Iris Ceramica Group Expands Its Global Presence With New Dubai Design Gallery

Iris Ceramica Group is expanding its international design presence with the opening of its new ICG Gallery in Dubai, establishing a dedicated destination for architects, interior designers, and creative professionals interested in innovative surface materials and contemporary design.

Located in Dubai Design District, the gallery represents another addition to the Italian group's international showroom network. The space is designed to introduce visitors to the relationship between materials, architecture, and sensory experiences, reflecting the company's interest in exploring how surfaces influence the way people experience interior environments.

The gallery's public program is receiving particular attention during Dubai Design Week 2026, which runs from November 3 to 7. Under the concept Designing the Invisible, the initiative explores how elements beyond visual appearance, including sound, scent, texture, and perception, contribute to the character of a space.

A New Creative Destination in Dubai Design District

The ICG Gallery is located in Building 6, Suite B101, within Dubai Design District, an established destination for architecture, fashion, art, and design businesses.

The new space strengthens Iris Ceramica Group's international showroom presence, joining locations in major creative centers including Milan, London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, and New York.

Rather than functioning exclusively as a conventional product showroom, the Dubai gallery is intended to provide an environment where visitors can explore the relationship between material research, technological development, and architectural applications.

Ceramic surfaces are central to the group's identity, but the gallery's broader purpose is to demonstrate how materials can contribute to the atmosphere and functionality of contemporary spaces.

The company's approach reflects a wider shift in the design industry, where showrooms increasingly operate as experiential environments rather than traditional retail-style displays. Visitors are encouraged to interact with materials, understand their characteristics, and consider how different finishes can influence an architectural project.

The gallery's inauguration in February 2026 marked an important step in the group's expansion in the Middle East. Its November programming introduces another opportunity for the international design community to experience the space.

Designing the Invisible Explores the Sensory Side of Architecture

The gallery's Dubai Design Week program is organized around the concept Designing the Invisible, which considers how architecture and interior design influence experiences beyond what can be seen.

The initiative places particular emphasis on the relationship between matter, texture, sound, and scent. These elements are presented as interconnected components that influence how people perceive and remember their surroundings.

The concept challenges the idea that interior design should be evaluated primarily through visual qualities such as color, composition, and material finishes.

Instead, it considers how a surface feels when touched, how sound moves through a room, and how fragrance can contribute to the atmosphere of an environment.

This approach is closely connected to the growing interest in multisensory design and neuroarchitecture, fields that examine how physical environments influence human perception, behavior, and emotional responses.

Through the gallery's programming, Iris Ceramica Group aims to encourage architects and designers to consider these less visible elements during the creative process.

Atmospheres Lab Combines Surfaces, Sound, and Scent

One of the central attractions of the Dubai Design Week program is Atmospheres Lab: Surfaces, Sound & Scent, an interactive workshop developed in collaboration with Campomarzio70 and Autex Acoustics.

The experience encourages participants to explore how different sensory elements can work together to establish the identity of an interior environment.

Campomarzio70 contributes its expertise in perfumery, while Autex Acoustics brings its experience in acoustic design solutions. Their involvement allows the workshop to examine the relationship between material surfaces, sound, and fragrance through a more interactive approach.

Visitors can experiment with different combinations of sensory elements and consider how these choices affect the atmosphere of a space.

The inclusion of acoustics is particularly relevant to contemporary architecture, where sound management has become an important consideration in residential, hospitality, workplace, and commercial interiors.

Hard surfaces, open layouts, and large glazed areas can influence how sound travels through a room. Acoustic materials and thoughtful spatial planning can help create environments that feel more comfortable without compromising architectural aesthetics.

The workshop therefore introduces a practical dimension to the gallery's broader exploration of multisensory design.

Neuroarchitecture Takes Center Stage

The Dubai program also includes a discussion dedicated to neuroarchitecture, scheduled for November 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Organized in collaboration with IFDM, the conversation examines how neuroscience and architectural practice intersect, particularly in relation to perception, emotions, behavior, and human connections.

The discussion features Evgeniia Molchanova, founder and design director of E+A Studio, and Adriana Graur, creative director at DWP. Paolo Bleve, publisher of IFDM, serves as moderator.

Neuroarchitecture has attracted growing attention among architects and interior designers interested in understanding how built environments influence human experiences.

Factors such as lighting, spatial proportions, material textures, acoustics, and access to natural elements can all contribute to the way occupants respond to a particular environment.

Although the field continues to develop, its growing presence in design conversations reflects an increasing interest in creating spaces that consider human comfort alongside visual and functional requirements.

Strengthening the Connection Between Material Innovation and Design

The Dubai gallery forms part of Iris Ceramica Group's wider international strategy to engage with architects, designers, and other professionals through dedicated creative spaces.

Its approach places material innovation within a broader architectural conversation, demonstrating how ceramic surfaces can contribute to the visual, tactile, and functional qualities of an environment.

The gallery also reflects Dubai's position as an increasingly prominent destination for international design events and creative industry collaborations.

Through its Dubai Design Week program, the company is introducing a more experiential understanding of materials, inviting visitors to consider the invisible factors that shape the experience of architecture.

The Designing the Invisible initiative runs from November 3 to 7, with gallery visits and interactive workshops scheduled throughout the event. The gallery is located at Building 6, Suite B101, Dubai Design District.

Additional information is available through the official ICG Gallery Dubai announcement and the Dubai Design Week program.

A More Experiential Approach to Material and Interior Design

The opening of ICG Gallery Dubai reflects the changing role of design showrooms in the international architecture and interiors industry.

By combining material exploration with discussions, workshops, and multisensory experiences, the gallery offers a platform for examining how architecture influences everyday experiences.

Its focus on surfaces, acoustics, scent, and perception also highlights the importance of looking beyond visual aesthetics when developing contemporary interiors.

As design professionals continue to explore more human-centered approaches to architecture, spaces such as the ICG Gallery provide opportunities to connect material innovation with the wider experience of the built environment.