The Association of Professional Interior Designers (Apid) will host an experimental feature area showcasing the latest trends and creative works of the region’s interior designers at the upcoming INDEX design expo in Dubai.

Organised by dmg: events, the INDEX International Design Exhibition 2011 will be held from October 22 to 25 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Apid’s unique feature is part of the region’s first Festival of Interior Design (FOiD), which will be held during INDEX across Dubai.

The CUBOiD, one of the features at FOiD, is a distinctive cube-shaped structure designed and conceptualized by a team of local designers and will offer visitors to experience sheer creativity within an interior setting, a statement said.

Stretching out over an area of 174 sq m, the CUBOiD will be composed of five key areas with an experimentation zone at the heart of the feature.

The feature also includes a library housing contemporary books, magazines and published journals on interior design and related subjects; an information area for both

Apid and FOiD combined with key exhibition areas displaying the latest works from student designers and entries for FOiD’s design competition; and a café and meeting lounge for Apid members, INDEX visitors and participants to hold discussions and networking sessions.

“The region is eagerly looking forward to two major events for the design industry, this year’s edition of INDEX and the first Festival of Interior Design,” said Farida Kamber Al Awadhi, president, Apid.

“In addition to the CUBOiD, we will also be hosting the Interior Design Congress on October 22 at INDEX, which is in line with our commitment towards representing the best interests of the region’s design professionals.”

“Our participation will not only showcase the talents and skills of our member designers but also serve to increase awareness on the value of the region’s interior design industry and to provide innovative solutions to the community, businesses and beyond,” she added.

FOiD is scheduled to feature city-wide franchised events like exhibitions of design portfolios and installations; city centric design trails and visits to key landmarks, hotels, schools and art galleries; lectures from world renowned designers; open master classes; workshops; professional and student competitions; an interior design award program aimed at honouring innovative designers; screening sessions of interior design based films and other parallel hosted events.

“INDEX is excited to work closely with Apid in its move to launch FOiD and strategically position the event as a showcase for the region’s interior design segment,” said Paula Al Chami, event director, INDEX.

“Moreover, we commit our full support towards Apid’s efforts to place the UAE at the forefront of the international interior design industry. We remain confident that this initiative will definitely help the region's design professionals to create and develop more opportunities," she concluded.

Now in its 21st year, INDEX features over 900 exhibitors from 49 countries, representing hundreds of well-known international brands across 10 halls occupying up to 20,000 sq m of net floor space, the statement said.

This year's edition will feature a line-up of dedicated sub-shows for furnishings, kitchen & bathroom, lighting, outdoor living and textiles. – TradeArabia News Service