The participants in the “Local Cultures in Global Settings” contest were invited to design a work consisting of a geometric or figurative pattern using the natural ceramic surfaces of Iris Ceramica Group. The artwork had to be created using the Group’s patented “Design Your Slabs” printing solution used to create any image or illustration on its surfaces. 

The submitted design proposals could be of two types: for interiors, and architectural envelopes. 

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The winning entry of the contest was Niko Kapa’s "DRIFT" which interprets the concept by celebrating  individual cultural identities in the globalised world.

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The "DRIFT" pattern is inspired by the natural landscape, combining elements of contemporary design and traditional handicrafts and capturing the essence and distinctive identity of the location. The linear motif of the panels recalls the geometric patterns of Islamic culture and the crests of the sand dunes, the waves on the sea and textured fabrics. The effect is obtained using curved and parabolic lines inspired by the topography of the local landscape. The inspiration for this special design lies in Dubai’s unique geography, where the dunes in the desert and the contours of the land sculpted by the wind bear witness to the interplay of human action and the passing of time. The lines highlight the common roots and profound connection with the earth, the sea and craftsmanship as a symbol of local cultures, underlining the relationship between the shape and the material they are made of. Craftsmanship thus becomes a visual expression of the creative process, preserving the memory of primordial matter in the design of ceramic slabs.