Ellington Properties, an award-winning design-led boutique developer, teamed up with the American University in Dubai (AUD) to provide expert advice to a group of its interior design students under the company’s Art Foundation. The Foundation was launched in 2017 with the vision of creating meaningful art through engagement with local talent.

The initiative was targeted at third-year students from AUD’s School of Architecture, Art and Design as several students had the opportunity to present their portfolios to Ellington Properties Senior Manager of Interior Design, Laura Bielecki, who offered expert feedback and insights on ways to improve and enhance their work. The initiative is set to be rolled out every year.

Laura Bielecki said: “It was encouraging to see such creative talents and high standard of work coming out of AUD’s School of Architecture, Art, and Design. It was also inspiring to be able to offer advice and support to the students, the next generation of creative talents in Dubai. Ellington Art Foundation was set up with the goal of shaping artists and offering guidance as they enter their respective fields of work. Part of the initiative involves showcasing photography and paintings by talented student artists at our developments in Dubai.”

In addition to the collaboration with AUD, Ellington Art Foundation has previously partnered with students of the American University of Sharjah specifically the Interior Design & Photography Department for Belgravia II. The project features a commissioned art installation, designed and executed by the students themselves. They have also contributed over 90 photographs that decorate the residential development which makes it a thriving community.

Ellington Properties prioritises design across its growing portfolio of projects such as Belgravia Heights II and Belgravia Square in Jumeirah Village Circle, Wilton Terraces and Wilton Park Residences in MBR City, and DT1, located in Downtown Dubai.

Recently, Ellington Properties launched its ‘Live in Design’ campaign to showcase its aspirational and design-led approach across its properties, which embrace sustainability and technology within their architecture and interiors.