Kettal, the Barcelona-based design brand known for furniture and architectural solutions, is marking its 60th anniversary in 2026 with an anniversary programme centered on iconic designs and an expanded presence in the Middle East. The milestone also coincides with the opening of Kettal’s first UAE flagship showroom in Dubai, launched in partnership with Atelio.
For industry observers, the timing is notable. Dubai and the broader GCC have become increasingly influential for global design brands, as premium residential and hospitality development drives demand for furniture that can handle local climate realities while still meeting international aesthetic standards.
From outdoor function to design-led living
In its retrospective, Kettal frames outdoor furniture as a category that has evolved significantly over the decades. The company describes how pieces that were once primarily functional have increasingly shifted toward more architecturally considered collections, intended to blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces.
That shift matters commercially, especially in warmer regions, where terrace, balcony, and poolside areas are frequently used as extensions of the home rather than seasonal alternatives. It also influences how architects and interior designers select materials, seating systems, and modular layouts.
Kettal was founded in 1966 and is now led by the second generation of the Alorda family. The brand positions its design approach as technically informed but architecturally driven, built through collaborations with well-known contemporary designers over time.
The “Nine Icons” anniversary selection
To mark the anniversary, Kettal is revisiting a selection of nine designs from its history. The company’s programme includes both original works and re-editions from its archive, alongside a new photographic series that places the furniture in dialogue with the human form and contemporary living.
Among the highlighted pieces are:
- Basket by Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, originally designed in the 1950s, described by Kettal as an icon of Danish modernism.
- Maia by Patricia Urquiola, noted as part of the brand’s early collaboration history with the designer and built around artisan braiding with a lightweight aluminium structure.
Kettal also lists additional designs in the wider anniversary set, including Grand Bitta by Rodolfo Dordoni, Cala by Doshi Levien, Tilos by Antonio Citterio, Insula and Band by Patricia Urquiola, Kari by Konstantin Grcic, and Loden by Vico Magistretti.
Rather than treating the retrospective as purely historical, Kettal emphasizes that re-editions are adapted to contemporary technical and material standards. That angle reflects a common industry challenge for established luxury furniture houses, which must balance heritage design language with modern performance requirements and evolving building codes.
Why Dubai, and why now?
Kettal says its anniversary programme aligns with a new regional chapter. Earlier in 2026, the brand opened its first Middle East showroom in Dubai on Jumeirah Street, in partnership with Atelio.
The showroom is positioned as a way to bring Kettal’s Mediterranean design heritage into dialogue with the GCC’s architectural landscape and climate. Kettal also notes that it already has flagship locations in multiple international markets, including Barcelona, Marbella, London, Paris, Casablanca, Miami, and New York.
From a business perspective, the Dubai launch highlights how luxury interiors retail increasingly depends on local partnerships. Atelio, the partner brand in this case, is described as a curated design and art platform that works with architects, homeowners, developers, and hospitality operators. In that model, showroom access is not only about product availability, it is also about connecting the furniture category to wider design and lifestyle projects.
Atelio partnership and a shifting luxury retail playbook
Atelio, part of Vivium, operates as a Dubai-based platform built around curation across design and collectible arts. Its remit includes design furniture, art advisory, and collectible design. For Kettal, the partnership effectively places the brand within a broader ecosystem of design services rather than a standalone retail channel.
In practical terms, that matters because furniture and interiors for luxury homes and hospitality are often bought as part of an overall specification package. Increasingly, buyers expect guidance that covers aesthetics, material performance, and how furnishings integrate with architectural intent.
What this signals for the GCC interiors market
Kettal’s approach reflects a wider direction in Gulf design spending. Demand for premium indoor-outdoor environments is closely tied to how developers and designers respond to lifestyle expectations, including year-round use of outdoor areas, and to how import-driven luxury brands adapt products for local conditions.
While the announcement does not provide sales figures or market share data, the combination of an anniversary-led design narrative and a physical retail expansion suggests that Kettal sees continued long-term demand in the region.
Details on the Dubai showroom
Kettal’s Dubai showroom is listed as:
Kettal Showroom, Jumeirah Third, 352-964, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: 042367137
With the 60th anniversary programme, Kettal is also using the period to revisit products and reinforce its collaborations with internationally recognized designers. For the UAE market, the next question is how these legacy pieces, and their modern re-editions, will perform as new hospitality and residential projects continue to launch across the emirate.