Liwan Craft Residency: Future Traditions and the New Authentic 2025–2026 Edition: Reimagining the Oasis – Our Design Ecosystem

ABOUT LIWAN DESIGN STUDIOS AND LABS

Liwan Design Studios and Labs is a multidisciplinary space housed in the historic first girls’ school of Qatar. It serves as a hub for creatives, fostering design experimentation, knowledge exchange, and cultural preservation through contemporary practices.
Equipped with modern studios, workshops, and fabrication labs, Liwan offers a platform for exploration at the intersection of tradition and contemporary design.

FUTURE TRADITIONS AND THE NEW AUTHENTIC

Qatar stands at the intersection of rapid modernization and deep-rooted heritage, creating a unique space for creative exploration.
The theme Future Traditions and the New Authentic invites designers to rethink how tradition lives in a globalized, fast-changing world.

Tradition is not static—it evolves, adapts, and reconfigures over time. Designers are encouraged to explore:

● How traditional Qatari crafts, such as weaving, pottery, metalwork, and glasswork, can be adapted for modern use.

● The intersection of heritage and innovation—how AI, digital fabrication, and sustainable practices can enhance traditional craft methodologies.

● The evolving meaning of authenticity in a multicultural, globalized world—creating locally rooted yet internationally relevant designs.

The residency serves as a platform for designers to push boundaries, blending the spirit of heritage with the imagination of the future.

2025–2026 THEME: REIMAGINING THE OASIS - OUR DESIGN ECOSYSTEM

Each year, the Liwan Craft Residency sets a focused design brief under its guiding theme.
For the 2025–2026 edition, residents will respond to Reimagining the Oasis – Our Design Ecosystem.

Historically vital to survival, trade, and cultural exchange, the oasis is a symbol of resourcefulness, sustainability, and communal life in Qatar’s desert landscape.
Residents are invited to reinterpret the oasis in contemporary design through three main lenses:

• Resourcefulness & Sustainability: How can traditional oasis techniques—such as passive cooling, water conservation, and biodiversity—inform modern design solutions?
• Cultural & Social Spaces: How can the concept of the oasis inspire contemporary gathering spaces that foster community and creativity
• Symbolism & Materiality: How can the materials, colours, and textures associated with oases be reinterpreted in furniture, product design, or digital experiences?

Residents will draw from research, collaboration with artisans, and creative experimentation to produce designs that reinterpret the oasis for a future-facing Qatar.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Residents will participate in:

• Mentorship sessions with leading designers, curators, and industry professionals.
• Craft workshops with Doha-based artisans.
• Community workshops, sharing skills and processes with the public.
• Collaborative projects with local factories and craftspeople.
• Studio work, with dedicated spaces at Liwan (minimum 12 hours per week).

The residency supports both traditional craftsmanship and innovation, encouraging residents to create meaningful new work.

OPEN CALL FOR DESIGNERS

Eligibility

• Open to designers and craftspeople based in Doha, Qatar.
• Applicants should have a strong background in product design, craft, or interdisciplinary design practices.
• Please note that only three (6) participants will be selected for this residency.

Applicants must submit:

• A written concept proposal (PDF, max 300 words) responding to the brief: Reimagining The Oasis: Qatar’s design ecosystem.
• Design drafts (up to 5 sketches, 3D renderings, or concept visuals).
• Portfolio (PDF or images — maximum five high-resolution images).
• Bio / CV (PDF, max 1 page).
• Craft Techniques / Collaboration Interest: a short text describing interest in traditional crafts and potential collaborations.

TIMELINE

• Open call launch: April 29, 2025
• Submission deadline: May 27, 2025, 10 PM
• Interviews: June 3, 2025
• Final selection announcement: June 10, 2025

Submission platform: JotForm

RESIDENCY SUPPORT

Each selected designer will receive:

• Budget: QAR 40,000 for concept, materials and production costs.
• Facilities: Access to Liwan studios, fabrication labs, and workshops.
• Opportunities: Collaboration with local artisans and mentorship from creative professionals.

Residents are expected to commit fully to the residency, including mentorship, workshops, studio practice, and final exhibition preparation.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Submissions must be original and the sole work of the applicant. 
• Previously exhibited or produced projects will not be accepted. 
• The final product must meet the quality standards set by Liwan and may be declined if poorly executed. 
• Only three participants will be selected for the 2025-2026 edition of the residency.

FINAL EXHIBITION AT DOHA DESIGN BIENNALE 2026

The residency will culminate in a major exhibition at the Doha Design Biennale 2026, showcasing the participants' work and positioning them within Qatar’s growing creative scene.

Through this residency, Liwan reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovative design grounded in heritage, culture, and sustainability. By reimagining tradition for the future, we pave the way for a New Authentic that resonates locally while inspiring global audiences.

For inquiries please contact: derouiche.asma@gmail.com