DCT Abu Dhabi And Mubadala Announce Winners Of House Of Artisans Design Competition Celebrating Emirati Craftsmanship

The House of Artisans, under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and in partnership with Mubadala, has announced the winners of its Design Competition. This initiative aims to preserve the UAE's rich craftsmanship heritage. The competition encouraged innovation by celebrating traditional Emirati crafts and provided a platform for emerging talent through Furniture Design and Product Design categories.

The competition is part of a five-year collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and Mubadala. This partnership ensures that traditional crafts endure and evolve, bridging generations while inspiring innovation rooted in Emirati identity. Mubadala plays a crucial role in supporting creative talent and preserving Emirati heritage, aligning with its commitment to empower future designers and artisans.

In the Furniture Design category, Khaled Al Shaker and Mohammad Samara took first place, followed by Moustafa Zakaria in second, Gerald Jason Cruz in third, and Aya Al Khatib in fourth. Aditi Patwani won first place in the Design and Deco Art category, with Marwa Sidahmed and Ghada Al Sayegh receiving special recognition for their contributions.

The awards ceremony marked the culmination of a rigorous design process involving production phases and jury assessments. Winners were chosen based on creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, theme relevance, and overall artistic merit. The Furniture Design category showcased original pieces like chairs and lighting that combined classic techniques with modern aesthetics.

The Product Design category focused on innovative everyday household items such as ceramics and accessories. Participants worked closely with artisans and handicraft professionals to create designs that bridge past traditions with present-day aesthetics. This collaboration resulted in unique creations that reflect both heritage and contemporary influences.

A distinguished jury panel evaluated the entries. It included experts from design, architecture, culture fields, representatives from DCT Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Foundation, renowned designers Abdullah Al Mulla (Architectural Designer), and Omar Al Gurg (Architect and Designer). Their expertise ensured a fair assessment of all submissions.

Empowering Local Talent

The House of Artisans Design Competition successfully united designers, creative studios, and students. It offered them a chance to collaborate with artisans to reimagine traditional Emirati craftsmanship. The award ceremony celebrated this integration of heritage with contemporary aesthetics while showcasing future design inspired by UAE's cultural richness.

This competition was open to creatives from UAE-based art institutes. It is one among many initiatives through which DCT Abu Dhabi reaffirms its dedication to protecting, preserving, promoting UAE’s heritage culture. Through collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, Mubadala continues reinforcing cultural preservation as part of its broader social investment within UAE’s creative industries.

With inputs from WAM