Design Doha Biennial 2026 opens today

Design Doha Biennial 2026 officially kicked off on November 5 and will showcase over 300 designers from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The event includes 20 exhibitions and five public design projects that aim to transform traditional knowledge and crafts into cultural and economic opportunities. Design Doha Director Fahad al-Obaidly stressed that the biennial opens a village for Arab designers, with more than 700 international attendees set to celebrate Arab design.

Qatar plans to introduce the region's culture to the world, rather than just showcasing its local culture. The biennial runs until January 31, 2027. Al-Obaidly highlighted the challenges faced by designers in the region in securing opportunities, production partners, and reaching international markets. He emphasized the need for sustained support to develop their work.

The first edition in 2024 generated an economic impact of QR62mn and supported 885 jobs in Qatar. This year's edition follows the theme "The future has roots in the past," drawing on inherited knowledge to create contemporary designs. The projects use materials such as clay, wool, glass, aluminium, palm fronds, and steel, along with traditional production methods.

The biennial takes place across 61 historic houses in Fereej Al Asmakh, featuring exhibitions, craft workshops, product sales, and community gatherings. The main exhibition, Arab Design Now 2026, curated by Noura al-Sayeh, presents 81 designers and design studios, including 78 new specially commissioned works. Five public design projects under a programme overseen by Javier Pena Ibanez, the curator of Public Design Commissions, will also be showcased.

These projects aim to address public spaces and climate change while developing designers' ideas into producible works. The Design Doha Prize winners will be announced on November 7, receiving QR200,000, professional mentoring, workspace, and an opportunity to display and sell their products. Design Doha Connect will continue to build on the buyer network established during the first edition, connecting designers with buyers, collectors, factories, and media representatives.