcome many of the region’s leading interior designers, architects and creative minds, she stated.

The show floor is also awash with live installations, including Made in UAE, a hub of local craftspeople; the Artist Avenue, with live painting on site; and Index Off The Wall – a one-off photo opportunity in a room designed by award-winning designer Sharon Jutla and fitted-out with products from Jonathan Adler and the Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery.-TradeArabia News Service