Guests include:
Snøhetta
Norm Architects
C2
SLA
and local speakers who we promise will be really really good.
Final Draft is the last event of our Abu Dhabi Sessions season and our own mini Design Festival.
It’s three days of design/culture/creativity-focused sessions looking at what makes good design…good.
With a few international guests, some local creators, our team and you, the community, we are promising a very good weekend
Last year was rad, this year will be rad-er. Join us.
It’s free and it’s for you… and we’d appreciate an RSVP.
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Kjetil Thorsen, Co-Founder of Snøhetta
Norway
Founding partner of Snøhetta, one of the worlds leading architecture and design firms. With a career running through some truly iconic projects, from Bibliotheca Alexandria through to the Norwegian currency redesign and the Times Square masterplanning, and the recipient of some incredibly prestigious awards including the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture Kjetil has been, and continues to be, a leading figure in architecture, design, identity and culture.
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Anick Beaulieu, CEO, C2
Canada
As the most forward-thinking business event in the world, Anick is helping shape C2 Montreal as a creative, progressive, inspiring, impactful and highly experiential conference. Beyond the conference C2 focuses on designing creative ways for people to interact and collaborate, and is built for individuals and organizations that have a strong desire to lead change in their industries, unlock new business opportunities and participate in shaping the future.
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Katrine Goldstein, Managing Director, Norm Architects
Denmark
Working across platforms and geographical borders, Katrine is fundamental in helping deliver Norm Architects truly exceptional work, covering architecture, interiors and products. Founded in 2008, Norm Architects is a Copenhagen-based practice working with design to enrich the human experience through their design language of ‘soft minimalism’ .
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Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal & Partner, SLA
Denmark
As Senior Partner and Design Principal at SLA, Rasmus is a leader in nature-based design, sustainable landscape architecture and integrated climate adaptation.
If you’ve spent any time in Abu Dhabi’s newer public parks or landscaped areas you’ve probably experienced Rasmus’ work as SLA helps define what nature-led design and landscaping looks like in the UAE.
The Schedule
Here’s the full schedule for the Final Draft weekend.
Click on the little + button for details of each moment.
FRIDAY 7th JUNE.
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Come and hang out at the Final Draft village. Fount Concept Store is open, coffee & snacks with Bedu by Nowhere, ice cream, workshops and good people.
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Delving into what identity is and how it’s represented, this interactive workshop explores strategy and design principles to imagine Abu Dhabi identity.
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CEO of C2, the reference for creativity, impact, collaboration and craziness in a conference, Anick will deliver a masterclass on pulling off world-class events and experiences.
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For those not in Anick’s Masterclass, some small talk on the UAE’s most popular question - “where are you from” - and what it means to be from where you’re from.
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Urban planning specialist, architect, professor and government advisor, unpacking the magic of good urban design.
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Vitra’s man in the Middle East, launching the Vitra Roadshow and Miniature global exhibition for the first time in Abu Dhabi.
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Go to the village and coffee up for the main session.
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A man responsible for some of most beautifully designed parks, landscapes and green spaces in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Rasmus will be unpacking nature-based design through projects from the UAE and other international projects and he's also really funny, so there's a very very high chance that you will learn things AND laugh.
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One of the good humans behind the phenomenally on point and aesthetically wonderful Norm Architects. If you know them, then you know how good their architecture, interiors, and products are. If you don't know them, look them up, make a cup of tea, and enjoy the soft minimalism of their world class work.
SATURDAY 8th JUNE.
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Come and hang out at the Final Draft village. Fount Concept Store is open, coffee & snacks with Bedu by Nowhere, ice cream, workshops and good people.
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Katrine will deliver a masterclass on Norm Architects work and how they work, from the form itself through to the methodology and approach to each project.
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Investigating the journey of a brand from a dream to one of the most significant cultural sites in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
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A private session with Rasmus as he elaborates on his thoughts behind a selection of SLA’s most innovative projects utilizing circular construction principles and renewable materials, offering insights into how functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics came together.
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For those not in Rasmus’ Masterclass, some small talk on the UAE’s most popular question - “where are you from” - and what it means to be from where you’re from.
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MIT & Harvard-award-winning designer & Vice President Innovation and Institutional Partnerships at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), examining how to be “modern without being sentimental”.
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Award winning Design director and type designer bridging modern trends and timeless traditions through his typography and calligraphy work.
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Go to the village and coffee up for the main session.
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The man who co-founded Snøhetta, has helped bring to life many incredible projects all over the globe, is the recipient of some massive awards like the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - the Mies van der Rohe Award, and is a leading figure in architecture and design (and also really humble and extremely nice).
SUNDAY 9th JUNE.
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Come and hang out at the Final Draft village. Fount Concept Store is open, coffee & snacks with Bedu by Nowhere, ice cream, workshops and good people.
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Slash founder & CEO breaks down the art of branding in Abu Dhabi.
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What do you think makes an experience cool? We want to hear from you about what excites you, frustrates you, enlightens you. In this 40 minute interactive session, we want to pick your brains to reimagine an experience of experiencing experiences.
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An incredibly unique opportunity for a private session with one of the world’s leading minds on architecture and design and what he believes will shape the future.
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For those not in Kjetil’s Masterclass, some small talk on the UAE’s most popular question - “where are you from” - and what it means to be from where you’re from.
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The quiet force behind the spectacular UAE National Day celebrations and someone who knows a thing or two about what it takes to pull off world-class events.
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Explorers, wanderers and constantly curious, capturing the architectural gems of Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage, hidden in the quiet neighborhoods.
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Go to the village and coffee up for the main session.
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CEO of C2, the reference for creativity, impact, collaboration and craziness when it comes to the C2 Montreal conference.