Latest news with #DohaDesignDistrict
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Qatar Tribune
DDD and VCUarts Qatar collaborate tofoster sustainability through design
QNA Doha Doha Design District (DDD) and VCUarts Qatar have collaborated with artist Abdelrahman Al Muftah to design an innovative, sustainable sanctuary for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. The Bird Cluster project, which includes a planter, bird nest, watering tray and feeding tray, has been brought to life in Msheireb as part of DDD's commitment to advancing Qatar's Vision 2030, a future driven by sustainability and innovation. By encouraging collaboration and empowering emerging designers, this project exemplifies how DDD and VCUarts Qatar are cultivating local talent to create impactful solutions that benefit the community. Director of Doha Design District Dana Kazic said: 'This collaboration with VCUarts Qatar and Abdulrahman Al Muftah reflects our mission to nurture creativity and empower young designers to address real-world challenges through meaningful design. By merging sustainability with innovation, we're not only working towards contributing to our national vision but also inspiring the next generation of designers to think critically about their role in shaping a better future for our society.' Rab McClure, professor and director, MFA in Design, VCUarts Qatar, said: 'The Bird Cluster project embodies significant and meaningful ideas. It stands out for its research-driven design approach, supported through the collaborative efforts of VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District. This work exemplifies the kind of locally rooted, socially conscious design we strive to cultivate, creating projects that help to advance the broader vision of a sustainable urban environment for all.' Al Muftah worked closely with DDD and VCUarts Qatar to ensure the structure was both sustainable and innovative. Inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, the design seamlessly integrates into the urban landscape while providing functional nesting spaces for smaller birds. The compact yet secure structure features entry points specifically designed to exclude larger invasive species, ensuring a haven for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. This attention to detail highlights the project's dual focus on preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with the environment. Abdulrahman Al Muftah, designer of The Bird Cluster, expressed: 'Working with Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar's Boost Lab to bring this project to life was truly rewarding. As a designer, I'm passionate about integrating flora and fauna into public spaces because it creates environments that support biodiversity and multiple species can thrive together. For me, thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics - it's about understanding and considering the broader environmental impact of what we create. Every design decision ripples outward, affecting not just human users but entire ecosystems.' This initiative emphasises the broader significance of collaborative efforts between DDD and VCUarts Qatar. By bringing together creative minds, local expertise, and forward-thinking design principles, projects like this contribute meaningfully to society, benefiting both the environment and the community. Through this partnership, DDD and VCUarts Qatar continue to demonstrate how design can be a powerful tool for driving positive change and building a more sustainable future for Qatar.
Zawya
3 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar collaborate to foster sustainability through design
Doha, Qatar: Doha Design District (DDD) and VCUarts Qatar have collaborated with artist Abdelrahman Al Muftah to design an innovative, sustainable sanctuary for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. The Bird Cluster project, which includes a planter, bird nest, watering tray, and feeding tray, has been brought to life in Msheireb as part of DDD's commitment to advancing Qatar's Vision 2030, a future driven by sustainability and innovation. By encouraging collaboration and empowering emerging designers, this project exemplifies how DDD and VCUarts Qatar are cultivating local talent to create impactful solutions that benefit the community. Dana Kazic, Director of Doha Design District said: 'This collaboration with VCUarts Qatar and Abdulrahman Al Muftah reflects our mission to nurture creativity and empower young designers to address real-world challenges through meaningful design. By merging sustainability with innovation, we're not only working towards contributing to our national vision but also inspiring the next generation of designers to think critically about their role in shaping a better future for our society.' Rab McClure, Professor and Director, MFA in Design, VCUarts Qatar said: ' The Bird Cluster project embodies significant and meaningful ideas. It stands out for its research-driven design approach, supported through the collaborative efforts of VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District. This work exemplifies the kind of locally rooted, socially conscious design we strive to cultivate, creating projects that help to advance the broader vision of a sustainable urban environment for all.' Al Muftah worked closely with DDD and VCUarts Qatar to ensure the structure was both sustainable and innovative. Inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, the design seamlessly integrates into the urban landscape while providing functional nesting spaces for smaller birds. The compact yet secure structure features entry points specifically designed to exclude larger invasive species, ensuring a haven for Qatar's native Bulbul birds. This attention to detail highlights the project's dual focus on preserving biodiversity and maintaining harmony with the environment. Abdulrahman Al Muftah, designer of The Bird Cluster, expressed: 'Working with Doha Design District and VCUarts Qatar's Boost Lab to bring this project to life was truly rewarding. As a designer, I'm passionate about integrating flora and fauna into public spaces because it creates environments that support biodiversity and multiple species can thrive together. For me, thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics - it's about understanding and considering the broader environmental impact of what we create. Every design decision ripples outward, affecting not just human users but entire ecosystems.' This initiative emphasises the