DUBAI: Saudi designer Abdulaziz Al-Andas, founder of Lumbart Gaming, is bringing a new dimension to leisure design through his collection of wooden game tables that merge play and artistry.
His brand was selected to represent the Kingdom as part of the Designed in Saudi exhibition — organized by the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission — at Dubai Design Week, which took place earlier this month.
Saudi designer Abdulaziz Al-Andas, founder of Lumbart Gaming.
“Our idea is to take traditional games and present them in a luxury form that fits today’s lifestyle,” Al-Andas told Arab News at DDW. “We modify the design and materials, but we don’t change the essence of the game. Our motto is: we respect the rules of the game and create pride through its form and elegance.”
Lumbart Gaming specializes in transforming classic board and table games — including chess, carrom, ping-pong, dominoes, jackaroo and the popular Saudi card game baloot — into bespoke furniture pieces crafted from fine woods. Each design is intended to function both as a playable game and as an elegant decorative centerpiece suitable for modern interiors.
“The games we make are designed to be valuable, collectible pieces that can be displayed in luxury spaces while still allowing people to play casually,” Al-Andas explained. “They fill a social space, a setting for conversation and relaxation, but they’re not made for professional gaming. They’re crafted for design and enjoyment.”
The tables are made from high-quality wood varieties including walnut, wengé, and mahogany, which are sourced from abroad, since Saudi Arabia does not produce native hardwoods, Al-Andas explained.
“We import the wood, treat it and apply the necessary finishing to produce a modern appearance,” Al-Andas said. “All the pieces are designed and made in Saudi Arabia.”
The surfaces of Lumbart Gaming’s tables include engraved patterns, inlaid details and geometric lines. Each piece is produced through a combination of manual and mechanical techniques — approximately 60 percent handcrafted and 40 percent machine-made.
“Our design approach values originality and cultural connection,” Al-Andas added. “We focus on preserving the authentic design of each game while giving it a modern presentation that respects its cultural roots.”
Although most of the games are well-known across the world, Al-Andas explained that Lumbart’s interpretations carry their own design language. “Games are like dialects,” he said. “They exist everywhere, but each region expresses them differently. The same game you find in Saudi Arabia might exist in Egypt or Morocco, but the details, motifs and finishes make each version unique. What we’re doing is bringing Saudi craftsmanship and aesthetics to these global games.”
At Dubai Design Week, Lumbart Gaming showcased its Baloot table — a smooth, square surface with recessed edges and a minimalist layout designed to accommodate four players.
“We work to the highest standards so that every product feels like a piece of art, just like this Baloot table,” Al-Andas said. “The idea is to preserve the spirit of play while turning it into a visual experience.”
He also emphasized the role of Saudi heritage in shaping the company’s creative vision. “Our designs are rooted in the cultural values of the Kingdom,” he said. “They combine traditional entertainment with modern design to reflect who we are today: proud of our past but looking forward.”
For Al-Andas, participating in the Designed in Saudi initiative represented both recognition and responsibility.
“Being selected by the Architecture and Design Commission was a great honor,” he said. “The platform gives Saudi designers the opportunity to showcase our work internationally and build confidence in the creative potential of our country.”
