From waste to design: Sheikha Hind Al Qasimi's vision for Sharjah's creative future
Discarded oyster shells, palm waste and by-products from desalination plants might seem unlikely starting points for a new generation of design products. Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, however, says they represent some of the most exciting possibilities being explored at Sharjah Design Centre. The brains behind the institution, scheduled to open in 2029, have already spent almost three years…
Sheikha Hind Al Qasimi envisions Sharjah's future as a hub for creative design, utilizing reclaimed materials and local expertise. The Sheikha Hind Al Qasimi-led Sharjah Design Centre, set to open in 2029, is pioneering the use of discarded oyster shells, palm waste and by-products from desalination plants to create innovative architecture and design products.
Through a partnership with France-based Atelier Luma, researchers at the centre are transforming these materials into plasters, paints, bricks and salt panels. Sheikha Hind also acknowledges the challenge of turning ideas into finished products for UAE designers. To address this, the centre will house seven specialized laboratories for ceramics, glass, metal, wood, textiles, jewellery and rapid prototyping.
These labs will enable designers to produce up to 100 pieces before moving on to larger manufacturers, thus overcoming financial hurdles associated with industrial production runs. The centre's architecture, designed by Mexican practice Taller de Arquitectura – Mauricio Rocha, incorporates rammed-earth construction, reflecting Sharjah's design identity rooted in culture, heritage, architecture, craftsmanship and local environment.
Sheikhala Hind believes this approach mirrors Sharjah's broader design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of traditional techniques and local materials.
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