broader significance of collaborative efforts between DDD and VCUarts Qatar. By bringing together creative minds, local expertise, and forward-thinking design principles, projects like this contribute meaningfully to society, benefiting both the environment and the community. Through this partnership, DDD and VCUarts Qatar continue to demonstrate how design can be a powerful tool for driving positive change and building a more sustainable future for Qatar. About Doha Design District Doha Design District (DDD), located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is a leading hub for design, innovation, and cultural exchange in Qatar. Guided by a vision to position Doha as the capital of creative imagination, DDD serves as a platform where design is continuously reimagined, challenged, and celebrated. With a clear mission to inspire a design movement, DDD supports emerging and established talent, facilitates international and cross-sector collaboration, and creates purposeful experiences across a programme of exhibitions, installations, workshops, and talks. As a strategic initiative of Msheireb Properties, DDD plays an important role in advancing Qatar's National Vision 2030, contributing to cultural development, innovation-led growth, and a more sustainable, creative-based economy.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Msheireb Museums unveils wide-ranging summer workshops this month
DOHA Msheireb Museums has announced wide-ranging workshops this August as part of its 2025 Summer Programme. It has successfully engaged young cultural ambassadors throughout July, further establishing its reputation as Qatar's leading heritage education destination whilst building anticipation for August's expanded programming. It further added that the programme's initial success stems to its distinctive approach to cultural preservation, moving beyond traditional display methods to create immersive, participatory experiences that connect the country's heritage with contemporary creative expression. Its mission is to raise awareness, foster a love of reading and discovery, as well as change how people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment. This month workshops include a digital art session inspired by Qatari architecture, targeting participants aged 10 and above, a clay and storytelling workshop designed for children aged 6 to 12, and a visual storytelling session using collage and drawing, open to participants aged 8 and above. In addition, an inclusive discovery camp will be held, tailored for children and youth with diverse educational needs. "The success of this summer programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships can transform heritage education. By combining DDD's design expertise with Msheireb's cultural vision and the excellence of various stakeholders, we're creating meaningful pathways for young people to engage with Qatar's rich architectural heritage while developing contemporary creative skills," noted Dana Kazic, Director of Doha Design District. For her part, Director of Strategic Engagement at VCUarts Qatar Lejla Niksic highlighted: "This collaboration with Msheireb Museums and Doha Design District reflects a shared commitment to strategic, impact-driven partnerships that advance arts and design education through cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem rooted in innovation, contemporary practice and cultural heritage. The Community Education programme at VCUarts Qatar aims to expand access to meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that empower participants of all ages to engage with art and design in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and future-focused, and this collaborative summer programme was perfectly aligned with this mission". The Museums has so far organized a series of diverse workshops last July, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar and the Doha Design District. The programme featured exceptional educational and cultural experiences, including an interior design workshop that explored the traditional architectural principles of Radwani House; a creative patterns session examining the distinctive architectural vocabulary of Msheireb, and an Arabic calligraphy workshop aimed at preserving the classical Diwani script tradition.
Emirates Woman
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
22 female interior designers redefining the Arab world in 2025
Life by Aminath Ifasa 28 seconds ago The Arab world's design landscape is being transformed by an extraordinary generation of female creatives and interior designers who are redefining luxury, heritage, and innovation. These visionary women architects and interior designers are shaping the region's aesthetic future through groundbreaking projects that span hospitality, residential, and cultural spaces, proving that the Middle East's design industry is increasingly female-led. HRH Princess Alanoud Al Saud View this post on Instagram A post shared by A INTERIORS (@a_interiors) At her Riyadh studio A Interiors, the princess creates contemporary spaces that reinterpret Saudi heritage. Her designs skillfully combine traditional textiles and mashrabiya details with modern materiality in geometric forms. The princess's Riyadh studio crafts contemporary spaces that reimagine Saudi heritage. Her portfolio features a minimalist villa showcasing exquisite stone and wood craftsmanship, and a desert farmhouse blending organic textures with traditional architectural elements. Shaikha Al Sulaiti As design lead for Doha Design District, she mentors emerging Qatari talent while maintaining her own practice. Elevated from luxury home designer to creative force at Doha Design District, she champions Qatari talent while maintaining her own innovative practice. Her Mondrian-inspired tables, debuted at Milan Design Week 2024, reinterpret traditional stained glass motifs, while upcoming rug designs draw from historic Qatari plasterwork. Aljoud Lootah The Emirati designer celebrates her studio's tenth anniversary by merging traditional craftsmanship with minimalist aesthetics. Her Falaj Collection, inspired by ancient irrigation systems, debuted at Dubai Design Week, showcasing her signature approach to culturally rooted contemporary design. Aline Asmar d'Amman View this post on Instagram A post shared by MARIE MAROT (@marie_marot) With strong ties to the fashion world through collaborations with Chanel and the late Karl Lagerfeld, this architect brings couture sensibility to interior spaces. Her current projects