YLA introduces the Audace Outdoor Edition, an evolution of its signature Audace collection developed for exterior spaces.

Rather than creating a separate outdoor collection, YLA has retained the proportions, geometry and visual identity of Audace, adapting the elements that needed to perform differently outside. Outdoor-rated fabrics, revised powder-coated finishes and removable cushions allow the collection to move from interior settings to terraces, gardens, courtyards and poolside environments without changing its underlying design language.

The edition also opens Audace to a broader range of fabric and metal colour combinations, introducing greater flexibility for architects, designers and private clients working across residential and hospitality projects.

“We kept hearing the same question: could Audace live outside? The Outdoor Edition is our answer. It takes the same design language and extends it to terraces, gardens and outdoor spaces without changing what made Audace recognisable in the first place.” — Benoît Rondard, Founder & Managing Director, YLA

From Interior to Exterior

The starting point for the Outdoor Edition was not a new form, but a new context. Audace was originally conceived around the contrast between metal and softer upholstered elements, with open geometries, precise proportions and colour playing an important role in the collection’s identity. As the collection developed, YLA began receiving a recurring question from architects and designers: could the same pieces be used outdoors?

The answer required less of a visual redesign than a technical reconsideration.

The proportions and lines remain unchanged. Instead, YLA focused on the elements affected by exterior conditions: upholstery, surface treatment and the practical relationship between the furniture and its environment.

“We didn’t need to reinvent Audace to take it outside. We kept the geometry and lines exactly as they were. What changed were the elements that needed to perform differently: the fabric is outdoor-rated, and the powder coating has been adapted for exposure to sun and rain. The design remains Audace; the performance around it has evolved.” — Rémi Damilleville, Designer, YLA

Adapted for Outdoor Use

The shift outdoors led YLA to reconsider the material specifications of the collection while maintaining its existing visual character. The upholstery has been selected for exterior environments, with fabrics developed to respond to sunlight, moisture and everyday use. Water-repellent, stain-resistant and mould-resistant properties support use in open-air settings, while colour retention under prolonged sun exposure was an important consideration in the selection process.

The metal finishes have also been adapted for outdoor exposure, with the powder coating reconsidered for conditions including sun, rain and humidity.

For the upholstered pieces, the cushions remain integrated into the visual composition of Audace but can be removed when required for cleaning or storage. The intervention is intentionally discreet: the objective was to adapt the collection technically without giving it the heavier or more visibly functional language often associated with outdoor furniture.

A Broader Palette

Colour has been central to Audace from the beginning, used not as decoration but as part of the relationship between metal, form and surrounding space.

With the Outdoor Edition, that approach becomes more flexible.

A broader selection of outdoor fabrics and powder-coated metal finishes allows combinations to be developed according to the architecture and character of each project. Rather than introducing a single predetermined outdoor palette, YLA has approached colour as an adaptable layer within the collection.

The result allows the same Audace geometry to take on different expressions across a private terrace, a garden, a restaurant courtyard or a hospitality setting, while remaining immediately recognisable as part of the same collection.

Designed and Made in Dubai

The Audace Outdoor Edition is designed and manufactured in Dubai through YLA’s integrated production process, bringing design development, engineering, metal fabrication, powder coating, assembly and quality control into close proximity.

That local context has particular relevance for a collection designed for outdoor use.

In the UAE, exterior furniture is exposed to intense sunlight, high temperatures and humidity for extended periods of the year. These conditions informed the development of the edition and the decisions made around materials and finishes.

“We work with metal, and we live in the UAE — a place where summer tests every material to its limit. When it came time to develop the Outdoor Edition, we didn’t have to imagine what heat, sun and humidity would mean for the furniture. That experience shaped the choices we made.” — Benoît Rondard

Local manufacturing also enables YLA to retain direct oversight of the transition from design to production, while working closely with architects, interior designers and hospitality partners across the region.

One Collection, Different Contexts

The Audace Outdoor Edition does not introduce a new visual language for YLA. Instead, it expands the context in which an existing one can exist.

The same structure, proportions and design principles move between interior and exterior settings, creating continuity across spaces that are increasingly conceived as connected rather than separate.

For YLA, the Outdoor Edition represents an extension of Audace rather than a departure from it: the same collection, reconsidered around the material and environmental demands of life outside.

ALMAL Real Estate Development and Sumosan Restaurant Group celebrated their partnership with an official signing ceremony at The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences, marking a significant milestone in the development’s premium dining and hospitality offering.

Held on 3 November 2026 at the project site on Al Marjan Island, the ceremony was attended by senior leadership from both organisations. The official signing was led by Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, and Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, in the presence of Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL; Vladimir Vysotski, CEO of ALMAL Real Estate Development; Hugo Goncalves, COO of Sumosan Restaurant Group; and Manuel Garcia, General Manager of The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences.

Following the ceremonial signing, the delegation toured the development, including the restaurant areas and mock-up room, reviewing construction progress and the future hospitality experience.

