Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The second edition of the House of Artisans Design Competition aims to redefine how Emirati craftsmanship is woven into the future.
With the submission date extended until May 11, creatives have more time to immerse themselves in traditions and refine their work into pieces that honour the past and, at the same time, carve out a place in modern design.
Rooted in heritage yet driven by innovation, the competition invites designers to explore time-honoured materials, techniques, and narratives through a contemporary lens.
Speaking to Aletihad, Mashael Al Ali, Acting Handicrafts Development Section Head at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the initiative strikes a “beautiful, nuanced balance” between tradition and innovation.
“The competition does not just ask designers to mimic tradition, but to engage with it, to understand the significance and techniques of our heritage crafts. Then, with that foundation, they are encouraged to infuse modern aesthetics and functionality,” Al Ali said.
She pointed to last year’s winning “Moza” chair as a clear example, noting how “it marries design with the ancient art of Khoos weaving.”
The goal, she added, is to ensure these skills continue to evolve and remain relevant across generations.
“It is about ensuring these time-honoured skills do not just survive, but thrive and find new relevance in today's world, creating a vital dialogue between generations.”
Al Ali said the initiative extends beyond visibility by enabling meaningful collaboration between emerging designers and master artisans through structured development programmes.
“The support here is really comprehensive. Beyond just being a platform for visibility, the competition provides a tailored design development programme.”
She said “the real magic happens when up-and-coming creatives work directly with highly skilled artisans.”
The mentorship strengthens both technical and cultural learning through a direct transfer of knowledge from one generation to another, Al Ali added.
“Our young creatives learn directly from the hands that have kept these traditions alive for decades,” she said. “This interaction protects, preserves, and promotes our heritage and culture, all at once.”
Reflecting on the competition’s evolution, she said the second edition has grown in reach and impact, particularly through international exposure, while maintaining its original vision.
“It builds on the great success of the first. Our vision remains exactly the same, to foster innovation that's deeply rooted in our heritage,” she said.
She highlighted the role of their collaboration with Mubadala in enabling long-term investment and expanding the competition’s influence.
“Our partnership with Mubadala is instrumental for this competition. It means we can strategically invest, long-term, in the future of our creative industries,” she said.
For the team behind the competition, success goes beyond impressive participation figures.
“True success for us lies in qualitative impact,” she said. “It's about fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem: inspiring expression, developing skills and genuinely showcasing the lasting importance and resilience of our heritage and culture.”
