The Enfold pavilion, designed by DEOND founders Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo for Dubai Design Week 2024, explores “phygital therapy,” merging physical and digital realms for a therapeutic experience. Located in Dubai Design District (d3), the pavilion’s AI-driven “second skin” fabric reacts to visitors’ physical states, creating an immersive, healing space. Inspired by biomimicry, the pavilion’s sustainable design includes a seed-like exterior made from corrugated cardboard, with a perforated roof that adjusts natural light throughout the day. At its center, the HUG (Holistic Unified Garment) bodysuit, a floating, interactive installation, combines Eastern and Western wellness philosophies to explore new methods for calming the mind and body. DEOND’s work reflects a commitment to balancing built spaces with natural principles.
Enfold was born from a desire to explore the dialogue between materiality, light, and cultural identity. Inspired by local natural structures and the region’s dramatic interplay of sunlight and shadow, the pavilion became a study in simplicity and depth. It was designed to immerse visitors in an experience where form, texture, and light converge in harmony. It basically represents the culmination of what we stand for at DEOND; simple instinct of thought meeting complexity in execution.
Interview with Ila Colombo and Ross Lovegrove of DEOND
The Enfold pavilion, created by DEOND founders Ross Lovegrove and Ila Colombo, brings a new dimension of “phygital therapy” to Dubai Design Week 2024. Unveiled in the public spaces of the Dubai Design District (d3) from November 5 to 10, the pavilion combines physical and digital realms to provide a therapeutic experience that centers on body awareness and relaxation. Strategically located near the UAE flag between buildings 9 and 10, Enfold is described by its creators as a “holistic embrace” of body, mind, and technology, a vision that aligns with DEOND’s ethos of sustainable and immersive design.
Since its establishment in 2023, DEOND has focused on merging advanced manufacturing techniques with sustainable practices. Enfold embodies these values with a recyclable corrugated cardboard structure that minimizes environmental impact. Inspired by biomimicry, the pavilion’s design resembles the protective shell of a seed, with a textured exterior that houses a calming inner environment. Its circular form creates a continuous sense of enclosure, while the perforated roof allows natural light to filter in, modulating in intensity as the sun moves across the sky. This design choice enhances the immersive quality of the pavilion and reinforces DEOND’s philosophy of using natural elements to elevate visitor experiences.
At the core of Enfold is the HUG (Holistic Unified Garment) bodysuit, a 3D display composed of reflective wires and digital screens that form the focal point of the installation. This structure appears to float within the space, eliminating the need for bulky supports and creating a seamless connection between light, technology, and space. When viewed from a specific angle, the HUG bodysuit appears as a cohesive, flowing garment that responds to light. Created using AI and 3D design tools, the bodysuit is intended to mimic organic forms and engage specific body points, promoting relaxation and alleviating anxiety.
The HUG bodysuit concept bridges Eastern and Western approaches to health and wellness. In Eastern philosophy, the body is often viewed as a “garden,” a holistic entity with self-regulating capabilities. In contrast, Western perspectives regard the body as a “machine” that can be optimized and enhanced. DEOND’s design philosophy merges these perspectives, suggesting that technology can harmonize with natural bodily processes rather than disrupting them. The pavilion prompts viewers to consider technology as a “second skin” that supports mental and physical wellness in a way that respects natural rhythms.
Reflecting on this theme, Lovegrove and Colombo ask, “What if technological acceleration could give us a chance to become closer to nature, to return to what has been neglected and forgotten? How should we merge technology and nature to create something restorative and protective?” This question is a foundation for Enfold, encouraging viewers to envision technology as an extension that can enrich rather than detract from a natural lifestyle.
Enfold exemplifies a vision for the future of design, where technology, nature, and sustainability coexist harmoniously. The pavilion invites visitors to reconsider their relationship with technology and to imagine a future where architectural spaces foster physical and mental well-being while coexisting with the natural world. Through Enfold, DEOND demonstrates a commitment to innovative design that harmonizes digital and organic elements, suggesting a path for architecture that both heals and reconnects.
Gallery
Location
Address: Dubai Design District (d3), near the UAE Flag, in front of the road between Building 9 and Building 10, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
