Altavia ODG is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the American University in Dubai’s (AUD) School of Architecture, Art, and Design. As part of the senior-year curriculum for Interior Design students, Altavia ODG is lending its industry expertise to support the IDES491 Studio VII course, Comprehensive Design, during Fall 2024. Through a series of hands-on lectures, workshops, and feedback sessions, Altavia ODG will guide students in exploring practical applications of retail design, from concept creation to technical details.

This collaboration has brought Robin Rossi and Talar Bardakjian, Altavia ODG’s Design Director and Creative Director, directly into the classroom, where they’ve provided invaluable mentorship on topics such as storytelling for retail spaces, visualization techniques, and material selection. In line with AUD’s focus on nurturing innovative designers, students are working on projects inspired by the music of the 80s and 90s, developing a retail and café concept that honors cultural icons from the era.

The program includes key feedback sessions in which students present their design research, spatial planning, FF&E boards, and final concepts. According to Chadi El Tabbah, Associate Professor of Interior Design at AUD, “Altavia ODG’s industry expertise and passion for design have significantly elevated our students' learning experience, inspiring them to think creatively and practically.”

The partnership will culminate in a student work exhibition, showcasing their final projects and celebrating the collaboration between education and industry that empowers the next generation of designers.