Dubai’s vibrant cultural landscape has been enriched with the inauguration of The A/P Room, a groundbreaking permanent gallery at Alserkal Avenue. This new establishment, which launched with its inaugural exhibition ‘At First Sight’ running through March 29, 2026, represents a significant advancement in the regional appreciation and collection of design objects.
Operating under Atelio—the region’s premier destination for design furniture, art advisory, and collectible design founded by prominent businessman and art patron Elie Khouri—The A/P Room emerges as a innovative cultural platform under the leadership of industry expert Christelle Bassila. The gallery uniquely bridges historical and contemporary design traditions while fostering connections between international and regional creative practices through carefully curated programming.
The inaugural exhibition ‘At First Sight’ explores the intuitive connection between collectors and design objects, examining how works inhabit space, communicate through material language, maintain presence, and create lasting impressions beyond initial encounters. According to Bassila, ‘To collect is not only to acquire, but to learn how to see. What stays is what matters. What unfolds over time is what endures.’
The exhibition showcases a carefully selected collection of sculptural and material-driven works from both established and emerging talents, including Rogan Gregory, Vincent Dubourg, Andrea Branzi, Faye Toogood, and regional creators such as Roham Shamekh and Georges Mohasseb. Historical design masters including Gio Ponti, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Jorge Zalszupin are also represented, creating a dialog across generations and geographies.
Elie Khouri, Chairman of Atelio, emphasized the strategic importance of the location: ‘Opening The A/P Room at Alserkal Avenue places collectible design within the heart of Dubai’s cultural infrastructure. We are creating an environment where international designers and regional voices can be presented in dialogue, positioning the Middle East firmly within the global design conversation.’
Ruggero Ottogalli, CEO of Atelio, added that the gallery reflects the company’s commitment to building a comprehensive cultural ecosystem for design in the region, creating new pathways for collaboration between designers, collectors, and cultural partners.
The A/P Room’s expansion continues with plans to open a second location in Abu Dhabi during the fourth quarter of 2026, significantly extending its cultural influence and reinforcing its mission to shape the region’s design identity within the global creative ecosystem.