A multidisciplinary conference exploring global shifts in creative design.
April 24, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai has hosted a pioneering conference entitled ‘Innovative Intersections in Art, Architecture and Interior Design’, to explore the boundaries between the different creative disciplines. Staged at the university’s City Walk campus in Downtown Dubai, the event convened academic and industry experts to exchange ideas on how global evolutions in areas like technology and culture have impacted the relationship between art, architecture and interior design.
Featuring a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions and paper presentations, the conference was organized under three key themes, with speakers from across the creative disciplines sharing their insights on the transformative power of artistic impression. The discussions were framed by the ‘Sign and Symbols’ exhibition, which showcased a collection of drawings by renowned international architects and designers.
The conference opened with welcome addresses from CUD Provost, Dr. Adam Fenech, and Mr. Ahmad Zohadi, Founder and Publisher of 2A Magazine. Going on to share the background to the conference themes, CUD Chair of Architecture, Dr. Constantin Spiridonidis, said that in the context of globalisation and technological advancement, new questions were emerging around how art is feeding novelty and innovation in architecture and design.
The opening session of the two-day event explored the fusion of the arts in architecture and interior design. The research presented included a paper by CUD Senior Lecturer, Shahab Ghandhari, exploring ephemeral art – works that occur only once – and their intersection with interior design. The session also looked beyond the perspectives of design with a presentation by Dr. Hala Georges, Assistant Professor in Visual Communication at the University of Sharjah, on visual manifestos beyond the page and into space.
Computation, climate crisis and social reconstruction was the first theme to be explored on day two of the conference, which opened with a panel discussion on Digital Convergence: Emerging Technologies at the Intersection of the Arts, Architecture and Interior Design. The session went on to hear from researchers on a broad range of themes, including an exploration of the past and the future of architecture. Industry perspectives were brought into the session with a presentation from Computational Architect, Rowan Elselmy, on AI-Driven Cymatic Architecture: Integrating Generative AI and Sound Data for Dynamic Spatial Design.
The final session explored the fusion of space design in the arts as the third key theme of the conference. Delegates heard insights from academia and industry on subjects including heritage, sustainable practices, and cultural identity.
Speaking about the significance of the gathering, Massimo Imparato, Dean of the School of Architecture and Interior Design said, “This conference has delivered thought-provoking insights at a time when architecture and design are being transformed by emerging technologies, sustainability imperatives, and evolving societal needs. We are grateful to the renowned speakers, contributors, and participants, who have shared their innovative research as we look to inspire the next stage of artistic experimentation that will shape the future of our cities and communities.”
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