Internationally recognised for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, Sumosan brings more than two decades of culinary expertise and a presence across leading destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Its signature approach combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary creativity and refined hospitality.

Dmitriy Starovoitov, Founder of ALMAL Real Estate Development, commented:

“Our vision for The Unexpected Al Marjan Island extends beyond traditional luxury hospitality. Bringing Sumosan to Al Marjan Island is another important step in creating a destination that combines world-class dining, entertainment and exceptional guest experiences.”

Janina Wolkow, Founder of Sumosan Restaurant Group, added:

“We are delighted to bring Sumosan to The Unexpected Al Marjan Island. This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to introduce our distinctive Japanese dining experience to a new audience in one of the UAE’s emerging hospitality destinations.”

Sylvain Eid, Partner at ALMAL, commented:

“Sumosan is a natural fit for The Unexpected’s entertainment-led concept and aligns with the ambition to create a destination where exceptional dining, lifestyle and entertainment come together, offering guests experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality.”

Developed by ALMAL Real Estate Development and operated by Palladium Hotel Group under The Unexpected Hotels & Residences brand, the five-star property comprises 319 hotel rooms and 103 residential apartments. The Ibiza-inspired destination will feature a combination of hospitality, dining, entertainment, beach club and rooftop experiences.

The ceremony follows the recent completion of the development’s superstructure, with façade, MEP installations and interior fit-out works now progressing across the property.

Nolte Küchen, Germany’s leading premium kitchen brand, opened its flagship showroom at Eiffel Building 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, giving homeowners and industry professionals direct access to its kitchen design expertise and services.  

The grand opening was attended by senior leadership from Nolte’s German headquarters, including Maren Schmitt-Nolte, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of Nolte Group; Georg Konrad Nolte, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nolte Group; Torben Leonhard Karasek, Managing Director of Nolte Holding International; and Heiko Maibach, CEO Sales & Marketing, Nolte Küchen GmbH & Co. KG. They were joined by Sherif Abou El Naga, Vice Consul, Deputy Head of Visa Section of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai; Daniela Calligaro, Director, Dubai Office & Regional Membership, German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce; Jamal Ramadhan Bin Marghoob, VP Clients and Community Relations, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DIEZ); and senior representatives of Dubai’s real estate sector.  

Centred around the theme of ‘Mastering Nature’, the opening featured four zones, Flame, Terra, Aqua and Stone, inspired by natural elements that shape everyday kitchen rituals. As guests explored the showroom’s collections, materials and design features, they experienced how Nolte Küchen combines these elements with nearly seven decades of German engineering and precision. 

The launch follows Nolte’s establishment of direct UAE operations in 2025 through Nolte Kitchens LLC, a subsidiary of Nolte Küchen Germany. The showroom provides a base for retail growth and closer engagement with developers and design partners, complementing its project business in Dubai’s premium residential market, where Knight Frank recorded 412 home sales valued at USD 10 million or more during the first nine months of 2026. 

Maren Schmitt-Nolte, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of Nolte Group, said: “What started as a family business in Germany has grown into an internationally well-recognised brand, represented by dedicated people and trusted partners around the world. Last year, we took an important strategic decision to take full responsibility for our presence here in the UAE market. This decision reflects our confidence in this market, our belief in the people who have built our business here and our ambition to continue growing together.” 

As part of Nolte’s multi-year AED 25 million investment plan, the 450 sq. m flagship is the brand’s only directly owned and operated showroom in the UAE. Designed as a Connection Hub, it offers access to in-house specialists and a space for architects, designers and developers to meet, work and exchange ideas. 

“Over the past decade and a half, we have expanded our footprint across more than 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, establishing ourselves as the leading German kitchen brand in the region. Through this growth, Dubai has remained the centerpiece of our operations,” said Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director & Senior Vice President – Middle East, Asia & Africa at Nolte FZE. “Taking direct control of our UAE market presence has brought us closer to our clients, projects and partners. The opening of our flagship showroom marks another important milestone in this journey.” 

The displays feature Nolte Neo, Nolte and Express across five kitchens, two spas, one laundry and one living room, spanning different styles, specifications and price points. In-house designers provide personalised consultations based on lifestyle, space and budget, supported by materials and planning systems, live 3D kitchen visualisation and appliances from international brands. Visitors can access support from concept through installation and learn about Nolte’s FSC- and PEFC-certified materials. 

The showroom also features a podcast corner, product guides, catalogues and sustainability reports. Nolte plans product presentations, guided walkthroughs, training sessions, intimate dinners and workshops with partner brands, designers and creators, making the space an active hub for the UAE’s design and property industry. 

With an order book exceeding AED 90 million, comprising over 4,000 kitchens, Nolte plans to expand into Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates through local partnerships and dealer networks. The Dubai flagship will support this growth through product selection, technical coordination and professional training for homeowners and developers.