include the restoration of Venice's Palazzo Donà Giovannelli for the Orient Express Hotel brand and a Haussmannian pied-à-terre in Paris. Nada Debs The Beirut-based designer preserves traditional craftsmanship through modern applications, from marquetry to weaving. Recent collaborations include decorative objects for Dior's fragrance collection and multiple variations of her signature Swirl table design. Rania Hamed View this post on Instagram A post shared by VSHD Design (@vshddesign) Through her Dubai and Montreal-based studio VSHD, the interior designer creates spaces that balance Japanese minimalism with Brutalist influences. Her Soub café in Dubai channels 1970s design elements while maintaining a Zen-like simplicity. Agata Kurzela The Polish-born, Dubai-based designer combines architectural training with engineering precision in her multidisciplinary practice. Her award-winning redesign of Abu Dhabi's Government Offices demonstrates her ability to modernize heritage structures. Current projects include the Kempinski Residences The Creek and a major Abu Dhabi museum development. Yasmina Makram The Cairo-based designer's HA-BEIT'A Pavilion at Cairo Design Week demonstrated her ability to create avant-garde yet authentic spaces. Upcoming projects include an Art Deco-inspired Nile apartment and futuristic offices in Saudi Arabia. Zeina Aboukheir The Italian-Lebanese designer's decades-long commitment to slow living design culminates in projects like Luxor's Al Moudira Hotel. Current work includes renovating a historic Cairo skyscraper, bringing new life to the city's architectural heritage. Pallavi Dean A true global citizen, Pallavi Dean, founder of Roar, brings a multicultural sensibility to her designs. Born in India, raised in Dubai, and honed in London, her portfolio is a testament to her versatility, encompassing high-profile hospitality, commercial, and residential projects across the Middle East, Africa, and the UK. Dean's work is defined by its narrative-driven approach, where every space tells a story. Dima Srouji Through her London-based practice and glassware brand Hollow Forms, this Palestinian architect explores cultural heritage using materials like glass and plaster. Her work often examines archaeological narratives, including historical excavations conducted by Palestinian women. Aisha Al Sowaidi This Doha-based designer infuses nostalgic elements into contemporary spaces, from playful mirror designs to reimagined majlis concepts. As director of Qatar Museums' Liwan Design Studios, she transformed a historic girls' school into a thriving creative hub for Doha's design community. Maja Kozel View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maja Kozel Design (@majakozel) For Maja Kozel, design is as much about social responsibility as it is about beauty. Drawing inspiration from Emirati heritage, she seamlessly weaves sustainability into her projects, championing recycled materials without compromising on artistry. Her award-winning Tubo lighting design for Surge for Water is a striking example of how ethical design can also be exquisitely crafted. Salwa Samargandi The Saudi architect takes a holistic approach to heritage preservation, as seen in her sensitive restoration of AlUla's historic mosque. Her work successfully balances historical authenticity with contemporary functionality. Maliha Nishat With a career spanning Design Worldwide Partnership and HBA, Maliha Nishat has become synonymous with elevated hospitality design. Currently shaping Marriott's footprint across the region, including the Marriott Hotel Rabat and Westin & Element Riyadh, Nishat collaborates with top design houses to create immersive travel experiences that resonate on a deeply human level. Hala Saleh View this post on Instagram A post shared by TDF+ (@tdfplus) The Cairo-based designer challenges conventional aesthetics through projects like her midcentury-inspired villa in Katamaya Heights, featuring an unconventional eggshell-blue palette. Her background in mechanical engineering informs her innovative approach to adaptive reuse. Lina Ghotmeh Known for her work with Hermès and the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion, the Lebanese architect emphasizes sustainable materials and craft techniques. Her upcoming project includes a contemporary art museum in AlUla designed as interconnected desert pavilions. Sneha Divias Portuguese-born Sneha Divias brings a European sensibility to the Middle Eastern design landscape. After honing her craft in Lisbon and New York, she founded her own atelier in Dubai, quickly earning recognition as Interior Designer of the Year at the 2017 Commercial Interior Design Awards. Her work is marked by its diversity, blending global influences with a keen understanding of local context. Sahar Al Yaseer & Cristina Gallenca The duo behind UAE-based La Bottega specializes in narrative-driven hospitality design. Their Delano Dubai penthouse project successfully translated the brand's Miami aesthetic into a Dubai context, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Laila Al-Yousef A champion of sustainability and female empowerment, Laila Al-Yousef co-founded Say Studio with a mission to integrate social responsibility into design. Her involvement with Surge for Water underscores her commitment to meaningful creativity, while her corporate workspaces at Perkins+Will remain benchmarks of innovation. Aziza Chaouni The Moroccan architect addresses climate challenges through socially conscious design. Her earthquake-resistant housing prototype for High Atlas communities and adaptive reuse of a 1930s bus station demonstrate architecture's potential for environmental and social impact. Zoubeida Chtiba Tunisian designer Zoubeida Chtiba's work is a masterclass in modern simplicity. Her use of warm hues and strategic mirrors creates spaces that are both luminous and serene. These remarkable female interior designers represent the vanguard of Middle Eastern design, challenging conventions and elevating the region's creative reputation on the global stage. Their 2025 projects not only showcase Arab design excellence but also demonstrate the growing influence of female leadership in shaping the built environment across the Arab world. From preserving cultural heritage to pioneering sustainable solutions, these designers are writing a new chapter in the region's design narrative – one where women's voices and visions are leading the way. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram & Feature Image: Instagram @vshddesign @ aljoudlootah
