Riyadh hosts the second edition of ARTDOM Riyadh on 20 and 21 October 2026, and the edition arrives with a project that will outlive the two days it opens in.
ARTDOM is an international platform for premium interiors, contemporary design, art, architecture, real estate development and hospitality. The 2026 edition is expected to bring together more than 6,000 professionals and design focused guests, over 80 interior design brands and original authors, more than 50 industry speakers and over 1,400 programme attendees.
The announcement worth the attention of every architect and design enthusiast in the region is ARTDOM Design Map Saudi Arabia, developed with the international architectural community ARCHINET. It sets out to build the first professionally curated design map of the Kingdom: a guide to the public spaces and destinations where architecture and interior design produce a real experience, rather than a list of buildings.
How it works
An international panel of architects, designers and industry experts will assess projects across the Kingdom over several months, judging design quality, architectural vision, cultural significance and visitor experience. Six categories are open: cafés and restaurants, hotels, museums and art galleries, beauty, spa and wellness, major public architecture projects, and furniture showrooms.
Public voting runs alongside the expert evaluation, and the winners are announced during ARTDOM Riyadh 2026, with shortlisted destinations and their teams invited to the Saudi Arabia Design Map and Award ceremony at the event.
ARTDOM describes the Design Map as a long term editorial and curatorial initiative rather than a one time competition, so it stays useful after the ceremony is over. While the selection runs, ARTDOM publishes a weekly Design Map Digest covering nominated destinations, design stories and selected studios.
The map is also meant to name the people behind the places. Alongside destinations it will spotlight the studios shaping contemporary Saudi design, from regional practices to international names including Rabih Geha Architects, AZAZ Architects, Masquespacio, Oppenheim Architecture, Kengo Kuma and Associates, Killa Design, AW2 Architecture and Interiors, Foster and Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Omrania, Henning Larsen, Gensler, HOK, Populous and Adjaye Associates.
What else is in the 2026 edition
The edition adds a Collectible Design and Art direction for original authors and limited edition objects, with Alif among the featured creative voices, whose work takes Arabic calligraphy into sculptural form. Gallery Design joins as Headline Partner, with participating names including ID Works, Technogym, Insel, Casa Magana, Alexandra Collection, Maison Dar, Vista Alegre, Venini and Henge.
Also this season
ARTDOM is one of three dates worth planning around this season. We have also written about Cityscape Global Riyadh in November, and the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, which opens the same month and runs into April.
Further details at artdom.com.
Photographs courtesy of ARTDOM.
