This year’s DesignMENA Summit explored how the city of Dubai could forge an individual identity in its architecture.

A panel discussion featured academic and architect Shams Naga, interior designer Pallavi Dean and architects Issam Ezzedine and Nigel Craddock

Naga, who founded his own practice, added: “Today when you drive along Sheikh Zayed Road, when you see villas, a lot has changed. Villas are much more modern and contemporary – and I think that can be contributed to Dubai becoming more mature. We are looking at designs a lot more and we’ve learned from mistakes.”