Design Doha Biennial turns the spotlight on region’s creative talent

The Design Doha Biennial 2026, inaugurated by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, showcases the region's creative talent and rich traditional knowledge. Spanning until January 31, 2027, the biennial brings together designers, craftspeople, and creative practitioners from across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Featuring 20 exhibitions, new design commissions, public installations, and cultural programs, the event emphasizes how traditional practices inspire contemporary design, materials, and production techniques. Located across Doha, the biennial's main hub is the historic Fereej Al Asmakh district, with the flagship exhibition 'Arab Design Now 2026' hosted at Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Director Fahad al-Obaidly highlights the celebration of creative talent and knowledge exchange, while Artistic Director Glenn Adamson underscores the biennial's role in presenting design as an evolving knowledge system across generations and cultures.

The flagship exhibition, curated by Noura al-Sayeh, features 81 designers, craftspeople, and makers. It presents 78 newly commissioned works and 17 specially commissioned films, exploring the connection between traditional skills and contemporary design through five thematic sections. Accompanying the exhibition is the launch of the second volume of "Arab Design Now."

Additionally, 19 exhibitions are organized across Fereej Al Asmakh and other Doha locations, in collaboration with regional and international institutions and partners. Notable projects include Fernando Laposse's "The Planter," examining desert environment connections between Mexico and Qatar, Turquoise Mountain Foundation's "Aslan's Love Story," celebrating Palestinian craft traditions, and Saudi Modern's "Post Oil 2026," exploring materials that have transformed the Gulf's built environment.

The biennial also includes plans for the regeneration of Al Khor's historic center, developed following consultations with the local community. Displayed in three traditional houses, this project features a full-scale canopy designed by Kere Architecture and invites public contributions to the Al Khor Heritage Trail's next phase. Overall, the Design Doha Biennial aims to highlight the region's design heritage while fostering creative exchange, innovation, and new approaches to design and cultural production.