Hicham Lahlou is arguably one of the most accomplished and important multi-hyphenate designers in the world. His prodigious talent and innate understanding of the power of design to communicate across cultures, borders and genres earned Lahlou numerous accolades over his 30-year career, including recognition among the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in 2021, alongside Virgil Abloh and David Adjaye.

Born in Morocco and working primarily in Africa and Europe, Lahlou’s influence can be seen and felt across interior design, urban design, industrial design and even graphic design and fine art. The clean lines, social purpose and storytelling that define every aspect of his projects transcend geographies to the point that he is now as much a designer as a cultural diplomat. On the eve of Design and Build Week in Melbourne, where Lahlou will give a flagship design talk celebrating international perspectives and future-forward creativity, Australian Design Review spoke with Lahlou about what it means to design cross-culturally and why thinking beyond borders is more important than ever. 

Australian Design Review: Your flagship design talk is titled ‘Arab Perspectives, Global Solutions. What do you believe Arab culture and design heritage can uniquely offer the global design discourse today?

Hicham Lahlou: Arab culture is inherently multi-cultural and its design heritage offers a rich legacy of symbolism, geometry, craftsmanship and poetry – a timeless fusion of function and spirituality which has a universal richness.

What we bring to the global design conversation is a deep sensitivity to place, memory and meaning. Our design approach is often holistic, blending aesthetic beauty with philosophical depth. In today’s world, where design can feel fast and transactional, Arab perspectives remind us of the value of narrative, identity and human connection in every object and space we shape. Morocco, where I was born, is a gateway to Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which makes it a land of coexistence, with a mosaic of identities.

 ADR: How do you see design functioning as a form of diplomacy? Why is this cross-cultural lens so urgent in today’s fractured world?

HL: Design is a universal language. Its silent diplomacy is a soft power embraced by many countries such as Morocco, Italy, France, Senegal, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and many others. It speaks through forms, materials and experiences without needing translation. In a world facing division, design creates common ground through spaces and objects that foster empathy, collaboration and shared futures. 

Cross-cultural design not only celebrates diversity but also dissolves barriers. It’s urgent because the global challenges we face – climate change, growing inequality and intensification of urbanisation – require collaborative, plural perspectives. Design can model the world we aspire to: inclusive, interconnected and humane.

ADR: You often describe your work as a fusion of tradition and modernity. Can you share a project where this was expressed particularly powerfully? How did this project generate social or urban impact?

HL: One powerful example is the Bus Shelters and Concept Project M highway canopy developed in Morocco for the City of Rabat and many others. It fused traditional Moroccan zellige patterns with contemporary forms, creating industrial design public furniture for urban spaces and major urban design projects for the highways of Morocco. 

Beyond aesthetics, the project was about reclaiming public space as a shared cultural and social fabric. By uniting heritage and social function, it celebrated shared public space and activated underused plazas, transforming them into dignified places to rest, meet and reflect. The blend of tradition and modernity became a tool for social inclusion and urban storytelling.  

ADR: You’re speaking on a panel about equitable urban futures. What does equity in urban design mean to you? 

HL: Equity in urban design means creating with and for everyone. It’s about providing access to safe, inspiring and inclusive spaces. In a rapidly transforming urban world, design should not only meet functional needs but also human aspirations. In both the global North and South, this  means listening to communities, respecting cultural contexts, and designing sustainable solutions. 

Equity is not just a result – it must be an intention from the beginning of the design process. Design is also democratic and social. It becomes truly meaningful when it fulfils its function and carries both a dream and a message in the collective imagination.

ADR: Australia and the Arab world may seem worlds apart, yet your visit highlights the opportunity for cross-cultural dialogues with design as the universal interlocutor. Where do you see the greatest potential for meaningful collaboration between Australian and Arab designers or institutions?

HL: I see tremendous potential in co-design initiatives around climate-resilient architecture, sustainable materials and Indigenous knowledges. Both regions have deep traditions in adapting to the environment and landscape, whether it’s desert architecture, water conservation, or storytelling through craft. 

Collaborations between Australian and Arab designers, designers from Africa and the African diaspora can explore new narratives of design that honour heritage while innovating for the future. 

Institutions on both sides can foster residencies, cultural exchanges and joint research that bridges design with diplomacy. We need to create more connections, especially between local communities with roots in these regions.

ADR: You founded Africa Design Days and Design Days Morocco with a strong social mission. How do you define the role of the designer in addressing complex societal challenges, such as inclusion, climate or education?

HL: Today, the designer is a change-maker. No longer just a creator of objects, the designer is also a system thinker. With Africa Design Days and Design Week Morocco, I wanted to build a platform to amplify African voices, highlight local talent and shift narratives. 

Design can intervene at every level – rethinking education, practices and sustainability. Faced with societal challenges, we must design differently – with more listening, awareness and collective impact. 

Recently, I co-founded Africa Arab Morocco Design Organisation (AAMDO) to bring people together around design. I have been involved in design for decades and, in particular, with the World Design Organization (WDO) where I was a board member from 2017 to 2019. Since 2019, I have been the regional advisor for Africa and MENA region. Through these roles, and throughout my 30-year design career, my goal has been and remains to empower voices across the continent, to shift the narrative from passive consumption to active creation.

ADR: Your work has been exhibited globally – from the Guggenheim to the V&A. How has global recognition shaped your practice? How do you stay anchored in your cultural roots while working on the international stage?

HL: It is an honour, of course, but also a responsibility. Being recognised internationally pushes me to go further, while staying true to who I am. I remain rooted through materials, symbols and stories drawn from my Moroccan, African and Arab heritage. These elements are not decorations – they are souls. 

I see myself as a cultural translator, capable of transforming local heritage into a contemporary expression with universal resonance.

ADR: What would you say to emerging designers – whether in Australia or the Arab world – about their role as designers, potentially capable of shaping not just objects, but values and systems?

HL: I would tell them: your power goes far beyond drawing or objects. You have the ability to shape visions, behaviours and systems. Design is an act of responsibility. Be curious, bold and sincere. Honour your roots, but dare to reinterpret them. 

The world needs new voices, committed perspectives and designers who place humanity, ethics and the planet at the heart of their practice. Open yourselves to the world! Break mental barriers! Design is not only Western – it is universal. Be curious, seek inspiration. 

Translation flows between cultures and mediums. Revisit Designer Rugs’ panel discussion between artists and designers.