Furusiyya, a medieval Arab knightly discipline rooted in equestrianism, encompasses horsemanship, strategy, craftsmanship, and warrior ethics. Milan-based Lebanese design studio David/Nicolas explored this heritage in designing two spaces—the Equestrian Library and the Saddle Workshop—for ADREA (Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts), the world’s fifth classical horsemanship school and the first outside Europe, which opened in November 2025. ADREA embodies an Emirati interpretation of Furusiyya, blending tradition with contemporary vision through equestrian performances, knowledge preservation, and immersive learning.

David/Nicolas crafted the Library around a hand-carved wooden core symbolizing intimacy and tradition, surrounded by sleek steel bookshelves evoking horse movement, creating a dynamic visitor experience from private reflection to social engagement. The Saddle Workshop features a “room within a room” design highlighting artisanal craft, with saddles displayed on wooden hooks and a central workspace adorned with intricate marquetry inspired by Emirati architecture. The project’s materiality—warm wood contrasted with sharp metal—reflects a dialogue between past and future, emphasizing craftsmanship as the essence that animates the spaces.